Questions on serpentine belt on 202 (94 C280)...
 

Just got the serpentine belt replaced on my 94 C280 (see detail story here ).

Two questions I have:

1) Is there a service interval to replace the serpentine belt? The original belt last about 64K miles.

2) The belt is put on by an independent shop. The brand name said on the belt is "CONTITECH" and is made in UK. Is this an OE part? When I got the quote from the shop they claimed that they use OE parts.

Thanks.

If you believe what you find on the WEB, CONTITECH is the technical products division of the German-based Continental AG. I do not know if this is considered to be OE.

Steve Brotherton recently had some interesting observations on the term OE.

I believe Daimler-Chrysler owns, or owns a piece of Continental AG. When it was Daimler-Benz they di, anyway, and that was one of the excuses for putting Continental tires on their cars. So I would agree the part you got is likely an OEM part. I am not aware of the replacement strategy, but think 60,000 miles is probably ok. I usually change mine when I can see small fissures in the ribbed part of the belt that faces the pulleys. When the little fissures start to open and appear uniformly over the visible parts, I take that as a warning to get it replaced. Jim

I believe you got a deal on that repair. The labor alone is worth what you paid for the repair.

Stan,

I called around for price quotes. A dealer quoted me $155 and other independents quoted me around $120s parts and labor. The shop I went to is closest to my office, and the shop owner looks honest.

By the way, the belt sold in FASTLANE is "CONTI" brand. Anybody can confirm that if it is CONTITECH? I would feel comfortable if it is. Thanks.

Got a positive confirmation from FASTLANE feedback forum that CONTITECH is part of Continental group and it is an OE supplier for Mercedes (detail here). And it IS the same belt that is sold in FASTLANE. This really gives me a peace in mind. Thank you all.