500E / E500 Parts Manufacturer Quality List

[Ron500E]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Although not OE or OEM I would suggest, perhaps as a warning if nothing else, to place ADSIT on the "Never Buy Under Any Circumstances" list. They are a "rebuilder" of transmissions among other things - a "rebuilder" in the same vein that I am a Japanese Princess.
Seeing that they advertise a lot it would be easy for a new 036, or other Mercedes owner for that matter, to mistakenly assume that a large advertising budget equals an equally large commitment to quality work and customer service.
I would hate to see a new owner have a bad first experience when dealing with needed parts, it may turn them off to the entire hobby or marque.
Kind Regards,

Ron

 

[ivanned]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Gerry, lets downgrade vaico. I just had to replace a vaico air pump hose that did not even have the correct dimensions. I think they should go with URO.

So the hose was totally detached, and when I put the OEM one, my car stopped throwing the upshift delay code. Go figure.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Interesting. Any objections from other folks?

 

[jhodg5ck]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Vaico bits are IME, 99% genuine with the Star ground off...I would call this instance more the exception then the norm.

Jono

 

[gsxr]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

The few Vaico items I've encountered were made in China and did not resemble the OE/OEM parts. Might depend on exactly which specific parts are in question. I think they are definitely in the "questionable" column... not sure if they're ready to move down with the "junk" grouping. Strange that Jono has seen their stuff as genuine with ground-off star. I wonder if they are a reboxer, and sometimes rebox OEM stuff? Hmmm.

 

[samiam44]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Interesting on the W124 pods being Woco- all the pink/black ones are Behr... when I ordered them last time from autohausaz- they were drop shipped straight from Behr USA in Atlanta. To bad we cannot simply cutout the middle men...


Michael

 

[gsxr]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Interesting on the W124 pods being Woco- all the pink/black ones are Behr... when I ordered them last time from autohausaz- they were drop shipped straight from Behr USA in Atlanta.

The Woco ACC pods are probably not for W124. All the 124 pods I've seen are Behr. Gerry might have seen some 126 Woco pods though.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

126 pods are Behr.

I believe the white, later 124 foot flap pod (the rectangular one) is Woco.

I believe the black, 126 foot flap pod (also squarish/rectangular) is Woco.

 

[gsxr]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Ah, that might explain it. I never paid attention to the square pod as I've never had to replace one. All the round 124 pods are Behr.

UPDATE: The rectangular-shaped 124 footwell pod is made by Behr.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Woco logo is apparent on this black 126 leg room flap pod:

View attachment 19160



99.5% sure this white 124 pup is Woco, as well....
[GSXR edit: Nope, it's Behr, not Woco. Gotta watch out for that last 0.5%!]

View attachment 2634

 

[500AMM]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

.
I just came across this site: http://www.epsparts.com/parts/

I haven't read through all of course, but it's a copious site. I checked on some NLA parts for the Limited, but they were not on their NLA list, so I don't know how updated the site is.

This post may not belong to this thread, if so I guess the admins can move it to another forum if it is useful information to keep here.

-a-

 

[500AMM]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Hi.

I just picked up a link to this German vendor site from the Norwegian MBE club forum:
http://www.carus-parts.de/W124/Sedan/500-E-AMG-500-E-6.0-E-500-E-60-AMG-124.036

I have done some search and it looks to work well. It is no information about the parts producer/fabricator. But their sketches are very good and seems to be identical with the EPC sketches (at least the EPC I use, ran by Snap-On). However, I found an error on the airfilter box, the sketch is for the R129/W140. I'll report that back to them.

-a-


Update:
Incorrect link replaced.
Carus has already replied to the findings with that incorrect sketch.
I also asked for information on producer/fabricator to be added to the individual parts, and they replied positively adding it to their action list.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Arnt,

Your link seems to be wrong in the above post. It links right back to the current page on this site.

 

[036/199]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

A few notes on some of the part manufactures:

I have new original MB head gaskets for my M119,they have written Victor Reinz all over them...

I only use Reinz or Elring for engine gaskets.

INA is original manufacture of most hydraulic lifters and pulley bearings for BMW and Mercedes.
Also they supply many German car factories with wheel bearings.

FTE is original manufacture for clutch cylinders for BMW.

 

[500AMM]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Arnt,

Your link seems to be wrong in the above post. It links right back to the current page on this site.

Me wrong?! Can't be possible...(kidding )

The post is updated, plus recent news too.

Many thanks for warning, Gerry.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

I have new original MB head gaskets for my M119,they have written Victor Reinz all over them...

I only use Reinz or Elring for engine gaskets.

You are correct. The MB M117 intake and head gaskets I got a few years ago were Elring. I prefer Elring to Reinz, if a choice can be made. Otherwise I am OK to use Reinz.

