I have been collecting spare parts from the few 116 and 123 cars that come into the junk yards locally. As noted in other threads, the numbers are dropping. So far, the parts I have brought home only seem to insure that I will not need what I pull, just the parts I didn't pull! I would like to continue driving these cars for many more years, and would like to continue to collect spares while they are cheap, or even available.

What are others squirreling away for the future? I have been picking up switches, glowplug relays, instrument clusters, inside door levers (had a couple of broken ones), tranny, etc. I recently managed to get most of the side glass for a TD, after I needed a drivers window and had trouble finding one. I gasped at the retail cost of a new one!

What else should I be picking up? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

W.

I'm wanting a spare engine and have one in the pipeline. Pulling one, along with a spare trans, is really good insurance and if you pull it yourself you can be sure it has all the accessories (alternator, starter, vacuum fiddly bits, etc.) to keep yours running pretty much forever. And if you DO fail an engine the back-up is on hand.

As far as the body bits, etc - what would I know about that!!??

Dan

Must have are all the small electrical boxes and sensors to allow swap testing, most stuff in a single box, along w/ new glow plugs and such that I buy cheaper in bulk. Largest is my old 85 engine that I will rebuild eventually (so far just changed cyl sleeves). I don't fear these cars becoming scarce any time soon. I see 300D's regularly in the JY (though more 300SD's), and I have little trouble finding parts for my 60's Mopars. I probably wouldn't store a tranny since I think 86+ ones will fit, or even the latest NAG1.

__________________
1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

The MB Dealer parts supply will slowly dry up as there become less and less vehicles of the various models.
As it is now there is parts that are NLA in the MB inventory.

As that other thread, about have we peaked on the supply of 123 and 126 in the JY`s. they are dwindling.

As time goes on, the parts from parted out cars will become pricier and pricier. It would be good to start collecting some of these $300 cars.

Here is a 85 300D for $450
85 Mercedes 300D (with Veggie kits)

77 240D $500 and a 82 300D $800 for both
1977 Mercedes Benz 240D DIESEL

79 300D $600
1977 Mercedes Benz 240D DIESEL

81 300D $750 w/chevy engine. good for parts
1977 Mercedes Benz 240D DIESEL

79 300D $700 obo
PARTING 1979 MERCEDES 300SD, FANTASTIC INTERIOR BODY ENGINE w123

80 300D w/turbo engine $600
1980 MERCEDES 300 D

85 300TD $800
1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TD parts car

79 300TD $1000
1979 Mercedes 300TD Wagon parts car


Walter here are a few in your area, some maybe too far. Part them out if you have the room.


Charlie

sent from my pos computer

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I remember Zacharias saying that there is some version of Murphy's law that states that the part that fails will never be one of the ones that you have a spare to .

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

That's why you buy lots of old junker cars. Then hopefully one will have the part.....that works or is useable.


Charlie


sent from my pos computer

__________________
there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

This is an interesting conversation. Those who are fortunate to have the luxury of space can afford to stockpile collections of spare parts, or even entire cars without too much of an inconvenience. With space also comes the ability to spread out and work on a car yourself.

Those of us who live in major urban centers typically do not enjoy these luxuries, yet W115/123/126/140 ownership remains quite popular here in NYC. For better or for worse, tend to rely much more heavily on the handful of mechanics who still know these cars well for major work--especially when an investment in expensive or space-consuming task-specific tools isn't practical.

On the other hand, the environment here is also one of the most abusive ones for these vehicles. It makes little sense to own a pristine example as a daily with the knowledge that it'll deteriorate much faster due to stop and go traffic, salt, inevitable street parking damage and exceptionally poor pavement quality (either due to the still-common presence of cobblestones, poor road maintenance or a combination of both).

So, all this being said, once critical wear parts really do become scarce, our cars will doubtlessly be the first to go.

__________________

My suggestion: Rust is your big enemy, I'd be stocking up on complete rust-free cars and storing them in a dry location. If grabbing individual parts:

-window switches, regulators, glass
-vacuum pods/etc (doors, ACC, transmission/engine)
-Front and Rear fenders, bumpers, lights, a hood and trunk lid with chrome
-steering box
-front and rear lower control arms, suspension springs
-rims
-spare known good engine and transmission
-rear hydraulic struts and control valve and hydraulic pump (for the TD owners)
-complete drive-shaft
-differential, couple sets of half-axles

Buy new from the dealer and store inside your house:
-all suspension rubber, engine mounts, flex discs, muffler hangers (TD owners: accumulators), and hardware kits.
-all door rubber seals, sunroof seals, front/rear windshield seals
-steering idler arm rebuild kits

__________________
Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

ask VSTech if that's a wise plan...

I always check junkyard cars for parts that happened to have been replaced just before the car "died." This is especially true for suspension parts as it's easy to see from the different level of dirt and the stickers that mechanics often don't remove that a part is newish. Most of these parts are easy to remove and store.

One of the "modules" or relays that sometimes is missed is the sunroof relay. In 124 models this is located near the sunroof motor and is 124-821-00-47. The 116, 123, and 126 don't appear to use a relay, at least I can't find it. If the 210 has a sunroof relay, it's either part of another "module" or cunningly hidden in EPC.

Jeremy

__________________

"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

Kind of off topic, I agree that NYC's environment is tougher than most for the reasons you stated but I think the corrosive effects of salt are actually reduced in urban areas. In the city you have the "urban heat" which speeds melting of snow/salt slurry and down the storm drain it goes, pair this with increased traffic/plowing and the busier roads just stay cleaner.

Thanks for the responses. I do have space for a couple of parts cars, however am in a moisture belt that is not kind to long term stored cars. I will be watching for some cheap parts cars locally in the future.

Thanks for listing the prospective parts cars Charlie. Some were a little far to go but several were very tempting!

Your responses were enough to get me to brave the 100 degree heat long enough to pull parts off of a hard ridden 123 TD today. I got the tranny, rear sls shocks, sls valve, windshield, hatch glass, hatch hinges, instrument cluster, and dash trim. I got the master cylinder and brake assist. I was working on removing the hard lines for the sls when we just ran out of steam. Too hot. The motor was pulled on Monday, so didn't get the sls pump.

I kept telling myself I was having fun. My wife went with and helped pull the parts. Need I say she is supportive of my hobbies?

Thanks for your comments!

W.