Timing Guide Rail - Metal?
 

Has anyone tried the metal timing guide rails that Meyle has come out with? The timing chain job on my 420SEL has to be done soon, and the metal one costs almost as much as the plastic ones at the local dealership.

I'm trying to avoid the plastic Febi part because I've noticed the quality on Febi parts start to decline.

Also, do the pins have to be replaced?

I'd rather have mini bits of plastic in my oil than mini bits of metal, swap in new ones every 100K or 10 years and there is no reason that I know of to use metal, unless you just want your engine to be noisier. I just did mine and re-used the pins.

That's what I was thinking, but just wanted to hear if anyone used them. I read somewhere that they were not completely metal (the surface where the rail contacts..?)?

The outside surface facing the chain is a hard rubber. I think that they are great insurance because they aren't going to break (if they break, you have problems a lot worse than a timing chain). Too bad they aren't made (AFAIK) for an aluminum M117.

Unless the pins are damaged when removed, I think they can be reused. I run a tap through them before pulling - and make really certain that the tool stud is in all they way - that way, damage is very unlikely.

Exactly, they are lined with very hard rubber just like BMW M30 chain tensioner arms.

If they were made for the M117 I would have them in my 560.