After market panels

[SlimJim]

Has anyone regretted fitting aftermarket replacement panels instead of genuine Mercedes parts ?

I am thinking about replacing my bonnet and 2 wings soon.

 

[Howard]

Hi Jim ...

Big debate over this , never ends ....

Some say go OEM as quality is better , while others say that all the 'original' OEM panels have now been used up and even the OEM ones now are poorer quality than the ones on your car at the moment .....

Fit and finish does vary wildly with pattern panels , choose carefully if you take that route .... getting panel gaps to line up with pattern ones can be a problem ....

Good luck

 

[Flash]

I am thinking about replacing my bonnet and 2 wings soon.

Try and source two OEM factory wing panels froma scrap yard from a car that does not have rust on the wings. This way the panels will be the high quality finished ones and not the inferior quality OEM panels now produced.

Non OEM panels will not be a perfect fit without adjustments first and will require more labour which will mean more money!!!

 

[glojo]

If you go for the real thing then you can moan like billy-o if they do not line up. If you go for pattern ones then you risk getting the, "What do you expect?" type answer.

Your choice,
John

 

[NW_Merc]

If you go for the real thing then you can moan like billy-o if they do not line up. If you go for pattern ones then you risk getting the, "What do you expect?" type answer.

Your choice,
John

Who's billy-o?

 

[nick mercedes]

Has anyone regretted fitting aftermarket replacement panels instead of genuine Mercedes parts ?

I am thinking about replacing my bonnet and 2 wings soon.

Aftermarket panels are dreadful, and as an added bonus do not fit.

Only fit them if you hate your car and have plenty of time to waste trying to make them fit...

 

[BenzComander]

Still on the topic of panels, my tailgate on my W210 estate is showing the dreaded rust around the handle, and along the bottom of the glass.

Would really like to replace the tailgate with a new one, but am told my MB they are no longer available.

Anybody got a good source for a replacement?

Cheers,

 

[nick mercedes]

Still on the topic of panels, my tailgate on my W210 estate is showing the dreaded rust around the handle, and along the bottom of the glass.

Would really like to replace the tailgate with a new one, but am told my MB they are no longer available.

Anybody got a good source for a replacement?

Cheers,

I don't know why they told you that, 210 tailgates are still available new from MB.

 

[BenzComander]

I don't know why they told you that, 210 tailgates are still available new from MB.

Thanks for that, any idea how much for just a bare door?

 

[nick mercedes]

Thanks for that, any idea how much for just a bare door?

A210 740 0005 is £358.83 (MB retail)

That may not be that actual part number for your car, there are a few different tailgates for 210s...

 

[Flash]

Would really like to replace the tailgate with a new one, but am told my MB they are no longer available.

You can still even get hold of OEM panels for the W126 from MB which ceased production nearly 18 years ago...

Are you sure that they were not referring to MOBILO not replacing rusted panels as they now use sand blast technique.

 

[BenzComander]

You can still even get hold of OEM panels for the W126 from MB which ceased production nearly 18 years ago...

Are you sure that they were not referring to MOBILO not replacing rusted panels as they now use sand blast technique.

It was only a passing comment from the parts man while I was in getting other parts, asked about the tailgate and he said he thought they were no longer available. I did not have time to wait for him to look on the computer.

 

[ShinyF1]

Tagging on to the tangent a bit - my 2000 W210 has just gone in for its 'Goodwill' tailgate rust repair.

Keeping my fingers crossed....

 

[Howard]

Going back to the original question ....

There is some debate as to modern OEM panels , the theory being is that all the original w124 panels (made in the same era as the cars) have long been used up ...

OK, new ones have been pressed , but from the inferior metal that MB uses nowadays.....

When i replace my front wings, i will be looking for a good set from a breakers , that i can have stripped and then the 'fold' under the arch will be filled and undersealed before painting ( as this is where the crap collects that rusts the arches ) this way , hopefully , i'll be getting a set from the correct era with the 'better' metal ....

Good luck with your repair ShinyF1 !

 

[hitt]

I agree with what Howard is saying. I had someone drive into the door of my W124 last year. Had it replaced by MB. There is a very noticable difference in the doors. The newer door even sounds 'cheap' when its closed, if you know what I mean. Much 'tinnier' (if thats a word) sound.

Fits perfectly but definately inferior quality.

 

[Ian B Walker]

I use these people

http://www.carpanels.co.uk/

Gollum can vouch for the quality and fit. Reasonably priced too.

 

[Gollom]

I use these people

http://www.carpanels.co.uk/

Gollum can vouch for the quality and fit. Reasonably priced too.

Yup - spot on. And the fitter/paint guy was complimentary too

 

[Howard]

How much are a pair of 124 wings then Ian ?

 

[Tiff]

Hadrian panels are just about the only aftermarket panel manufacturer left in the UK,I've fitted loads and the quaility varies from very good,to abysmal.I once got 2 wings for a Mk2 cavalier and one side fitted perfectly with no fettling,the other was like a banana,as was the replacement.the third one was great.If you get one and it doesn't fit,take it back and get another,and another till they do fit....

 

[Ian B Walker]

How much are a pair of 124 wings then Ian ?

£66 for the pair plus postage