Meyle **use** to be an excellent source of OE manufactured parts supplied to
both Volkswagen and the Aftermarket.  However, in recent years, they've gone
the route of most OE Manufacturers and have shifted production of their
items worldwide and not always with good results.  I know this because at
the Ventura Warehouse Group where I spend most of my time sourcing these
parts, I've had to pick and choose through their line to ensure obtaining
high quality parts.

As an example, the Vanagon upper and lower control arm bushings we source
from Meyle are currently being made in Germany, but what with the world
economy going the way it is, they could be made in a third-world country the
next time we source them.  Another example is almost all Myle ball joints
(Type 1, 2, 3, etc.,) are now being made in Turkey of all places.  Quality
of manufactured feel and finish looks as good as German, but who knows?
Febi's moving their production stuff all over the world as well and Bosch
has been doing this for years far ahead of the others.

I personally know that Lobro (CV stuff) is moving practically all of their
production to China, because Scott (my boss) has been to that particular
factory (he repros a lot of K Ghia stuff in China, not trash either, but
damn good quality after running through several prototyping sessions with
his contacts - has been for over 9 years).  I currently run their China-made
CVs and Boots on my Westy, partly as a test subject and I've had no problems
so far.

Looking over a recent invoice from Myle due into the warehouse in the next
week or so shows Vanagon Caliper Kits (ATE) still being made in Germany,
Vanagon Bumper End Caps now being made in Italy (I run them on my Westy, no
problems), Beetle Brake Drums (ATE) now being made in Italy, not Germany
anymore.

YMMV

Jim Thompson
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
oldvolkshome@earthlink.net
jim@karmannghia.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
***********************
----- Original Message -----
From: "jesse johnson" <jjmojo@BLAZENET.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, September 18, 2004 7:51 AM
Subject: Are parts from the company Meyle any good?

> Are the parts that Meyle make any good? Seems there suspension parts
> are much cheaper than Febi and  others... usually this means crap.. but
> it's a german company. Anyone dealt with Meyle before? How was the
> quality?
> thanks everyone,
> jesse
> 89 carat