> > I was told today, by a twenty year VW mechanic, that Elring makes "B"
> grade
> > gaskets and he will not use them in his rebuilds. My local VW
dealership
> > says they are one of the best, but they too, will not use them in their
> > rebuilds.
> >
> > Any thoughts on this?
> >
> > I recently purchased a gasket kit from the Bus Depot that are Elring
> > (excellent price $99!). Any concern here?
>
>
> This mechanic's statement is absurd.  Either he actually believes what he
> is saying (which is very surprising for a "20-year VW mechanic"), or else
> he is is intentionally misleading you (perhaps due to an ulterior motive,
> i.e. the desire to sell you gaskets at a much higher price).  It is
common
> knowledge that Elring is an original equipment supplier of engine gaskets
> to Volkswagen.  If the actual product used on your engine by Volkswagen
> when it was brand new is "B grade," then what exactly does he consider
"A"
> grade?
>
> For what it's worth, there is only one other "leading" supplier of gasket
> kits for the wasserboxer, which is Victor Rienz, also German.  It, too,
is
> very good quality, probably comparable to the Elring.  I have sold both
and
> found no reason to favor one over the other. Even if you were to spend
the
> big bucks and buy your engine gasket kit from Volkswagen themselves, the
> kit you received would merely be a repackaged Elring or Rienz product
> anyway.
>

I suspect then he was trying to sell me something in the future. He was
very serious about this matter. He is not a his garage at the moment, but
I'll call on Monday, out of curiosity, to find out just what type of
gaskets he uses.

After seeing his shop in total disarray, he might be looking for some Home
Improvement money. But, after 20 yrs. in the business, wouldn't you wonder
about what he said? Anyway, he told me he was 2-1/2 months behind on his
work and was unable to take any new business.

Bill
'85 GL
[*Magic*Bus*]
Big Sky Country
<><