Quote:
Originally Posted by gsxr
Parts.com takes care of the first issue (when an OEM aftermarket equivalent part is not available). Only certain brands have become unreliable in recent years (i.e, Meyle & Febi). I'm assuming everyone already knows to avoid Uro/FEQ/APA like the plague along with Trucktec, HamburgTech, and some of the other purveyors of Chinese junk.
For the second issue, that mostly affects cosmetic/interior items that have nothing to do with keeping the car functioning normally. You're not going to find the Mercedes dealer telling you that brake rotors/pads, belts, filters, or engine gaskets are "no longer available".
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So far, aftermarket brake parts, belts & filters haven't been a problem with my W123s. Drivetrain and suspension parts are another matter, and till now, the few times I've had to get something from the dealer, the price wasn't too prohibitive.
BUT - New factory blower-motors are running over $400 these days. And I get the feeling that it's only a matter of time before Mercedes' bean-counters price our oldtimers out of existence.
Happy Motoring, Mark