__I couldnt survive without them-maybe I go there once/twice a month ( I talk to the workers and I make buddies there)

__ They are a major source of parts for me; I go there once every two months or so

__ I do get parts there occasionally--maybe once or twice a year(why get your hands dirty--thats what EBAY is for)


__ I have been to one, but they are disgusting...( 1 time in 2 years)

__ Are you kidding? What if my boss, neighbors or friends saw me parked there--i would have to tell them I thought it was a Strip Joint (Never) because the yard said U STRIP IT

id pick option 1

__________________
have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it

Around my area, most wont let you out in their yard, and have a monkey retrieve whatever part you wanted instead!

They're freaked out about liability and lawsuits!

Years ago, I could walk back in any yard and choose and pick whatever part I was looking for.

I would love to go to one to get parts. Problem is there is not a single MB of any kind in a junkyard ANYWHERE around here.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

There's really no option there for me. But, option 3 would be closest. I usually go to the MB dealer for parts, but, if I need something like an antenna motor, door or window switch, or some Euro lights or something like that, the junk yard would be the place for me.
-Joe

__________________
'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

I have several U pull yards near me. Timing is everything; the owner told me they only keep W123 cars for a couple of weeks at the most--then off to the crusher.
I was at the yard one day when a clean 300TD was delivered--damage to the right front-grille, hood, headlights were smashed. Otherwise car was clean and complete. I told a friend about it and he asked me to get the window switches. I returned and they were GONE.

Based on postings here over the last 6 to 8 months, I would say that being your own junk yard is the best policy. For one thing the parts don't get away before you can liberate then from the donor vehicle. Granted, you have to have a suitable location to keep a couple of W123's or so, but with scrap steel prices at very high levels, the real stuff (as opposed to recycled beer cans) will not last in the JY's long.

__________________
1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

I have a similar situation like Vwbuge has but the ones that do have MB's didn't have W123's or W126's last time I checked them.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

and loving it, especially the U PULL IT YARDS... I dont expect to stop going to them, either. They are getting better organized and more competitive everyday..which is starting to be a hassle..i remember this one yard down here in rural New Jersey, it used to be a lot of fun and a real great place, but now they are computerized and networked, its not the same anymore,,,,

A real true junkyard junkie starts his own........

William Rogers........

Yep, nobody likes a high-tech junkyard..... suddenly they start soaking you for parts like $65 for right side view mirror.

And you've got to look like you know what you're doing before they let you roam...... wear old clothes, sturdy boots and carry your tool bucket to the counter.

Also I never ignore the junkyard dog if he approaches me. Yard near me has vicious looking pitbull that likes me alot, walking up to me and licking my hand.

What I like to see is colony of junkyards, like 3 in the same neighborhood. Rules generally include No alcohol and No firearms.

Another courtesy is to stay out of the way of forklift operators, give em clearance when they back up.

I AM the EBAY supplier and im option B

__________________
Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)

I would like to be option B, or even A (If Mrs would let me )
The only reason why I don't, is that in this state, there seems to be only 2 or 3 which carry MB's, and you don't want to ask the price of parts there. Just ask the new price and divide by 2 for a worn out part.
This is why I have a parts car. It cost me $400, was driven here, the PO took the licence plates for refund of licence fee.
I have liberated the following parts so far.
Rear Bumper,
Front Bumper,
Tow bar,
Glove Box door inner panel,
Fuel tank,
Fuel line (for my WVO line)
Remote central locking and immobiliser kit (used only one actuator to activate the vacuum C/Lock)
Clock from Inst panel.
This has saved me over $1500 so far, at current parts yard prices.
It still has 4 near new tyres on Steel wheels, 250 carb engine, all glass, all running gear.
With 3 running 300D's in the stable, I need a parts car to ensure that they all go well.

__________________
Tony from West Oz.
Fatmobile 3 84 300D 295kkm Silver grey/Blue int. 2 tank WVO - Recipient of TurboDesel engine.
Josephine '82 300D 390kkm White/Palamino int.
Elizabeth '81 280E, sporting a '79 300D engine.
Lucille '87 W124 300D non-turbo 6 cylinder OM603, Pearl Grey with light grey interior


Various parts cars including 280E, 230C & 300D in various states of disassembly.

I've used junkyards a few times over the years but not for MB. Steering rack for a minivan, Saab radiator, Chrysler A/C compressor, Chevy door or rear end, etc. When I got the SD, I already knew the parts were hard to come by and $$$ around here. I picked up a parts car in really good shape for a parts car. (I drove it home) It's already paid for itself, and there's plenty left. Best way to do it IMHO if you have an old barn to stash it in

most junkyards around here think they are the steelership, hi presure, snotty, an basicly treat you like your lower than dirt. So in my travels, when I see a good doner car, usually 300 bucks, I just buy it and then cover it, an sit it in the back 40 acres till I need something. I also use the doner cars to figure out how thing come apart so when I have to perform the task on my good one, I got it down pat. sure glad I bought a towing dollie


chip