Anyone have a suggested list of parts we sould stock up on ?

[KarlC]

With all this talk about OEM part prices going up and being discontinued, I thought it would be a good ideal to stock up on some key parts, new or used.

What are some of you doing and why ?

Thanks for your input !

 

[Glen]

Just buy a second E500E and you should be all set...plus you can drive it until you need a specific part. And you don't have a shelf full of parts collecting dust

 

[Roma_500E]

With all this talk about OEM part prices going up and being discontinued, I thought it would be a good ideal to stock up on some key parts, new or used.

What are some of you doing and why ?

Thanks for your input !

1. Fog lamps (all ready got one set)
2. Head lamps/glass (need to buy)
3. Rear shade (saw someone was selling here for 185, so would not be a bad idea to have one in stock)

 

[gerryvz]

Indeed, just buying a wrecked 500E is the way to go. That will give you most everything, as long as you have the room to store it.

OR, strip an E320/400E/E420 at the junk yard if you find one. You will get a TON of stuff that way.

 

[gsxr]

A parts car is great for some items, like computer modules, or miscellaneous hardware bits. But for other things you usually need new stuff... such as door mirror booties, transmission tunnel insulation, head/fog light lenses, etc. Depends what you're looking for, or what you're expecting might fail, or get damaged.

 

[KarlC]

So here's a start on a possible list .....

1. Fog lamps / lenses
2. Head lamps / lenses
3. Rear shade
4. Door mirror booties
5. Transmission tunnel insulation

Anything more or changes ?

 

[8899]

6. Radiator expansion tank (124 500 15 49)
7. Front seat power headrest adjusting mechanism (124 970 02 26)

 

[KarlC]

1. Fog lamps / lenses
2. Head lamps / lenses
3. Rear shade
4. Door mirror booties
5. Transmission tunnel insulation
6. Radiator expansion tank (124 500 15 49)
7. Front seat power headrest adjusting mechanism (124 970 02 26)

Thanks for the input guys keep it coming.

 

[bing]

I would stock up on spendy and known failure items such as:

All CAN Modules
ETA
EZL
MAF
Outside LCD display

Of course all of the above can be sourced used as well as interior and body parts via ebay or wrecking yards as mentioned.

 

[johan h]

Is it really so bad that MB will discontinue these items? I had no trouble of finding anything yet and Mercedes is well known for providing parts to most models no mather age. I saw a program of a guy that restored gullwings and he said that it is so "easy" to restore these because if he need some parts he order them through Mercedes.

I have also done a couple of search for really rare parts like the front fenders of W201 sport evolutions and MB got them. They are costly as h*ll but they still provide them.

Can it be so that the US-owners have more problem to catch rare spareparts since US dealers will discontinue them?

 

[Roma_500E]

Is it really so bad that MB will discontinue these items? I had no trouble of finding anything yet and Mercedes is well known for providing parts to most models no mather age. I saw a program of a guy that restored gullwings and he said that it is so "easy" to restore these because if he need some parts he order them through Mercedes.

I have also done a couple of search for really rare parts like the front fenders of W201 sport evolutions and MB got them. They are costly as h*ll but they still provide them.

What I heard to obtain some parts for EVO II you have to provide proof of ownership , I believe it is because parts are rare and MB do not want to sell them out to produce fake EVO's but left without parts supply real owners.

Can it be so that the US-owners have more problem to catch rare spareparts since US dealers will discontinue them?

Well, I tried to obtain limited door sills (full metal with Mercedes-Benz embodies) = NLA.
According to ''ivan" here on board, rear shade is NLa too.

I hope MB will supply with the rest of the parts but it is better to have them stock at home. In addition lots of parts production is moving to S. Africa/Mexico so quality may go down if they will move parts production for older benz there too.

I do think it is good idea to keep rubber parts cuz rubber dries out and it is always good to buy rubber parts as fresh as possible. However, glass and trims would not be a bad idea to have in stock.

Indeed, just buying a wrecked 500E is the way to go. That will give you most everything, as long as you have the room to store it.

OR, strip an E320/400E/E420 at the junk yard if you find one. You will get a TON of stuff that way.

Well the parts car will keep your E500E somehow running but not in a good/perfect shape like most of the people here trying to do. Example will be chtome trims, glasses , rubber boots etc.

 

[gerryvz]

Can it be so that the US-owners have more problem to catch rare spareparts since US dealers will discontinue them?

