EPC Confirmed to be Phased Out with new replacement coming: XPPIS / ISPPI

[Trae]

Just when I was starting to get comfortable using the EPC?????

 

[lowman]

Last update as far as i can see...is that the new layout/system will hit online at 30.11.2018 .Buckle up.Really not looking forward to this..as the new system has sooo many flaws..and really not good at all.My friends at Mercedes really dislike this new system,and they are actually hoping/looking for updates and improvements allready ,as the system is just not good enough.

 

[nocfn]

the ordering process for parts (dealer side of it) is quite cumbersome and that is slowing inter-dealer/warehouse communications and some have experienced it as consumers recently.

 

[lowman]

not gonna say "Finally"...but..its here...Dont like it at all.I miss the EPC

 

[nocfn]

I don't yet have my credentials.

 

[Trae]

What's with this "new" stuff?. . .can't we just stick with 126, 124, 129s, and ye OLD EPC?

 

[gsxr]

What's with this "new" stuff?. . .can't we just stick with 126, 124, 129s, and ye OLD EPC?

That's my plan, Trae!!

 

[Efraim]

Hi,
Today when loging into EPC at MB club site you'll get the next annoncement. In summary: Current EPC will close 14th Dec and new one will open end of Jan.

--------------

Dear Mercedes-Benz Club Members,

Most of you may be familiar with the Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC for short), which is freely accessible to members of the officially recognised Mercedes-Benz brand clubs via our ClubLounge.
Daimler AG has decided to replace the EPC with the all-new XENTRY Portal for institutional users (branches, dealers, etc.) to ensure a streamlined, up-to-date offering for various different user groups around the world as we move forward. For individuals and other users the SAI-Portal was launched, including the ISP Parts Information as all new application replacing the EPC.
Following the successful launch of the XENTRY Portal during the course of the year, technical support for the predecessor EPC system can now no longer be maintained and the Electronic Parts Catalogue will be discontinued on 14.12.2018.
The EPC will therefore no longer be accessible via our ClubLounge starting 14.12.2018.
To ensure that you can access the new SAI-Portal for individuals in future, we are maintaining close contact with the respective specialist departments. Since the new system is subject to the latest legal regulations regarding data protection and security requirements, it is not possible to use the SAI-Portal via the ClubLounge without entering personal SAI-Portal registration and user login details as for the previous EPC offering.
This is why we are working hard on implementing personalised SAI-Portal registration for club members via our ClubLounge. The goal is to go online by the end of January 2019 with a corresponding SAI-Portal registration tool in the ClubLounge. All club members looking to use the SAI-Portal in future can sign up as users via the aforementioned registration tool. Personalised SAI-Portal access will be enabled starting in early February.
The process described will ensure that all system-side requirements for the SAI-Portal are met and is currently the only way of offering the required services to club members.
As such, you will not be able to access the new SAI-Portal and the ISP Parts Information when the EPC is taken out of service until after you have successfully completed the SAI-Portal registration procedure.
Following your SAI-Portal registration, however, the ISP Parts Information will be available to you around the clock with personalised access and you can push ahead your repair and restoration works for the 2019 classic car season.
Notwithstanding the above you are always invited to contact your trusted Mercedes-Benz branches and dealers in case of any spare part issues.
We will inform you promptly about all further steps when we go online with SAI-Portal registration in the ClubLounge, which is scheduled to take place at the end of January.
Until then, we hope that the days leading up to Christmas are not all too stressful, that you enjoy the holiday season and enter the new year with a happy, healthy fresh start!
Your Mercedes-Benz Classic Club Management

Electronic Parts Catalog EPC

Parts determined quickly - Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC)

The Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) provides assistance in determining replacement parts and part numbers. Advanced search and navigation functions let the service staff find the parts in no time at all.

This service will be discontinued on 14.12.2018.
For details please check the introductory text of this page.

 

[LWB250]

DOS?!? Really? Oh man, it's worse than I thought, folks.

I have an original CD copy of Windows 2000, with the serial number sticker on the case, that I would be glad to send you. It would at least get you into this century.

Wish I'd have known this a couple of days ago, as I would have enclosed it with the check I sent you for the LH EPROMS.

Microsoft Bob. Still have a copy on 3.5" floppies. Now there's a vintage OS.

Dan

 

[nocfn]

What, no 5 1/4 ?

 

[gerryvz]

I received my login credentials for the new Pee-Pee parts system this morning. The credentials allowed me to log in and create a new password for the system.

