I got quoted from the dealer...$183.00 for a cap and $57.85 for a rotor for the ignition of the 420 sel we are fixing up. These are from Bosch. Is there an alternative manufacturer of these parts? That is a ridiculous price for consumable parts....why so much?

I would not use an alternative brand.
On my 300SE alternative brands lasted about 10.000mls, the original Bosch 100.000

Dealers are often much more expensive than parts stores, so an alternative shop might be a good idea.

Be aware that some shops sell "system Bosch" parts, that only means that the connectors fit

Rob

I completely agree with you but I paid up when I had trouble with cheap parts.

I replaced original cap and rotor at around 300,000 Km and there was no difference in performance until the new, cheap rotor failed. I replaced it with the original ancient one and all was well. I then paid MB prices (same as your but more as they were in Euro) and all's been well ever since.

Those parts have a hard time with heat and my motto is now, "Never go cheap!"

Having said that, I share your pain.

Beru is a good make and, perhaps, worth a try for cap and rotor. I have Beru leads and plugs and all's well.

RayH

Thanks for the responses. I will ask for Beru at the local parts places. I normally like to get good parts for key systems, but I won't ever pay that much for those parts. I'll go cheap and sell the car. I only paid 500 for the whole car. Almost half that to buy the cap/rotor....not sure how that's justified? I'll melt down some plastic and jewelery and carve my own with a pen knife by hand for that much$$.

You can get the Bosch-made & branded parts (cap and rotor) at auto haus az dot com for a fraction of the dealer price. Identical parts made by Bosch. Free shipping.

Be careful with Bosch

There is Bosch and there is Bosch

Just as there is Louis Vuitton and Louis Vuitton.