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  #46  
Old 08-06-2017, 12:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro View Post
Hey, but at least they're still "ENGINEERED IN GERMANY"!

Happy Motoring, Mark
Son of an effing *****. I recently bought Continental belts as I'm about to replace my power steering pump. I never bothered to look where the were made as I assume Germany. But nope. Just checked them. ****ing china. Not that it makes any difference but I'm about to try and find a way to send a very nasty letter to them.

- Peter.

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2000 GMC Sonoma
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1984 123 200
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1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
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  #47  
Old 08-06-2017, 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by pj67coll View Post
Not that it makes any difference but I'm about to try and find a way to send a very nasty letter to them.
I think it makes a big difference.
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  #48  
Old 08-06-2017, 12:28 PM
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Originally Posted by ScooterABC View Post
I think it makes a big difference.
Haha. I'm sure they're really concerned, but anyway. I've just sent a nastygram to them for what it's worth.

- Peter.
__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S
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  #49  
Old 08-06-2017, 12:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScooterABC View Post
I think it makes a big difference.
Only if you want them to last.
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  #50  
Old 08-06-2017, 02:12 PM
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I don't see why they had to move production to China. Were people complaining the belts were too expensive? Probably wanting a greater profit margin, but I'd rather have had the price go up.

I sent them an email as well, explaining that I've been a loyal customer, but now I might as well just buy from my local parts store because their belts are at least made in the USA.

It seems that there is less reason these days to be loyal to a brand as it seems everyone is moving production to China. Sure, one brand may still be better quality than another Chinese-produced brand, but both are likely nowhere near the same quality as they would be, were they produced in Germany.

I'm taking brake cleaner or a black marker and removing the MADE IN CHINA. I thought long and hard about just returning the belts and buying AutoZone's Duralast.
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1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles
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  #51  
Old 08-06-2017, 02:31 PM
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It looks like Pelican Parts has Genuine Mercedes belts as an option (only about $10 each), and in the stock photos it shows Contitech lettering. I wonder if the ones provided to Mercedes are also made in China?
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1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles
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  #52  
Old 08-06-2017, 03:39 PM
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Things are made in China instead of Germany because labor is cheap. Pretty straight-forward....
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  #53  
Old 08-06-2017, 11:33 PM
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Post Chinese M-B parts

I recently purchased a bunch of W123 air cleaner rubber mounts from the Classic Center and only _ONE_ was factory M-B ! the rest were the same old same $2 ones I can get anywhere that rarely last over 12 months before parting .

I complained to them and got the Okey-Doke and I buy most of my W123 parts from The Classic Center because I know I'll get the original part, with M-B logos and part #'s. these didn't have that .

I saved the invoice and plastic bags and sure as ***** they'll be returned under warranty if they fail too soon .
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  #54  
Old 08-07-2017, 12:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScooterABC View Post
Things are made in China instead of Germany because labor is cheap. Pretty straight-forward....
But I don't want cheap parts, I want quality parts. I drive a Mercedes, not an Asian econobox. Even though I have a low income, I know the value of spending extra money for the best quality. Like the saying, it pays to buy the best.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vwnate1 View Post
I recently purchased a bunch of W123 air cleaner rubber mounts from the Classic Center and only _ONE_ was factory M-B ! the rest were the same old same $2 ones I can get anywhere that rarely last over 12 months before parting .

I complained to them and got the Okey-Doke and I buy most of my W123 parts from The Classic Center because I know I'll get the original part, with M-B logos and part #'s. these didn't have that .

I saved the invoice and plastic bags and sure as ***** they'll be returned under warranty if they fail too soon .
That is truly messed-up! Not only that they didn't all match, but that two of them were not the real thing. I almost spent the big dollars ($25 each or something crazy) on rubber air cleaner mounts from The Classic Center but decided to just get the CRP ones because I needed 6 of them for an improved air cleaner mounting design I'm coming up with that should completely eliminate mount breakage.

I think that parts quality and customer service is taking a big dive (generally speaking) these days. I don't want to live in a world where your only options are junk quality that's served with a bad attitude. Then where is your quality of living? Chances are you're barely making enough to scrape by because you're working for low wages so the company owners can make their fortunes and rule over the working class.
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Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles
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  #55  
Old 08-07-2017, 01:11 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vwnate1 View Post
I recently purchased a bunch of W123 air cleaner rubber mounts from the Classic Center and only _ONE_ was factory M-B ! the rest were the same old same $2 ones I can get anywhere that rarely last over 12 months before parting .

I complained to them and got the Okey-Doke and I buy most of my W123 parts from The Classic Center because I know I'll get the original part, with M-B logos and part #'s. these didn't have that .

