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.

[DMGRS]

Thank you for your order - it's appreciated!
To be fair to Rimmer Bros they are very good at what they do - it's just a shame when companies seem to be on a 'mission' to cut costs wherever possible.

The Bosch sensor is still in production, readily available and easy to source; we went directly to our Bosch dealer when the XPart item was moved to another supplier.
While we do have an aftermarket MAF for the 75 / ZT Diesel (made by Lemark), we do prefer the Bosch item.

The vast majority of Rimmer Bros customers will have a good experience, I'm sure - they've been in the game for a very long time.

[Typhoon190]

Unfortunately this is now common practice. Companies are regularly repackaging (much) cheaper and poor quality parts in ‘premium’ or ‘oem’ packaging. This is because there is very little come back.

We as consumers need to be kicking off as the OP has. It’s essentially fraud.

[macafee2]

I have mentioned before the issue of Rimmers selling parts as genuine when the company that makes the part never made the part for Rover.

They describe the part a genuine if it comes from x-Part and in my opinion, Typhoon190 is correct when he talks about fraud. I have no idea what the law is on this but I hope it too would agree.

macafee2

[MSS]

This is one of those cases where it helps to read the supplier's description before complaining, alleging fraud etc.

The title of the part purchased by the OP is:

Air Flow Sensor - Diesel - MHK101130SLP - Genuine MG Rover

It's been covered many times over the years on the forum that the part numbers ending with SLP are X-Part's Service Line Parts. Hence the letters SLP for Service Line Part. These are parts selected and distributed by the Official supplier of MG Rover parts to closely serve the same function and performance as the original part but are not from the original manufacturer.

An example being brake pads. The original OEM pads were made by ATE (I believe) and the SLP pads were made by TRW. Different supplier but nevertheless high quality brake parts.

Rimmers also sell

Air Flow Sensor - Freelander Td4 - MHK101130L - Genuine

and

Air Flow Sensor - Freelander Td4 - MHK101130LP - Aftermarket

Hopefully the difference is now clear. Rimmer's description of the part purchased by the OP is spot on - it is a genuine MG Rover part because it is supplied by the offcial MG Rover parts supplier but it is a Serrvice Line part.

There is also nothing wrong or suspect with Rimmer's responses as quoted by the OP. The only thing that is wrong is his understanding of what "Genuine MG Rover" means vs OEM vs aftermarket some 20ish year's after the car manufacturer's demise.

Hopefully the OP will return and correct his post!

Personally, in the OP's shoes, I would email a word of apology and thanks to Rimmers.

[MSS]

Never implement performance enhancing mods to a car without first having it checked and brought up to perfect running order by an expert. That maybe all your car needs!

[Lee T]

Or buy the much cheaper BMW equivalent part, screw the warranty, fit it in your MGR housing and put the change in your tank.

Lee.

[Arctic]

HI Lee.
Yes those used to be around quite a lot but have not seen any lately unless you have a link, inside it should have the right insert.
1

2

Never purchased from these but it states genuine Bosch.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156219327600


3

Original Bosch will come in a box with an Hologram.
4

5

6

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...d.php?t=307029

[MSS]

[QUOTE=Arctic;2998745]HI Lee.
........

Never purchased from these but it states genuine Bosch.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/156219327600


QUOTE]

Worth highlighting that the seller seems to be an auction house (Northern Star Auctions Ltd). Whether this is a material consideration can only be decided by prospective buyers.

Personally, I will stick with Rimmers for my purchases - they've always been absolutely transparent and excelled in providing clear answers about suppliers, OEM or Geuine or aftermarket and in their general service.

[jasonm]

Originally Posted by MSS

This is one of those cases where it helps to read the supplier's description before complaining, alleging fraud etc.

The title of the part purchased by the OP is:

Air Flow Sensor - Diesel - MHK101130SLP - Genuine MG Rover

It's been covered many times over the years on the forum that the part numbers ending with SLP are X-Part's Service Line Parts. Hence the letters SLP for Service Line Part. These are parts selected and distributed by the Official supplier of MG Rover parts to closely serve the same function and performance as the original part but are not from the original manufacturer.

An example being brake pads. The original OEM pads were made by ATE (I believe) and the SLP pads were made by TRW. Different supplier but nevertheless high quality brake parts.

Rimmers also sell

Air Flow Sensor - Freelander Td4 - MHK101130L - Genuine

and

Air Flow Sensor - Freelander Td4 - MHK101130LP - Aftermarket

Hopefully the difference is now clear. Rimmer's description of the part purchased by the OP is spot on - it is a genuine MG Rover part because it is supplied by the offcial MG Rover parts supplier but it is a Serrvice Line part.

There is also nothing wrong or suspect with Rimmer's responses as quoted by the OP. The only thing that is wrong is his understanding of what "Genuine MG Rover" means vs OEM vs aftermarket some 20ish year's after the car manufacturer's demise.

Hopefully the OP will return and correct his post!

Personally, in the OP's shoes, I would email a word of apology and thanks to Rimmers.

I appreciate where you're coming from, although i can't say i agree.

As you've rightly said, the part numbers that end in SLP are service line parts, admittedly, not something i knew about and as a consumer I shouldn't be expected to know the details of part number suffixes. I've had a flick through their website and I cant see any obvious reference to what the part suffixes relate to, so going to a forum to find this information is not ideal, don't you agree?

There is only 1 MAF sensor listed for the 75 Diesel, the ones you have posted may be the same and correct part, but they are not listed for a 75.

I've found several snippets on their website, including the quote below which clearly states that genuine parts are produced by the original manufacturer. Forgive me for assuming that the parts that would be supplied, would be made by the original manufacturer when ordering a genuine part.

Genuine parts and accessories, produced and branded by the original manufacturer, are known for their superior quality, though they come with a higher price tag. OEM parts, also made by the original manufacturer but without the branding, provide a harmonious blend of quality and affordability. Aftermarket parts, produced by third-party manufacturers, offer a budget-friendly alternative. While their quality and compatibility may vary, they present a cost-effective solution, especially for non-critical components, and can often match the performance of OEM parts.

I have absolutely no issue with being sold an aftermarket part, when that is what I ordered. I have an issue with being sold an aftermarket part, when I ordered genuine, for around the same price as a genuine part.

If you walked into an MG dealership and ordered a new MG, but they delivered a Dacia, would you be OK with that?

And no, i don't believe I should be emailing a letter of apology for unscrupulous business practices.

Originally Posted by MSS

Never implement performance enhancing mods to a car without first having it checked and brought up to perfect running order by an expert. That maybe all your car needs!

Not really helpful, i had my suspicions the MAF was on it's way out when I bought the car so I had already factored in a replacement. The ECU map was also something I intended to do, as I plan to daily the car for the foreseeable. I'm not new to "performance enhancing mods" and maintaining vehicles.