ordering parts

[merrill]

so, I thought I would share with the goup that the MB classic center is a great resource to verify part numbers, inventory and price.


I used to order parts thru K&K, AZ autohaus and buds benz.
then there were parts that just never showed up and the supplier would just cancel the order.

I made several calls to the mb classic center, Paul there was able to verify the part number, price, and availabily.  From there I called my local dealer with the part number and just like that the parts were in Austin tx in a few days.    
I find that knowing if there is inventory and where the parts are is an advantage.  I know when I can plan to work on the car.

my .02
matt

Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

[tuultyme]

Are the price of the parts you received comparible to those of the other suppliers or are you just mainly interested in time of delivery?  Do you have the number to contact Paul at the MB classic center?

Bruce; 268Blaugrun(green) 1970 280SL; IL

[dngalura]

I would be interested as well about the address and contact number of Paul.
Thanks,
Dan

[sjiatrou]

There's nothing like going to the source!  I get most of my parts and service from my local Benz dealer (Stahl Motors/Mercedes Benz of Monterey.)  

I was dissatisfied with some of the service and advice I was getting from some local mechanics but I was a bit concerned about letting a dealer touch my car so I walked into their service department to "interview" them about their staff.  As luck would have it this dealer has been in business since the 50s (I think a few of our members' cars are originally from this dealer) and a few of the mechanics have been there since the mid 60s and their specialty is the old cars!  The Monterey/Pebble Beach area has its share of older MBs so they do a lot of work on these things. I have seen two other 113s in their shop, one 300sl and a 190sl.  They do great work and it's done quickly.  

After talking to the service manager I stopped by their Parts window to see if they could order a few things and without even batting an eye the guy reached under the counter and pulled out what looked like an original 230sl parts books and helped me find what I was looking for.  Of course, they didn't have it in stock so he got on the phone and found the part in Germany and about four days later I had the part in hand (they also have a direct line into the Classic center of course.)  They can't get parts that are no longer manufactured but it's a great source for finding out what is and isn't available and for price comparisons.  Also, I'm not paying shipping and if it turns out not to be the correct part I can return it on the spot.

The best part about this particular dealer: they have a "Vintage Car Club" which gives me a 10% discount on all parts and service.  

A bit of a ramble but sometimes it might be worth a stop at the local Benz folks to see what they can offer.

Steve

Steve Iatrou
Seaside, CA
1964 230sl roadster
White (050)/Black (116)

[J. Huber]

Thanks Matt. I'd like the contact info as well.

I have had mixed results with MB. In Santa Barbara, the dealership could usually rustle up various parts but I let my mechanic deal with most of that. I would never have them work on the car. One of their own mechanics said -- don't use us -- nobody is trained for the older cars...

Here in Grass Valley, the closest thing is a MB service center in Rocklin (45 mins away). They are generally lost when I ask about a part.

Re: our 113 parts suppliers... I have used Ray (StarQuality, then SLClassics, now Buds) and Miller's (CA) for several years. NEVER, ever have they not shipped a part or not come through with an order. My experience.



James
63 230SL

[sjiatrou]

Like James I have ordered several parts from Bud's Benz and have never had a problem.  In fact they seem to go the extra mile to make sure I get the right part including returning phone calls!  I have not dealt with K&K or AZ.

Steve Iatrou
Seaside, CA
1964 230sl roadster
White (050)/Black (116)

[merrill]

so,
here is the phone number for mb classic
866 622 527742  yes I use all the digits and it works,  

the voice mail also has an e-mail address for mb classic as well.

I had 2 parts cheryl at K&K ordered but they never arrived.
Contacted paul , he checked inventory and viola the parts arrived.

price is a concern, however, I have waited months for parts from K&K and once called buds benz they actually had the parts.

it does pay to call around if you need something asap, finding the item in stock somewhere is nice.

I did find that once I had the part number my local dealer was able to see the inventory etc that the classic center has,  they key is the part number.   my dealer does not have a parts book for the 230 sl.

matt

Matt
Austin Tx
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

[Chad]

I've never had a problem with any vendors for the w113, except for the dealer, who seems to perpetually misquote part numbers given to him from the classic center.  
In general, I avoid my particular dealer but for only some things. Not all of the dealers care about your 40 year old car.