I can definitively confirm the new system runs in a modern web browser (Firefox, Chrome, Safari, etc.) and DOES work on Macintosh systems.

It looks like the system will force password changes every 90 days, which is a PITA.

Other than that, everything looks good. It is more cumbersome initially when you log in to get to the information that you need, by selecting the specific chassis, model, systems. The old Java-based system was more expedient, in that regard.

I would say that it would be a good idea for those with standalone (eBay, DVD-based) EPC systems to maintain them, particularly if using Windows-based system. If using Mac or Linux, the new system (though cumbersome as it is) is probably the way to go to avoid Virtual Machine overhead.

One nice thing is that the VIN (data card) functionality is modestly expanded over the earlier EPC systems.

Anyway, I'm sure that many others received their credentials today, and impressions will be made subsequently on this thread.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[LWB250]

Gerry, what is the current annual charge for this - $75?

Dan

 

[gerryvz]

Yes, it is USD $75. I did renew my (traditional) EPC subscription at the beginning of November. It had expired at the end of August, and I declined to renew it until I knew for sure that I wouldn't lose my $75 in the translation to the Pee-Pee system. Once that assurance was made by Daimler AG, then I renewed.

The old subscription period (expiring November 2019) did carry over to the Pee-Pee subscription, confirmed.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[geraniumtr]

Hi folks: OK I'm signed in and I've input my VIN...looks like I'm good to go. Poked around a bit. Seems fine.

Regards,

Peter Weissman

 

[geraniumtr]

Just noticed a neat feature---a superceded part number shows up in green, very easy to spot.

Peter Weissman

 

[nocfn]

new system is pretty nice, for me anyway its not hard if you knew how it worked in the epc. I also like opening up a part that is NLA, and adding a not to it so if I pull it up I know it is NLA.

 

[gerryvz]

Indeed, the "data card" functionality of the new "Pee-Pee" system is much better than that of the old EPC system. Not only does it provide the order number as the EPC did, but it also gives the Production number, the production plant number, and the shipment date (if available).

The EPC data cards didn't provide this latter information, though a factory VMI (Vehicle Master Inquiry) would provide production data that included the production date, delivery date, invoice dealer and selling dealer.

One other GREAT thing that the new Pee-Pee system's data cards provide are translations of all of the special codes (SA codes). The old EPC provided the codes, but didn't translate them.

The SA codes are different from the standard "option codes" found on the data cards. The EPC provides translation for the option codes, but not for the SA codes.

It also has the windshield wiper and tire manufacturers listed, which the EPC data cards didn't have, and only the in-vehicle data cards did (or the GVZ reproductions did).

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

... One other GREAT thing that the new Pee-Pee system's data cards provide are translations of all of the special codes (SA codes). The old EPC provided the codes, but didn't translate them.

The SA codes are different from the standard "option codes" found on the data cards. The EPC provides translation for the option codes, but not for the SA codes.

How accurate are the code descriptions for paint colors and options? In the past, the EPC often had ridiculous translations for some codes. Would be nice if the new setup had this rectified.

On a related note, my dealer just told me MB is now charging a princely sum of $150 for "a datacard from Germany".

I'm not sure if that means all datacards, or only datacards which are unavailable in the EPC / XPISS (i.e., really old stuff from the 1960's or prior).

 

[gerryvz]

I believe the EPC is only good back to around 1981, when the W126 debuted, for data cards. I know for a fact that my old 1977 450SEL 6.9 was not available in the EPC, nor was my former 1969 300SEL 6.3.

It used to be, years ago, that you could get a photocopy of any old (pre-1981) car's data card from MBUSA, and if you were lucky even a copy of the dealership monroney. That's what I did for my former M100 powered motorcars.

I am not sure why a copy of a data card would be needed "from Germany" these days, given that the same information has been available forever in the EPC and now Pee-Pee. And the Pee-Pee data cards are essentially as good now as the VMI stuff.

I've attached the EPC data card, the Pee-Pee data card, and the VMI from my own car, for comparison. Check for yourself !!

The paint and upholstery codes are right on -- best I've seen for an MB system to date. Based on my limited use/sampling of various cars, it appears they have solved this issue. I agree, it was frustrating as H-E-double-toothpicks with the EPC !!

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[LWB250]

How accurate are the code descriptions for paint colors and options? In the past, the EPC often had ridiculous translations for some codes. Would be nice if the new setup had this rectified.

On a related note, my dealer just told me MB is now charging a princely sum of $150 for "a datacard from Germany".

