I had the balancer campaign done on my '99 ML320 by a dealer today, and then bought some oil filters, plus washers for the '99. Since the dealer sold/serviced BMW's, I got filters and washers also for my '06 325i. The MB parts were about 3X's over the cost for the BMW! The copper washers were .60 v. .20, and the filters were 21.00 v. 8.60. Why is that? (Inaddition, BMW Parts would not sell me the oil filter wrench to R/R the filter cap Why is that,again?)

Simple. A MB is a highline car where dealerships can command a high price for parts--and there is low demand for MB parts outside the dealerships, as very few MB owners work on their own cars (as compared to say the percentage of Ford owners who work on thier own cars). I too have a MB and BMW and have seen the difference (although the BMW parts are by no means cheap). Also, MB has a nasty habit of changing parts for cars, even though the models themselves really do not change (say rear shocks on 98 and 99 ML s to the 00-02 trucks). This creates a part where demand for an individual model number is lower. BMW has many parts that are standard across all sedans, and even some of the SAVs as they call them.

As for the oil filter cap wrench, did they refuse to sell it to you, or did they not have it to sell to you? Dealers often do not have special tools to sell, as they order them in for their mechanics special. However, if you have an 06 3 series, why are you buying filters and such anyway...it is all covered by the maintenance plan. I am always one for doing work myself, but if the labor AND parts are provided free by the dealer, why not just let them do it? I would not even think of changing the oil in my M3 myself, as I had to buy a quart to top it off once and found out it is $11 per quart (only availible through the dealer) and it takes 10 quarts to do the job.

DCF, My comments about the cost of parts was somewhat facetious. However, you do make some points about marketing I had not thought of. Regarding the wrench, the dealer's Parts Department would not sell it to me because "it's a tech tool". They also said, if I asked for an oil change before the 12 month of ownership, they would gladly charge me to do it. With all my cars, I do an oil change at the first 1000 miles using synthetic 0W40 or 5W30 for the 325i. Yet Porsche gladly sold the wrench to me, so I could change out the filter and the 10 of 12Qts. of Mobil 1 0W40 in my GT3 without any drama. I'll find the O.E. part somewhere.

along the same line, at least in my area, the dealer markup on parts is extremely high, 200% over MSRP minimum. I found out that the cheaper the part, the higher the markup. A $1 bolt is sold to me at $3.50, if not because of the inconvenience, I would have told them to go pound sand.

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98 ML320 (gone but not forgotten)

And they know that, and that is how they can get away with doing it. After all, who is going to order a 3 dollar part off the internet (plus s+h), wait 3 days for it to arrive, all while there car is up on jackstands, when they could just run down the street and see the dealer. I'll tell you, its one step short of slinging crack rock!

You mibht want to check with the Chrysler dealer. Don't hold me to this, but I believe the ML filter is the same one used in the Crossfire. It would stand to reason since the ML is a Detroit car all the way down to how the horn honks with the key off. Maybe some one who knows for sure can jump in here.

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

This hardly matters to me, because the local MB dealer doesn't have anything in stock anyway.

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86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

As a follow-up, I did find the E90's engine oil filter cap wrench that no BMW dealer would sell to me, unlike Benz or Porsche. The O.E. number is 90886119240 by Cartool Gmbh. I got it from Bimmer Parts CO. 800 274 2466.

I have mentioned this before in other posts, but Phil at Fastlane has saved me considerable $$$$ on MB parts, even with the shipping charges and has gone out of his way to provide alternate sources for things he does not stock or cannot get at a good price. I ALWAYS check with Phil on any MB part, before I get it somewhere else -- particularly if it is a larger item.

A satisfied Fastlane customer for several years .... Ben Carter

Note that I have 3 MB's of various types and vintages.

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)