[joffan]

First post.

I am replacing the two front brake calipers on my 300TD. Ordered Bendix calipers online and only received the passenger side (they were out of stock for the driver side). Ordered the driver side from another site and was told they were out of stock too but advised that I could use Bosch on the driver side. Reading some threads, it seems like you can't mix brands on the same axle but I can't establish why. I would be interested to know whether the guys trying to sell me the Bosch caliper might be right or whether I should 'politely' decline their offer!!

 

[augapfel]

I can see absolutely no technical reason to avoid mixing brands of calipers on the same axle. The pistons will be the same size, the mounting points the same, etc. You will not have any problems.
Having said this I must say that I personally would avoid it. But just because I'm weird that way...
As a tech in a MB shop for awhile I found that you can't always be choosy about which parts you get whan a car is apart and tying up a lift. You want to get that car back together and move on to the next job. Plus 99% of the customers don't give a rat's a** about mismatched caliper brands. Or inner and outer bearing races of different brands.
I'm surprised to hear the words Bendix and Bosch mentioned with brake calipers, though. All the replacement calipers I've gotten for my 124s were Girling. Maybe the later stuff is different.

 

[bsmuwk]

AFAIK, ATE is what MB has as replacements.

 

[joffan]

I received the Bendix caliper yesterday and it looks like a straight replacement. I think I'll go ahead with the Bosch caliper on the other side - I couldn't figure out any reason why not but thought that someone with more experience than me might have a good reason.

Thanks