1967 230SL

[waqas]

In case you need 0.02 more...

I have been ordering parts through Ray Paul (now with Buds Benz) for years and have never ever had any problems. Ray is a fantastic resource (and a great guy to chat with), and I never hesitate to call him up. I have no experience with K&K. AutohausAZ is a great source for generic parts, but you better know exactly what you need. The classic center might be interesting to try out, but I've had no reason to switch from Ray Paul as of yet. Regarding the local MB dealership, if you know the exact part number, they'll look it up and call you back, otherwise they're completely clueless about these cars.

WAQAS in Austin, Texas

[hands_aus]

I don't understand why your local MB dealer can't look up their EPC for the parts numbers and availability.

I believe, for the individual, model specific access to the EPC is available through the MB USA club for a yearly fee.

I am in Australia and I find that when I need parts I check a companies' website first for prices.

I compare prices world wide and don't hesitate to shop globally.
The amount of money I have saved by doing so has allowed me to have the work done by MB professionals.

I find some of the companies take the easy route when it comes to shipping instead of considering the client spending the money.
eg. I bought 4 small screw covers for the door lock on the inside of the door from Millers. These things are as big as your thumbnail, the 4 items cost USD$36.00 and would have fit in a small jiffy post bag, postage about $7.00.
The guy sat at his desk called the UPS courier guy who put it in a foolscap sized folder which cost me USD$56.00 freight.

K&K were extremely friendly to deal with both email and on the 'phone and their prices are extremely competitive. eg
MB wanted to sell me a Master cylinder for $855.00 and K&K sold me one for $135.00 plus because I spent more that $100.00 they gave me a 10% discount.
They also used US Postal service by my request.

US companies never call me back but some use email.

Tom Hanson (Classic Centre Irvine) who was with Caliber Motors was the best man to deal with.
I have tried to deal with Caliber Motors both by 'phone and fax and whilst they say they will contact you and welcome international business, I don't believe they are genuine about that.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[Benz Dr.]

This is an interesting thread.
 When looked at by someone who has been in parts and service for a long time I see some things that bother me. I told everyone two years ago that the price of parts would rise quickly while availability to wharehouse distributors and re sellers would dry up. This has happened in spades.

The classic centre is really just another MB dealership that specialises in older cars. MB saw a captive market both from current owners and those thinking about buying and restoring an older car. It's nice that you can still get parts for 50 year old cars but the price of a 190SL fuel tank has doubbled in price over the last few years to about $1,200.00!

Every dealer I talk to agrees with me. We're getting screwed overe by MB. They want to put us out on the street. Why do you think some dealers can't get the part for you? MB sends the wrong stuff to people all the time as parts get subbed over but you're stuck with them.

 I think I'd use email too for someone living in OZ. You say they gave you a 10% discount. How long ago was this?

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[Chad]

That is one huge thing about getting parts at the dealer.  -- If classic center sends them the wrong part to give to you (that you paid for up front when you ordered by the way) then you are stuck with the incorrect part.  I have experienced this twice. Only to have classic center insist that it was the correct part over much debate. Bottom line is that they call the shots whenever you give them money up front to order something.  Good luck with the dealer and with the classic center.

It discouraged me and I gave up sourcing my own parts through dealers and classic center.

1967 230SL

[Raymond]

My experience with Brumos Mercedes-Benz here in Jacksonville has been great.  Sometimes they could get parts at better prices than Miller's or Bud's.  But sometimes the prices would be 75% higher.  You just have to check.  

One of the great things about the parts department at Brumos is that the manager owns a '71 280SL.  The other great thing may be changing.  Bob Snodgrass who owned the dealership, and Brumos Racing, passed away a few weeks back.  It remains to be seen what happens to his personal collection of classic cars and whether the philosopy of the dealership changes.  

Dr. Benz, which parts would you recommend we start storing away now, for the future?

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by Raymond

 ...  The other great thing may be changing.  Bob Snodgrass who owned the dealership, and Brumos Racing, passed away a few weeks back.  ...  

