Cheap good quality Merc parts

[runningbull]

Hi

I found this place looking for parts, and they look to be a lot cheaper than dealer prices for odds and ends.

https://secure.gsfcarparts.com/shop/


BTW GSF stands for German, Swedish, French

Cheers

 

[imadoofus]

Yes. I think we all know. Thanks anyway

 

[Uberwagon]

<Steps on soapbox>

GSF quality success rate = 0

<Steps down from soapbox>

Dave!

 

[Dragon]

There are no such things as cheap Merc quality parts.

If it is a genuine Merc parts and you got it cheap, then the seller has gone nuts.

If it is not a genuine Merc parts, forget it.

 

[Roger Jones]

GSF and Euro Car Parts do deal in good-quality parts, often from OEM manufacturers. With Euro it's easy to see: a zero at the end of their part number indicates OEM -- and the price of those parts will be closer to the MB dealer price, although still lower and sometimes much lower. Some parts are clearly absolutely identical to MB OEM, e.g. propshaft couplings for my W126. With other parts, even if different, is there any contest: a Nissens (made in Denmark) radiator for a third of the cost of an MB OEM radiator?

 

[imadoofus]

GSF quality success rate = 0

I've never bought poor quality parts from GSF (and I have an S as well as a G)

Most parts are branded, even if not OEM. I'm happy with them, and the local branch is only a couple of miles from my house

 

[ms500]

GSF and Euro Car Parts do deal in good-quality parts, often from OEM manufacturers. With Euro it's easy to see: a zero at the end of their part number indicates OEM -- and the price of those parts will be closer to the MB dealer price, although still lower and sometimes much lower. Some parts are clearly absolutely identical to MB OEM, e.g. propshaft couplings for my W126. With other parts, even if different, is there any contest: a Nissens (made in Denmark) radiator for a third of the cost of an MB OEM radiator?

Yes, I got my fuel / air / oil filters from Euro and they were OEM Hengst ones, I remember the air filter being about £10 cheaper than getting it from a dealer.

 

[230K]

Guys

Have to say that i buy Genuine MB parts out of pure laziness. The biggest reasin for buying service parts fro MB is that they always fit and are never wrong. They also sometimes even cost less that Euro, very seldom though. Most of the time for me anyhow its just not worth the hassle getting alternatives to MB.

My 2p worth. We all really only do what we are used to, creatures of habit i suppose.

230K

 

[Roger Jones]

I check all three sources every time (except for trivial stuff). I favour MB, but often the price difference just doesn't make sense and, as I've said, sometimes the parts are absolutely identical. I went MB on exhaust parts, partly because my mechanic had that much more faith in them, but also because, after discount, they were not that much more expensive than the GSF and best Euro offerings (although both those were good-quality brands).

I've had two Nissens radiators from GSF fitted (two cars). That saved me a total of £500 on MB prices. The propshaft couplings from Euro were exactly the same as those from MB and precisely half the price (£64 vs £128).

 

[salesac1]

When I replaced my W202's original front indicators (Bosch branded) last year, MB wanted over £40 + VAT per indicator. I bought exactly the same items at ECP for less than £30 inc VAT the pair.
It pays to shop around. As has been said, some smaller items can be cheaper at the MB dealer.

 

[kth286]

Roger

Things must have changed in favour of Mercedes as I have just checked those items for my car on Inchcape site as follows:

* Propshaft flexi joints are listed at £69.67p including VAT at Mercedes. (same joint each end).
I can get that for under £60 at my dealer. So that's OK isn't it.


* Radiator is listed at £284 including VAT at Mercedes. Say £250 with discount from my dealer.

The GSF price is £187 including VAT. Only £63 difference.


I would go with the Mercedes part if I needed a radiator as mine has lasted 13years and done 165,000 miles so far.

Above parts for E320 coupe.

 

[Roger Jones]

Just checked online (add VAT):

Euro: propshaft couplings £47.25 (OEM), radiator £117.00 (EIS)

GSF: radiator £115 (that'll be a Nissens)

I share your preference for MB OEM, but check out the alternatives every time. My mechanic has never encountered any problems with Nissens radiators.

Here are the suppliers:

http://www.eurocarparts.com/suppliers.htm

http://www.gsfcarparts.com/about/suppliers.asp

 

[kth286]

Just checked online (add VAT):



GSF: radiator £115 (that'll be a Nissens)

Roger

You are looking at the wrong radiator for E320 coupe - it is £159 + Vat equals £187.

 

[Roger Jones]

Mea culpa, but . . .

There are two at GSF: £159 (M17303 -A/C) and £115 (M17304 +A/C). I take the +/- to mean with and without A/C.

Can't access the Euro site currently, but I think they had only one supplier and two very similar prices, with the A/C variant being pence cheaper than £117.

 

[ddentrec]

There are no such things as cheap Merc quality parts.

If it is a genuine Merc parts and you got it cheap, then the seller has gone nuts.

If it is not a genuine Merc parts, forget it.

'Genuine' MB W123 280TE Head Gasket Set: Manufactured by 'Elring' - comes with MB logo hologram; components stamped with 'Elring' logo. Cost: £155+VAT.

GSF W123 280TE Head Gasket Set: Manufactured by 'Elring'. Components stamped with 'Elring' logo. Cost: £45+VAT.

MB buy their parts in just like everyome else. E.g. Genuine VW Oil filter from main dealer: £12 + VAT. Same filter is made by MAHLE Germany - costs £4.99 + VAT from them direct.

It's all in the brand.