No. US dealers can get any MB part that is available worldwide, as long as it is not "comm-blocked" for US cars. For example, the Euro 500E headlights are (again) "comm blocked" for US owners. However Tom Hanson of the Classic Center can order these on a special basis for folks who need these "comm blocked" parts.

No US MB dealer will "discontinue" parts - they have the same access to the worldwide MB parts network as non-US dealers do. But it is true that some parts for non-US models will not be quite as easily available in the US. However there are ways around this -- order through a German dealer, or through a non-US parts house like Speed Autoteile, who will ship comm-blocked parts to the US. But the first avenue for difficult to get parts should be Tom Hanson at the Classic Center. Then Plan B or Plan C.

Now, with regard to "suggested parts we should stock up on."

There are a couple of schools of thought here, and a few different factors that come into play. Schools of thought are that you should just replace parts as you need them, because it doesn't make sense to buy and store parts, and MB makes so much available. Or, buy and store parts (especially expensive and/or rare ones) so that you have a hedge against the part becoming NLA or exhorbitantly expensive in the future.

Honestly, more and more parts will become NLA in the future. Particularly interior trim pieces of specific colors. However, so much is available via eBay and other venues, that people will be able to find parts in the future with little problem. For the E500E, only a few interior colors were made for US models, so the pool of spares from wrecked cars is actually pretty high. For other "wear" parts like window regulators or common stuff, it's shared with other W124 models and the supply will remain high well into the future -- either used or new from MB.

Even V-8 and 500E-specific things like the car's CAN computers are fairly readily available either through this site or others. I have begun to collect 124 and 126 computers, EZLs, relays and other electrical parts simply because they are available cheaply, and don't take up a lot of room to store, store well, and they are not getting any cheaper. But honestly it's pretty rare these days for LH computers or EZLs to wear out. Yes it happens, but not on a monthly basis among all of us. So it's a good idea (if you plan to keep your car) to get these types of parts that will keep the car off the road if you don't have them.

But for something like a window regulator, or a piece of glass ... this stuff is going to be readily available long into the future. It's all shared with other W124 models and there is a robust aftermarket of suppliers for this stuff.

Honestly, most people won't keep their cars for even 5 years so hoarding parts is not a major concern for most owners. For those of us who consider ourselves "lifetime" or long-term owners (10+ years), then it's a good idea to grab some selected parts. Scour your wrecking yards for E420s/400Es, and/or buy a parts car with your interior color. But for me, I don't have a "list" of parts to hoard. So much is still available and will continue to be available either new or used, that I'm not worried about it.

I have experience with this through my ownership of the 6.3 and 6.9, which were both MUCH more exclusive models with a higher ratio of exclusive parts to their specific "civilian chassis" model than the 500E has with both the W124 and the R129/W140. Even with the 6.3 and 6.9, it's fairly easy to get used parts and/or rebuild them, and there has and is a steady stream of parts cars to donate spares.

As for interior parts ... they can be purchased new, purchased used, or "civilian" interior parts can be repurposed or re-dyed for the 500E. Wood can be refinished. Leather can be replaced. Hell, even Limited leather is being re-created by our friends in the Fatherland !!

So bottom line .... it's not worth fussing too much about. Buy some computers and stuff, if you must. Otherwise, just drive the car and replace things as they wear out. Spares are not an issue.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

Is it really so bad that MB will discontinue these items? I had no trouble of finding anything yet and Mercedes is well known for providing parts to most models no mather age.

For many/most items, there is not a major concern about MB discontinuing them (i.e., part becoming NLA / No Longer Available). However, MB is increasing prices on some items significantly, and if the increases continue in the future, some new items may be technically available, but you would never pay the price for a new one. Even today, who pays $3500 for a new EZL? Anyone? Bueller? Or $1800 for a new ETA? I need a new lower wiring harness (to starter/alternator) and that is up to $312 list... what if it's $700 or $1k a few years from now? MB could price us out of being able to maintain the cars. Let's hope it doesn't happen, but the trend over the past ~5 years has not been in our favor.

 

[Glen]

re: high prices for replacement parts from MB. The upside for owners is that the nice examples of our cars should appreciate in value. Thinking positive about the rising costs...

 

[johan h]

No. US dealers can get any MB part that is available worldwide, as long as it is not "comm-blocked" for US cars. For example, the Euro 500E headlights are (again) "comm blocked" for US owners. However Tom Hanson of the Classic Center can order these on a special basis for folks who need these "comm blocked" parts.

