Looking for a set for the '01 Forester.  Rock has Mahle MLM at a significantly better price than I can get OEM from the dealer.

Comments?

 

$70.88 delivered .    Subaru O.E.  #642  head gaskets   Genuine Subaru MLS Head Gasket Set Legacy Forester Outback Impreza Baja 2.5 SOHC

( 132854879269 )   EBAY

Thank you, but you did not answer the question.  It could be a better answer than the one I'm looking for, though, so let's break it down.

70.88 USD + 16.52 USD (shipping to Canada) = 87.40 USD = 115.41 CAD

Mahle:

78.68 CAD + 5.30 CAD (shipping as part of a larger order) = 83.98 CAD

For comparison, my local dealer is quoting 179.12 CAD for pair (of #633).

So I can get OEM gaskets from ebay for a 37% higher price than these Mahle MLMs.

Back to the original question:  Does anyone have any experience with the Mahle gasket that would indicate the cost saving is or isn't worth it?

My advice is the few dollars saved is not worth the risk. Do know Mahle manufacture chainsaw engine cylinders that have a good reputation for quality. 

Edited October 13, 20196 yr by john in KY

I have used fel pro head gasket kits with good success for years.  I do like the Subaru cam gaskets and thermostats and ASIS water pump timing kits.

Put a Mahle gasket in one hand and an oem in the other. The only difference you'll find in them is the numbers printed on the upper corner. 

If you go OEM don't use the 11044AA633 gasket as it is the same kind installed that fails.  Use a 643 or 770 (last three numbers) as those are MLS gaskets.  FelPro have been used by some with good success.

I have never tried Mahle.

I've always had good luck with FelPro head gaskets. Make sure both surfaces are super clean.

11 hours ago, john in KY said:

My advice is the few dollars saved is not worth the risk. Do know Mahle manufacture chainsaw engine cylinders that have a good reputation for quality. 

On one hand, that makes perfect, reliable, practical sense.  On the other, if nobody tries the Mahle future generations will search here in vain for the answer to this question.

So I'm going to try them.  For the children.

Edited October 14, 20196 yr by jonathan909

18 minutes ago, jonathan909 said:

So I'm going to try them.  For the children.

Way to go. Everything we have today good and bad is because someone experimented.

Don't forget to post the results even if it is a year from now, otherwise no one will know.

I'll try to remember, but if I fail to, I'm sure someone will find this post and ask.

I've used them on several dozen engines, Subaru and otherwise. If you have a problem with them you did something wrong. 

7 hours ago, 86BRATMAN said:

I've used them on several dozen engines, Subaru and otherwise. If you have a problem with them you did something wrong. 

Excellent - thanks very much.

Hey everyone, I’m the guy coming back a few years later to ask if they held up alright. So, how’s it goin’?

Wow - 2019.  So many cars since then.  Nice that I indicated which it was, otherwise I'd just be guessing.  The '01 Forester must have been my daughters' car at the time, since sold, they briefly had a Jeep, then unloaded it in favour of one or both of the Subarus (one '03 Forester, one not-sure Legacy) they have now.

I'm perfectly happy with all of the Mahles I've used.  In fact, I think that one set I bought was actually of Subaru manufacture, according to the logo on the gaskets.  So yeah, I think they're fine.