Aftermarket Parts - Worth Trying For Suspension?

[sledlife]

Hi, I need to replace a front lower suspension arm on my W204 C Class, thinking of doing it myself but been quoted £160 from MB for the part alone. I notice there are plenty of aftermarket brands which offer the part at around £50 to £80 (Ridex seems a popular brand). Are these worth trying? Or not worth the risk for something as important as suspension? Thanks

 

[markjay]

Genuine MB or Lemforder, these are the only two options I'd recommend.

 

[DSM10000]

Hi, I need to replace a front lower suspension arm on my W204 C Class, thinking of doing it myself but been quoted £160 from MB for the part alone. I notice there are plenty of aftermarket brands which offer the part at around £50 to £80 (Ridex seems a popular brand). Are these worth trying? Or not worth the risk for something as important as suspension? Thanks

Ask yourself how long the original part lasted.

 

[colinallcars]

Hi, I need to replace a front lower suspension arm on my W204 C Class, thinking of doing it myself but been quoted £160 from MB for the part alone. I notice there are plenty of aftermarket brands which offer the part at around £50 to £80 (Ridex seems a popular brand). Are these worth trying? Or not worth the risk for something as important as suspension? Thanks

Ridex are cheap, not sure they’re popular.

 

[ALFAitalia]

"Ridex" are AUTODOC'S own brand. Made in South-East Asia (China, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia), Turkey, and the Czech Republic. "Stark" is the other AUTODOC own brand.

Mercedes don't make suspension parts...(or many other parts come to that).....but mostly the factory use Lemförder and Meyle AFAIK.

 

[johnsco]

I've had issues with two Ridex products .... both for the C200.
An O2 sensor lasted less than a year before failing - Replaced it with a Bosch.
A fuel filter caused a strange whining noise, which took some time to settle down and fade away.
Ridex are cheap, but I'll not go there again.

For suspension parts - If you're not going to MB - Then I would go for Lemforder

 

[ray_hennig]

the factory use Lemförder and Meyle AFAIK.

Not Meyle, I think. Anyone?

RayH

 

[ALFAitalia]

You may be right....answer was assisted by Google!!!

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Trw , lemforder, same company, ZF . Meyle Hd are pretty good also.

Some mb arms come without the rubber bush.

 

[sledlife]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'll try for Lemforder if I can find one online, otherwise will be MB, thanks

 

[such01]

I used febi bilstein replacement engine mounts - the right side mount collapsed after the 40 mile drive home.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I used febi bilstein replacement engine mounts - the right side mount collapsed after the 40 mile drive home.

I once bought febi arb bushes for a Toyota MR2 , I may as well of used chocolate bars.

 

[ALFAitalia]

Just for balance I've use FEBI parts many times without issue.....they are part of Bilstein.

 

[ray_hennig]

they are part of Bilstein.

FEBI is FErdinand BIlstein. Nothing to do with the Bilstein company (Part of Thyssen Krupp) that makes dampers.

Just for info.

RayH

 

[ALFAitalia]

Bloody Google!!

 

[sledlife]

Picked up a Lemforder one in the end and fitted it myself. They look almost identical apart from the bush, seems decent quality also. We'll have to see though!

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Picked up a Lemforder one in the end and fitted it myself. They look almost identical apart from the bush, seems decent quality also. We'll have to see though!

View attachment 161533

One on the left can adjust camber angles etc , one on the right , possibly not.

 

[markjay]

One on the left can adjust camber angles etc , one on the right , possibly not.

I just had a look at photos of the original hydrobush that I took at the time (when replacing them a few years back), and the hole in the centre is not elongated, it's a perfect circle. I think that the photo above may be misleading.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

I just had a look at photos of the original hydrobush that I took at the time (when replacing them a few years back), and the hole in the centre is not elongated, it's a perfect circle. I think that the photo above may be misleading.

4 pegs inside normally.

 

[Petrol Pete]

The left arm in the photo has 3 different positions to adjust camber with the correct slotted bolt , the right hand one does not . Unless the W204 is different in this respect to my W203 and has a eccentric bolt in place any camber adjustment would not be possible.

PS . I have replaced them twice on my C55 and the original bolts on my car are not slotted so only fit in the centre position and recent 4 wheel alignment on 2 different Hunter machines said it was spot on . In the USA they call the slotted bolts 'crash bolts' ie: the car is bent and can be adjusted by using slotted bolts , but what do they know !