Genuine or pattern parts?

[paulcallender]

Ok guys, what are your views on pattern parts? I understand that you can go to ECP and buy a genuine part for perhaps less than the Mercedes item. It won't come in the sparkly box or have a hologram, perhaps not even the Mercedes logo or part number on it, but its the same supplier that originally supplied the part which was screwed onto the car.

I am wondering whether others find it acceptable to make a cost saving, and purchase non-genuine parts. As an example, here are some prices for a water pump for a 230TE (1990):

dealer supplied £120
Euro Car Parts (genuine) £140
Euro Car Parts (pattern) £40
German Swedish French (not specified) £40
Local parts factor (not genuine but 2 year guarantee) £55

Obviously the no-brainer is to not buy the ECP genuine part. But all others are an option. Interesting dilemma, huh?

 

[Bolide]

Pattern parts

My view on pattern parts is no secret - I don't see the attraction as MB parts are very little more expensive, if at all

A water pump for my 1987 W124 250TD was £42 exchange. I replaced it when I did the serpentine belt tensioner despite the fact that, at 230,000 miles, it was perfect

Check the exchange price (not the outright purchase price) with the dealer


Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Ex MB Partsman]

check before u buy

some are good, some not so good......
check dealer prices before you try anyone else..... as your list shows ecp £20 more..... lol
also.... if its a safety related part is it worth the risk?
lastly, whats the warranty? if it is faulty whats the comeback? if it causes damage to other parts will they pay for all the damage?
ie lets say a dodgy oil filter wreaks your engine, the dealer MAY be able to
put in a claim for the engine, where the pattern guy MAY just give you a new filter!
<im NOT saying you WOULD get a new engine, im JUST pointing out the possible differances.......>

 

[tom7035]

Pattern parts.

Being one of the minority on this forum who has to budget for my motoring pleasure (if one can call it that nowadays), I have no hesitation using pattern parts on many occasions, provided - I know the parts manufacturer, how long they have been in business and how their products perform in service. Having been in the motor 'business' one way or another since even before leaving school in 1954 :-( I feel I am well qualified to know this, which is a distinct advantage over all you 'young lads' out there, most of you probably having been 'brainwashed' throughout your short motoring lives. I also have to know I have the ability and facilities to do any work involving pattern parts myself which gives me added peace of mind.
Yes, of course I understand these parts may not last the life of the car, hence the previous paragraph - my labour time is free - but that isn't a worry to me.
My MB is an old one and I don't have to pay through the nose to maintain any 'warranties' which, let's face it, Mercedes-Benz doesn't 'pay' for, YOU do!
My Mrs. has a new Mazda 3 and I just taught her how to do the tyres and oil recently - leave my old MB to me to enjoy.
So there ................

 

[kwh]

Is it a Pattern Part or Jigsaw Puzzle Piece?

I agree. I've been 'turning wrenches' on a variety of
performance machines (cars, bikes, boats) for twenty
(odd) years and it all depends on the part. Try fitting
W107 pattern quarter panels... on the other hand why
pay a penny more for a part that you are going to install
yourself and therefore guarantee yourself.

Examine the bits for equivalent build quality as original
equipment. Might even be better... FSH... how good is
the guy fixing it (do they torque wheel lugs 1/3/5/2/4?
or, warp your brake discs?).

:wink:
kwh

 

[996jimbo]

I'm with the last two posts - depends what the part is, what the comparative quality is and what the cost saving is, and of course what your budget is. I've never bought a new car and have rarely used main dealers for servicing so warranties aren't really an issue for me. Even when I have used main dealers I have never found any benefit over regular use of an independant specialist.

Having once bought a replacement headlamp from a scrap yard only to subsequntly discover a replacement lense (the broken bit) from a dealer was far cheaper I would always check dealer prices.

 

[mjtray]

I've had problems with pattern parts....quality is never as good, never fit properly....maybe I've been unlucky?

I would rather buy a good second hand genuine pump from a respected MB breaker than buy a cheap pattern part.

Just my experience to date.

I never skimp re things like oil filters,I always fit genuine MB which you can get from Euro Car Parts in the genuine MB packaging.

 

[turnipsock]

Things like Oil Filters and Spark Plugs are pretty cheap from the dealers. I was surprised at how cheap they were and asked if the price was correct. The parts guy said that the service parts are very cheap.

I tend to use the dealer for the funny parts you can't get elsewhere. Recently, I had to buy the springs for the sunroof deflector. All the plastic parts seem to be very cheap as well, the parts guy must have spent an hour tracing down some plastic bits for me...total cost was just over £5.

I have taken pity on the dealer and ordered a couple of front springs. I could have got these elsewhere, but I know I'm going to get the correc springs from the dealer...even though may be a tad more expensive.

 

[tom7035]

I have taken pity on the dealer and ordered a couple of front springs. I could have got these elsewhere, but I know I'm going to get the correc springs from the dealer...even though may be a tad more expensive.

The only things I would insist were MB spec. would be internal engine parts and, perhaps strangely, exhaust boxes/pipes with the exception of the cat.
As far as springs are concerned it seems, from many posts here and elsewhere, MB springs have a pretty bad reputation for breakage and maybe better quality is to be had elsewhere? Let's face it, MB's renowned reliability is a long time gone! (IMHO!)

 

[turnipsock]

My thinking was that I would get the correct springs for my car. There seems to be a load of different lengths and rates kicking about. How would I know what the correct spring is?

 

[tom7035]

You have a point there. It seems MB couldn't/can't even decide themselves!

 

[Mounis]

I hate CATS!!

The only things I would insist were MB spec. would be internal engine parts and, perhaps strangely, exhaust boxes/pipes with the exception of the cat.
As far as springs are concerned it seems, from many posts here and elsewhere, MB springs have a pretty bad reputation for breakage and maybe better quality is to be had elsewhere? Let's face it, MB's renowned reliability is a long time gone! (IMHO!)

HMMMM....SO WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST FOR THE CAT? if anything wouldnt you want the cat to be MB and the exhaust pipes replacement ones?

 

[paulcallender]

HMMMM....SO WHAT WOULD YOU SUGGEST FOR THE CAT? if anything wouldnt you want the cat to be MB and the exhaust pipes replacement ones?

Doesn't matter - all cat food is the same.

No but seriously, the above is based on cost, apparently the Merc cats are pricey.

Well guys, for info I have decided to purchase the Mercedes water pump. I will only use genuine Mercedes parts. I base this on recent 'episodes' with another (non-Mercedes) car. I'd say around 50% of the non-genuine parts were rubbish, the wrong supplied part, or never beat the genuine one on price. Leaving the actual quality of the part itself, for someone who is busy and does a lot of stuff on cars, etc in addition to full time work, its just a waste of time when things like this happen. I imagine that garages bang their heads against the wall when people insist the cheapest parts fitted to their cars. Then again, garages have advantages like free delivery and account managers at parts suppliers, etc.