sage advice - non-genuine parts

[OzBenzHead]

The following comment no doubt equally applies to the W116.

Lifted from Mercedes-Benz W126 300/420/560 S-Class (1986-92) by Joe Kenwright  (CarPoint car review, May 2005; Link). (Emphasis mine.)

There is a plus in the W126's local popularity. Because there are a lot of them still on the road, there are plenty of secondhand parts sources, specialist mechanics who know and love the model and parts suppliers who source factory quality parts direct from the original component manufacturers in Germany. In Australia, there is no excuse for sourcing dreadful imitation parts from elsewhere or skipping services. Anyone who is silly enough to destroy their investment in this way needs to be given a wide berth.

[oscar]

What a great article.  I want a w126 now 

Interesting correlation between high mileage w126's and the Aussie pilot strike.  The high mileage being attributed to wealthy owners of the time prefering the w126 to zoom between points on the nation's highways.  I imagine the marvellous sight of unlimited speeding on freeways by convoys of W126's which is hardly the case unfortunately with our goat track roads.  Especially 20+ years ago.  But still, many fast miles covered on the nation's inferior road system, even more testament to the model.  As he says, they outlasted their intended life such is build quality. 

[116Benz]

I've got a mate of mine staying at my place tonight, that has a big aero interest and was talking to me about this very subject. Appparently there were drivers that did shifts going from Brisbane to Sydney in 2 420SEL's. The cars were paid off in next to no time, I imagine there would have been huge bonuses for "get me there now" considering back then the price of air travel wasnt as cheap as it is now.