I recently purchased a higher mileage 2011 E350. The body is in excellent shape and everything works, but it does look like the previous owner did not keep up with any sort of regular or preventative maintenance. So in my effort to get this car to where I want it, but also being a realist about a higher mileage older vehicle. I am asking if OEM Mercedes parts really make a difference vs a high quality Bosch replacement. Now I am not planning on cheaping out and sourcing all my parts from Alibaba, but the Bosch parts are known as a high quality manufacturer and in some cases nearly half the price. Is there a considerable difference? This is my commuter vehicle and is 90% easily driven on the highway from home to work and the return.

 

BOSCH parts are OEM, they're the main parts supplier for most EU makes.

 

Mercedes uses more parts suppliers than only Bosch, NGL, Valeo, Siemens, Continental, Hella, Bilstein,...

Often the best parts quality are sold by Mercedes and the shortest lived are counterfeits under disguise of being genuine.

Aftermarket parts often fall in between from good to not too bad. A lot of ppl have a look at distributor "FCP Euro dot com" that offers a variety of parts grade. Shop around!

 

In my view theres Genuine Mercedes parts > OE (original equipment) parts > OEM (original equipment manufacturer.

I try to go with genuine MB or OE.

Example for my 2010 W204 with M272 engine the Genuine Mercedes oil filter is stamped Mann on it so i use the Mann filter since it is less expensive.

For some parts i'd rather by used Genuine Mercedes parts than new OEM parts. Example my struts, rear springs and shocks were all rusted out and new Genuine MB parts are expensive. I was able to buy used MB parts from a 40,000 mile salvage car in great condition. All the parts cost me less than the price of one new MB strut. And the parts were an upgrade from the rusted 150,000 mile parts on my car.

Heres why I try to stay away from OEM parts. My front sway bar links were leaking grease and making a horrible clunking noise. Instead of buying the Genuine Mercedes sway bar links I went cheap and bought the Febi Bilstein sway bar links and had one fail after 2yrs and now another year later the other link is making noises.

Another example of buying OE parts is with brake pads. I noticed for my car the Genuine MB pads are stamped ATE so I went with ATE replacements which were less expensive. They have been working great.

 

I was looking on FCP and hoping I could find the happy medium between price and quality. That does seem to be the case.

 

For things like pulleys, belts, hoses, thermostat, suspension parts (sway bar/axle/etc..) i would go with Genuine. For things like filters/spark plugs/fluids then a good OE part from like Mann/Bosch/NGK would suffice.

 

The M272 thermostat is stamped Wahler so I think its safe to go with Wahler. The drive belt tensioner is stamped Gates so I went with a Gates replacement. I believe the idler pulleys are made by INA and I think almost everyone goes with the INA.

MB is usually good with having the part #'s stamped on everything even tiny connectors. May be able to find a manufacturer stamp on the part also.

Sometimes the OE manufacture is different across different engines and models. Example the M272 oil filter is stamped Mann while the M276 oil filter is stamped Purflux.

 

you got it!
Aftermarket suppliers privide a spread of similar parts without the 5x sticker shock.


> Quality vs. Price...
Not all grades of parts are equal. There is a whole spread of how soon parts are designed to fail.

Dial your savings based on needs. Internal parts are best kept only genuine.
Most DIY'ers tend to prioritize quality first over price with the awesome deal we get on best DIY labor.


> Cheaper & Better...
Most amazing upgrade I enjoy is Japanese ceramic pads by AKEBONO!

Sometimes Mercedes solutions benefits mindshare we find on MBWorld...

 

I’ll just say stay away from URO brand parts. Most are absolute garbage.

 

I know you asked for the parts but you can also use non Mercedes-Benz logo oils as long as they meet Mercedes-Benz requirements that can be seen on the bottle . Spark Plugs are Bosch on my car and no any problem has happened

 

Definitely avoid any Bosch parts sold on Alibaba.

 

"Genuine Borsch"

 

exactly: Lol