Mirror Boots quality

[Adigidy]

So I ordered a bunch of stuff from OEM Mercedes Benz Parts (ED Hicks, Corpus Christi, TX). I was disappointed to receive broken/damaged parts as well as several skus missing.

money of the items were a set of mirror boots. One side looked perfect, but the other seemed like cheap inferior quality. Different material, color & finishing quality. Also, only 1 has MBZ stamp with part number on the inside. Other has nothing. I paid the premium to order OEM, but feel ripped. Take a look at my pictures and tell me if I am wrong or you agree.

 

[LWB250]

Wow! The bad one looks worse than the Turkish knock-off I got a couple months ago. I think you got ripped.

Dan

 

[gerryvz]

It looks like a supplier change for the right-hand boot. Does it say on the box where it was made? The smaller (left side) boot has a 2007 date code along with MB part number and star inside, so that is a "legit" part.

Unfortunately I think this is one of those situations where you have to take what MB gives you, and hope the quality is good.

The other option is a good used one, which I always sell out of as soon as I get them in my hands. Maybe I need to start hoarding a set for myself.

 

[nocfn]

Send the bad one back and get another from another store.

 

[gsxr]

Someone may have returned that knockoff and the vendor didn't know it wasn't the same item they shipped. Definitely not right. MB parts will have the MB Star logo and part number on them. Ed Hicks is a dealership, not a random aftermarket vendor, they should make it right.

What item arrived broken?

 

[Adigidy]

It looks like a supplier change for the right-hand boot. Does it say on the box where it was made? The smaller (left side) boot has a 2007 date code along with MB part number and star inside, so that is a "legit" part.

Unfortunately I think this is one of those situations where you have to take what MB gives you, and hope the quality is good.

The other option is a good used one, which I always sell out of as soon as I get them in my hands. Maybe I need to start hoarding a set for myself.

They were not in boxes. The clearly Genuine one was in a plain bag like most of the parts I ordered (mostly nuts, bolts, washers and clips).

The one that is in question was not in any bag, just had a paper tag secured with a wire. Tag just listed item number, my order number and name and some other misc numbers. Definitely was for their order process, not a manufacturer tag.

I did email them the list of concerns. I’ll keep you all posted on the response.

 

[Jlaa]

Just FYI - I ordered new driver's and passenger side mirror boots from Naperville MB in 2017 and I recall a similarly big difference in finishing quality between the driver's and passenger's side boot. My passenger's side wasn't quite a rough looking as yours, but I DO remember the quality was quite different.

Even today, 3 years later, I notice that my driver's side boot is still nice and supple, but my passenger's side boot requires a lot more application of 303 protectant to keep it supple.

 

[kwontumspeed]

Ordered new boots from MB Birmingham a few weeks ago and they were both MB, looked the same, both had wire tag with MB stock sticker we see on all/most OE parts, each bagged separately. Something isn't right here, I would request an exchange for an actual MB product.

 

[Adigidy]

Someone may have returned that knockoff and the vendor didn't know it wasn't the same item they shipped. Definitely not right. MB parts will have the MB Star logo and part number on them. Ed Hicks is a dealership, not a random aftermarket vendor, they should make it right.

What item arrived broken?

I think you are on to something with the return theory.

The damaged item was the lower deflector. The 2 tabs at the rear completely broken. Packaging was horrific! Being an owner of Several The UPS Stores, just from looking at the way they packaged it, I knew it would be damaged before opening it.

 

[Adigidy]

this has been bugging me like crazy. After further inspection, I do find the following markings on the right side boot. They small and hiding in dark spots you can’t really see. I just can’t imagine MB would put their seal of approval on this. Still waiting for a response from the vendor, but will keep you all posted.

 

[gsxr]

Well that is interesting... 1997 date code? Either you got some REALLY old stock, or something else weird is going on.

Other than the visual differences does it appear to be decent quality and fitment? Nobody will see them next to each other once installed on the car.

 

[Adigidy]

Well that is interesting... 1997 date code? Either you got some REALLY old stock, or something else weird is going on.

Other than the visual differences does it appear to be decent quality and fitment? Nobody will see them next to each other once installed on the car.

