[velospoke]

Any thoughts or recommendations for which brand of radiator I should go with to replace my busted factory unit? I am leaning towards a Behr radiator but I am unsure if I would be better off going with a factory unit (as I am doing for a water pump replacement).

1994 E320 W124 M104

Thanks!

 

[sbaert]

Factory radiators are made by Behr. No reason to spend twice the money for the same part unless you must have the triple pointed star stamped on the radiator core.

I suggest you check autohausaz.com or similar sites if you're interested in saving some money doing this type of simple routine tasks.

 

[velospoke]

Factory radiators are made by Behr. No reason to spend twice the money for the same part unless you must have the triple pointed star stamped on the radiator core.

I suggest you check autohausaz.com or similar sites if you're interested in saving some money doing this type of simple routine tasks.

Thank you for the quick response. Glad to hear I'm on the right track, if only by luck

 

[sbaert]

Just re-read your original post. I'd get a good aftermarket pump (such as Graf). MB pumps for your car are at least $400+ these days. A Graf pump which works just as well is a little over $150.

I only go to the dealer when absolutely necessary. They're just too expensive and not really interested in keeping these older cars on the road.

 

[velospoke]

Just re-read your original post. I'd get a good aftermarket pump (such as Graf). MB pumps for your car are at least $400+ these days. A Graf pump which works just as well is a little over $150.

I only go to the dealer when absolutely necessary. They're just too expensive and not really interested in keeping these older cars on the road.

I'm kind or torn. I can purchase a re-manufactured MB water pump from the dealer for $222 and the Graf is looking to run about $165. I am leaning toward the piece of mind buying it locally to make sure I get the right part. That said, $60 dollars is a lot of money difference. Anybody disagree that going with a Graf is as good as OEM for the job?

 

[sbaert]

FWIW, I installed a Graf pump in my diesel over the summer. The super low price about $75 concerned me (you get what you pay for), but it looked & installed just like the OEM down to the last bit and has not given me any issues. The Graf also came with a warranty. My Graf pump was made in Italy, which is probably still better than some of the Chinese parts, like Bosch wiper blades as of late.

Be sure to use a good quality new gasket, such as Victor Reinz.

 

[samiam44]

Factory sells new and rebuilt pumps...

The factory pumps are great and come with a parts & labor warrantee. If you travel out of town.. it might well be worth the effort. I've gotten graf pumps before that didn't last barely out of the warrentee period.
Biggy is that the impeller is exactly the same height from the casting flange as the original- and it's the same style impeller.

For internal parts... I go factory which purchased at through parts.com can be quite reasonable. I'd get a factory rebuilt pump over a graf new pump.

Michael

 

[velospoke]

Factory sells new and rebuilt pumps...

The factory pumps are great and come with a parts & labor warrantee. If you travel out of town.. it might well be worth the effort. I've gotten graf pumps before that didn't last barely out of the warrentee period.
Biggy is that the impeller is exactly the same height from the casting flange as the original- and it's the same style impeller.

For internal parts... I go factory which purchased at through parts.com can be quite reasonable. I'd get a factory rebuilt pump over a graf new pump.

Michael

I went with a factory replacement for $222 after core refund. The one downside is that they did not provide the plug/seal for the port on the back that is not used. Hope I can find one tomorrow at a local dealer so I can get it back together this weekend.

BTW, the bolts holding the pump on were a huge pain in the butt. It was not so much that they were hard to reach, it was just that they took some serious pushing to brake them loose. I stripped one, then hammered in a larger standard size hex and that stripped. I then drilled and put in an extractor, which broke in the bolt. I then (after 5 trips to the hardware store trying to figure this out and buying lots of stuff like drill bit extenders and the like) finally got it loose by hammering on a fluted nut extractor which worked like a charm.

 

[ps2cho]

Graf is the only aftermarket manufacturer that uses OE bearings and seals. FYI. It should be your ONLY choice over an OE rebuilt.

 

[anziani]

And one other thing I found out recently. If you use a non Benz pump and later on decide to use a Benz pump you will be charged a core charge if you don't save the original Benz pump.
Anziani
'93 300CE 192K
'95 E420 122K