It's starting to look like Genuine Mercedes parts are the only way to go with these classic cars of ours, at least when the AC is concerned and your sacrificing R12 and the money you have to pay shops to evacuate your system, do a leak test and pull vacuum.

The ACM brand manifold hoses that I purchased had a bad weld at the plate and leaked just from me turning the compressor by hand. The ACM aux fan switch didn't work and I just found out that the Behr AC pressure switch I installed is crap. How hard is it for Behr to screw up the drier too, should I replace that as well?

So what gives? Is it the small market for these parts that keeps these companies from feeling accountable? I met a Mercedes mechanic who said that he had to replace 3 of those ACM aux fan switches on the same car. You'd think that some of these mechanics would be making calls and complaining. Are any of you guys who work on cars 20 years old and newer experiencing the same issues? Are the aftermarket suspension parts for a 2001 E320 just as bad as the ones for a 1981 300SD? As far as I know they're all made in China, but wouldn't a company like Lemforder fly someone out there to monitor quality. I just needed to rant. Thanks

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'81 300SD

If you can afford it I'd recommend sticking with Mercedes parts.

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Jim