Agree that INA is also a good brand.

I don't know that we have come across FTE yet (perhaps others have). But if it is an exclusive supplier to BMW and not Mercedes-Benz, then it won't be relevant and thus not on this list. Most suppliers supply parts to both manufacturers, so there should be good commonality on the list, however.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[036/199]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

FTE does clutch cylinders for Mercs.

I use FTE for the clutch slave cylinder on my 230E daily driver.
Works perfect.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

FTE does clutch cylinders for Mercs.

I use FTE for the clutch slave cylinder on my 230E daily driver.
Works perfect.

But the .036 doesn't have a clutch slave cylinder ?!?

 

[036/199]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

But the .036 doesn't have a clutch slave cylinder ?!?

Good to know,was wondering where the 3rd pedal was....

FTE also does brake hoses for W124s for example.

All I said with my posts is that FTE can be considered as a quality parts manufacture.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Good to know,was wondering where the 3rd pedal was....

yes I was quite angry thinking either MB cheated me or perhaps my car is defective....

Please edit the wiki as that is the benefit of thus software ... It is made for anyone to change & update.

 

[runningtoohot]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

I was looking through the list this morning, and I realized that Jurid is missing. In the past, I've had good luck with their brake pads (on other MBZ models), and their flex discs are (were?) made in Germany.

At least the spare flex disc I have was made in Germany - and I *think* that they were (are still?) an OEM supplier. (Please take this with a grain or two of salt, as my memory isn't as robust as it once was. I'd HATE to be disseminating erroneous information.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

I was looking through the list this morning, and I realized that Jurid is missing. In the past, I've had good luck with their brake pads (on other MBZ models), and their flex discs are (were?) made in Germany.

At least the spare flex disc I have was made in Germany - and I *think* that they were (are still?) an OEM supplier. (Please take this with a grain or two of salt, as my memory isn't as robust as it once was. I'd HATE to be disseminating erroneous information.

Jurid and Pagid (both OEMs for MB brake pads) are indeed both listed in the "preferred vendor" list with Textar in that entry. I even have a link to Jurid's web page.

Indeed Jurid also makes flex discs, and for that reason probably does warrant its own line entry.

 

[runningtoohot]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Wow. Sorry about that Gerry! Major brain fart. (Or should that be brain fahrt?) Maybe I should never post *anything* when inflicted with cold, high-viscosity blood on an early Sunday morning....

 

[Da Big Tuna]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Don't see Lesjofors listed there. I see a lot of their springs hanging around (in fact, for OE-type, I see almost nothing else). What is the site's opinion on these?

EDIT: Hmm, I also see a manufacturer called Suplex that some eBayer claims is "Made in Germany". Neither is on the list, though.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

EDIT: Hmm, I also see a manufacturer called Suplex that some eBayer claims is "Made in Germany". Neither is on the list, though.

Isn't Suplex some sort of move done by professional wrestlers ?

[youtube]q9xdX6JwMAw[/youtube]

 

[Da Big Tuna]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

I guess so. Sounds more like a velvet something... velvet ride? Either that or they are endorsed by Hulk Hogan .

 

[baviking1]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Gerry, any updates on the TRW suspension parts? Specifically I ordered OE struts and ended up with a pair of TRW's that say "Made in South Africa"; kosher or not? Also, someone told me that FEBI = bilstein; true?

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

FEBI is NOT Bilstein (the suspension company) although they call themselves "Febi Bilstein". NOT the same thing, and this has confused more than a few people. FEBI is a reboxer of other companies' stuff and is a MB parts game of Russian Roulette ... and the odds are going down in the buyer's camp as to what's in the box is good quality or not.

TRW is another company that seems to be going downhill. However GSXR and Jono can comment on this better than me. I WILL NOT buy anything Febi for my vehicle.

 

[baviking1]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

FEBI is NOT Bilstein (the suspension company) although they call themselves "Febi Bilstein". NOT the same thing, and this has confused more than a few people. FEBI is a reboxer of other companies' stuff and is a MB parts game of Russian Roulette ... and the odds are going down in the buyer's camp as to what's in the box is good quality or not.

TRW is another company that seems to be going downhill. However GSXR and Jono can comment on this better than me. I WILL NOT buy anything Febi for my vehicle.

Grazi Sir. I didnt get ANY Febi parts, but the TRW's snuck in as "OEM". I thought the Germanic heritage of South Africa might save me (jury still out, it seems)....

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

TRW is and has been an MB OEM for some parts. As far as I can see they are hit or miss though.

 

[baviking1]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

TRW is and has been an MB OEM for some parts. As far as I can see they are hit or miss though.

