To be honest I don't think it is really worth my time if I can buy one. If I couldn't get one then I'd make one but so far the spares availability on both my W123 and my W201 has been exceptional. This is one of the reasons why I bought Mercedes in the first place.

The dealer spare parts prices can be very expensive. But I have found numerous parts (often "made" by Febi) to be more expensive than those sold at "stealerships". However, I must admit that more often than not the dealer is the more expensive option. But you have to offset that against the likelihood that the dealer can actually get the part and you know it is going to fit (well 99% chance it will fit) - and you know that the dealer can usually find a part that isn't made by others.

Mercedes provide a fantastic spare parts service.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!