I'm not sure if that means all datacards, or only datacards which are unavailable in the EPC / XPISS (i.e., really old stuff from the 1960's or prior).

Not sure about what cars, but I was recently told by the Classic Center that data cards were $150. Thankfully, I have both of mine for the 220SEb.

As for data cards in the EPC, or for that matter, VINs, it’s a crapshoot for anything prior to the late 1980s. This is due to the fact that there can be duplicate “last 8” number sets, so when they enter the number into the EPC, it will pull up multiple cars. Same thing for VMIs, so the systems must share a common database, I’m guessing.

I just had this conversation with my dealer parts person, because a guy told me his 230SL came up in a VMI and I challenged him. If someone brought an older car into a dealer in the mid to late 80s or later, the records would be entered for the car. So theoretically, you could have a Ponton in the VMI system.

Dan

 

[gsxr]

I've attached the EPC data card, the Pee-Pee data card, and the VMI from my own car, for comparison. Check for yourself !!

Thanks for posting! What color is "METALLICLACK"? Seems to be a fair amount of Germanglish, which is odd. Really like the SA descriptions!

Still, this is better than the old EPC, which showed the paint color on your VIN as "APPLICATION CODE FOR COMPONENT PROCESSING". LOL.

 

[a777fan]

Here is a Data Card quandary I have always wondered about... why do all US Spec (or at least all US spec cars I have ever looked up) include '634 Elimination of First Aid Box' on the build sheet?

All US spec cars came with a First Aid kit AFAIK...?

 

[gerryvz]

Thanks for posting! What color is "METALLICLACK"? Seems to be a fair amount of Germanglish, which is odd. Really like the SA descriptions!

Still, this is better than the old EPC, which showed the paint color on your VIN as "APPLICATION CODE FOR COMPONENT PROCESSING". LOL.

Metalliclack means "Metallic Paint" in German. Lackierung is the long form of the word "paint."

Here is a Data Card quandary I have always wondered about... why do all US Spec (or at least all US spec cars I have ever looked up) include '634 Elimination of First Aid Box' on the build sheet?

All US spec cars came with a First Aid kit AFAIK...?

The first-aid kits used in MBNA/MBUSA cars are made specifically for MBNA/MBUSA, to their spec ... and more importantly to the US DOT spec. It's a different spec than "Yurro" first aid kits.

I believe it may be US law that a DOT-approved first aid kit (when used, obviously not all marques have included FA kits in new cars) for vehicles sold in the United States. A Yurro FA kit is not DOT-approved -- at least all of the kits that I have seen in Yurro cars have not had any US-specific approvals printed on the exterior packaging.

Thus, for decades, Mercedes-Benz motorcars coming to US shores have only included US-spec kits. Back in the old days of the 1970s, the Yurro first-aid kits came in hard-boxes with hinged lids. You see them in grey-market R107s and 116s and the like. The 107s had a small "holder" bracket in the back compartment behind the front seats.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Maui]

How does one get the new credentials? My old epc login doesn't work.

 

[nocfn]

if you were a paying user you should have received new credentials in an email. Check junk folder as it may have been years since you got one from them. You should be able to contact them via email letting them know by hitting contact us.

 

[gerryvz]

You would have received credentials only if your EPC subscription was active. You can contact EPC support via the link on their web site, and they should be able to tell you the status of your account.

I recommend that you either:

- Contact EPC Support and ask them status on your account, and if your EPC subscription was expired, then work with them to renew it with a new Pee-Pee account.

OR

- Sign up for a new Pee-Pee account with a new ID and password.



If you go to "http://epc.startekinfo.com" you should see the following page:



When you click on the LOGIN link, it should go to THIS screen. If you have a Pee-Pee account, then you can enter your new credentials. Your old EPC login won't work and is invalid. My browser has my ID and password pre-populated already.



Then, when you log into Pee-Pee, you should see this. Click on the "Parts Information" link and it will bring you into the Pee-Pee EPC.



And this is the main screen of the Pee-Pee EPC:


Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[nocfn]

Is it only me that likes the new system?

 

[gerryvz]

Is it only me that likes the new system?

I don't mind it, mainly because it works with a Mac (or any platform) now.

My biggest issue with Pee-Pee is the search function. For example, I used to use ALL THE TIME the ability to enter a part number, and see what chassis/models that part works with or is used on. I can't seem to find out how to do this with Pee-Pee, although I have to admit, I have not done an RTFM for Pee-Pee yet.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Maui]

Okay, I found an email from Daimler in my junk box with sign in info. I was able to change the password, but it appears the portal is down for maintenance this weekend.

