Ive been spoiled by mercedes. I took it as a given i could get oddball widgets from the dealer for older models becuase i can go into the benz dealer and still buy stuff for a 240. The list of NLA exists, but a lot of common stuff i can easily get.

With this mindset i dropped by the ford dealer to try and buy wheel studs for a 99 explorer, only to find the part is NLA from them. Right in line with issues finding dealer parts for my 99 chevy van. To me these vehicles are almost new, but to the dealer they are old crap they dont have parts for and dont care about.

Gotta give mercedes credit for both respecting their older models, and still providing support. I love my domestic vehicles, i just wish the manufacturers would stand behind them like MB does theirs.
The chevy van in particular is indestructible and requires a lot less maintenance than you would expect for a work vehicle closing in on 300k.

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