loss of words - I can get you.

English is not my first language and I have to really think then speak English - but you cant tell if you talk to me, anyway - I was at actual loss of words at the whole car, seems as if everything he chose was either hamburg technik, uro or something similar. - shudder..

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

If the car runs, why is fit for scrap?

A car is the sum-total of its parts. If the parts are junk, the car is junk.

What a waste. Indeed, there are those who feel that Yurro is as good as OE, and one cannot reason with them. I don't fault the owners so much, in today's economy people want to save a buck, and Yurro fits that bill nicely in our "good enough" world.

I have the biggest problem with SHOP OWNERS who knowingly foist this parts-drivel on their unsuspecting customers, yet charge them factory (or moderately discounted) prices for it, in the interest of maximizing THEIR profits. In the case of Yurro flex discs, and perhaps other parts, it's actually a safety hazard for customers.

I don't hold the owners blameless, Gerry.

As much as I try to avoid mechanics who knowingly use inferior methods and parts, I do think the problem starts with owners who are so interested in saving a buck that they are willing to look the other way when Mechanic 'A' says he can do the job for 50% less than Mechanic 'B'. It leaves the mechanic in a difficult position, and it takes strong character to resist the temptation to use cheaper parts in order to compete. Finding mechanics with that kind of character isn't easy, but it's doable.

Ultimately, we, as consumers, are responsible for the most part for what we get back from our mechanics, indeed all of our service people.

If we opt for the cheaper estimate, without asking why, without insisting on the use of parts that meet the standard intended by the original designer, then, what we get back is what we deserve. IMHO, as consumers we place far too much importance on lowest price, and not nearly enough on value. But, then again, value is subjective, and everybody gets to decide on their own where they draw the line. But I don't have a lot of sympathy for consumers that demand the lowest price, then complain about poor quality.

My $0.02.

__________________
MB 1986 190D in my past
MB 1987 300E on the street
MB 1994 'Smoke Silver' E420 in my driveway
1999 Mazda Miata in the fun stable
1964 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1970 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1968 Corvair Monza Conv. with Turbo Transplant- Sold
1986 Merkur Xr4ti- abandoned
various mundane American autos

If I'd known then what I know now...

Hell, I'd probably still have done it anyways.

True - I know a guy who I use sometimes for stuff when my hand/arm is suffering (carpal Im told), I see customers rolling in and wanting the lowest buck payment regardless of quality. e.g. this guy prefers to use NAPA suspension parts for average cars because they are pretty good built. Customers dont want to hear or know anything about any build quality etc, they just want the lowest possible bill no matter if they have to foot it twice in a year.

most such customers usually are the first to hand over the keys to him and taxi to the KIA store and buy an installment loan car.

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

What is wrong with 300 E brakes? They work just fine on 300 E? Why is larger better? We aren't talking putting brakes of 1950's 190 onto S 600 with teenager at wheel.

Why need "original quality" ball joints that will last 200 000 miles when the car is only going to last maybe 25 000 before collapsing into dust?

You have to admit though that that is just hyperbolic BS. If you had the car today you wouldn't send it to Pick N Pull, you'd just drive it, and if ball joint needed replacing again, then consider replacing...

That's the point ... I **wouldn't** have such a car today, or ever. I don't believe in driving cars that use unsafe parts that make me and the car a hazard on the road to myself/loved ones, not to mention other innocent people.

Knowingly using unsafe/inferior ball joint or flex-disc replacement parts IMHO is willful negligence of both a vehicle and potentially, safety. It's Russian Roulette.

You are welcome to own and drive such a car yourself. I choose to maintain my vehicles to a higher standard than you do, I guess.

Correction: It's Russian Roulette with five out of six chambers loaded.

MB sized brakes by engine power rating. 300E brakes were meant for the 177hp M103 engine. The 1993-1995 300E and E320 had a ~220hp M104 engine and they added larger brakes. MB was never known for having oversized brakes in the first place, if anything they are marginal to begin with, and going SMALLER is a really bad idea.



You're going to be lucky to get 250 miles out of Uro ball joints, and when they fail, you better hope nobody is injured or killed.



I wouldn't. I don't drive cars with safety issues. Far too much risk and liability. Apparently other people have no qualms with this. I hope they stay far away from my vehicles.

A google search on URO quality is always a prelude to a stretch of fun & entertaining reading....

Last time I bought something from a MB dealer in Europe it was a maintenance part maybe a filter the part was manufactured in South Africa! anyone in US have that experience. By the way I agree no China part in a Mercedes if you can't afford quality buy a Chinese car.