Wrecking Yard parts prices ... up, up and away !!!

[gerryvz]

I went to one of our LKQ yards yesterday, as they had a new 1993 500SEL (W140) that just entered the yard on Thursday. It was an ASR car; the EZL, MAF and ETA were already gone after just 1-1.5 days !!

The CAN box was untouched, and I was able to grab the LH computer from it. It was from 3-1993, so a mid-year 1993 LH, without WOT capability. I left the E-GAS unit (a 140 unit that works on the E500E, but with no cruise control); I already have two of them in my parts stock. I also left the ASR computer, as it is one for 8/12 cylinder models, and I have a couple of them as well.

I was shocked -- the price for just this single item at checkout, was an even $60 with tax !!

I remember when CAN computers were $30 at the LKQ yards in Houston, and even here in Maryland a couple of years ago at the LKQ yards were only $40-45. I believe the price of these parts has gone up a good 20-25% just in the past 6-9 months.

All of this is going to push up the prices for used parts even more. Even used non-WOT LH units like this one, are going to be priced much higher for those needing them.

Which reminds me -- I will test this new one in my car over the weekend to ensure that it is working properly.

 

[maw1124]

Yeah… but this inflation is transitory and ultra loose monetary policy is still appropriate, right? Not right.

maw

 

[JC220]

I typically find you get the best deals in parts yards by buying several items at once.

Eg buy one ECU and its £40 odd say. Buy 6x ECUs and they charge about £100. Go figure. Hence I usually go and pull as many good parts i'm interested in and group into one transaction for a better deal.

Besides the Covid effect rising costs to anything from puppies to timber, I have not seen a used parts prices rise this side of the pond as of yet.

But also remember these 1980s and 1990s MB parts are getting harder to find each year so as supply of good donors dries up expect prices to rise - perhaps sharply.

Like w140 locking pumps have done here for example in recent years. £450 odd now for a used one. Hence why I have 20x / 25x lock pumps mostly from S classes stashed away. Not for resale mind but for maintenance of my own cars.

Get em while they are cheap is all I can say! I scout the yards monthly for new cadavers. Went this morning for a 2 hour round trip to check a MB yard. Nothing "new" in except perhaps the roughest w124 I've laid eyes on. Looked like a bio hazard so didn't even open the door.

 

[Kyiv]

Yeah… but this inflation is transitory and ultra loose monetary policy is still appropriate, right? Not right.

maw

Come on!!! Man!!

 

[a777fan]

@gerryvz, 60 usd tax inclusive seems about right from my experience. I think the Pull a parts out here on the west coast have been ~50 per compy module for a few years now.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

I typically find you get the best deals in parts yards by buying several items at once.

This is my experience as well, particularly if you load a 5 gal bucket with misc parts (along with real valuables), such as switches, trim pieces, airbox locking clamps, etc. I literally dump (gently) the bucket onto the table at the checkout: it's almost "too much work" for them to calculate all the bits and pieces.

But the prices indeed have gone up. Last year I a set of 17" Carlsson wheels (tires removed) from pic-a-part in Stafford VA ended up being $120, now, $50.02 Each plus $14.96 core? Core for what?

I also noticed that cars, MB particularly, first sit in the "private" lot for a long time for premium parts $$$, then, by the time I see them anything goes lot, many part's already gone, such as computers, MAF, top controllers, ICM etc... and these cars sit on pic-a-part lot also considerably longer. I check online inventory at the local yards daily...

Regards,
D

 

[gsxr]

But the prices indeed have gone up. Last year I a set of 17" Carlsson wheels (tires removed) from pic-a-part in Stafford VA ended up being $120, now, $50.02 Each plus $14.96 core? Core for what?

LOL... yeah, the local yards here have the same weird thing. Tire+wheel (alloy) is $22/ea plus $13 core, or ~$150/set regardless of condition. I think the core is for the wheel. Yours is worse at ~$275/set. It's like they don't want you to buy them.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Yours is worse at ~$275/set. It's like they don't want you to buy them.

