New version of the EPC

[ctaylor738]

The new EPC has arrived.  No more Java downloads, and I am very happy to be able to access it on my Mac and not my clunky old Windows PC.

I received my new credentials a couple of days ago, and went through the process of signing on and changing password, etc.  It's a little strange.  You try to sign on with the userid and password sent to you.  That will fail, you try again and you will get prompted for a passcode in addition to your password.  Then you are sent to a series of pages to change your password and set up a challenge question.  Then, you can go back to the link in the email, and actually sign in.

Once in, click on "Parts Information", then on the picture of the SUV under "PC" (Passenger cars").  Then select "Vehicle" from the drop-down box.  Under "Model Series" select C113 for Pagodas, and choose 042, 043 or 044.  If you choose 044, then you choose "249" or "68H APPLICABLE TO: CA, US".  I'm unsure what the "249" signifies.  Once past this, there are tabs for Chassis and Engine.  Then the territory is familiar, but you select from pictures to get to the sub-area you want.  There is no parts list separate from the picture.  You hover over the number and get the PN and other information. **CORRECTION The parts list is displayed to the left of the picture, but you may have to close your Favorites List to see it.**

The "Back" button at the bottom left takes you all the way out to the main vehicle selection screen.

That's about all I've figured out so far.

CT

[wwheeler]

I was going to mention something about that as well, but to busy with at the moment. I think it will be better just messing around with it so far. For sure the old JAVA system was a mess. You couldn't update JAVA for fear the EPC wouldn't recognize it. Not sure why it is "C"113 and "C"111?

[Pawel66]

I have gone through it as well. Overall not bad, I think, one just needs to get used to it... Yes, the Java nightmare is hopefully behind us...

Funny things are happening in my case when I want to be logged in Parts Info and Webparts at the same time... which is often, as I take the PN from Parts Info and price and availability form Webparts.

Seems to me EPC on-line is better. The onlu issue there is that it does not remember VINs for e.g. W113.

ctaylor738 - I do have the part list next to the picture. It is a question of screen division between windows probably. It is there. It is quite critical because on some assemblies 20-30% of parts are not on the pictures...

I do not know why the system tells me "my VIN is invalid and the car type was chosen by selections"....

I also do not understand "C" in front of e.g. 113. I also have no idea what code 249 means.

I wil lask my parts Guru and write back if I have answers.

[ctaylor738]

Thanks for the correction on the parts list - I have changed my post.

If you put "Cxxxyyy e.g. C111023 in the "Model designation or VIN" box, there is no error and you are taken directly to the next choice. 

I think the "C" means "Car" but I have no idea about the codes like 049.

Also, if you enter a part number in Parts search box, like a1104605009, you will get a list of models that use that part.  Equivalent to the old "Search without vehicle data" in the old system, one of my favorites.

CT

[Pawel66]

I asked the question, will provide an answer if I get it.

"W" was for "Wagen", I believe, so maybe they just went more international with "C" for "Car"...

[StevenF]

I tried "taking a spin" on the new system...
I tried looking for screws for the glovebox under covering and lining and could not find the screws....is it me?

[Jonny B]

What is the cost for signing up?

[Jordan]

I have never used the EPC as I have a parts book for my 230SL.  Is the EPC better than the parts book?  Depending on what the cost is, as Jon has asked, want to determine if it is worth it.

[mbzse]

.../...Is the EPC better than the parts book?.../...

Both have their place, I guess.
Fact is, some 30% or so of the part numbers for our favourite car have been substituted over the past 50+ years.
The EPC gives you the current, valid parts No (for ordering from M-B Classic)

[ctaylor738]

The cost is $75 per year.  I care for a bunch of different old cars, so for me it meets a real need.  Many times though, I have ordered by part number through dealers or the Classic Center and been told that a number from the EPC has been superseded.  Or that it is NLA.

It's also useful, along with the Schluessel Liste to determine correct nuts, bolts, and washers.

[wwheeler]

I have two Mercedes, W111 and W128 and some parts are interchangeable. Easy to see if they are with the EPC. Plus you can see what other models use the same parts and maybe easier to find in the market.

[Pawel66]

I tried "taking a spin" on the new system...
I tried looking for screws for the glovebox under covering and lining and could not find the screws....is it me?

Steven, it is all there. The screws, the rivets, the cadboard on the bottom - pretty much everything. As I wrote below: it is in the parts list, not necessarily on the drawing. You have to take alook at the list. Sometimes you mark e.g. hinge - and the system shows you hinge and rivets for it. Availability is another topic.

EPC has issues. But to me it is priceless while working on restorations and ordering parts as well as for weekend work with 113 and two 463s.

With access to Webparts I have availability, prices and I generate order to the dealer on-line.

[66andBlue]

The cost is $75 per year.  ....

Membership for the SL113.org group is only $30 per year for quite a bit more information! 

[StevenF]

Pawel,
The new system lists the washer as :
A 000 985 10 62
WINDOW
GLOVE COMPARTMENT WITH LID TO INSTRUMENT PANEL
Quantity:  6

No wonder why I could not find it....no where does it say washer....

[TheEngineer]

I have been  using  the  German  catalog  for years. Pic attached. What  is  wrong  with  that ?

[Jack Jones]

Received my new credentials late last week and glad to say goodby to JAVA. Seems good so far and I expect after the learning curve will be better than the old.

[Pawel66]

Pawel,
The new system lists the washer as :
A 000 985 10 62
WINDOW
GLOVE COMPARTMENT WITH LID TO INSTRUMENT PANEL
Quantity:  6

No wonder why I could not find it....no where does it say washer....

Steven, some peculiarities there (I gues also applying to parts book) - A quiz show:

1. Where do we find a hood badge? (Interior appointments)
2. Where do we find power steering parts? (Air compressor)

And the puzzle: find the underdash drain pipes!

[Benz Dr.]

One of my parts suppliers thinks it's no improvement and much harder to find things. On newer cars you have to input a VIN or it won't work.

[Shvegel]

I think there may have been a bunch of parts that were removed from the system.  I can't find all the little coolant hoses anywhere.

[Pawel66]

When I was checking the PN for the rubber protector on Constant Speed Solenoid I noticed that the part numbers on the picture do not work - normally you mark them and you see the part on the part list marked... I cjecked and they do not work on EPC on-line either... They worked, I am sure, in the old EPC.