For those who need to do their timing chain tensioners, Mercedes calls for you to replace all 16 bolts surrounding the cam covers. For those who already did this job know that Mercedes charges $8-$9 per bolt which totals to nearly $150 for 16 bolts!
I was able to do some digging and found out that BMW makes the same exact aluminum bolts for their mid 2000s engines for $1.30 a pop!
For comparison, blue marked torx bolt is from Mercedes, no blue mark is from BMW. BMW bolt has a smidge less end threads but that’s perfectly fine
Part number from BMW is 13627530413, they are both M6x16x1.0
I might look up the MB part number and see if FCP or someone has the equivalent German aftermarket part for much less than MB first. There must be a zillion grades of aluminum ranging from total garbage to amazing aerospace grades. I’d hope that the BMW part could handle the MB specified torque/angle but who knows. Looking up the BMW application and service manual where the bolt is used could answer this. But a quality MB aftermarket supplier would certainly match or exceed that torque/angle spec.
The MB list price for those bolts is, of course, an outrage.
Maybe the real problem that I have might be that putting BMW parts in my car could cause all of the plastic underhood parts in my car to shatter and my turn signals to fail
I might look up the MB part number and see if FCP or someone has the equivalent German aftermarket part for much less than MB first. There must be a zillion grades of aluminum ranging from total garbage to amazing aerospace grades. I’d hope that the BMW part could handle the MB specified torque/angle but who knows. Looking up the BMW application and service manual where the bolt is used could answer this. But a quality MB aftermarket supplier would certainly match or exceed that torque/angle spec.
The MB list price for those bolts is, of course, an outrage.
Maybe the real problem that I have might be that putting BMW parts in my car could cause all of the plastic underhood parts in my car to shatter and my turn signals to fail
Trust me I did my digging, both bolts are made by RIDE, the main manufacturer for bolts for almost all German vehicle companies. They are the same grade and same material ‘AL9’, same M6x16x1.0 bolt and share the same tensile strength. Only key difference is the end threads but that wouldn’t pose a huge threat as tested.
BMW uses these bolts for their Cam sensors, fuel system, and other various parts. It’s not like these bolts are used for something less intense like their interior.
Tensile strength doesn’t really matter with this exact application, it’s only getting torqued down to 7nm~ which is what the Mercedes bolts get torqued down, material and all are the exact same.
I don’t feel bad using bolts for a BMW if I’m saving $130+
Also, Mercedes at the dealer charges I believe $11-$12 a pop for each bolt that you need for the cam cover. FCPEuro charges about $9 a pop for the same ‘Mercedes’ bolt. I got these ‘BMW’ bolts off FCPEuro for I think $1.39 each.
Great info! I whish I had that info before I've spent USD 100 last year buying those bolts... it was amazing how light they were. To be honest, I've kept the removed ones to try and find generic ones on the market if I ever needed to open those covers again.
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