No US MB dealer will "discontinue" parts - they have the same access to the worldwide MB parts network as non-US dealers do. But it is true that some parts for non-US models will not be quite as easily available in the US. However there are ways around this -- order through a German dealer, or through a non-US parts house like Speed Autoteile, who will ship comm-blocked parts to the US. But the first avenue for difficult to get parts should be Tom Hanson at the Classic Center. Then Plan B or Plan C.

Now, with regard to "suggested parts we should stock up on."

There are a couple of schools of thought here, and a few different factors that come into play. Schools of thought are that you should just replace parts as you need them, because it doesn't make sense to buy and store parts, and MB makes so much available. Or, buy and store parts (especially expensive and/or rare ones) so that you have a hedge against the part becoming NLA or exhorbitantly expensive in the future.

Honestly, more and more parts will become NLA in the future. Particularly interior trim pieces of specific colors. However, so much is available via eBay and other venues, that people will be able to find parts in the future with little problem. For the E500E, only a few interior colors were made for US models, so the pool of spares from wrecked cars is actually pretty high. For other "wear" parts like window regulators or common stuff, it's shared with other W124 models and the supply will remain high well into the future -- either used or new from MB.

Even V-8 and 500E-specific things like the car's CAN computers are fairly readily available either through this site or others. I have begun to collect 124 and 126 computers, EZLs, relays and other electrical parts simply because they are available cheaply, and don't take up a lot of room to store, store well, and they are not getting any cheaper. But honestly it's pretty rare these days for LH computers or EZLs to wear out. Yes it happens, but not on a monthly basis among all of us. So it's a good idea (if you plan to keep your car) to get these types of parts that will keep the car off the road if you don't have them.

But for something like a window regulator, or a piece of glass ... this stuff is going to be readily available long into the future. It's all shared with other W124 models and there is a robust aftermarket of suppliers for this stuff.

Honestly, most people won't keep their cars for even 5 years so hoarding parts is not a major concern for most owners. For those of us who consider ourselves "lifetime" or long-term owners (10+ years), then it's a good idea to grab some selected parts. Scour your wrecking yards for E420s/400Es, and/or buy a parts car with your interior color. But for me, I don't have a "list" of parts to hoard. So much is still available and will continue to be available either new or used, that I'm not worried about it.

I have experience with this through my ownership of the 6.3 and 6.9, which were both MUCH more exclusive models with a higher ratio of exclusive parts to their specific "civilian chassis" model than the 500E has with both the W124 and the R129/W140. Even with the 6.3 and 6.9, it's fairly easy to get used parts and/or rebuild them, and there has and is a steady stream of parts cars to donate spares.

As for interior parts ... they can be purchased new, purchased used, or "civilian" interior parts can be repurposed or re-dyed for the 500E. Wood can be refinished. Leather can be replaced. Hell, even Limited leather is being re-created by our friends in the Fatherland !!

So bottom line .... it's not worth fussing too much about. Buy some computers and stuff, if you must. Otherwise, just drive the car and replace things as they wear out. Spares are not an issue.

Cheers,
Gerry

Good point Gerry!! It is fairly easy and fast to get used parts from Germany toll free so it is ok. I think i need to collect some interior trim now but otherwise i will replace them as they go.

For many/most items, there is not a major concern about MB discontinuing them (i.e., part becoming NLA / No Longer Available). However, MB is increasing prices on some items significantly, and if the increases continue in the future, some new items may be technically available, but you would never pay the price for a new one. Even today, who pays $3500 for a new EZL? Anyone? Bueller? Or $1800 for a new ETA? I need a new lower wiring harness (to starter/alternator) and that is up to $312 list... what if it's $700 or $1k a few years from now? MB could price us out of being able to maintain the cars. Let's hope it doesn't happen, but the trend over the past ~5 years has not been in our favor.

re: high prices for replacement parts from MB. The upside for owners is that the nice examples of our cars should appreciate in value. Thinking positive about the rising costs...

And maybe we should thank the high prices for the very good supply with parts to almost every MB? If MB didn´t earn any money of store almost every part out there they would not do it i think. So it is two ways of seeing high prices

 

[Taxi Driver]

First of all, we have to thank MB for the parts availability. There are no major vehicle manufacturer celebrating and taking
care of it's history as what MB does. Mercedes-Benz Classic Center is one example of that and you find the Classic
spare parts portal wich I Think maybe we will be ordering parts from. A question to the dealership has so far stated, no
parts yet has been transfered to the Classic department, my guess, there will be in the future.

