MB OEM Engine Mounts now $200 EACH? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Diesel911 · #16 04-21-2012, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle

Yes they did have the MB logo ground off and I have also seen them sold through the after-market with the MB Logo still on

! Remember 3 separate companies are involved in the manufacture of that mounting. A Metal Pressing company for the base, Aluminum Die Casting company for the wedge and an Injection Molding company for the final Op. They could even be in 3 different countries either owned by or sub-contracting to Lemförder.

Most of MB OEM’s supply the after-market when they have completed their quotas for the month. They would never survive without it and a growing number don’t even with it. The bottom line is when you buy a Lemförder mount it could have been made anywhere in the world Czechoslovakia, Hungary, South Africa, Brazil. Don’t believe what you see on the box.

The important question is, are ANY of the Mountings in the after-market made by either the OEM’s or other manufacturer’s made to conform with MB’s specs. The answer is unequivocally NO! If they can find a cheaper component for the after-market version they will and in this case it will be the rubber compound, most probably re-cycled rubber with no Quality Control.

I am thinking that if someone was going to lie about what country a Part was made in they would not pic Turkey.
Also on the Lemfoerder Motor Mounts with the exception of the Star being ground off all of the mold markings are the same and they even had the same blue dot or dots on them.

However, I bought an Engine Thermostat for my Volvo. On the Box it said Made in Israel; on the Thermostat it said Made in Germany. This does not seem like it was a scam to sell me an inferior part.

Years ago I bought a set of Gabriel Shock Absorbers. One was made in the US and the other was made in Mexico.

So if buying Parts is a gamble I still think the odds favor buying ones that have the greatest posibbilty of being good.
The other ways to go are to buy from the Dealer and maybe pay a lot for the same Part or give in and go with the cheapest available and hope for the best.

Stretch · #17 04-21-2012, 04:35 AM

In answer to the original question - price here is 146.25 euros and apparently they're not available at the moment. At today's exchange rate that's 193.27 USD.

layback40 · #18 04-21-2012, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

In answer to the original question - price here is 146.25 euros and apparently they're not available at the moment. At today's exchange rate that's 193.27 USD.

I purchased 2 new old stock ones 3 years ago for about AUS$30 for the pair. They even have the MB star on them.
If I didnt plan on rebuilding the 123 one day I guess a sale would give me a good return.

Beagle · #19 04-21-2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

In answer to the original question - price here is 146.25 euros and apparently they're not available at the moment. At today's exchange rate that's 193.27 USD.

Thanks Army. That is precisely the figure that I got, I guess it hasn’t filtered down to all their agencies yet. Just under a 50% increase in one year!

I am beginning to believe they have an agenda with all these massive increases to close their books on the 123 Series and simply price them off the road. They are no longer obligated to keep spares.

Brian Carlton · #20 04-21-2012, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beagle

Thanks Brian
I am not looking to buy mounts at the moment but rather checking whether my information was correct but $134 is still highway robbery!

This is really quite a long story if you will bear with me. In the middle of last year I changed mounts for a friend with a 300D. The choice was OEM from MB, Meyle $18 or Lemförder $22. Price ruled out OEM for him so I recommended Lemförder. When we got the mounts I felt sure they were a softer compound than the OEM’s from MB I fitted to my car a year earlier and standing on them and pushing my nail into them seemed to confirm this.

I decided that before I fitted them I would carry out some tests. I borrowed 2 Meyle’s from the import agent and 4 OEM’s from MB (they have to trust me, I do all their F/I work for them!). I have a very accurate hydraulic press in my machine shop and compressed them all to 130kg for comparison.

What I found confirmed my suspicions – Neither Meyle nor Lemförder use a compound anywhere near MB’s tight specs for their after-market products. And perhaps not surprising at the price they sell them for.

There was little to chose between Meyle and Lemförder but the OEM’s compressed consistently 9mm less than the others.

I went ahead and fitted the Lemförders and now 9 months later they have settled and are bulging excessively although they are still intact. He was having problems with engine vibrations, rough idling and engine shaking. I fitted a very simple modification to the engine shocks that eliminate engine rock altogether and that has dramatically improved his problems as it did with several other cars that I have fitted it to.

Perhaps I will discuss that in detail in another thread sometime if there is any interest.

THanks for the responses

Well, this story has personal significance for me at the moment. I decided to change mounts on the SD due to some ongoing vibration at idle that I didn't fancy. Couldn't get any Lemforders due to stock, so had to settle for "Corteco". Price was equivalent. The real question is whether they will provide any durability as compared to OE.

The point is somewhat moot, however as the current pricing for OE just makes it an easy decision on vehicles of this type. I cannot justify procuring mounts at over $100. each. Even OE mounts don't last forever.

I'd be real curious as to the modification that you performed on the engine shock. That's another item I need to address in the near future. I did purchase the revised mounting kit from the dealer which improves the configuration with a rubber insert installed in the mounting cup.

Beagle · #21 04-21-2012, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I'd be real curious as to the modification that you performed on the engine shock. That's another item I need to address in the near future. I did purchase the revised mounting kit from the dealer which improves the configuration with a rubber insert installed in the mounting cup.

Brian - Please post the part No and price of that rubber insert kit and a pic would be nice, I wish I had known about that when I did my engine mounts.

I’ll write up instructions for this in another thread. It costs nothing and takes less than an hour to make and install without removing or modifying the shock. All you need is two front shock rubber bushings 115 326 1668 and a selection of dished washers that clamp the bush on the fender to adjust the pre-load. Old bushings and washers from a workshop that fits shocks will suffice.

I installed this on my own engine (it had no problems) and I can stand a wine glass full of water at idle on the valve cover. At idle there are concentric ripples and at 2000rpm engine being revved higher the engine is rock steady and the water glass flat! I know no one will believe this so I’m hoping someone will fit this and post a video

.

The concept is simple. Rock is Taboo for a Diesel engine installation. Provide a firm support for Torque in the neutral position and rock and shake will be eliminated altogether.

I designed a simple adjustable auxiliary mounting to replace the engine shock but the mod was so successful that I shelved the idea. I was reminded of this idea when I was reading through my notes of an installation of a Perkins 4/99 (1600cc engine) into a Cortina that I did when I was working for Perkins Engines R & D Dept. 50 years ago

OMG!

Diesel911 · #22 04-21-2012, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

Well, this story has personal significance for me at the moment. I decided to change mounts on the SD due to some ongoing vibration at idle that I didn't fancy. Couldn't get any Lemforders due to stock, so had to settle for "Corteco". Price was equivalent. The real question is whether they will provide any durability as compared to OE.

The point is somewhat moot, however as the current pricing for OE just makes it an easy decision on vehicles of this type. I cannot justify procuring mounts at over $100. each. Even OE mounts don't last forever.

I'd be real curious as to the modification that you performed on the engine shock. That's another item I need to address in the near future. I did purchase the revised mounting kit from the dealer which improves the configuration with a rubber insert installed in the mounting cup.

Some of the internet seller say Corteco is OEM?

What country were the Coreteco Mounts made in?

With the possible Exception of the Power Steering Belt cutting through one of the Oil Cooler Hoses (that I have only read about happening 3 times in 4+ years of reading forum) because they are squashed too much using an off brand Motor Mount does not cause any serious issues.
Apparenlty I have gotten by OK with the URO Motor Mounts that were about $8 when I bought them (still on the Car).
I guess it is also possible that 4 Years ago the URO mounts were made better than they are now.