Does anybody have any suggestions for spare parts I should have on hand? Whenever I put in an order for something I need right away I always add a few things to meet the $100 free shipping price and to have some stuff here, so I already have several fuel filters, air cleaner, bulbs, but I'm just picking obvious stuff. Been reading some threads on oil and diff changes so might attempt my first ever oil and diff change --- maybe somebody can suggest an oil filter brand. Wouldn't mind having an extra oil plug and both diff plugs but if Phil doesn't carry these who does? Sure wouldn't want to misplace one of those. Wouldn't be hard for me to do. Had the black cover off the glow plug timer checking glow plug resistance according to DieselGiant's excellent pictures. When done I slammed the hood down and if it hadn't luckily fallen off the bumper where I put it for safe keeping it probably would have gone for a little ride. Fuses, some extra nuts for the glow plug wires. Some stuff from DieselGiant. Those pictures and instructions are great and no charge!

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1985 300D Turbo
"Evolution is God's way of giving upgrades" Francis Collins

I used hengst but it is full of cotton waste like the rest.. I would go out and look for the Fram filter for our cars that is made in Turkey (has a woven cotten style filter thing)..

But I mainly use hengst all around.

The diff plugs you would never loose... Just don't change the diff oil by a sewer and drop the plug (rember remove the fill plug first)

If you lose either plug, you won't know about it until the diff fries from lack of oil, in which case a spare plug won't do any good.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Not sure how much you need to spend, but here are a few common W123 PM items:

Fuel primer pump
Glow plugs
Glow plug fuse
Power steering filter
Coolant bottle cap
Vacuum connectors (3-way & 4-way)
Radiator hoses
Coolant bottle hoses (2)
Transmission cooler hoses
Flex discs
Idler arm bushing
Brake pads
Brake fluid
Sway bar links
Oil cap gasket
Fuel cap gasket
Fitted fuel hose at tank
Engine compartment fuel hoses
Front crankshaft seal & spacer
Oil filter o-rings (2)
Air filter mounts (3)
Air filter bracket
Breather hose (new style)
Transmission shifter bushings
Drive belts

Considering what it typically takes to remove those plugs, I suspect not many get lost. At least not by falling out.

The diff plugs you would never loose... Just don't change the diff oil by a sewer and drop the plug (rember remove the fill plug first)
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Just want to compile a list of nice parts to have on hand to tack on to future orders.
I didn't mean that the diff plugs might fall out. I've been reading some threads and see how difficult they could be to remove. Just thinking that I might misplace one (or drop it down a sewer---yikes!!!) or maybe even mangle one getting it out. Too familiar with that Irishman Murph. Besides, if it's rusted or corroded I'll feel good just replacing it. Like maybe the car knows. Or maybe on that day of final accounting St Peter will look in his book and say "You put those rusted diff plugs in a MERCEDES!" (Sorry about that, I've been reading the thread on how people miss their Mercedes and I'm not thinking straight).
I always get a good feeling when I discover some thoughtful engineering like the built in fuel primer pump or the built in first aid kit. Or free roadside assistance for every owner of a Mercedes. You mean customer convenience and safety are actually more important than the bottom line??? Building a product you can be proud of is more important than the bottom line??? Wow, wonder if its still true today.

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1985 300D Turbo
"Evolution is God's way of giving upgrades" Francis Collins

Carry a spare glow plug relay fuse, the fuel hose that runs from injector to injector and have a spare end piece of hose with the plug in it, the one that comes off of #5. All cheap stuff and stuff you will never find on the road in Timbuktu.

Len

Don't really count on it.. They will only put your spare tire on and other little things. Most of us here are probably on par with the tecs at the dealership on most things diesel related

http://*************** has a $50 minimum for free shipping. Fuse upgrades available at http://**************.com all orders billed for shipping, they carry some stuff no one else does. New style primer pump for sure, unless bio, then old style, these things leak, albeit only in use. Vac lines and hoses in various sizes. Brake fluid is everywhere. Front crank seal, yes, you'll eventually need to replace. tangofox does pretty good, however, some overkill.

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83 SD

84 CD

Unless you own a well tuned crystal ball, buying repair parts in advance is a waste of money. When you need to pad an order to save shipping costs or get a discount, buy things that you KNOW that you will eventually need such as filters, belts, brake pads, glow plugs and maybe diesel purge.

Good luck.