Meyle: Yay or Nay ?

[cgeromi]

My heater core died a few months back and with summer winding down, I want to get the core replaced out. I can either go OEM Valeo, or I found a Meyle for almost half the price. I know Meyle is German made, but can I trust it to go the distance when it comes to making heater cores?

[pillows]

i replaced my heatercore 2 years ago with one i bought new for $35. may have been meyle. i say go for it. also, make sure you redo the foam flaps. if you do not, the heat will not be nearly as hot/strong because it instead is dispersed throughout the dash instead of through the vents.

[scottybones]

Meyle has been hit or miss for me. While it may be a German company, a lot of their stuff seems to be made in China or just flat out poorly made (regardless of where it was made). For instance, when I replaced my tie rod ends and boots both were Meyle, unfortunately the boots barely lasted a year before ripping in multiple places ... as a result I will now be replacing the steering rack due to water/dirt entering and destroying it. However, the tie rod ends have lasted. Hit or miss.

Granted, I have no experience with replacing a heater-core, but I would personally get the best quality part around (that doesn't sound like a job I would like to do twice).

[cgeromi]

Thanks everyone for their feedback. I am going to spend the few extra bucks and go with the Valeo core. The first Valeo core last me 199,200 miles, so that should tell me something. Also, it looks like the new foam comes with the core. At least that's how they show it in the pix. Am I correct in assuming the foam does indeed come with the new core?

[pillows]

there is a foam piece that goes on the actual heatercore, but the foam flaps inside the dash tend to fall apart, and if they are not fixed/replaced while you have it apart, its possible the heat will not be as strong because it will disperse throughout the dash instead of passing through the vents like it is supposed to.

[Marek K]

Meyle [...] While it may be a German company, a lot of their stuff seems to be made in China

Yup. They say on their web site that their stuff is manufactured around the world, but that they maintain strict quality control.

The Meyle ignition coil I got was made in China. I have nothing against China (as far as products are concerned), but I'm just leery about my vital car parts being made there. I replaced it with a different aftermarket brand that was made in Germany.

[VT-MKJett]

Meyle has been hit or miss for me. While it may be a German company, a lot of their stuff seems to be made in China or just flat out poorly made (regardless of where it was made). For instance, when I replaced my tie rod ends and boots both were Meyle, unfortunately the boots barely lasted a year before ripping in multiple places ... as a result I will now be replacing the steering rack due to water/dirt entering and destroying it. However, the tie rod ends have lasted. Hit or miss.

Granted, I have no experience with replacing a heater-core, but I would personally get the best quality part around (that doesn't sound like a job I would like to do twice).

Got rotors...made in China. My inner tie rod assembly boot also tore all up in 3 months, which I just noticed today, I think my rack is on the way out also now. Sucks.