I don't want to hijack this topic, but what a bummer!
Ray, please let us know what happens to his marvelous 250SL that he restored for $150K - at least that's the amount he liked to quote. Last time I talked to him was in December since the current owner of a 280SL originally owned by Alex Haley - the author of "Roots" - wanted to know more about the car. Bob confirmed that it was Haley's car and that he had sold it about 16 years ago. I guess it's time to visit his collection again before it gets sold and scattered.

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic

[Benz Dr.]

In 2000 the prices for sheet metal was:

nose panel 260.00
fender 495.00
tail panel 212.00
1/4 panel 495.00
The cost to re-panel a 113 was about 2,500.00 - 3,000.00

today:
nose panel 875.00  ( 230% increase )
fender 1150.00 ( 140% )
tail panel 450.00 ( 110% )
1/4 panel 865.00 ( only 75% A bargan ! )

Today, the cost to re-panel your car is about 4,500.00 - 5,000.00
Laybor rates are about 30 - 40 % higher than they were 6 years ago ( at least around here ) so it's the prices of parts that's really the bigger factor.  

You tell me what you should be putting away?

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[hands_aus]

quote:Originally posted by Benz Dr.

You say they gave you a 10% discount. How long ago was this?

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

12 months

The local MB dealership gives MB club members 10% discount for parts they have to order in and 20% discount for parts they have in stock.
Frankly they don't keep much variety for our old cars but I can usually rely on them to have an oil filter.

I think it is great that our cars are supported worldwide and that there is a huge restoration/reproduction industry that caters to our cars.

I recently asked the local MB dealer for their labour rate. It was quoted at $144.00 per hour.
The guy had a very calm expression on his face. I could almost feel his hand in my pocket.  
How does that compare to the USA MB labour rates?

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[ami]

if you are looking for expensive and poor service please, try the UK.

quote:Originally posted by hands_aus

I don't understand why your local MB dealer can't look up their EPC for the parts numbers and availability.

I believe, for the individual, model specific access to the EPC is available through the MB USA club for a yearly fee.

I am in Australia and I find that when I need parts I check a companies' website first for prices.

I compare prices world wide and don't hesitate to shop globally.
The amount of money I have saved by doing so has allowed me to have the work done by MB professionals.

I find some of the companies take the easy route when it comes to shipping instead of considering the client spending the money.
eg. I bought 4 small screw covers for the door lock on the inside of the door from Millers. These things are as big as your thumbnail, the 4 items cost USD$36.00 and would have fit in a small jiffy post bag, postage about $7.00.
The guy sat at his desk called the UPS courier guy who put it in a foolscap sized folder which cost me USD$56.00 freight.

K&K were extremely friendly to deal with both email and on the 'phone and their prices are extremely competitive. eg
MB wanted to sell me a Master cylinder for $855.00 and K&K sold me one for $135.00 plus because I spent more that $100.00 they gave me a 10% discount.
They also used US Postal service by my request.

US companies never call me back but some use email.

Tom Hanson (Classic Centre Irvine) who was with Caliber Motors was the best man to deal with.
I have tried to deal with Caliber Motors both by 'phone and fax and whilst they say they will contact you and welcome international business, I don't believe they are genuine about that.

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

cars including SL's

[bob66542]

i'm still fairly new to your group, but ive had excellent service from k&k,tom hanson(while still at caliber,havent yet tried the classic centre)and ray at SL classics. -bob

65 SL 230 4-sp. purchase 12-08-03

[Benz Dr.]

BOb?
You're confusing me. Was the 10% discount from your dealer or from K&K? 10% isn't that much but it helps.
Has anyone else recevied any discounts from your dealer or others?

You need to understand something about the parts biz.
Some things stay close to the same price for years. Oil filters would be a good example - they make millions of them every year so the cost per unit is low. They're made by several diferent companys so there's some competion. Many of the parts used on MB cars can be bought directly from OEM suppliers such as Bosch, ATE, Erling, Ballo and many others. You can't buy these parts directly from these people but WD's can. You may be able to buy these parts from these suppliers but they usually only sell to dealers or independants. However, you can still save based upon good discounts.