Ya, they snuck them in on me. My preference was Bilsteins, but I was having a tough time finding the right ones for an 036 and decided OE was the "safe route" (didnt expect TRW tho). Let's hope this production run was a "hit"....

 

[gerryvz]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Ya, they snuck them in on me. My preference was Bilsteins, but I was having a tough time finding the right ones for an 036 and decided OE was the "safe route" (didnt expect TRW tho). Let's hope this production run was a "hit"....

If it's TRW in an MB OE part box, then you should be good.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[gsxr]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

TRW is OEM for some MB parts.

HOWEVER... TRW aftermarket is not the same. TRW sells aftermarket late-syle LCA's which are repackaged Febi. Photos here. After the rash of failures on these, I wouldn't take a chance on them, I sent mine back and ate the shipping loss. There is no source for the OE/OEM late-style LCA's other than direct from your favorite MB dealer (i.e, parts.com / Naperville, etc).

E500E OE front struts are unique and only made by Sachs. Other W124 struts may be made by Bilstein, Sachs, or Boge, I think. Bilstein, Sachs, or Boge are all acceptable for struts/shocks, along with KONI. I've never seen any struts made by TRW... probably repackaged/relabeled. Post some photos!

Update Jan-2018: I've run into one too many failed KONI dampers on my personal vehicles. They work just fine when new, but do not have anywhere near the longevity of Bilstein/Sachs dampers. YMMV, etc.

 

[myarmar]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

I think we should add Vollig to Do Not Buy list in case they decided to make parts for MB. VW and Porsche folks already complaining.
See here:
http://www.passatworld.com/forums/4...why-you-should-not-buy-control-arms-ebay.html
and here:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cayenne/645350-drive-shaft-bearing-issue-dont-buy.html

 

[M104-AMG]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

So SWAG does belt tensioners. Safe brand for this ?

SWAG's site says they are a Bilstein Group company:
http://www.swag.de/en/products/engine-technology.html

neil

 

[mb280sel1985]

Any experience with the complete rear control arm set from Meyle? http://www.autohausaz.com/search/gr...195062@500E&year=1993&cid=17@Drivetrain Parts

 

[gsxr]

Any experience with the complete rear control arm set from Meyle? http://www.autohausaz.com/search/gr...195062@500E&year=1993&cid=17@Drivetrain Parts

Avoid them. The Meyle stuff is mediocre IMO, and I wouldn't use it unless you're on a tight budget. For an E500E, shell out for the OE parts. Just my $0.02...

 

[gerryvz]

Attached is the 2012/2013 Lemforder parts catalog.

 

[M104-AMG]

Gerry - do they have a non-suspension catalog ? I've been trying to see if the Lemforder still offers the M103/104 belt tensioner . . .

neil

 

[remotemark]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Word to the wise, the ACM condenser I put in my Ersatzhammer developed a significant hole after 18 months. It was a corrosion hole, not caused by any mechanical force.

 

[M104-AMG]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Word to the wise, the ACM condenser I put in my Ersatzhammer developed a significant hole after 18 months. It was a corrosion hole, not caused by any mechanical force.

Was the corrosion for the outside->in, or the inside->out ? Do you know at what area, and have a picture ?

FWIW, be glad it wasn't the evaporator that's deep inside the center console.

Also, depending on whom you purchased the ACM from, it might be under a 2-year warranty . . .

G/L,

neil

 

[remotemark]

Re: 500E / E500 Parts Vendor Quality List

Was the corrosion for the outside->in, or the inside->out ? Do you know at what area, and have a picture ?

FWIW, be glad it wasn't the evaporator that's deep inside the center console.

Also, depending on whom you purchased the ACM from, it might be under a 2-year warranty . . .

G/L,

neil

Sorry, I don't have a picture. It was at the bottom on the passenger side. It was a pretty big area that was corroded from outside-in, with 2 punctures and it looked like more on their way. 1 year warranty, unfortunately.

 

[gsxr]

Febi is rapidly moving up my naughty list.

My new-to-me S124 wagon had a record of the M104 fan bearing bracket being replaced by a shop a few years ago. The receipt shows the shop charged the previous owner full MB dealer retail at the time for the bracket ($278)... but they installed a Febi bracket instead. The Febi bracket failed in 4 years / 38kmi, the bearing was loose in the casting and allowed the pulley to move forward/aft 2-3mm.

