StarParts are a separate product line that Mercedes came up with to continue to provide maintenance parts for older models. For example, if you go to a dealer to buy an oil filter for a car with an M112, you can’t get an “official” MB part - that’s a “gray box” part. You’ll get a StarPart filter in a white box.
The “gray box” parts no longer exist, they will now supersede to a StarPart part. According to Mercedes, all remains the same, they just separate these out now to provide and equal but less expensive options. Maybe this is to compete with the aftermarket, who knows? -D On Dec 12, 2023, at 9:29 AM, Robert Koziak <rkmerce...@aol.com> wrote: I couldn't post photos but the two boxes the spark plugs came in were different. On the higher priced ones the box was blue and white marked "Mercedes Benz Star Parts" and the Ebay ones came in a silver and white box I have seen for many years. A search of the internet showed the "Mercedes Star Parts" were: "Mercedes-Benz StarParts offer you new maintenance and wear & tear parts for older vehicles, specially developed for selected model series: Mercedes-Benz StarParts are aligned with the current vehicle value. High quality for price-sensitive customers, without compromising on safety." Makes sense that the Ebay silver and white box was new old stock. Decided to try the Ebay and hope for the best! Thanks for the feedback. Bob On Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 05:55:18 AM EST, dan penoff.com via Mercedes <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: The stuff on eBay is likely from a liquidator who bought up old inventory. I buy it all the time. For instance, I buy cans of MB brake fluid, around $25/liter at the dealer, three damaged cans for $30. I’ve bought spark plugs, too. I know a guy that does this and makes a good deal of money at it. I buy boxes of windshield washer summer concentrate for 20 pieces at $20 shipped to me. Take one out and inspect it. More likely than not, it’s the real thing. -D > On Dec 11, 2023, at 10:50 PM, Allan Streib via Mercedes > <mercedes@okiebenz.com<mailto:mercedes@okiebenz.com>> wrote: > > FCP is likely genuine and has a lifetime warranty. They also carry the Bosch > plugs for $8.29 each. > > Ebay is caveat emptor. No telling what they are. > > >> On Mon, Dec 11, 2023, at 22:29, Robert Koziak via Mercedes wrote: >> Hi all, >> I am getting ready to replace the spark plugs on my daughter's 2011 >> C300 4Matic and have a spark plug question: >> I purchased 6 Genuine Mercedes Spark Plugs from FCP Euro for $86.00. >> I then saw on Ebay 6 Genuine Mercedes Benz Spark Plugs for my car for >> $21.00 and decided to order those too to see if there was any >> difference. >> FCP Euro - Genuine Mercedes Part #A 004 159 49 03 90 - Made in Japan >> (Unknown) - $86Ebay - Genuine Mercedes Part #A 004 159 18 03 26 >> - Made in Japan (Bosch). - $21 >> They both are packaged in Genuine Mercedes Boxes. They look identical! >> Does anyone know the difference? Is it worth paying over 4 times the >> price from FCP? I will if there is a good reason. FCP has been my go >> to vendor with good prices and warranty. >> As always thanks in advance! >> Bob K >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
