Holy cow parts aren't cheap!

[alabbasi]

I'm fairly new to Pagoda's. I joined this forum when I bought my 71 280SL California coupe. The car was hit in the front and then sat outside for more then 20 years. I found a guy that i'm confident in doing the body work and he's willing to work with me on a long term project.

The plan is for me to strip the car down to the shell. Then he can take the car, sand blast it and fix all of the rust and damage while I refurbish the engine and drive train. Then I would get the shell back with the underside painted, put the drive train back and then he can finish it off.

I have damage on my front panel, grill, headlight buckets, hood and no headlights. Looking at a couple of websites. Just these parts alone are going to run me more then $12000.

Does anyone have source for used parts or aftermarket parts?

Thanks!

[Benz Dr.]

I would look at new sheet metal and maybe used trim and lights. A used hood might be OK for you as well.

 New parts from MB are OK if you have deep pockets or insurance is paying the bill.

[alabbasi]

I would look at new sheet metal and maybe used trim and lights. A used hood might be OK for you as well.

 New parts from MB are OK if you have deep pockets or insurance is paying the bill.

Thanks, I'm going to expand my search to eBay in Europe.

[badali]

Every time I need something it seems like I spend at least $500.   I figure since I don't drink or smoke I need something to spend my money on...

[alabbasi]

Yep, I can see myself selling all of my other toys and keeping this one.

[dseretakis]

Have you tried these guys?

http://www.kkmfg.com/index.php

[Shvegel]

If you buy a used grille buy a nice one. Otherwise you will spend more having it fixed and re-chromed. For reference I spent $800 having the chrome done on a straight grille.

Don't feel bad my sheet metal bill was over 12K.

[mdsalemi]

Yes, parts are not cheap.  They are not cheap for any car.  Let's keep things in perspective, however.  Compare the following, if you will:

Let's take the humble, pedestrian, "they made a million of them", plain-vanilla, boring Toyota Camry.  Let's consider a year some time back, where you will start to need some parts, like 2005?   Sorry if I insulted anyone here, but here in Michigan these are as common as anywhere else, driven merely as transportation appliances.

Front Brake Rotor, MSRP: $102.00
Rear Quarter Panel, MSRP $814.00
Starter Motor for 3.3L, MSRP: $307.00
Alternator, 3.3L, MSRP: $427.00
Fuel Pump, MSRP: $333.00
5-speed Transaxle, MSRP: $3,274.00

Now SOME of those parts exceed the cost of parts for our cars, others come darn close, and others might be a bit less costly.  Keep in mind the last of our cars is 40 years old, and they only made less than 50,000 of them.  Toyota production?  In that 2005 model year, USA alone, they sold over 430,000 units.

I think if you did a similar comparisoin you might find that other car parts are similarly as expensive.

That being said, I think the cost of the grill star and barrel, and the grill surround are as about ridiculous as the crankshaft for a 300 SL....

[IXLR8]

Hi--

I have a used hood for sale, if you still need one.

PM me, and I'll send you some photos.

Joe

[alabbasi]

Thanks for your perspective, my perspective come from comparing them to other Mercedes Benz of the same era. I currently own a 6.3, 6.9, 2 W114 280CE's, Euro 560SEC, US 560SEL a R107 280SL and a R107 500SL. For one of the 280CE's , I just bought, two floor pans (covering front and rear, rocker panels, 2 quarter panel repair sections (basically the quarter panel from the molding down) and a rear valance. All all of these parts were new aftermarket parts, shipped from Europe and cost me about $1000 including all taxes and shipping.

Sure, if you look at dealer list on parts for any of the above parts, you should expect to pay the same as you would expect for a new car, however, there is generally good aftermarket support that can provide you with a more reasonable alternative. For the W113, aftermarket parts are as, if not more expenisve then what they cost at the dealer.

It is what it is, but considering the parts availability and costs for other models of similar year range, it's quite high. I suspect that mechanical parts will be reasonably priced given that a lot of the parts are shared with other models.

Thanks again, If members know of other aftermarket suppliers (Europe or US) that are worth checking out, this newbie would be interested in hearing about them.

[mdsalemi]

Our vendors list on this site has a good, solid list.  You will find some reasonable parts prices, particularly on non MB aftermarket parts, and parts not specific to the W113.  Some of the cars you mention are not adequate comparisons which was my point in bringing up the Toyota.  The MB sedans of the era were made in vastly larger numbers.  The R 107 had a 19 year production run...and prices of the finished cars (cars in solid original or good restored) reflect that.

Just as an example: I needed a rubber dust grease boot for the front lower control arm.  MB does not make it available as a separate part, just part of the rebuild kit.  Also, only sold in pairs.  Cost to get this one rubber boot from MB?  Hundreds of dollars.  Miller's had in separate for something like $5.00.  It was an aftermarket, non OEM part.  But it is installed and doing its job...