The Febi bracket was Made in Germany, btw... and the bearing in the Febi bracket was marked "Italy". No Chinese stuff here. Apparently Febi can't even make quality stuff in Germany! It is also sad that a shop would charge a customer dealer retail, and then install a part which they probably paid 1/3 as much for. As a bonus, the shop did not install it correctly, they did not use anaerobic sealant on the bolts during installation as specified in the FSM. This caused an oil leak. *sigh*

On a side note, the Febi bracket would not allow the pulley locking tool (round rod) to insert properly, the casting was not lined up with the hole in the flange. Since quality name-brand brackets are not available via aftermarket, I shelled out for the OE bracket from the dealer. On the OE bracket, the pulley lock tool fits perfectly! After cleaning everything and installing with the proper sealant on the bolts, the leak is gone.

Anyway - long story short - beware Febi parts, unless they are reboxing OEM stuff (like their reboxed SGF flex discs, which are fine).

 

[Klink]

Anyway - long story short - beware Febi parts, unless they are reboxing OEM stuff (like their reboxed SGF flex discs, which are fine).

Or the 140 motor mounts that I got a couple of months ago for about 50% of MB dealer cost (!) that were re-boxed Boge with the stars and part numbers ground off...

 

[gerryvz]

Febi is rapidly moving up my naughty list.

My new-to-me S124 wagon had a record of the M104 fan bearing bracket being replaced by a shop a few years ago. The receipt shows the shop charged the previous owner full MB dealer retail at the time for the bracket ($278)... but they installed a Febi bracket instead. The Febi bracket failed in 4 years / 38kmi, the bearing was loose in the casting and allowed the pulley to move forward/aft 2-3mm.

The Febi bracket was Made in Germany, btw... and the bearing in the Febi bracket was marked "Italy". No Chinese stuff here. Apparently Febi can't even make quality stuff in Germany! It is also sad that a shop would charge a customer dealer retail, and then install a part which they probably paid 1/3 as much for. As a bonus, the shop did not install it correctly, they did not use anaerobic sealant on the bolts during installation as specified in the FSM. This caused an oil leak. *sigh*

It sounds like the former owner of your wagon was a real negligent SOB to have put Febi parts on that wagon and then sell it to you.

What a jerk !!

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

It sounds like the former owner of your wagon was a real negligent SOB to have put Febi parts on that wagon and then sell it to you.

What a jerk !!

Sheesh, I know, right?

Seriously though, I can't blame the owner, it was the repair shop that did the work. So hard to find a good indy these days...

 

[Klink]

Febi is rapidly moving up my naughty list.

My new-to-me S124 wagon had a record of the M104 fan bearing bracket being replaced by a shop a few years ago. The receipt shows the shop charged the previous owner full MB dealer retail at the time for the bracket ($278)... but they installed a Febi bracket instead. The Febi bracket failed in 4 years / 38kmi, the bearing was loose in the casting and allowed the pulley to move forward/aft 2-3mm.

The Febi bracket was made in Germany, btw... no Chinese stuff here. Apparently Febi can't even make quality stuff in Germany! It is also sad that a shop would charge a customer dealer retail, and then install a part which they probably paid 1/3 as much for. As a bonus, the shop did not install it correctly, they did not use anaerobic sealant on the bolts during installation as specified in the FSM. This caused an oil leak. *sigh*

On a side note, the Febi bracket would not allow the pulley locking tool (round rod) to insert properly, the casting was not lined up with the hole in the flange. Since there are no name-brand brackets available via aftermarket, I shelled out for the OE bracket from the dealer. On the OE bracket, the pulley lock tool fits perfectly! After cleaning everything and installing with the proper sealant on the bolts, the leak is gone.

Anyway - long story short - beware Febi parts, unless they are reboxing OEM stuff (like their reboxed SGF flex discs, which are fine).

It sounds like the former owner of your wagon was a real negligent SOB to have put Febi parts on that wagon and then sell it to you.

What a jerk !!

Cheers,
Gerry

Well, if the seller is a 500Eboard member, he should probably at least be banned...

 

[bing]

Seriously though, I can't blame the owner, it was the repair shop that did the work. So hard to find a good indy these days...

I would ! I reckon the previous owner was in cahoots with his indy falsifying reciepts and all

Agree with Gerry though, if the previous owner is here he should be banned for life !!

 

[Klink]

I would ! I reckon the previous owner was in cahoots with his indy falsifying reciepts and all

Agree with Gerry though, if the previous owner is here he should be banned for life !!

You're actually agreeing with me, Bingers! But that shouldn't be unusual...

And while we're on the subject of fraudulent documentation, an extra couple hundred thousand or so of undocumented mileage could well explain Dave's fan bearing situation, don't you think?

 

[gsxr]

And while we're on the subject of fraudulent documentation, an extra couple hundred thousand or so of undocumented mileage could well explain Dave's front rear bearing situation, don't you think?

Nah, the bearing issue is on a different car. Bearings seem to be fine on the wagon!