W140 evaporator
 

I'm going to have the evaporator replaced in my 95 140 in march. Independant shop estimates the cost at $2,500. They want to install a OEM part. I'm the second owner of the car but I know that the previous owner had this part replaced when the car was under warranty. Is there a better evaporator than the Mercedes part. The shop has said they only want to use a Mercedes evaporator because they will want help from "mother benz" if they get the part installed and it does not work. Any advice?

Most "quality" aftermarket outfits have a warranty!
 

Similar or equivalent to MB. If the MB part is so good...why does it have to be replace now?:eek:

Go with the OEM
 

Use the OEM cause as they sated if it leaks, MB will assist with labor to "re-do" the job! Speaking from experience from a guy who bought aftermarket that failed from the get-go and can't afford to re-do on my own dime

I had mine replaced last year at the dealer. The dash
has to be pulled and removed to get to the evaporator
and other components. You will probably have to replace
other components (or at least ones prone to failure) while
the dash is out.

About 1/3 of the cost is material. There is a lot of labor.

Unless your mechanic has done a number of these, I would
have the dealer do it. There is a lot of work to it. Chances
are, they have done this several times.

If you persue something with a dealer, ask about who does
the work and their experience, etc. They should also be
able to provide you with a quotation and a basic list of
parts so you have some idea of what is going in to it.

I agree with Ralph. If your indie has done this job a few times let him do it. If not, go to the dealer. I've seen more than a few 140 evaporator jobs botched due to lack of experience. Good luck

Once you do a few of these they are gravy. :D However, one wrong move can make a good thing go south in a heartbeat. ACM has a nice fitting, long lasting evap for these but, you have to make a baffle for the l/h side of the case as the cap tubes are partially exposed to the airflow which makes the l/h side a touch warmer than the r/h. (About 5 degrees at high flow)


If the car has had a windsheild replacement done and the glass was allowed to slide down getting the wiper trans out is now damn near imposible without chipping the base of the glass. (which means it'll crack)


Joe