 

[geraniumtr]

Gerry: Have you ever clicked on the icon in the lower left corner of the part number box ? It sort of looks like a car battery. It pulls up a 'Model Validity" box showing the applicable models that use that particular part. If the part is specific to the VIN you've entered then the icon doesn't appear.
Is this what you're talking about ?

Regards,

Peter Weissman

 

[Trae]

My subscription was supposed to last till 04-19.

The article in #58 says that there should be a new one by the end of Jan.

Has a new one opened yet?

 

[gerryvz]

Trae,

The new system has already opened, as of December I believe, here in the US for EPC members.

The post #58 is from, and talking about the Mercedes-Benz Club in the United Kingdom, not the US.

Here in this country, if you had an existing EPC subscription, it should have carried over to the new ISPPI (what I call the "Pee-Pee" system).

You should have received an e-mail with new login credentials and temporary password for Pee-Pee, from MB.

If you didn't get this information, then you need to go to http://epc.startekinfo.com and you will see a link to either renew, or "Contact Us" at the top of the screen to reach out to them with your existing EPC credentials, and ask them to re-send you new credentials for Pee-Pee.

Good luck !

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[8899]

I have a current, valid and paid subscription to the ISPPI. I have even used the PPI system on multiple occasions in the past. However, upon attempting to login today, I am receiving the "Login failed! Please check your user name and password". After multiple copy/pastes from the isppartsinformation email containing my user name and password....still no luck.

Then, attempts to change my password don't work either, because it apparently needs to be done my "HR department"...or some shit like that.

Anyway, does anyone have a customer support phone number for the ISPPI for login issues???

 

[linjam]

Anyone try using the new EPC/XPPPIS on an iPhone?

After choosing my or any model of car, here is my next screen every time:

 

[gsxr]

We'll need input from someone using a mobular device with iOS to assist. If XPISS is supposed to be supported, in theory it should work.

I don't know how anyone can navigate a technical site with a phone. To me it's like eating a bowl of soup with a fork wearing boxing gloves... using your feet. Sure, it's possible, but is it worth the high blood pressure? Full-size desktop workstation for me, 27" QHD screen, no scrolling.

 

[Ntrepid]

I’ve noticed the same thing but it even happened on a Mac. The common thread here is Safari. When I switched to Chrome, all gray went away.


Robert

 

[gerryvz]

I access the Pee-Pee system on my home Mac using Firefox, and have had zero issues. I don't bother with Safari although of course it is the default browser on iOS devices.

Given the complexity of the parts diagrams and descriptions, I would think it would be best to access Pee-Pee using a tablet or larger form factor device.

You have to remember that MB designs its systems (like ISPPI) to be used in dealerships, by dealership personnel sitting at parts counters or at desks, using desktop and laptop systems with larger screens. I do not believe that it translates well (or perhaps at all) to mobile form-factor, small-screen systems like a mobular phone.

My two cents.

The real panacea / remedy is to use the old EPC system, with the @gsxr-style model, on a Windows 2000 or XP machine, or if more performance is needed, a green-screen EPC terminal.

 

[linjam]

We'll need input from someone using a mobular device with iOS to assist. If XPISS is supposed to be supported, in theory it should work.

I don't know how anyone can navigate a technical site with a phone. To me it's like eating a bowl of soup with a fork wearing boxing gloves... using your feet. Sure, it's possible, but is it worth the high blood pressure? Full-size desktop workstation for me, 27" QHD screen, no scrolling.

Fair point, but in many situations, one doesn’t have the work station with them.

 

[linjam]

I’ve noticed the same thing but it even happened on a Mac. The common thread here is Safari. When I switched to Chrome, all gray went away.


Robert

Interesting

 

[linjam]

I access the Pee-Pee system on my home Mac using Firefox, and have had zero issues. I don't bother with Safari although of course it is the default browser on iOS devices.

We'll need input from someone using a mobular device with iOS to assist. If XPISS is supposed to be supported, in theory it should work.

It seems to work on my 2 screen Mac in Firefox. Additionally, I’ve started a new thread here:

New EPC subscriber needs help translating/navigating | Maintenance Documents

Up until this week I have for years been using dealer and other sites to do part searches. Despite the lack of reliability of availability and on which part is for which car, these sites are very easy to navigate. This week, I signed up for the Daimler EPC/XPPIS system, which I had not known...

www.500eboard.co

For some reason, I’m finding the EPC system (new subscriber) daunting and difficult to understand. I’ve read the very technical user manual pdf but no help. It’s just not hugely intuitive for me and much of it is a technical language and acronyms with which I’m unfamiliar. Any ideas would be welcome.

