Getting the EPC is easy, Free, and the parts guys are generally impressed when you start spiting out parts numbers! lol I made my last order with the dealer in about 5 minuets because there was none of this year make model crap. just google "mercedes epc"

Seeing that you live in LA you are not far from a few dealers, or the classic center. If the guy at your dealer is unwilling to help you, cast your dollar vote somewhere else; give someone who is willing to help you your business.

Agreed, most dealers don't carry items for cars that old.

Mine in Erie is the same way. However the parts guy has always been more than happy to order them from where ever they get ordered from. They just don't stock any items like oil filters, glow plugs, etc.

I wonder what would happen if I brought a new diesel car made in this decade to them :eek:

Agree
 

Mercedes Service Manual thread, CD/DVD/Paper
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/general-information/248948-mercedes-service-manual-source-cd-dvd-paper.html

You're right about that! There was this guy about my age who used to work for the parts department, and he'd be like "how do you know these part numbers and how to look this stuff up?" He was impressed when I told him I had the same software he was using on my home computer.:D

It also comes in handy because sometimes, if you tell them exactly what you're looking for, like certain Euro specific parts, they'll tell you that they can't get it without even trying. But if you give them the part number and don't tell them what it's for, odds are they'll have it sent from Germany.

Yes
 

The list of what you can NOT get for a W123 is very short..

Unobtainium MB Diesel parts List
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/267879-unobtainium-mb-diesel-parts-list.html

Have a great day.

Yeah, sometimes I'll call the dealer and tell 'em what page I'm on, to see if that will help. They've told me they have a better version, I believe it.

If you are working from the online EPC it should be the same version as the dealers look at. Forget the stuff on DVDs you buy on ebay, those are worthless as most of the PNs are superseded.

^ Yeah, that epc, the girl at the parts counter mentioned they have a different version.