Honestly, I am not sure how they are supposed to feel but the drivers side feels solid and finish is perfect, rubber is definitely thicker. Color is more of a greyish black.
The one in question feels flimsy and extremely poorly finished. Color is Jet Black, with almost a slight sheen.

I know they will not be next to each other, but the color difference really sticks out. I have not tried putting it on because I want to wait to hear from the vendor.

I almost feel like buying a cheap e-bay set to compare the difference.

 

[gsxr]

I think @LWB250 tried the cheap eBay stuff and ended up binning them... Dan?

 

[kegmankipp]

I almost feel like buying a cheap e-bay set to compare the difference.

Don’t bother as they are a complete waste of time and money. Appears that they were molded from someone’s bad memory. They fit so poorly I can stick a finger in the gaps. If you want to pay shipping I’ll send them to you for free.

Hunt down a set from the 80’s as that rubber never seems to dry up. I got some recently off of a member of this forum and they are as soft and supple as the day they were made.

 

[gerryvz]

Correct. Mirror boot rubber from 1986-1991 tends not to dry up. 1992 and later, forget it.

 

[LWB250]

I think @LWB250 tried the cheap eBay stuff and ended up binning them... Dan?

Mine came from some guys in Turkey I had purchased some decent W110/111 rubber bits from. One wasn't bad, the other was poorly molded in that the rubber was quite thin along one edge. They must mold them in pairs, as I asked for a replacement and they said they couldn't send me just the one, so they refunded 100% of what I paid.

 

[Gatorblue92]

I think @LWB250 tried the cheap eBay stuff and ended up binning them... Dan?

I also got a pair of those [cheap eBay booties] for my former 93 400E and they were poor quality. Possibly a step below URO parts and I don't recommend them.

 

[SVH]

Time flies. I purchased Genuine MBZ mirror boots from the local dealer: They both came with a wired tag.

10 06 17 Left boot - paid 120.70 + tax
03 15 18 Right boot -paid 160.00 + tax

I hope they last a while.

 

[gerryvz]

Can you please take and post a few photos of the inside and outside? Are the boots different in the feel, flexibility and materials? Any difference in country of origin?

Be glad the price has come down by more than 50%. Each one used to be way over $300, just a few years ago.

 

[SVH]

Can you please take and post a few photos of the inside and outside? Are the boots different in the feel, flexibility and materials? Any difference in country of origin?

Be glad the price has come down by more than 50%. Each one used to be way over $300, just a few years ago.

Hi Gerry,
I was able to get to the left boot only. I wrestled with the right side for a good 15-20 min. trying to undo the upper post of the (interior cover) but it just wouldn't give. Since I don't have a spare cover I didn't want to risk breaking it and stopped. Sorry. Both L & R boots are clearly of the same material by look and feel. Still very pliable.

Speaking of high prices for genuine MBZ parts. Late 2019, I replaced all door and window weather stripping for my 94 wagon. The rear doors were $310.50 ea plus tax after my discount. I figured I best get them before they become NLA.

 

[gerryvz]

Hi Gerry,
I was able to get to the left boot only. I wrestled with the right side for a good 15-20 min. trying to undo the upper post of the (interior cover) but it just wouldn't give. Since I don't have a spare cover I didn't want to risk breaking it and stopped. Sorry. Both L & R boots are clearly of the same material by look and feel. Still very pliable.

Speaking of high prices for genuine MBZ parts. Late 2019, I replaced all door and window weather stripping for my 94 wagon. The rear doors were $310.50 ea plus tax after my discount. I figured I best get them before they become NLA.

Thanks for this info. I've not seen that manufacturer's name/logo on any of the "old" boots I've harvested off of early cars, nor on the factory boots I installed on my car many years ago (which are still in good condition). Interesting.

 

[gsxr]

Bootie pricing has remained unchanged since 2016, after some gouging in 2014-2015:

HOW-TO: Replacing door mirror boot rubber | "HOW-TO" Tutorial Articles

COMING SOON: a how-to on replacing your cracked exterior black rubber door mirror boots. These are the pieces that fit between the mirror body and the car door. After 10+ years, they tend to suffer cracking and lose flexibility due to exposure to the elements. These items are easily available...

www.500eboard.co