Reading this endless thread, there seems to be different stories about whether MB USA or individual dealers will help out owners with the cost of replacing a deteriorated wire harness, and general concensus that it's not cheap. I have these two questions?
a) Do the replacement harnesses hold up all right? I've read some comments about having to do multiple replacements, but it's not clear if they're replacing the same harness more than once, or if other harnesses deteriorate after the first one (underhood?) goes bad.
b) Is there an aftermarket source for replacement harnesses? I've fabricated harnesses (for yachts) on a semi-production basis, and I must say that the prices that people say they've paid seem very high, assuming that it's just plain copper wire with DIN spec plugs, which ought to be available wholesale. The harnesses I've made all used tinned copper wire with special insulation, and the wrapping had to be a special marine "worm" type. The standard type of automotive wrapping tends to end up in the bilge, tightly wound around the impeller shafts of the bilge pumps.

I just did a minor investigation on Google, and came up with no harnesses for MB, but, for example, a complete harness for an ENTIRE '57 chevy costs $399. And it probably has fewer connectors and less wire than the engine compartment harness for a MB 300.
Then I discovered a company called Autoparts Warehouse quotes prices for mid-90's MB's:
Year Engine Chassis Quantity

Mercedes Benz C220 1994 - 1996 111.961 202.022
Price: $56.92

Mercedes Benz C220 1994 - 1996 111.961 202.022
Price: $56.92

Mercedes Benz C280 1994 - 1997 104.941 202.028
Price: $56.92

Mercedes Benz C280 1994 - 1997 104.941 202.028
Price: $56.92

Which is cheaper than I could ever make one for. Am I comparing apples and oranges here?
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