Exactly!!!

Lets be real, finding wheels in great condition at the junk yard is - chances are slim, unless someone needs a replacement wheel for the stock unit. What we'll find, wheels in need of full refurb, and locally, its $150 for a dip bath per wheel, then the cost of powder coat, by the time you all set and done, a set of 17" wheels will run way pass $1000... There are exceptions indeed, but usually, wheels that worth anything - owners remove before sending the car to the yard.

 

[gerryvz]

Good article about those of us who live for the finds we get in the wrecking yards:

On the Verge of Unobtainium: A mad junkyard dash to save endangered parts - Hagerty Media

Finding parts for my lovingly restored ’89 Lincoln Continental is quickly headed down a path well-known to owners of vintage Packards and Plymouths.

www.hagerty.com

 

[EDMB500]

It could be worse. You could be stuck without access to such treasure troves and have to import everything…… ask me how I know.

Nice article link Gerry. If livin in the past is bad, call me james brown

 

[gerryvz]

I just found out yesterday that LKQ is closing one of its' five Baltimore-area wrecking yards, as of February 28th. This is the LKQ yard in Jessup, Maryland, just a couple of miles north of National Security Agency (NSA) galactic headquarters in Fort Meade, MD.

The reason for this is environmental -- this particular yard is on a flood plain, and has a creek flowing right through the middle of it. I have noticed that LKQ did MAJOR MAJOR work about a year or 18 months ago to mediate major pollution spillage into the creek -- moving the car rows further away from the creek, and adding grass, hay bales, rocks, and other water and pollution mitigation on both sides of the creek. Evidently it was not enough.

Anyway, the last few weeks of the yard's operation, they will be having sales of 25%, then 50%, then 75% off of all parts on cars in the yard.

As of January 17th, the yard is no longer taking in any new/wrecked cars into inventory, so any parts one would want to buy, would have to come off of existing cars in the yard.

If you are interested, here is LKQ's page for the yard that allows you to search current inventory.

Vehicle Inventory | Baltimore - Hawkins | LKQ Pick Your Part

LKQ Pick Your Part - Baltimore - Hawkins We update our salvage yard daily with the largest selection of used vehicles to pick and pull OEM used auto parts.

www.lkqpickyourpart.com

This is the second-closest LKQ yard to my house, and over the past 5 years has by far been the most lucrative one in terms of having good Benz models (and the most frequent 400E420s in its cars). From now on, I'll primarily have to go to the LKQ yards at Baltimore/Hawkins Point (slgihtly closer to my house than the Jessup yard), and the Baltimore/Erdman yard (which is 35-40 mins away, and requiring me to go through the Baltimore Harbor Tunnel under Baltimore harbor). The LKQ yards in Edgewood, MD and Mt. Airy, MD are much further (75 minutes drive) away, but fortunately don't often have that great of Benzes. Erdman and Hawkins Point generally have decent Benz selections.

 

[EDMB500]

For the guys here who go picking, do you only go when you need something or is it more often something you do for a day out cause you enjoy it? I used to love going to the scrapper and wondering round with my dad

 

[ccrelan]

Wow, the Jessup yard was the busiest of the five MD locations and had the quickest turnover.

 

[gerryvz]

Wow, the Jessup yard was the busiest of the five MD locations and had the quickest turnover.

Yep. Cars generally lasted less than a month in that yard. But they would get 2-4 400E420s in per year, and a fair number of 126s too. You had to be Johnny on the Spot to get in there and get the good parts. Often when a good car would come in, the good stuff would be gone buy early afternoon the same day it was a placed in the yard (126 = fuel distributor; M119 ASR = ETA, EZL, computers, etc.)

 

[emerydc8]

I'm planning on visiting a wrecking yard today to scavenge a bumper from a W124 that recently showed up. Years ago, one of our forum members posted a list of tools that would be good to have for scavenging common parts from these cars, but I can't seem to find it. I've loaded up a bucket full of various screwdrivers, ratchets (1/4" and 3/8"), extensions, 10mm, 13mm, 17mm sockets and wrenches, torx bits, needle nose pliers, cutters, channel locks, vice grips, and radio and instrument cluster removal tools. Since it's an M104 I don't think much in the engine compartment would be desirable. Any other suggestions?