Not many times have I Heard, no longer available, this you can not say concerning many other manufacturers that often
has cleaned out older parts and say, oh that's an old car, sorry we can't help you.
The only other manufacturer that did transfer older parts to my knowlege is Volvo, SAAB on the other hand
a long time ago did send all what they had to the melting plant, tons of precious parts!

Conclusion, prices may sometimes be unbeliveably high BUT still being there to buy. I wonder when the * status * of the
124 036 officially takes off to the Classic level?
We see examples of fully renewed/restored 500E500 and will surely see many more. So perhaps all this makes for a
fairly secure parts availability and even remanufactured parts, I'm Confident but still order new parts as fast as I can
and collect Electronic and specific 500 parts. Roger

 

[gerryvz]

For many/most items, there is not a major concern about MB discontinuing them (i.e., part becoming NLA / No Longer Available). However, MB is increasing prices on some items significantly, and if the increases continue in the future, some new items may be technically available, but you would never pay the price for a new one. Even today, who pays $3500 for a new EZL? Anyone? Bueller? Or $1800 for a new ETA? I need a new lower wiring harness (to starter/alternator) and that is up to $312 list... what if it's $700 or $1k a few years from now? MB could price us out of being able to maintain the cars. Let's hope it doesn't happen, but the trend over the past ~5 years has not been in our favor.

You guys think the E500E has high prices....LOL. Ever owned a 300SEL 6.3? The running joke (often quite true) is that "6.3" is actually a multiplier over the price for standard W108/W109 parts.

If you think $3,200 for an EZL is bad ..... the Bosch fuel injection pump (similar design to a Bosch diesel pump) for an M100.981 6.3 motor cost more than USD $40,000 last time I checked the price of it.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

You guys think the E500E has high prices....LOL. Ever owned a 300SEL 6.3? The running joke (often quite true) is that "6.3" is actually a multiplier over the price for standard W108/W109 parts.

If you think $3,200 for an EZL is bad ..... the Bosch fuel injection pump (similar design to a Bosch diesel pump) for an M100.981 6.3 motor cost more than USD $40,000 last time I checked the price of it.

That is EXACTLY the kind of thing I'm afraid could happen to the E500E in 10-20 years.

 

[gerryvz]

It won't happen because the drivetrain parts are shared with hundreds of thousands of other cars produced. The M100 engine was only made for the 300SEL 6.3 (6,526 produced) and Grand 600 (2,677 produced), and the 450SEL 6.9 in 100.985 K-Jet guise (7,627 produced).

10,479 E500Es were produced, and every single one of them shared LH and EZL units (or similar variants ) with R129 and W140 models. There is no way that an E500E EZL is ever going to cost $40,000, or even $10,000. That said, why not grab the computers while they are relatively cheap and available now?

As far as an E500E fuel pump .... heck they're at Amazon.com !! Can you get a 6.3 injection pump on Amazon?

 

[gsxr]

The maintenance / mechanical stuff doesn't worry me a whole lot, for the reasons described above - especially items shared across the W124 platform, or at least the .034 chassis.

Some of the 500E-specific (or, 124/119 specific) items could be a very different story. Time will tell...

 

[Maui]

Sort of a related question. I ordered some stuff from Parts.com and received an email regarding one of the parts from the parts manager at Mercedes of Naperville. Is parts.com actually Mercedes of Naperville or does parts.com source parts from various dealerships?

 

[gsxr]

Sort of a related question. I ordered some stuff from Parts.com and received an email regarding one of the parts from the parts manager at Mercedes of Naperville. Is parts.com actually Mercedes of Naperville or does parts.com source parts from various dealerships?

Parts.com is simply a website / front-end interface. They take your order, and pass it along to a dealership. Parts.com handles many different brands, all routed through various dealers across the USA. For Mercedes parts, all orders are sent to MB Naperville and processed/fulfilled by them (for now). If at some point in the future Naperville decides they didn't want to do this, parts.com would find some other MB dealership to fulfill the orders. But anyway, at the moment, all Mercedes part orders submitted via parts.com will be fulfilled by MB Naperville. Gerry can provide more info since he gets kickbacks from both.

 

[emerydc8]

Gerry can provide more info since he gets kickbacks from both.

And a special shipping rate.

 

[gerryvz]

Sort of a related question. I ordered some stuff from Parts.com and received an email regarding one of the parts from the parts manager at Mercedes of Naperville. Is parts.com actually Mercedes of Naperville or does parts.com source parts from various dealerships?

The business arrangement and how parts.com works is very well documented on this site. Do some searching and you will find everything you need to know.

 

[emerydc8]

Not biting.