Has anyone actually claimed on the Bilstein lifetime warranty?

[Zacharias]

I did the rear shocks on my 300d yesterday, turns out they were B46-0713, which are 'comforts'. The car's original owner presumably installed them, but I wouldn't say they are that old given their condition -- and the car has under 110k miles anyway.

They still have some pressure, but have gone rubbery (bouncy bouncy) over small/medium bumps, and won't absorb large bumps at all.

The Bilstein main website says the original purchase receipt is required.

Any info? Thanks

[Skid Row Joe]

Sure did. Bought a new set of (4) from AutoZone for the 300SD, ran them about 130K, then took all (4) back to AutoZone when I noticed that (1) started leaking fluid. Gave 'em back the old set, and they gave me a new set gratis. AZ was the guarantor to me, not Bilstein. However, I'm sure AZ then back-charged Bilstein. FYI, AutoZone was way, way less money than the MB dealer when buying the first set.

[crazy4diesel]

I think it's to original purchaser only, and yes with proof of purchase. Good luck.

[ngarover]

Originally Posted by Zacharias

I did the rear shocks on my 300d yesterday, turns out they were B46-0713, which are 'comforts'. The car's original owner presumably installed them, but I wouldn't say they are that old given their condition -- and the car has under 110k miles anyway.

They still have some pressure, but have gone rubbery (bouncy bouncy) over small/medium bumps, and won't absorb large bumps at all.

The Bilstein main website says the original purchase receipt is required.

Any info? Thanks

Ever wonder why auto zone uses ink on their receipts that completely fades after a year or so... now you do...

[Zacharias]

Originally Posted by ngarover

Ever wonder why auto zone uses ink on their receipts that completely fades after a year or so... now you do...

Yup, our major Canadian automotive chain (sort of AutoZone meets Harbor Freight) has a three-year guarantee on most power tools, and 'lifetime' on some hand tool lines, but lately has started clamping down on seeing receipts. Which fade in less than a year.

Someone will evidently have to take that one to court. Hopefully they sell lots of defective tools to lots of lawyers .

[cooljjay]

It all depends, when I bought my euro 300d there was an old receipt in the previous owners name for an alternator from kragen's autoparts from the 90s....the voltage regulator went belly up.....for the hell of it I took the lifetime warranty receipt into O'Reilly auto.....he said no problem, bring us the old one and we will get you a new one.....took it off in the parking lot and got a brand new one with a warranty in my name....

I had this also happen with a 240d I bought.....had a relatively new battery in it from Napa auto parts.....I took it in to have it charged, he said we don't charge them just replace them.....he looked up the battery and the warranty expired like a week before I came in.....he went ahead and gave me a brand new battery for I believe it was 29$.......and I didn't buy the battery I took in....

So I think it all depends.....

[shingleback]

I always make a copy of the thermal paper receipts and keep them together in a binder, with the original folded to minimize exposure to light (which is what makes it fade away).

[pawoSD]

I always scan in receipts for items needing to last, and then re-print them on normal paper also. If folded up and stashed away in a dark cool place a thermal paper receipt will last a decade easily though.