It's the parts that you can ONLY get from MB that are going up in price much faster and at a higher rate than what would be normally expected. Now that MB has a division devoted to older cars and parts, they want to dominate that market. They also want OEM suppliers to pretty much only sell to them and reduce or eliminate sales to WD's. I used to be able to get euro head light assemblies from my suppliers but Bosch has no more stock and what ever is in stock now will soon be gone. Your only choice is your local dealer who will change you full list or even more than full list. Even if you get a small discount the price will be far more than what you used to be able to get them for.
 If you need them I have 2 sets left with one assembly spoken for.

Some people say, '' Yeah, so what? Why should I care? My car runs great an it's restored; I don't need anything.''
Well, what if you have a fender bender, need to rebuild your engine, are thinking about buying or restoring a car, or you just want to replace some chrome pieces?

Others say, '' It makes my car worth more or I'm ready to sell.''
 
You're not driving a $400,000.00 300SL. The cost to restore is still many times more than what you can get for your car and that's increasing all the time. The major increases are NOT coming from your mechanic or restoration houses it's coming right from MB.

You figure out what's going on.....

Dan Caron's
 SL Barn
benzbarn@ebtech.net
 slbarn.mbz.org
  1 877 661 6061

[bpossel]

I have a pretty good relationship with my local Memphis MB dealer.
They give me the parts at "list".  The highest is "retail"; then "list"; then "cost".  I have been lucky in that, in most cases "list" is much less than 10%.

I also spread out my service work on my '97 E-class.  The dealer gets about a third of the service work, and 2 other good, local service providers get the remaining 2/3rds.

Bob

bpossel  (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL  /  '97 E320

[Raymond]

Brumos also gives 10% off parts sold to MBCA members.  They also have a discount for new car purchases.  Again, it remains to be seen what happens as Mercedes has stepped into the ownership issue with the dealership.

Ray
'68 280SL 4-spd Coupe

[Chad]

I became interested in this car because of the availability and support of spares by the maker.  This thread is pretty depressing to read through now. If ownership and active usage of these cars becomes truly absurd economically because of price gouging on spare parts by MB, then I fear they will disappear from the road more than they already have. For modern cars it's priced to what the market will support, but older cars are taken off the road whenever spares and repair costs exceed sensibility - sometimes off of the road to never return.

For various reasons there remains so little value in the commercial world today.
1967 230SL

[Joe]

Not to defend MB and their pricing, in 2000 a Euro could be bought for about 85 cents. Today, it is about 135 cents. That is an increase of about 60%. Inflation of 4% a year adds another 27% or so.
Joe

[hands_aus]

quote:Originally posted by Benz Dr.

BOb?
You're confusing me. Was the 10% discount from your dealer or from K&K? 10% isn't that much but it helps.

Hey Dan,
I received discount from both K&K and my local MB dealer.

You have seen me talk about MB prices for years now but on my axle and drive shaft, front brakes, shock absorber jobs, in the last 5 years I have saved AUD $4490.00 by shopping in the USA.

Most of the parts are genuine MB parts or OEM parts, eg Bilstein shocks, ATE caliper kits, pads, disks, hoses.

That money was used to have the work done because I don't have the room in my garage.
I do the smaller jobs like rebuilding my old style fuel pump, adjusting the air/fuel mixture, electrical jobs like the alternator, relays, cold start solenoids etc

I take any discount I can get and then plow it back to MB in labour costs.

Dan, good to see you back 'ontrack'

Bob Smith (Brisbane,Australia)
RHD,1967 early 250 SL, auto

[glcg123]

I buy parts from Miller Benz and also my local MB dealer. With the exception of shocks and certain exhaust components my dealer was not that bad. I just ordered the rubber boot to cover the lever actuator arm of the clutch as it goes into the bell housing. MB dealer - $4.50 coming from Germany. Their oil filter and fuel filter prices are also very reasonable.

If you feel that parts prices for our cars are high go to your local GM dealer and price up parts from them. How about $1200+ for a windshield for a Chevy Venture van, or $230 for a single front brake rotor (we had 10 of these vans at a former employers). You can spend $290 or more for a brake rotor for a Cadillac. These parts for my Audis are less than that.

I think that with people like Millers and other aftermnarket places, plus the dealers we can buy parts for somewhat reasonable prices. At least we can still get them.

George
1965 230SL 4 speed