Universal O2 sensors at Racepages.com...

[gregs210]

Hey, folks.

So in a few months I'm closing in on the 100K mark and the O2 sensor changeout. No reason I can discern to pay a lot of money for a connector, so I'm looking at universal replacements.

Racepages offers quite a few universal 4-wire units.

The cheapest is the "no-name" Replacement brand at a tick over $41 each.

The most expensive is Accel, and frankly, you've got to be kidding if you think the name is worth 3-4 times that much.

Bosch are almost $68 each.

Wagner -- a brand that is long-known-and-trusted to me -- are $58 each.

If it wasn't a ULEV Benz, I'd slap in the no-name ones.

But it is, so to my thinking those are out. However, I've known and trusted Wagner lots longer than I have Bosch (but anything is better than Lucas!).

This isn't a question of saving $40 on the set of four, it's more one of quality within the MB world and maintaining performance within the confines of the ULEV engine/emission design.

So the question is, would you avoid the unnamed items as well?

And between Wagner and Bosch, which way would you go?

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

[Matt L]

I would find the countries of origin before making a decision, although I'm not at all sure that it would greatly affect my choice.

[gregs210]

Originally Posted by Matt L

I would find the countries of origin before making a decision, although I'm not at all sure that it would greatly affect my choice.

Good point...when I was in parts the Wagner stuff we sold was made here in the good ol' USA...and Bosch was made in Germany.

[Musikmann]

I vote for Bosch if it's OEM, but I don't know anything about Wagner. I remember what garbage Lucas used to be. Good luck with your eventual choice.

[ohlord]

oe are about 81 bucks each prewired.
to add another into the mix.

[Benzboy210]

Originally Posted by gregs210

This isn't a question of saving $40 on the set of four, it's more one of quality within the MB world and maintaining performance within the confines of the ULEV engine/emission design.

So the question is, would you avoid the unnamed items as well?

And between Wagner and Bosch, which way would you go?

Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg

Hey greg,

Had to replace my two front bank O2 sensors recently as they were aging and throwing codes. Car would hesitate and even stalled a couple of times. Mileage was not great. I replaced them with Bosch units, per my tech's advice.

I would buy Bosch, then Wagner. Definitely not the no-namers. After seeing how integral these are to the engine, I wouldn't skimp on them. They perform a critical duty and need to work efficiently.

A question - is the wire length on these standard? I think the length varies depending on which side(s) you are replacing.

Cheers.

[ohlord]

the price difference,longer wires more money,it's all part of the master plan.

[Benzboy210]

Originally Posted by ohlord

the price difference,longer wires more money,it's all part of the master plan.

This sarcasm? I was inferring that the wire(s) on a 'universal' sensor may or may not fit (i.e. too short, etc.).

[Matt L]

Originally Posted by Benzboy210

This sarcasm? I was inferring that the wire(s) on a 'universal' sensor may or may not fit (i.e. too short, etc.).

That shouldn't be a problem, since you will use the connector and wiring from the old sensor.

[Benzboy210]

Originally Posted by Matt L

That shouldn't be a problem, since you will use the connector and wiring from the old sensor.

Ah. Gotcha. Mine came with new wires/connectors.