The whole point of my post was that it is possible to devise a working alternative to an expensive stock replacement. This is worth noting as some people on this board:
a) Don't have much money
b) Don't have the time, (stranded, school, work, etc.) to wait for a shipped replacement, or the time to fight the OE designed R&R problems.
c) Drive an older, rusty, high-mileage, etc. vehicle that is far from pristine and doesn't warrant a high-dollar repair.
Obviously the OE design is the least likely to fail, leak, it fits right, etc. I happen to think that some of the availble alternatives are at least as good and probably better than the OE MB parts. If the aftermarket is good enough for racing engines that cost 5 to 10 times what an MB motor costs why wouldn't it work? If the industrial hoses are good enough for multi-million dollar machines why wouldn't it work on an MB? RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I gotta think that people that are going to school full time and also working are better off with Toyotas or Hondas.As much as I love my four MB's they have more systems to keep up and have some quiet expensive parts unless you have the time and experence to buy your parts online and do pretty much all your own repairs I belive in general they cost more per mile to keep on the road..........

William Rogers.......

I have used both factory AND aftermarket hoses. With the discount available from a few MB dealers VS the increasing cost of aftermarket parts (euro vs. dollar exchange rate) the factory part is less money for the 617 turbo engines. The factory hose is as someone mentioned a wrapped hose and not a "smooth" hose. The factory hose is the way to go on the 617 turbo engines.

Don't know why the factory parts have not gone up in price like the aftermarket parts (yet?).

The oil lines that started this thread are much more expensive! I think I'd rent a car and get the hoses repaired. $600 is really expensive.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

Wasn't there an authorized M/B dealer that sells parts at less than retail via mail order? I cannot seem to find it.

The original post included the oil cooler also--I just replaced my hoses with Fastlane hoses for $108.00 for both and the oil cooler--from Houston salvage for $64.00 for total of $172.00, so $600.00 for hoses and cooler is still far too much.

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1984 300SD 326,997 miles and counting . . . No wait, my odometer is still dead

What did you think of the Fastlane hose? Was it the "wrapped hose" like the OEM or was it the smooth hose?

Smooth hose. Is the new factory hose wrapped also? These appear well made and was a perfect fit, but won't really know about quality until the oil cooler is installed and these have some miles, pressure and heat put on them.

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1984 300SD 326,997 miles and counting . . . No wait, my odometer is still dead

Emergency backup for when Phil can't get stuff is Caliber Motors.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

WARNING that site has sound. Don't go there while in office.

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1984 300SD 326,997 miles and counting . . . No wait, my odometer is still dead

LOL, I never noticed that. The sound on my machine is turned way way down for just such an occasion.

I bought something from Caliber about a year ago that was a dealer specific part and Phil couldn't get it. Probably not much of a savings over my local dealer after the shipping, but they were very helpful and courteous on the phone. My dealer is neither of those, so they only see me in the event of a dire emergency.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Thanks Rick. I e-mailed them for a quote for the oil cooler lines for the SD. $170. for both. I would have a difficult time buying them to try and justify the additional $70. over Fastlane. I wonder if they are wrapped?

I mis-read the post: $600 included the oil cooler.

However the $350 oil cooler line and $248 cooler is still expensive. (FASTLANE prices)

I think I would have gone to the dealer for those items or found a good hose shop as some have suggested. You could rent a car for a few days at those prices. But I have been in similar circumstances that required the "throw money at it" to solve the current problem.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)

Remember this is a 603 so prices will be higher than the 617's version of a part. I called the dealer they wanted $500 for just the cooler lines vs $351 from Fastlane. I really don't want to get involved with making something up, It would probably cost me close to $200 anyway once you factor in the time and gas. This is just one of those parts where you have to bite the bullet and write the check. Here is the breakdown:

Oil cooler lines $351
Oil cooler $256

Remember this is a W126 603, not a 300D, SD or 617. They are different. I'm trying to restore this car and plan on driving it for the next 10 years, this is a simple but expensive repair. What can you do? I'll never have to replace them again.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Iv'e had no problems with the lines I got from FastLane. We are not talking high pressure relative to say the high pressure line on the AC which is also metal crimped to rubber. My guess is that the rubber slowly breaks down from age whether wrapped or not.........

William Rogers.......

The aftermarket (CRP brand) oil cooler lines I got for the wrecked 300D started leaking about 35,000 after they were installed. That is why I went with factory lines on my current 300D.

The list price on FASTLANE is generally the factory list price. When I checked FASTLANE there was not too much difference between the factory SDL line and the aftermarket SDL line price. Some of the dealers will mark the parts up over and above factory suggested. The dealer mentioned in the prior post follows the factory list price guidelines. I also have a copy of the factory cost/wholesale/retail list from 2003, so I can cross reference part numbers vs. price. Unforturnately it only gives a very small description and then the part number.

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84 300DT Puke Yellow. Totalled after 438,000
84 300DT Orient Red. 169,000 (actual mileage may vary)
2002 Explorer EB (wife's)