 

[sheward]

Don't forget the lowly 8mm and some trim removal tools. I think you've got it covered.

 

[gerryvz]

That's about right. I bring sockets ranging from 8mm all the way up to 16mm, plus an 18 and a 19 just to be safe if there any large bolts to be removed (suspension, etc.). I generally travel light and have two each of screwdrivers (large and small flat and Philips), plus a set of Allen wrenches and Allen sockets (3/8"). Pliers - needle nose, channel locks, a regular pair and a Vise-Grip. I don't usually bring Torx unless there is something I know has it that I need. With just a hand-bag of tools (like you would put a computer laptop into), I have the tools for about 90% of jobs, including things like removing valve covers to get at cam oiler tubes.

Probably the biggest time saver I have ever had is a motorized Milwaukee 3/8" ratchet. Huge saver for things like valve cover and cam tower removal, getting at valve bodies, sunroof cartridge removal, and so forth. Just make sure the battery is well charged in advance.

 

[gsxr]

Im planning on visiting a wrecking yard today to scavenge a bumper from a W124 that recently showed up. Years ago, one of our forum members posted a list of tools that would be good to have for scavenging common parts from these cars, but I cant seem to find it. Ive loaded up a bucket full of various screwdrivers, ratchets (1/4 and 3/8), extensions, 10mm, 13mm, 17mm sockets and wrenches, torx bits, needle nose pliers, cutters, channel locks, vice grips, and radio and instrument cluster removal tools. Since its an M104 I dont think much in the engine compartment would be desirable. Any other suggestions?

Jon, the front bumper is pretty easy to remove. 10mm and 13mm nuts at the sides, front, and center/top. Cut the temp sensor wire if you don't need it. The rear bumper needs 13mm and 10mm as well, IIRC.

How much you scavenge from the car will depend on condition. I've seen cars that are in such bad shape almost nothing was usable, while others have been relative gold mines. Also depends if you only want stuff that is useful for the 034/036's you own, or if you are also looking for items of value to re-sell and recoup some $$$.

What year/model M104, btw?

 

[emerydc8]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I’ll bring a whole set of sockets and my Milwaukee M18. I forgot about Allens so I’ll add that to the list.
Dave, it’s a 1994 E320. I removed my old rear bumper last night in less than 20 minutes. You’re right— It was only 9 nuts (10mm & 13mm), plus the battery removal to make it easier. I already have a new rear bumper strip so I’m hoping the rest is okay, otherwise it’s two hours to Phoenix.

 

[gsxr]

Jon, check for the low-hanging fruits... headlight wipers/motors (optional on E320, may not have those)... rear view mirror... misc relays... etc. The engine wire harness is worth a few hundred bucks if it's a late datecode with good wiring, but may take an hour or so to extract intact. Also, depends how proud the junkyard is of their warez. Some west-coast Pick+Pull pricing is just ridiculous.

 

[JC220]

I also bring a petrol Stihl disc cutter with me on most wrecking yard visits. Maybe ill need a good quarter panel off a 124 etc. Or to pilfer an S class for the lock pumps and amps in the boot one key fits all!

 

[mikeym]

ETA, ECU, Flower bolts, some of the engine trim pieces are NLA but likely disintegrated, blower motor, sunroof hardware etc.
I would grab those if prices are reasonable

 

[emerydc8]

The rear bumper on the car was worse than the one I'm trying to replace. Overall, the car was in pretty bad shape. The interior was trashed. The drive shaft was laying across the seats. The key was stuck in the ignition so I couldn't even get the trunk open. It took an hour just to walk to their "other" yard across the street from the office, so I didn't have much time. I took the low hanging fruit, but I think most everything has been picked off this car. It wasn't a total waste for $60 though.