I saved the invoice and plastic bags and sure as ***** they'll be returned under warranty if they fail too soon .
Considering your experience with the Classic Center, and the poor design or poor quality of many replacement parts these days, air-cleaner mounts are something I'd probably try to fabricate myself.
Using wafers cut from 1/4" rubber fuel-hose, longer 6mm bolts and 3 suitable-sized fender-washers, I think I could make some that would last indefinitely!

Happy Motoring, Mark
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  #56  
Old 08-07-2017, 01:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark DiSilvestro View Post
Considering your experience with the Classic Center, and the poor design or poor quality of many replacement parts these days, air-cleaner mounts are something I'd probably try to fabricate myself.
Using wafers cut from 1/4" rubber fuel-hose, longer 6mm bolts and 3 suitable-sized fender-washers, I think I could make some that would last indefinitely!

Happy Motoring, Mark
I am using 6 CRP (I guess--one of the six doesn't match and the rest say REIN on the label) rubber buffers and am going to remove the threaded studs and drill through the center of them, and place some on the inside of the air cleaner as well as the outside (there is 14mm of clearance between the bottom surface of the air cleaner housing and the bottom of the air filter). That way the air cleaner is sandwiched and can flex up and down instead of only one direction and then jarring.

I didn't want to use fuel hose because it's not wide (sturdy) enough and the rubber buffers should have a more suitable shore hardness. An M6 1.0 bolt will thread into the threads in the bracket from underneath with a split washer and get a coupling nut tightened against it to keep it snug and from rotating.

Then the heat shield, some fender washers, and a rubber buffer slides over that. Then the air cleaner fits on top. Then another rubber buffer cut down to about 10mm fits over the threads and then a flathead joint connector nut screws down onto the threads and fits a couple millimeters over the top of the upper buffer and then the end of the bolt threads max out against the top of the joint connector nut and holds it tight while also compressing the mounts just enough.

It's a bit complicated but will be more clear once I complete the project.
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DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles
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  #57  
Old 08-07-2017, 02:37 AM
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I generally buy small parts from the dealer just because I prefer face-to-face contact to telephone or internet ordering. The parts are not much more and there is no shipping cost. My last MB brand fuel filter for my '98 diesel was made in South Africa. Lots of stuff they sell is made in countries other than Germany.
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  #58  
Old 08-07-2017, 11:18 AM
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  #59  
Old 08-07-2017, 11:32 AM
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Originally Posted by ESchwab View Post
I generally buy small parts from the dealer just because I prefer face-to-face contact to telephone or internet ordering. The parts are not much more and there is no shipping cost. My last MB brand fuel filter for my '98 diesel was made in South Africa. Lots of stuff they sell is made in countries other than Germany.
Some of our dealerships mark up the prices 3 or more times MSRP, though. Many times I've inquired about parts there knowing Mercedes' MSRP and been quoted a price about three times as expensive, and then when I've asked if they honor MBCA discounts, have them look at me like I'm stupid and say, "No."

I was fortunate enough, though, to get a new battery from them for slightly less than MSRP, but they already had it in stock and probably sell enough of them that they don't care about making a huge margin of profit. And for once the employee was actually nice to me and did honor my MBCA discount as well.

I realize that not every part can be made in Germany. I don't mind the odd European country or USA as a place of manufacturer. But some countries, like China, have bad business practices where the main goal is to make the product as cheaply as possible while quality suffers. Really, currently the only reason for making anything in China is to maximize profits or lower the price at the expense of quality. China is not currently an acceptable place of manufacturer as far I'm concerned unless it starts gearing up toward quality first, price second.
__________________
Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles
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  #60  
Old 08-07-2017, 12:38 PM
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Post

Actually FIVE were crap, I have three W123's and carry three spare rubber mounts in each car because I drive a lot and I once or twice lost the aluminum air cleaner in my '82 240D due to vibration after parting a mount on a long road trip .

-Nate
Quote:
Originally Posted by Squiggle Dog View Post
But I don't want cheap parts, I want quality parts. I drive a Mercedes, not an Asian econobox. Even though I have a low income, I know the value of spending extra money for the best quality. Like the saying, it pays to buy the best.



That is truly messed-up! Not only that they didn't all match, but that two of them were not the real thing. I almost spent the big dollars ($25 each or something crazy) on rubber air cleaner mounts from The Classic Center but decided to just get the CRP ones because I needed 6 of them for an improved air cleaner mounting design I'm coming up with that should completely eliminate mount breakage.

I think that parts quality and customer service is taking a big dive (generally speaking) these days. I don't want to live in a world where your only options are junk quality that's served with a bad attitude. Then where is your quality of living? Chances are you're barely making enough to scrape by because you're working for low wages so the company owners can make their fortunes and rule over the working class.

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