My buddy needs a water pump for his 89 300E 103M. A rebuilt factory is $200. A new Bosch at Pep Boys is $125 (approx). Any other suggestions? Go new or rebuilt on this part. Factory or aftermarket?

The 617 diesel is a factory rebuild only as I understand.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

Any of the brands offered through the FastLane link at the top of this page is a safer bet than a Pep Boys rebuilt Bosch unit, IMHO. Replacing a 300E water pump is as time consuming a job as a water pump replacement can get. You don't want to do it more than once in your life.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Early this year I replaced the water pump on my father's M104 (similar to M103). I fitted a Laso brand pump which was recommended to me. Genuine MB was around AUD$500 whereas this one was a little under AUD$300. I would have concerns as to how "rebuilt" the rebuilt one is.

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107.023: 350SLC, 3-speed auto, icon gold, parchment MBtex (sold 2012 after 29 years ownership).
107.026: 500SLC, 4-speed auto, thistle green, green velour.
124.090: 300TE, 4-speed auto, arctic white, cream-beige MBtex.
201.028: 190E 2.3 Sportline, 5-speed manual, arctic white, blue leather.
201.028: 190E 2.3, 4-speed auto, blue-black, grey MBtex.
201.034: 190E 2.3-16, 5-speed manual, blue-black, black leather.

I second Greg in Oz.
Laso pumps are good quality.

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1999 Porsche 996 Carrera Convertible
1994 420E - SOLD
1986 300E - SOLD, what a car
609 Certified

He told me the Bosch unit (at Pep Boys) was NEW, not rebuilt.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)