I just recieved my parts today and I was wondering if all of them were OE, OEM, or just plain junk aftermarket. I purchased a new fuel pump relay, fuel filter, and 2 tranny cooling hoses. Anyways, the relay is made by a company name KAE (Kaeler Automotive Equipment) and the fuel filter is made by Hengst. Are these original parts for my car, or some junk aftermarket?? The reason i'm asking is because I thought only bosch supplied relays and filters to MB. I know their German made because both relay and filter say "Made in Germany", and I read the instructions on the box in the German language, which I'm fluent in. Someone please clarify this.

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Agron
1989 300E ("E 300"-Badged)
Monotoned Astral Silver w/ rear lid deck panel
97 Style Replica E420 Rims 205/55/16
Euro Headlights
Clear Corners
94/95 Taillights
Black Grille Insert
Chrome Exhaust Tips
20% Tint
Pioneer Sound system w/ Sub-enclosure and CD-changer

There are several OEM parts companies. Bosch is the most widely known German autoparts company. However, as far as filters go, Hengst is one of MB's filter suppliers. Another would MANN, and these are definetly not aftermarket junk. Aftermarket junk would be Fram. I don't know who supplies MB hoses, but my bet would be that if it's made in Germany and is for a Mercedes, I highly doubt it is junk. Another name you may come across if Behr. This is an OEM supplier for cooling/heating parts like radiators, oil coolers etc. Hope this helps. Oh BTW OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This would be the suppliers that enable Mercedes to make those wonderful machines.

[Edited by rickjordan on 12-19-2000 at 08:00 PM]

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Sometimes when I buy oil filters from the dealer they are hengst, other times Mann. The one in front of me now says KNECHT. Made buy kirloskar KNECHT filters India. It came in the new authorized and Genuine MB parts box with the sealed hologram. The names you have listed are familiar to many people on this forum and they are what you will get from your dealer.

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Jason Priest
1999 E430
1995 E420 - retired
1986 420SEL - retired

Hengst is as OE as it gets!! Now KAE is a different subject.
As they aren't OE on anything!

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