Anyone have direct experience with the generic antenna masts? ( I realize that there is no guarantee that the generic I get will be the same as the generic others may have used. )

140 827 00 01 ( fits lots of 90's MB )

Mercedes $ 140
Hirschmann ( the OE maker ) $ 85
Generic $ 20 ( my non MB specific seller has these on close out for $ 10 )

While I have no issue paying what it takes to have a good part, there is a large enough difference in price that I may take a chance with the generic mast.

Thanks

Once it's installed you will never know the difference, and should last as long as the oem. Just make sure it has the gear teeth in it, if yours has them. The one I bought was made in Germany, but not MB or OEM. It has been a keeper...works great with no noise or anything. If you cannot live with all being genuine, then it's probably not your best choice!

The Hirschmann mast in my W123 bought new in 2004 is still good today, 8 years later.

The APA (aftermarket brand) in my mother's W124 bought new in 2006 had the top section become rusty 1 year later, and today does not extend completely with the third section stuck.

$15 for the aftermarket brand, $40 for the Hirschmann - as an example.

__________________
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

From what I've seen, APA falls under the URO parts umbrella.

What is left of the mast on my car is non magnetic so it looks like the aftermarket is a indoor style steel mast.

Still, in my case its $ 10 against $ 85, if a factory mast was $ 40 I would not even bother with the aftermarket.

My car is summer only, stored under a car port / in garage so rust is a long way out. I've seen antenna lube on the Hirshmann site, a bit of light oil might do the trick to prevent sticking and rust.

I just wanted to add, that, I believe, I paid in the 25 to 30 dollar range for the replacement I bought. You cannot tell the new one from the old Hirshman antennae. They are both S.S. They can't rust-out. The one the other mentioned rusted-out must have been a really sub-rate one. I did replace the grommet on the fender, as well as, the one underneath. The one on the outside of the fender was really the only one needing replacing. It was getting cracked. You can shop around and get one for around a 10 spot. It's about a 15 minute job to replace the mast. I think, it's worth it to replace the mast. I see some really dingy looking substitutes out there from time to time!

I have the car phone antenna and had a bad control board, I bought the controller from ebay (the antenna is a W202 part) - now the problem is that the connector pins are corroded.

The connector no. for this kind of antenna is 026 545 87 28 - and it has flat female spade connector pins in it. Does anyone know where I can get the connector pins for it? The antenna is working nice now when tested directly with wires, but does not operate on the car because the connector pins are bad

__________________
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)