I am officially DONE with Autozone.

[MattBelliveau]

Nope, will ever set foot in one again. Throughout the years, I have occasionally purchased their inferior parts, delt with their deadbeat couter people (most of the time), and dealt with having to return the special order mistake parts (three starters ordered at one point because they kept giving me the wrong part). After doing my axle job a week ago, everything was swmooth, until this past Thursday. I had a grinding noise in the rear that I swore was related to the new axles. Boy was I wrong. The brake pads that I purchased from them (the expensive ones I order sounded like I had banshees living in the trunk (squeal)) a few months back FELL APART! The noise I was hearing was the backing of the pad rubbing nicely on the rotor. All the braking material had simply FELL OFF somewhere on my way home. I know that this is a manufacturing problem, but it is an autozone brand. UNREAL! Goodbye, Autoprone!

[Jim B.]

I like personally like textar metallic brake pads, with the anti squeal paste, MB coolant, Mann filters, just the better stuff, and OEM MB air/fuel filters. Even if I'd run them a bit longer to amortize the cost, I think it is worth it.

There are reputable online suppliers around, like Rusty's in Atlanta, the website sponsor, Phil's Fastlane, and European Parts Specialists in Santa Barbara. Reasonable and competive rates, quick shipping, and often times supplying a couple of extra washers and screws, just in case.

Now when it was the auction special 1986 Cavalier wagon, well, that was another matter. Cheap parts and places like Autozone were fine for that.

[Hatterasguy]

I can't buy parts localy for MB's. Autoparts stores be they the chain guys or small mom and pop places just don't deal in MB parts. When they do, the prices are way out of line with even the dealer.

So for parts its pretty much all Fastlane or the dealer.

But yeah Autozone is a joke, I buy wax, oil and rags from them thats about it.

[G-Benz]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

But yeah Autozone is a joke, I buy wax, oil and rags from them thats about it.

....and electric scooters and trail bikes!

[iwrock]

I use the local Riebes auto parts... They ordered the Textar pads for my wagon when I did them myself...

They carry a decent amount of stuff at my local parts place, but for bigger parts I usually go to the sponsor.

[softconsult]

Here's a statistic that I found interesting. I use my local Autozone to buy and recycle oil and occasionally buy miscellaneous other things, but never parts.

I was talking to one of the counter guys. We were talking about my S320 and the potential cost of certain parts like computers. The guy told me that the average price of their customers' cars nationwide is $1,500.00. I would never have guessed that low, but it does make sense. This would explain the scope of their expertise. Beyond a certain point their customers just don't fix the car.

Steve

[TheDon]

I have bendix pads ^_^ from discount auto parts

[Emmerich]

Every Autozone I have been in needed to go find someone in back that spoke English. (for me)

[300EVIL]

Originally Posted by MattBelliveau

Nope, will ever set foot in one again. Throughout the years, I have occasionally purchased their inferior parts, delt with their deadbeat couter people (most of the time), and dealt with having to return the special order mistake parts (three starters ordered at one point because they kept giving me the wrong part). After doing my axle job a week ago, everything was swmooth, until this past Thursday. I had a grinding noise in the rear that I swore was related to the new axles. Boy was I wrong. The brake pads that I purchased from them (the expensive ones I order sounded like I had banshees living in the trunk (squeal)) a few months back FELL APART! The noise I was hearing was the backing of the pad rubbing nicely on the rotor. All the braking material had simply FELL OFF somewhere on my way home. I know that this is a manufacturing problem, but it is an autozone brand. UNREAL! Goodbye, Autoprone!

What do you expect! Autozone has parts retailers not auto mechanics. If they were auto mechanics they would be working at an auto repair shop. Basically they'll tell you what you want to hear to sell you parts. If you want a flawless install with a warranty, get your car serviced by a qualified mechanic. I order parts form local stores all the time and I'm constantly having to deal with wrong parts. Either the computer is wrong or the salse person messed up. Totally typical. I don't blame them, I blame my lack of knowledge and/or their computer database which I find wrong many times and inferior parts quality.

The moral of the story is "go to the experts". If your not sure what your buying is good/right go to someone who knows it is. For example, ask MercedesShop members if 'brand X" brake pads are good for your vehicle. Also, Fastlane is a great sorce for reliable parts sold by knowledgable people. You'll find buying parts from experts makes a lot more sense.
Good Luck!
Adam

[POS]

AutoZone has always been known as cheap parts with bad counterman. No reason to go there. For anything.

[Monomer]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I can't buy parts localy for MB's. Autoparts stores be they the chain guys or small mom and pop places just don't deal in MB parts. When they do, the prices are way out of line with even the dealer.

So for parts its pretty much all Fastlane or the dealer.

But yeah Autozone is a joke, I buy wax, oil and rags from them thats about it.

Open up you local yellowpages.


look under auto->part->Imports




S&G Imports is the local shop. They have everything in the back. Even the proper flex brake lines for my car. Also stocks Diesel Purge by the can.

[catmandoo62]

years ago one opened up here in town,my buddy needed a master cylinder kit for a 1962 jeep pickup.the counter guy says"well i don't see it listed in the book,but we can have you one tomorrow"we walked out of that place laughing our butts off.i told my buddy i don't think they are even gonna make it to the grand opening.and i don't think they ever had one.they didn't last more then about a month here in town and they closed up.it's now a video store.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by Monomer

Open up you local yellowpages.


look under auto->part->Imports




S&G Imports is the local shop. They have everything in the back. Even the proper flex brake lines for my car. Also stocks Diesel Purge by the can.

Yeah but that requires me to drive and pay tax. I just rather order it online.

[Wes Bender]

Originally Posted by justinwrock

I use the local Riebes auto parts... They ordered the Textar pads for my wagon when I did them myself...

They carry a decent amount of stuff at my local parts place, but for bigger parts I usually go to the sponsor.

Sounds like you're in Grass Valley (or Nevada City). Although it was a long time ago, I bought a lot of stuff from Del Riebe. I was managing a generator overhaul contract and he could get us stuff for some really obsolete engines. They've got a really good automotive machine shop too.

I know Del passed away a few years back, but I don't know if his wife Skip is still alive. Their son Bart has the business now. Next time you're in, say hi for me. We played golf with Del and Skip on Wednesday evenings at NCCC.

Cheers,
Wes