Electronics do fail, but with the exception of electrolytic capacitors and vacuum tubes (including CRTs) they don't get "tired", and age is not a good indication of reliability. I have lots of vintage electronics all the way from 1930s radios to 80s computers that I keep in working order. Yes some components drift, especially the old carbon composition resistors but modern types are very stable and properly designed circuits are very resistant to drift, a modern-ish TV can last decades without needing anything adjusted. I've repaired a LOT of gear and cracked solder joints and bad electrolytic caps make up easily 90% of failures, though it's not uncommon for those to cascade and cause further damage. Failure analysis is a complex topic but most failures come down to a few root causes. Cracked connections due to thermal cycles, cracked connections due to mechanical flex/vibrations, moisture ingress and external abuse (short circuits, over-voltage, etc). In solid state components there is a phenomenon called electromigration that is about the only way semiconductors "wear out" with use but it is really only an issue with high speed, high complexity devices like CPUs used in computers. Many programmable memory devices will deteriorate over time and gradually lose the programming they contain but an AMM has none of those.
I suspect that the primary failure mode of Bosch AMM's is either moisture ingress in the ceramic hybrid circuits which have also been a problem in some of the ECUs or cracked connections from the hybrid to the external parts. Given my observations with various aftermarket parts I personally would trust a 30 year old genuine AMM with half a million miles on it that has not been abused over some made in China brand new aftermarket AMM of questionable build quality that very likely will not perform as well as the original even if it does last. "New" does not give me the peace of mind it used to, I've been burned too many times by brand new parts that turned out to be complete crap and failed long before they should have.
Here we go, another shade tree philosopher off topic thread crap
You just wasted the time to type up a ginormous post defining EXACTLY what "tired" means as far as electronics are concerned
When a vehicle won't start or develops a driveability problem, in the middle of nowhere, do you really give a **** if it's a tired cap, worn out switching or power transistor or a cold solder joint?
On top of that, all of the "evidence" you offer up to support your opinion (and that's all that it is) is 100% ANECDOTAL ("observations" made on things that you happen to own and that have NOTHING to do with the topic).......................and then you turn around and show disdain for a part you've never used or owned based solely on it's country of manufacture (wow, now THAT'S objective reasoning!)...............in other words, as P.W.K. used to say
BULL ****!
I have never understood why people can't just say "I don't know" or "I've never used one myself" when it's obvious that that's the case - or why they even post at all to a thread that they have zero experience or affinity with
But since you've derailed it - I rebuild amps, tuners, receivers and speaker systems as a side gig and I can testify under oath (and with a lab scope) - passive parts do get "tired" no matter how much they're babied - it's just a fact - but yeah, some last longer than others
(and how, on a sane Human being's car would a MAF be "abused" anyway? (rhetorical question, no need to actually answer that one)
An electronic component or device is the sum, and only as good as, the quality of the parts used
Cold solder joints, cracked solder joints, values drifting, corrosion, cracked boards etc etc etc....................that's what the **** "tired" means - you saying transistors and ICs don't fail, simply from use? I agree, automotive electronics from reputable manufacturers are very very good and reliable - but NOTHING lasts for ever
You want to argue about Selenium rectifiers - just to cite one OFF TOPIC stupid ass "debate" - lot of guys leave those in for just the reasoning you spent the time to share - and more often than not it costs them a nice amp or receiver - or power supplies in general, whether it's in a $500 HP PC or a $6000 Lexicon MC-1
And how about "sorry state" voltage regulators? Want to count how many charging systems I've repaired, and that stayed repaired, changing out a bad reg?
The two greatest wear and tear factors on electronics are HEAT and INRUSH CURRENT and a MAF is hit with both every time you start your brick. It's hardly unreasonable to start to count your blessings (and keep your fingers crossed) after one's done it's duty for 400,000 miles and 24 Winters and Summers - the person who has to use this vehicle is not into relying on my junk yard stash in the trunk
A Bosch MAF IS a military grade/quality component and their life cycle is truly impressive, a testimony to quality parts and good engineering - BUT NOTHING LASTS FOREVER - especially electronics - and they do get "tired" - just from being used
And now, after my rant (sorry folks), why do you feel the need to let me know how you feel about it anyway?
What does what you would do have to do with my thread's premise? I don't really give a **** what you think, UNLESS you have something meaningful to contribute. Your ignorance of electronics is painful to read - and as far as the made in china hubbub, that ship has sailed pal, let me tell you. PLENTY of Delphi parts on NEW CARS right now (maybe unfortunately, I don't know, that's why I'm asking) - that's their slogan, "the parts cars are born with" and I am sure you know they are the reformulated global economy incarnation of what once was known as AC-DELCO
What you think about buying new, versus continuing to run a HEAVILY used Bosch MAF, wasn't the question - and (unless I missed something) I THINK I started this thread.
I'm going to buy a second MAF sensor for this car and the question is and was - has anyone had any actual, direct experience with the Delphi AF 10199
And I would sincerely appreciate and be grateful to hear from anyone that has
Mind if we stay on topic?
Thanks