J

 

[gsxr]

Fair point, but in many situations, one doesn’t have the work station with them.

True. You may not be able to identify part numbers away from work or home. I can't do this either. I have to be at my desk in front of a PC to look up info.

 

[gerryvz]

True. You may not be able to identify part numbers away from work or home. I can't do this either. I have to be at my desk in front of a PC to look up info.

Yes, you actually have your own "smiley" that depicts you hard at work, doing this: ("gsxrepc")

 

[Jlaa]

The real panacea / remedy is to use the old EPC system, with the @gsxr-style model, on a Windows 2000 or XP machine, or if more performance is needed, a green-screen EPC terminal.

Green screens are for pedestrian-w124 owners. 036 owners use AMBER SCREENS.

Fair point, but in many situations, one doesn’t have the work station with them.

You may wish to look into the latest development in high-technology micro-computing. I believe it is called "Transportable Computers."

 

[gerryvz]

Green screens are for pedestrian-w124 owners. 036 owners use AMBER SCREENS.



You may wish to look into the latest development in high-technology micro-computing. I believe it is called "Transportable Computers."

View attachment 101476

View attachment 101477

We very definitely go "pedestrian" working behind the scenes here at the 500Eboard.....

 

[Jlaa]

We very definitely go "pedestrian" working behind the scenes here at the 500Eboard.....

I'm very sorry about that. Please accept my regrets.

You can clearly see here that amber screens are for only those posh enough to own 036s. Only amber screens are available in "super resolution for IBM PC with monochrome adapter."

 

[nocfn]

And an 8088 modem

 

[gerryvz]

I'm sure that @gsxr agrees: Real Men use green screens and command lines. No graphical user interfaces, etc. Those are crutches that get in the way of "real"computing.

On a more serious note, though .... some folks on and off-board have asked me why I don't use a GUI for site administration, like cPanel, Plesk or one of the other free alternatives. The reasons mainly are:

1) I use Ubuntu as the Linux version for this site, and it doesn't have cPanel available for it;
2) cPanel and Plesk are expensive -- around $10-12 a month for a license. I'm sort of cheap like that....I'd rather put that money into software licenses and stuff that adds value to the site.
3) You have to install cPanel and other GUIs BEFORE you install the operating system and any application software. I did not do that when I spooled up the 500Eboard server back in February 2019; and
4) Using a command-line interface is the very best way to learn how to do things, because you actually have to know what you are doing. It's sort of like using a calculator in math class back in the day, rather than doing your work long-hand. It was more important to learn the process (the "how" and "why") of an operation, rather than getting the right answer. Yes, command lines are much easier to f*ck things up with, but they also mean that you study and learn what you are doing. For me, that's important to learn new stuff, all the time. This site has been one HUGE learning experience over the past year, and I'm much the better for it.

 

[Vinnie]

Today I wanted to check part compatibility, logged into XENTRY portal, and it turned out that my subscription expired. Seemed normal as it was a year ago I purchased it. So I tried to renew it and...that's what I got:

​

Dear Customer,​

​

The purchase and extension of parts information for private persons through the Service & Parts net Portal is no longer available.​

​

Are you a commercial customer? If so, please use the options on Mercedes-Benz B2B Connect.​

​

Sincerely,​

Product Management Service & Parts net Portal​

For those of you whose subscription still lasts, it seems that you have no more than a year to go. But what after that? I do not have a commercial account in MB, so it won't allow me to purchase commercial access. Anyone knows sensible alternatives? Relying on free online EPC's associated with various stores does not seem to be a good idea, they are too general and often miss parts. Does it mean that private persons are doomed?

 

[jhodg5ck]

Nemigaparts.com is a Great resource. Mbepc.com is another.

They are solid/reliable IME.

Jono

 

[gerryvz]

I still recommend using the EPC that is found in the pre-packaged images available through this forum, for Oracle VirtualBox and VMware Fusion. These are factory items, and include the WIS if you need it. Otherwise, as Jono mentioned, there are decent resources online as well.

I have not seen any announcement that the ISPPI will no longer be made available to the public. If so, that is news.

That being said, the ISPPI, at least here in the US, is offered through MBUSA channels. See top center of the attached screen shot.