W203 suspension arms

[Geoff A]

Front suspension arms on my C are due for replacement and I'm in need of advice on which way to go. There's a huge difference in price between genuine MB at £300 a pair and Lemforders....Is there really such a huge difference in quality?
These are the ally arms that have an upright ball socket at one end and a large diameter rubber bush at the other. The bush has gone soft and I can twist the arm on the bush quite easily - needless to say, they move a fair bit when you use a pry bar. I reckon they're original and after 100k and seven years use, that's not too bad.
But which way next? MB part numbers are A2043301911 and 2011. Any pointers gratefully received.

 

[gIzzE]

If you're doing them do the upper and lower arms at the same time.

I used the Q-Drive ones from eurocarparts, total for 4 arms including vat after a discount, ask for a trade price, was £180 from memory, instead of the £330 on their website.

I also did my anti roll bar bushes too, for the extra £9 it was a no brainer.

 

[Benza750]

Use lemforders, come with a 2 year warranty

They have the original Merced bushes in them, even have the mercedes part no on.

 

[Robster_1981]

Not meaning to stir the pot, but has anybody actually used pattern parts (Q-Drive etc) and had a premeture failure?

Just interested to know. I'm sure we would all use Genuine parts if we could, but the likes of ECP would not sell cheaper parts if the quality was poor/dangerous, and I am talking in general terms here. I can understand the argument that suspension is critical, but examples are what we need here rather than opinion.

I am currently contemplating renewing the components on my W210's suspension, and the price difference between Lemforder and pattern runs into £100's when replacing everything, so for me, that may well outweigh the feeling of knowing the parts are OE quality.

 

[Geoff A]

Thanks for your input so far - the Lemforders from ECP are half the cost of my local MB dealer's parts.
Already done the front anti roll bar - it wasn't a 9 quidder though. Mine has bonded bushes so it meant full bar replacement. Transformed the ride though and was well worth it.

 

[Terry_]

Not meaning to stir the pot, but has anybody actually used pattern parts (Q-Drive etc) and had a premeture failure?

Just interested to know. I'm sure we would all use Genuine parts if we could, but the likes of ECP would not sell cheaper parts if the quality was poor/dangerous, and I am talking in general terms here. I can understand the argument that suspension is critical, but examples are what we need here rather than opinion.

I am currently contemplating renewing the components on my W210's suspension, and the price difference between Lemforder and pattern runs into £100's when replacing everything, so for me, that may well outweigh the feeling of knowing the parts are OE quality.

A friend of mine fitted a q drive component to his 540 BMW recently. The ball joint jumped out of the socket whilst cornering hard
You pay your money you takes your chance

 

[mad4amanda]

Lemforder stuff is very good Have used plenty of it never had a problem.

 

[Robster_1981]

A friend of mine fitted a q drive component to his 540 BMW recently. The ball joint jumped out of the socket whilst cornering hard
You pay your money you takes your chance

That's the kind of thing I was on about.

 

[Terry_]

Lemforder stuff is very good Have used plenty of it never had a problem.

Absolutely!

 

[Benza750]

We have fitted both Qdrive & lemforders

We find that the ball joint boots perish & we have had it where the steering wheel is heavily out of alight afterwards.
Mercedes will always advise a geometry check after any such work is carried out.
We haven't had any of those problems with lemforders.
If its just the bushes that are worn / perished they can be bought separately & for the cost difference buy genuine .
Also the 210 had a totally different suspension set up to a 203 so you can not compare them against each other.

 

[gIzzE]

Just a bit of an update on the above post.

I fitted the Q Drive arms, front upper and lower on both sides and it all felt good.
However the tracking was well out!
But there was a squeak.

Turned out it was the front left upper arm that was squeaking, eurocarparts swapped it out no problem but a bit of a ball ache to say the least.

New one fitted yesterday and tracking done and it feels great, but would make me think twice about buying non eom parts if I was paying a garage to fit them.

£160 for 4 arms compared with £420 is a big difference though, and who knows what Mercedes charge?!

 

[mad4amanda]

I wouldnt fit the Q drive stuff unless it was something I was geting rid of , Lemforder is only a bit more pricey and the quality is very good never had to replace any of their parts .

 

[ccp]

+1^^ I had Q drive lower front arms fitted 6 months ago. One of the ball joints failed after 5 months and was replaced under warranty.

 

[elite_504]

I fitted Lemforder front and rear lower arms from ECP in Jan after an MOT advisory. Then got the suspension aligned by wheels in motion for £100 or so. Must have done 3000 miles since then as I don't drive much, and got it MOT'd early 2 weeks ago, so if there was a problem I'd still have after-work daylight to fix it in. Failed the MOT on lower rear arm ball joint.

Not impressed. But I must say I fitted another as they are cheap.
I'm sure the 19" wheels don't help. But terrible life. I could fight for a return, but in all honety I don't have the will.

You pays your money and takes your choice...

 

[gIzzE]

So, sounds like the 203 is just a bad design then that eats front lower ball joints.

The B6 A4 was the same.