Parts Quality:

[Doktor Bert]

Been seeing a lot of poor quality of late. Lemfoder and Myle chassis parts where the rubber boot 'rots away' in 3 weeks, when the 35 year old original boots are still intact.

Bought a W116 brake pedal pad that rotted away in less than a month. Started picking up stuff direct from MBZ again.

Disappointing...

[JamesDean]

I just bought a bunch of Lemforder parts.

[Biodiesel300TD]

Meyle, parts seem to be hit or miss. I have some Meyle subframe parts that I just put into my 240 and I have a bad banging noise over big bumps that started immediately. I suspect that one of was bad from the get go.

[Zulfiqar]

Originally Posted by JamesDean

I just bought a bunch of Lemforder parts.

Have a word with Phil or Roy and ask about tie rod boots, You might want to have them in spare stash if you suspect the boots to be going bad.

[JamesDean]

I just had my rear subframe done on the 190E. I used Coreteco and Febi/Bilstein I believe.

[Zacharias]

Doubly disappointing, if we're to give credit to the recent thread on this forum where a member quoted from an email received from a German supplier saying that Daimler AG is putting a serious squeeze on dealers selling original equipment items to independent vendors.

In other words, original equipment stuff will be spotty or unavailable from online sellers like PeachParts.

I don't want a world where I only get to choose between URO-quality parts and the dealer (though I must admit my dealer has worked hard for me on pricey items).

Meyle I had read other stuff about.... Lemforder is a dissapointment. Another case of 'box'' suppliers?

[JamesDean]

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

Have a word with Phil or Roy and ask about tie rod boots, You might want to have them in spare stash if you suspect the boots to be going bad.

Oh god. I hope they arent going bad! They're still in the box! I've not gotten around to installing them yet, but thanks for the heads up.

[JamesDean]

Originally Posted by Zacharias

Doubly disappointing, if we're to give credit to the recent thread on this forum where a member quoted from an email received from a supplier saying that Daimler AG is putting a serious squeeze on dealers selling original equipment items to independent vendors.

In other words, original equipment stuff will be spotty or unavailable from online sellers like XXXX.

I don't want a world where I only get to choose between URO and the dealer (though I must admit my dealer has worked hard for me on pricey items).

There are still other decent brands like Lemforder, out there. Parts.com can get you dealership items at discount. When you order from Parts.com the order goes to Mercedes-Benz of Naperville, IL.

[Zacharias]

Originally Posted by JamesDean

There are still other decent brands like Lemforder

The OP mentioned that he's had quality problems with Lemforder as well....

I just went on Parts dot com and the listings they have for the front suspension on a 1985 300D are actually for (I believe) a w126, and the same exploded parts diagram comes up for both cars.

[JamesDean]

Originally Posted by Zacharias

The OP mentioned that he's had quality problems with Lemforder as well....

I just went on Parts dot com and the listings they have for the front suspension on a 1985 300D don't appear to be for a w123, if I had to guess I would say I was looking at a w210 parts diagram online.

Dont use the diagrams/navigation thing. Its best to put the Mercedes part number in and order that way.

[97 SL320]

The first question is were the Lemfoder and Myle parts bought from a authorized Lemfoder and Myle dealer or a general seller? Before condemning a entire manufacturer be sure the bad parts are not counterfeit.

Lemfoder is a OE manufacturer for Mercedes and others.

Something I've found that will increase boot life. Add some lube between the boot and stud so the boot isn't flexed so much as the joint rotates. A bit of lube between the top of the boot and steering arm / spindle helps things as well.

[Diesel911]

When you get your Parts Direct From Mercedes if you can find the Company that made them please put that Company here:
Fight Back
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/294339-fight-back%3B-post-list-where-parts-you-bought-were-made.html

[Diesel911]

Originally Posted by Doktor Bert

Been seeing a lot of poor quality of late. Lemfoder and Myle chassis parts where the rubber boot 'rots away' in 3 weeks, when the 35 year old original boots are still intact.

Bought a W116 brake pedal pad that rotted away in less than a month. Started picking up stuff direct from MBZ again.

Disappointing...

Is most of your Driving in the desert?

[wildest]

I recently received a pair of control arm bushings listed as 'Karlyn' when I bought them (online), which I have read to be okay. What I received were Febi marked 'Made in Germany' on the box and the paper work that came with them. Hopefully a pleasant surprise.

[JohnM.]

That's the risk you take buying "aftermarket" parts, I don't care what country they are made in. It's been known for awhile that Febi/Bilstein is repackaging parts made in China, into their "Made in Germany" boxes and then shipping them from there.

I'll buy Febi/Bilstein/Lemforder/Meyle all day long for my car. I'm paying in most cases 4x less than dealer list. So even if I have to replace the same part twice, I'm still ahead.