my windshield is out and I'll be replacing the seal prior to reseating it, shopping online I find no end of aftermarket seals for the w114 coupe (same as 4 door I assume?) but wonder if there's some family wisdom here that says yay or nay to aftermarket $50 seal versus genuine $150 MB? if you have first hand experience, let me know! thank you.
I say that based on direct experience with seals on W108/110/111/112/114/123/126 models.
I can go into a lengthy diatribe about why, but the short story is that the materials used and short cuts as far as engineering (like not having double lips on the lower corners of some seals) are what you'll get for $50.
Want to replace it again in a couple of years, use a $50 seal. Want it to last for 10-20 years? Buy the OE seal.
I never, ever use aftermarket rubber parts unless it's NLA from Mercedes. It's far too risky to do so.
If you want details I'll go into it, but that's the condensed version.
Sorry I don’t have first hand experience, but I think there are two reasons to go oem.
1) I’ve heard the job is very hard to do, even with the right seal.
2) the non-oem seals sound lie they often don’t fit right.
3) MB rubber products are apparently always much higher quality than aftermarket. I go aftermarket on so many products, but when it comes to rubber parts, I always try to go oem.
To add to my previous comments, I have kwon of installers who were unable to get aftermarket seals to fit. I know my installer, a guy who's done MB windshields for 30 years, won't use an aftermarket seal.
Thanks Boys! That's why I always turn to this forum first.
The issue is a little more complicated (or might be) because according to some sources, the US has thicker windshields spec'ed than Europe does, meaning the seal for US was a bit thinner than Europe. and the challenge now is that *apparently* according to some online sources, that the seals sold MB original are the euro ones and can be "made to fit with great effort" to a US windshield, so now the question is : is that better than a aftermarket one but still I will try with the euro original, and take my chances that it can squeeze in without breaking the windshield.
Here is what I'm referring to-- a product description from dieselmercedes.com for the OEM seal available for the w114 coupe:
"Description
New OE Mercedes Rubber Weatherstrip Seal for the Front Windscreen Glass. Genuine Mercedes-Benz.
Fits all W114 Coupes. Not compatible with W114 or W115 Sedan Models.
This is the seal made for European models, which have a slightly thinner windshield than US models. This seal will fit with USA-model windshields which are slightly thicker, though installation may be more difficult. The seal made for US-model windshields (1156701039) is no longer available.
Dan, the thing I'm finding is 1156701039 was the US spec seal (thinner rubber + thicker us glass spec) and this is no longer available, most likely....
versus the part number that is available: the one you quoted above: 1156700739 is the only one that MB still sells and that is apparently the euro spec seal (thicker rubber + thinner glass). so I'm in a pickle now: go Original rubber but wrong continent, or aftermarket rubber for US spec glass. you see the conundrum?
While there very well may be a difference in the Euro glass compared to the DOT glass, unless it's substantial I don't see where glass thickness would matter as far as fitment, as the glass dimensions and the opening are the same.
I've got to check with some people who are better versed in this than I and I'll report back. This is the first I've heard of this - but that doesn't mean it's not an issue or untrue.
same site is sold out of the "US spec" version. maybe i'll call this guy monday and investigate these shenanigans further too...compare notes with you. thanks dan.
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