Rimmer Bros Diesel MAF Sensor

[jasonm]

Hi all,

Unsure if this is common forum knowledge, but thought my experience with attempting to obtain this sensor is worth sharing with the hope that others don't fall down the same trap that I did.

Recently had a postal "160" remap carried out by BigRuss, on return and fitting of the ECU it was apparent there was very little difference. I unplugged the MAF sensor and the car immediately had a considerable increase of power lower down, so I set about getting a GENUINE replacement.
I've been here before with other cars and it's always been the consensus that if a Bosch sensor is fitted from the factory then it should be replaced with a Bosch sensor. The forum appears to mirror this view from my research.

Cue my mistake - Ordering from Rimmer Bros.
Link below.
https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-MHK101130SLP

Item is marked as a genuine MG Rover sensor, the price appears to be on the lower end of the spectrum for the Bosch sensor, but in the right ballpark.

The sensor they delivered was manufactured by Cambiare. Not Bosch.
This sensor can be found on eBay for around the £50 mark, I paid £144 with delivery.

I questioned them about this, and insisted that this is returned for a refund which they (in my opinion) reluctantly obliged.

Here are some snippets from the email exchanges we had;

"We purchase these from the only company who supplies the genuine (if still available) or the modern recognized equivalent which is sold as OE equipment."

"The part ordered and shipped is a genuine item. X Part who are the legacy of MG Rover parts and no longer source this part from Bosch. This part will still be equivalent quality"

"One again please may I take this opportunity to assure you the product we have shipped to you is a genuine item, just not manufactured by Bosch"

I'm a new owner to the 75, but I've always had at least an other MG/Rover/LR in my little fleet, so I'm not a new customer to Rimmers, and they have historically, generally been reliable. The last 12 months or so however, I've had issues with most parts I've ordered, which unfortunately now means I will be looking elsewhere for parts.

Some examples of this:
- They had for sale a "brand new with scratches" rear unpainted bumper for an MG ZR, which i ordered due to damage on my own. Whilst it does have all the clips in place, so ultimately is better than my current one, I'm absolutely astounded by the state it arrived in. I've seen much better condition bumpers come out of scrap yards, and I'd have been better off getting a used one. (I have some pictures of this, if anyone is interested)

- Incorrect "genuine" track rod ends supplied for the same ZR as above. There are 2 versions for the 200/25, they don't share part numbers and the ball joint taper is at a different angle, so are not interchangeable. I was supplied the wrong parts with the correct part numbers on, this was resolved, but the replacements were clearly aftermarket parts when I had paid the extra for genuine items.


Anyway, i had ordered the correct Bosch MAF sensor from DMGRS which arrived promptly (sweets included), and all is well with the world. The BigRuss map (and MAF) have made an incredible difference to the way the car drives and it's nearly ready to become my daily driver for the foreseeable.


I realise I'm quite new to this site, and I'm not one to complain often but I do think the forum should know that the part in this instance being offered by Rimmers as genuine, is nothing more than a cheap aftermarket piece and I worry this may be more common place with their parts given some of my other recent experiences. I hope I am the outliner here and others have had a much better experience.