Genuine Mercedes Parts Are Now Made In China

[jmk]

Yes, I still have a set of Metal Master pads on the Benz. Even with the weight, those pads held up and stop great. (Never liked Mercedes OEM pads; they were too soft. They had to be that way on the big ones to pass a DOT test.) I wonder who owns them these days.

It seems that Duralast pads are being made by the US pad manufacturer Bosch bought out quite a few years ago. I put a set of Duralasts on a Friends truck, and they seem to be going okay. He really couldn't afford anything better, and the lifetime warranty was good for him. I wouldn't use them on a Benz, but so far, so good.

[97 SL320]

Generally auto parts have different levels of quality under one brand name so it would be possible to get something better. NAPA has a few levels of brake pad quality.

Read the "Limited life time warranty" fine print, it likely does not cover wear out.

I've used cardboard brake pads on oh so rusty, winter only, sub 50 MPH , 4,000 mile per year cars with adequate results.

[Squiggle Dog]

My new genuine Mercedes belts from Pelican Parts arrived today. They are made by Contitech, but are made in Germany. There's the familiar yellow lettering that I'm used to, plus the Mercedes logo printed on them. It was worth paying a few extra dollars for them (the difference between the Chinese and German version power steering belt was only $2).

I noticed that Pelican Parts shows Continental brand and Contitech brand, each with a different price. I wonder what the difference is?

[vwnate1]

Ya done good Son .

Now to see how long they last .

[ScooterABC]

Yay for actually finding belts made in Germany!!!!

[Squiggle Dog]

I installed a different compressor bracket on my car and needed a shorter belt. Duralast belts from AutoZone have been my go-to if I need a belt to check for fitment since they have been made in the USA by Dayco, as mentioned previously. I went to AutoZone and got a Duralast belt. Now they are apparently made in China as well!

If I'm going to run a Chinese belt, I'd rather use a Continental. Fortunately, I found the part number for a genuine Mercedes 12.5X975 belt (part number 004-997-36-92). At least they make one in this size. I couldn't find a genuine Mercedes 990 length belt to save my life, which I why settled on the Duralast belt before, back when they were still made in the USA.

[barry12345]

The rate of change is accelerating at a fairly rapid pace. Based on historical evidence in only a life time. You can almost forcast that Chinese quality may be desired in the not too distant future.

It already is in certain areas. Large flat screen television and many electronic devices. You want the most reliable Honda car product? The car is produced in China. Probably the better Buick model as well.

If north America decides to industrialize again. I suspect Chinese manufacturing machines might see sales. Especially their heavier industrial tooling.

You want really good drill bits? They are available from China. You will pay a cheaper price but not dirt cheap. For a good brand. They are not going to miss out on the electric car industry either.

Five hundred thousand electric Volkswagon golfs are being made there for Chinese consumption this year alone. In all probability they will control the three phase motor controllers market for all brands of electric cars. A lot of battery development is being done there as well. To underrate then is really foolish. They are moving at almost twice the speed of development than Japan did.

Technically and historically the Chinese are smarter than the Japanese. Yes wages are low by many world standards. Yet basically they work to have a roof over their head and food to eat. With reasonable expectations thing may get better. Probably fifty percent of north Americans are in similar boats with less future expectations.

They can prevail just by bias that is not accurate but just a convienient excuse. North American corporations have demanded the cheapest production of products for resale in North America. To maximize their profits. Their used to be usage laws on the books. Preventing excess behaviours of this nature.

There is no formal education pointing out that a corporation can buy something in China for a quarter. Retail it at twenty dollars. This is only a good practice for a very small amount of north American citizens. It is a sizable portion of the economy. Although the excess profit taking flows the money primarily only one way. Upwards . Redistribution of wealth is being lost or steadily declining.

The real problem is not China. It is the sorry state of north American governments. I suspect they only listen and respond to large self centered corporations. Not aware enough of the damage they are doing. They may have to be broken up at some point.

It just is not working well enough. Somehow they got a substantial tax break when they were making more money than ever in a country. Plunging deeper and deeper into debt at all government levels.

I do not think the politicians are stupid. They may have few ethics and elements of questionable character though. I do get a little tired of them thinking the general population really is totally stupid.

Although they seem totally oblivious in improving the overall educational system to world standards. What is the reasoning behind this?

The American concept of world domination is far from over. At the same time a comparative small component of the worlds overall population going deeper and deeper in debt. Is unlikely to prevail over time. The desperation and risks that are accumulating at this time are substantial. An almost all or nothing scenario nay be developing.

The next round of sanctions against Russia will draw a response if passed this September as written. Plus a new expenditure of massive proportions for space based weapons. Although it has the ring of what Regan is credited with doing.

There is a problem though. Too many countries are not going to carry the debt issues this would create. A collapse of a house of cards could occur. A really very serious physical conflict is possible. It is up to north American citizens to stop this somehow. Before it gets totally out of control. The only thing that makes organized governments really listen is unfortunatly civil unrest.

[rocky raccoon]

Chinese parts get a bad rap but if it were not for those parts, I would not be able to daily drive my 1983 Benz. German parts for old cars are thin on the ground.

There are probably more old Benz in this country than in Germany. Why don't we start making the parts here?

[Squiggle Dog]

Originally Posted by rocky raccoon

There are probably more old Benz in this country than in Germany. Why don't we start making the parts here?

Because now all the ones that didn't rust out too badly are all going back over to Germany. Haha.