Aftermarket parts are often a crap-shoot. My aftermarket condenser fit "fairly well," but required a tweak to the pipes to connect, and a modification to the cover on the auxiliary fan shroud due to a slightly moved high-pressure service port. But it does cool the refrigerant and the price was right.
But for the brake lamp switch, go to the dealer. As you say, this is one aftermarket part that does not hold up.
Yes I absolutely agree with getting the genuine part on this one, after all its a precision part and so you want it to work, and for the price its cheap enough. Its funny because when I wrote this post I had no idea that so many other people had the same problem and I now dont even have my W210 anymore. I should have taken more photos and done a better step by step photo instruction.
__________________ 18 x 225 x 40 on 8.5J & 18 x 255 x 35 on 9.5J Brabus Monoblocks VI reps
Eibach Pro lowering kit no # 1 pad front Zero rear. 15mm rear hubcentric
spacers, Flat emblem, Kompressor skirt badges
I recently purchased a used 2001 CLK-320 with ABS-ESP lights randomly lighting, random Defective Lamp warning, random transmission failure to go into Drive after reversing and when taking off from a stop, random transmission refusal to shift gears, random cruise control inoperable and what we now notice was a poor drive train performance overall -- ALL because of the Brake Light SWITCH. Thank you so much for your posting. It was invaluable knowledge three years later in 2008.
I have a 1998 E320 that recently showed the BAS/ASR/Anti-skid warning lights. The car did not show any signs of poor operation (limp mode etc.), but the cruise control also failed to operate after the warning lights went off.
After a 5 minute search in the benzworld forum, I found this post - which described my situation and provided excellent pictures and instructions on how to correct the problem.
A $27 genuine Mercedes part and about 40 minutes of of work corrected the problem! I am one proud and happy DIY'er. Thanks for a great post!
change your transmission fluid and filter
mb spec fluid only
__________________
Mercedes Benz Lyrics
Artist(Band):Janis Joplin
"Oh Lord, won't you buy me
a Mercedes Benz
My friends all drive Porsches
I must make amends
Worked hard all my lifetime
no help from my friends
So Lord, won't you buy me
a Mercedes Benz"
That's it
"The Edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over."
ohlord
When you remove the underside panel. There are some very sharp edges that will cut you . I got a huge cut on my middle finger...good news is the swap was easy and the lights are off...now I just have to get my check engine light to go off.
[QUOTE
abs/ets lights will come on, sometimes like today when they come on after a moment the speedometer also went to zero. This problem is absolutely the most aggrivating thing; what in Gods name would cause the speedometer to fail and be connected to the abs/ets systems - is it a wheel speed sensor? Anyone have this issue?
Alan[/quote]
I've had this issue for weeks, changed speed sensor, brake light switch even had the BAS module removed, however today all lights stayed on with the car in limp home mode, the fault readings came up with traction control failure so its with the garage to confirm either faulty connection or replace the TC unit.
CAUTION 
Linear Mode
