Is there something wrong with Houston dealers
 

The SW houston dealers - MB sugarland are completely off the hook mad I think.

I called to ask for availability of shifter linkage bushings, (BIL car needs them) - I am told sir they are 14 dollars each - WHAT.. And they are so snobbish that they kind of make fun of you for driving an older car.

whats up with that?

BIL ordered from here afterwards - along with other bits n pieces like filters.

In general there seems to be a marked difference in attitude toward the older cars, depending on how long the dealership has been in operation.

The dealers that have been around since the 1960s are generally much more professional in attitude toward those of us who own the older chassis models, than the ones that jumped on the bandwagon in the last decade or so. There is often no practical knowledge base among the latecomer dealer staff on the older chassis (unless they hire staff away from the older dealers).

You aren't the first to complain about Houston; but the problem isn't by any means unique to that area.

I would think that the dealership would enjoy pointing out your car to a prospective first time buyer saying, "See how long they last?"

You'd think.:confused:

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha (sorry). :P

From what I have heard over the years, the main qualification for someone to get a new Mercedes dealership these days appears to be the words "greedy bastard" at the very top of their resume....

hmm - its not revolving in houston then.. Ive visited some parts places in Turkey that sell MB parts - those guys are gems compared to the gang at Sugarland MB who act like "Im holier than thou because I drive a NEW mercedes"

Drive up at my local dealership (Mercedes Benz of Wilmington) and the vultures don't even raise their eyebrows. That's OK as they would be wasting their own time trying to get me to spend how much on a car??? However, the parts guys are fantastic, willing to order "trinkets" (low value stuff) and will provide a discount on the higher $ stuff (wiring harness) to get the sale. The best part is that anything is available. Try that at your Ford dealership:D

Turkish Taxis!!
The best parts supply places in Australia get their parts via Lebanon. The stealers cant get near them on price or availability.
I may poke fun at middle eastern muslims at times but these guys have a great business ethic!! ;)

My local dealer is great. There is one guy with more than 20 years on Mercedes and he knows how to explore the old parts listings. The younger guys have good attitudes and they do their best... though they are better trained on the new stuff.

Or... like me I make friends with the younger guys who admire the older models. They sell to me wholesale prices because I bring the part numbers in for them.

i go to the dealer once in a while for service and parts and they treat me pretty good. apparently i have the oldest car with the most miles that they work on. all i have is a 99 with 260k

Some european shops here locally wont work on my diesel ,I think its because theyll get their hands dirty.I rely on myself for 90% of stuff needed and my friendly mechanic who sometimes works out of his truck makes a big differences in big jobs..Ive had good and bad out of stealerships in Houston ,Ive been at the dealership you speak of ,try the one off 45 north ,they seem more friendly.In parts price wise it seems like theyre prices change from shop to shop , price around town or order thru PP WOULD BE YOUR BEST BET.

May be it is taking some time to filter over the sea - but here there are several dealers who go for a Classic Mercedes rating / certificate / approval. They seem quite proud to be a dealership that "does the old ones too".

I lived in Bear for a few years and had the same experience with them. Excellent parts guys but the other folks looked at you like you were an alien (couldn't afford a new Merc)

The dealerships are the same way here in Orlando. The dealership wanted $25 a side for headlight wiper blades and were rude when I asked if they would honor my MBCA discount.

After that phone call I called MBUSA customer support and let them know how rude the dealership was and how inflated their prices are. If I need dealership only parts I order from a dealership in Cali which has very very fair prices and are more about customer service than making a buck.

Subscription to EPC-net Online is free - you can look up your own parts.

I have a new benzo but it's a cheap one. ;) They still look at you with disdain, new or old. I think it just comes from the poor parts guys dealing with snobby bastards all day long (new benzo owners :thumbsup:).

One of my local dealers I won't even stop at for parts, the place where I bought my new one. The other one I stopped in for an oil filter for it's first change and they weren't quite sure why I would even be buying one. But they were friendly and made sure I had a new drain gasket too. You think I'm going to pay them $150 to change my oil????

I don't bother with any of them for the old car. If I need a dealer item I get it from Tom at the Classic Center in Irvine. Try him out. For aftermarket and maintenance stuff, hard to beat peachparts and the other e-tailers.