Originally Posted by funola

On the lines that blew off after 2.5 years, you said you do not remember if you tightened the clamps initially. Did you check the clamps and snugged them up in those 2.5 years? My guess is no.

Edit: You used a heat gun on the hose? That is kind of dangerous because you could have easily weakened the hose by overheating it. Unless you have a temperature controlled oven, don't use anything hotter than boiling water to soften the hose.

Do you have pics of your second set of lines that have no barbs from the factory? Were they genuine Mercedes or some knockoffs?