Genuine Mercedes Parts Are Now Made In China

[Squiggle Dog]

I decided to just go ahead and use the Chinese belts, but I for sure couldn't have that glaring MADE IN CHINA lettering visible. So, I took a cotton swab sprayed with brake cleaner and wiped off the lettering so they now say MADE IN GERMANY. The belts are now singing La La La La, they are so happy!


I got the belts installed and then checked the two alternator belts which I thought were still in good condition and noticed that they were loose, dry rotted, and had deep splits going into the fabric.

So, since I needed those two alternator belts anyway, I just ordered all new genuine Mercedes belts from Pelican Parts--with the exception of the compressor belt as Mercedes doesn't use a 13X990 V-belt (I have a ROLLGUY Sanden kit). So, I got a genuine Audi brand for that. The genuine Audi brand is shown as being made by Contitech, who is also the manufacturer of the genuine Mercedes ones. I can live with the Audi logo on the compressor belt. My hope is that the genuine belts will be made in Germany, being a higher tier than aftermarket. Or, will they be marked as made in China and called counterfeit by The Classic Center?

[jmk]

A unexpected good story. I just did the tune up on my 500 SEL. I bought the wires at AutoZone primarily for the lifetime warranty, but I could get Bosch wires w/o the immense markup ($800) of the OEM Berus from the dealer. I went to get my new wires, and they weren't selling the Bosch wires anymore, so they gave me the Duralast's instead.

To my utter surprise and delight, the box was filled with NOS Berus. It seems that Federal Mogul has bought out Beru. Federal Mogul, being a big supplier to AutoZone, had filled the Duralast box with the OEM wires. They fit perfectly (unlike the Bosch wires). They still had their made in W Germany tags on them.

Expected Chinese, got German. Who would have thought that possible.

[jmk]

On the Chinese made belts--I'd watch them.

I remember a couple of years ago I there was a particularly bad snowstorm. Got half way through the driveway and my drive belt snapped on my snowblower. There was too much wet, heavy snow to get out, so I walked to the hardware store. Was forced to buy my first Chinese made belt. Took it home, installed it, and finished the driveway. The original belt lasted over 20 years. I wondered how long this belt would last.

Got my answer the next year. Got the blower out for the first big storm of the new season. Half way through, the new Chinese belt broke. It seems it was good for one use. This time, I could get out of the driveway and went to the local parts store. Bought a US made belt, and the blower is still working.

From my experience, Chinese occasionally works, but most of the time it is pretty bad.

[Squiggle Dog]

I was just informed that the genuine Audi brand 13X990 compressor belt is no longer available. Maybe I'll just run a USA-made AutoZone Duralast (probably made by Dayco).

[pj67coll]

Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog

I was just informed that the genuine Audi brand 13X990 compressor belt is no longer available. Maybe I'll just run a USA-made AutoZone Duralast (probably made by Dayco).

What makes you think Duralast is made in the US?

- Peter.

[Tomguy]

Dayco is made in the USA so if they make Duralast, they would be too. In the past, Dayco has made them. I am unsure if they are still the suppliers for AZ.

[Squiggle Dog]

Originally Posted by pj67coll

What makes you think Duralast is made in the US?

- Peter.

I don't think; I know. I have the AutoZone Duralast belt in my hands and it says MADE IN U.S.A clearly on the belt, as it did on the smaller belts that I was using to test for size.

[pj67coll]

That's good. I think before I do the actual power steering pump replacement on my car I'm going to go to the MB dealership and see what the belts they supply say on them. And then I'm going to go to AZ and O'reilly's etc and check what they have. Might be I don't use the Continental belts after all...

- Peter.

[Squiggle Dog]

I wonder how well the Mercedes dealerships stock belts; if they have pretty much all the sizes in stock, or if they have only a few and have to order the rest?

[97 SL320]

No dealership regardless of brand is going to stock belts for anything older than 2007 or so, there just isn't enough traffic there.

[Squiggle Dog]

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

No dealership regardless of brand is going to stock belts for anything older than 2007 or so, there just isn't enough traffic there.

That's my impression, too. I was actually really surprised they had a battery for my car in stock, but it also fits the newer models like Sprinter and ML, so I lucked out in that regard.

[vwnate1]

The wise Mercedes Enthusiast always checks the drive belts and changes them out at the first sign if cracking or fraying , tosses the old belts in the paper sleeves and keep them in the trunk .

I was surprised to see 'Duralast' belts being made in America, I tried them twenty years ago and they failed before I could sell the used car I put them on .

[Squiggle Dog]

Originally Posted by vwnate1

The wise Mercedes Enthusiast always checks the drive belts and changes them out at the first sign if cracking or fraying , tosses the old belts in the paper sleeves and keep them in the trunk .

I was surprised to see 'Duralast' belts being made in America, I tried them twenty years ago and they failed before I could sell the used car I put them on .

I'm going to use the Chinese Contitech belts as spares in my trunk. I didn't think to replace the alternator belts at first because they are only 4 years old. But, sure enough, I inspected them and they are deeply cracked.

Duralast belts have been made by Dayco since around 2015 or so. I think before that they were made by Goodyear in Mexico, and then before that they were made by some company in China.

[jmk]

I've been surprised by Duralast lately. Much less Chinese content than before. Some parts look to be good quality.

[vwnate1]

Thanx for the info ~ the last set of DuraLast brake pads ground to dust in less than 20,000 miles .

Yes, I drive it like I stole it but there are plenty of pads that I can set 60,000 miles out of .