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.

__________________
Harry (94 C280)

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.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

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

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

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.

__________________
Harry (94 C280)

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.

__________________
Harry (94 C280)