Which aftermarket brands are decent - suspension arms etc.

[moj'91]

Which aftermarket brands are decent? - for suspension arms etc.
Used to go OEM (can't source atm) or Lemforder (also no stock). I know Lemforder have dropped in quality - who else should we go for or even definitely avoid?
Assuming the higher the price = better quality, but i know that isnt always the case!

Hoping some indies can advise!

Thanks

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Lemforder are now owned by the Zf group who are also Trw . After that I'd say the quality and prices are about the same . Autodoc certainly lists more manufacturers than I've seen anywhere else . Looking for front suspension arms for my e350 I can see at least 50 suppliers.

 

[noogieman]

Prefer to go with genuine OE MB suspension parts.
OE parts are powder coated for added crust protection where the OEM parts only have a thin coat of paint.

Members posts photos of their cars on MBCLUB, they show undercarriage photos, plenty of crust seen on older Mercs, OE suspension parts which are powder coated should last longer than aftermarket OEM parts.

 

[D2028]

An awful lot of “genuine” landrover suspension parts are actually rebadged lemforder. I’m only starting on my Mercedes journey but for the discovery 2 I found Meyle HD to be longer lasting than a lot of other aftermarket brands.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

An awful lot of “genuine” landrover suspension parts are actually rebadged lemforder. I’m only starting on my Mercedes journey but for the discovery 2 I found Meyle HD to be longer lasting than a lot of other aftermarket brands.

I once bought meyle hd, track rod ends for a VW Passat. Dealers prices were simply rediculous and using cheaper makes I was failing the MOT test every year . The meyle hd ones were exactly that HEAVY DUTY. They construct the ball joints in a clever way no one else does .

 

[moj'91]

Thanks for your input everyone. Couldn't get lemforder, meyle or oem so went for febi for a get-us-by repair. Time will tell.how long it lasts ....

 

[geoffus]

I’ve just bought a Tie Rod for the wife’s B200, it’s Febi and cost £17, looks decent quality and time will tell if it only lasts 10 years.