What do you guys think of the quality of MB parts for your vintage car?

[Dcraig]

I just started a thread this morning over on the 2002FAQ about the TERRIBLE parts coming from BMW for our vintage 2002's (specifically my tii).

The sheet metal has waves and is thinner, pieces don't fit right, wrong part in the correct bag, blah, blah, blah, it goes on and on. Basically poor quality.

Are you guys experiencing the same thing when keeping up your vintage MB. Somehow I doubt it. Mercedes has always loved that their vintage cars are still around, while I think BMW wishes we'd all just go away.

I guess on the other hand we should be lucky that BMW chooses to make these parts again for us, but most everything needs modification to fit.

PS. Don't tell anyone on the 2002FAQ, but I'm really a MB guy, I just have a thing for tii's.

Craig

[Tony H]

I am happy with the genuine MB parts I get. I have never had a problem with fit or quality.

[cth350]

At the prices they charge, the parts are indeed perfect, almost always. Occasionally, you run into a case where an early 60s or 50s part has been superceded by something more modern and its not visually identical.

That's a good thing for valve guides, as they work better, that's not a good thing for a grill star.

-CTH

[Mark DiSilvestro]

OE parts from dealer or autoparts stores have been OK. Parts other than OE have been variable.

Some recent examples -

Four years ago, I got an aftermarket hood-star for a friend's '72 220 and the chrome is already starting to pit and flake.

Around that time, I got an off-brand, but 'Made in Germany' distributor cap for a '90 300E. It carbon-tracked and shorted out within a year. Fortunately, the import parts store where I got it had switched to Bosch when I went back to replace it.

The base mounting holes in an aftermarket motor mount for my 240D were slightly off. I wasted an extra hour trying to install it and almost crossthreaded the threads in the car before I figured it out and re-drilled one of the holes.

On inspection, one of the aftermarket Lemforder-brand outer tie rod ends I was going to buy for an ML430 was very loose out of the box, so I went with Mercedes dealer parts.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[vox_incognita]

I`m very pleased with the quality of the MB parts I get from the dealer...especially with the brake/clutch hydraulic parts(which the local ATE dealer refuses to order)...not happy with the price,though...About the hood stars,emblems etc.-I`ve seen them in MB box ,with the hologram etc."made in Turkey"...6-7$...I`ve no idea about the quality..motor mounts I got from the dealer(damn expensive),I don`t regret it,the metal brake lines are surprisingly cheap,as opposed to parts like engine sprockets What pleases me most is the fact that one can order (almost) any part needed...

[300SDog]

Nation of manufacture means alot to me. With aftermarket parts the packaging by law must mention nation of origin. And at most parts shops you get a choice indicated on their computer screen database. For example I went with Romanian wheel bearings instead of Mexican for my 240D, knowing Romania/Balkans region has one of the best steel working industries in the world.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Last time I checked, hood stars from Mercedes were about $25 - $30. If they're now made in Turkey, I would hope the quality is equal to original, but these days, who knows. So many brand-names are outsourcing now. I've seen Bosch parts made in Austrailia, Singapore, India, Spain, Brazil or Mexico. So far I've had more problems with parts that aren't OE brands - like those Lemforder tie-rod ends and that aftermarket star I got for about $12.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Originally Posted by 240Dog

Nation of manufacture means alot to me. With aftermarket parts the packaging by law must mention nation of origin. And at most parts shops you get a choice indicated on their computer screen database. For example I went with Romanian wheel bearings instead of Mexican for my 240D, knowing Romania/Balkans region has one of the best steel working industries in the world.

I had no reservations buying an aftermarket Japanese-made replacement bearing for my 240D's driveshaft center-support. It was a make (Naichi) I recognised from my previous work on Japanese cars. If it had been some obscure make from China, I would have found a bearing elsewhere.

Unfortunately, unless the part has a known brand name, country of origin isn't always a reliable indicator of quality. Over the years, I've had problems with German-made distributor caps and rotors that weren't Bosch, or some other recognised brand.

Happy Motoring, Mark

[vox_incognita]

Originally Posted by 240Dog

Nation of manufacture means alot to me. With aftermarket parts the packaging by law must mention nation of origin

Agree..Now,what you get now is a package with the bar-code of the seller/packager...I never doubt the quality of any SKF bearing,being produced in Mexico,Spain or Singapore...I always doubt the quality of any Febi/Swag/Vaico/Lemfoerder packed part(all these German brands.. ).God knows where they`re made...
Bilstein produces shocks in Romania.(I`d give them a try)
Ate produces brake friction components in Denmark,Czech Republic,Turkey.(the labels say it,however).-they`re allright...
Rumors say Sachs/Boge (re-)manufactures shocks in Turkey,as well as Monroe(they`ve never let me down)
Heh,the only brand that comes in mind that produces in Germany only,is Hepu(water pumps).

[gatorblue92]

i have never had problems finding good quality parts for my 240D but it is a W123 and they made them till 85

[t walgamuth]

i cant think of a time i have ever gotten poor parts for a benz if buying from a benz parts specialist. i have gotten some poor starter or alternators from azone and places like that. also t stats.

tom w