Ignition wires 300E

Benzmac, or anyone for that matter, how often should the ignition wires be replaced? I am going in for a 150,000 mile tune up, etc. in a few weeks and I saw an ad in Bekkers for some ignition wires that are suppossedly better than what MBNA supplies. The car has always been serviced as usual, so I am assuming the wires were replaced when they were first suppossed to be. Also, will I notice a difference if i replace them.
Thanks in advance.

To be honest the wires will last longer than most people think. In fact the wires themselves should last 12 to 15 years, but the resistors at the end of the wires fail & most technicians replace the whole set because its easier. The resistor ends are available seperate. You won't notice any difference in engine performace unless the resistor(s) have already failed. The can be tested with an ohm meter.

In my opinion the best wires are the factory ones because they are solid core!! This means as long as they are not worn through or broken they are as good as new!! Like a speaker wire, How often do you replace those??

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
LEAD TECHNICIAN FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

[E. Lee]

I assume that ignition wires = spark plug wires?

If so, how do I test the resistor ends? Are they on the spark plug side or the distributor side?

[Benzmac]

They are on the spark plug end and have a resistance stamped on the side. It will look like 5k that is 5,000 ohms. Just unscrew it off the end of the wire and then use a multimeter to check the resistance.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

[E. Lee]

Thanks for your reply...Just checked my car....the resistance stamped is 1K??
Also, it doesn't seem that the resistor will come off the wire...it seems that they are one unit?

Thanks.

No they are not one unit. But due to the age and mileage of your car they have become one unit due to a funny little thing call corrosion. The OEM wire sets are priced right. The cost of a complete set of wires is very close to the cost of the ends seperatly.

[This message has been edited by Corky (edited 08-05-1999).]