Why are Mercedes part numbers so hard to find?

[JamesStein]

Why is it that Mercedes doesn't want the general public to have part numbers for their cars?

I mean I can buy a exploded parts book. But it doesn't include part numbers.

My local deal absolutely refuses to divulge the part numbers to me. Phil at Fastlane is always willing to give me #'s. But I hate calling him to find out what the part numbers are. So far I've ordered 5 parts from my dealer. So far not a single one has been the right part the first time.

Its so annoying. Does anyone know of an online source that will allow someone to actually look up a part number?

[jbaj007]

I bought an older EPC (electronic parts calalog) a couple of years ago from one of the online vendors and use it often to get the correct part #'s. PM me and I'll find out where I got it. It was a little interesting to install on the computer, because it (the program) is really old technology (something DOSsy), but well worth it.

[mplafleur]

I hate that. The dealer near me spent 10 minutes on the phone looking up parts. When I said I'd have to get back with him and I'd like the part # so he wouldn't have to look it up again, he said he couldn't give it to me. Bastard.

The other dealer I worked with never had a problem with that.

I have an EPC, although I couldn't get it to work correctly. I just got a new hard drive, so I'm going to make two small partitions for the CD data and I'll try it again.

[MikeTangas]

Mike,

What I did with my laptop was to install VirtualDrive 8.0, which allows me to create virtual CD drives. Then I loaded the EPC into the virtual CD drives and it works like the real thing with zero lag time. My desk top in California has twin CD roms, so there is some lag time there.

[Jimmy Joe]

The dealer by me is clueless. Always demands my VIN # for any part, and I mean like an oil filter, ect. You have to be kidding me. They make how many different oil filters for a W123?
Says he can't give me the correct one without the VIN.
Won't give me a price without the VIN.
Then I often get the wrong part anyway. What is up with these clowns?
That's why I buy online now. Way cheaper, and way nore intelligent people to deal with.

[JamesStein]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Joe

That's why I buy online now. Way cheaper, and way nore intelligent people to deal with.

As do I. However, in the case that prompted this rant..

I need some bolts. Specifically the ones that hold the fan clutch on to the water pump. They are a large size bolt with a small size head. I've checked every place in town that sells bolts and noone has one like it.

I honestly don't trust the local goons to get the correct part. I called Phil he doesn't stock them be he can get them. But with shipping delay's it'll be a week or so before I see them.

I just hate bugging Phil to get a part number and then order from the local goons.

[Pete Burton]

You guys having those problems with the dealer need to try another. Some dealerships are just full of a**holes, and some have decent, polite, knowledgeable parts guys. Guess which one I use.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Joe

The dealer by me is clueless. Always demands my VIN # for any part, and I mean like an oil filter, ect. You have to be kidding me. They make how many different oil filters for a W123?
Says he can't give me the correct one without the VIN.
Won't give me a price without the VIN.
Then I often get the wrong part anyway. What is up with these clowns?
That's why I buy online now. Way cheaper, and way nore intelligent people to deal with.

Yep a crap dealer tried that to me. I mean come on the 603 only ever used one oil filter. I never went back after they tried that crap, that was the straw that broke the camals back. I think they do it because they don't want to be bothered with the older cars. They didn't to be bothered with me, so I will give my money to a better dealer.

Now I use a good dealership, they will give me part numbers and price quotes all day no problem. I can call them up to order a part; they say sir and have it for me the next day. So far no mistakes, Phil is the only other one I have found that gives this level of service.

[Veloce300DT]

Get this! The C280 had a set of Mercedes mudflaps on them, which were ordered with thhe car when it was bought. However, over the years, one of them had loosened and fallen off.... so I went to the dealer in the 300DT to go see if I could order the missing flap.

1st off, I really wish I had brought the C280 with me, because the parts dept. rep insisted that they didnt make mudflaps for the w202! God I would have loved to walk him out to that car to see a set of oem mudflaps on MY W202. After insisting that they did he spent a substantial amount of time searching, found them, and then asked if he could have the vin# Anyone who knows the 202 knows there are 2 body variants. the 94-97 body and face-lifted 98-2000 model. What the hell did he need my vin# for???

I swear, dealing with the Sacramento dealer parts dept. is like dealing with an automated phone service...

If you would like to request a part press 1....(beep) Im sorry, that is an incorect key... (BEEP!) thank you, at the tone please clearly say what part you are looking for, beep.... " M U D F L A P " thank you, you requested Mug Cap, you are now being connected.. mb part rep says- "Hello, I see you are interested in purchasing thhe 24K gold replacement Mug Cap for the MBZ staniess stell tumbler. It also featuers fine cut diamonds hand inlayed around the edges.. that part is designed to match the interior of the S600 limited "Tiffanys Edition". Price- $800. frustrated customer says," No NO, im looking for MUD FLAPS, for my W202 C280". Parts rep- "Im sorry, what are mudflaps?"

Shomebody shoot me!

At any rate I returned home, apparently he couldnt tell me the part number, and he couldnt order the part. it just so heppened that I decided to look at an older MB-star magazine, and in the tech. questions section someone had requested the part # for a set of mudflaps for a w124. So listed right under that request, was in addition to the w124, mudflap part numbers for the W202, W210, & W140. THANK GOD! I ordered the missing flap from a Bay Area parts dept., and had much better service.

[dieseldiehard]

If I owned a C280 with mudflaps I think I would shoot them till they fell off.

[Veloce300DT]

HAHAHA! Yeah I got rid of em after a couple years, if I upgrade to 16 or 17" wheels maybe theyll go back on, but they looked un balanced with the 15" monoblocks.... definitely kept ALOT of crap off the car though... they were certainly one thing, if not fashionable... BIG. LOL

i have mercedes epc on two cd-roms. version 10- 2003, will cover all models from the 1960's untill late 2004.
it will load completely and not require discs to be inserted in drive.
once installed it works perfectly. send email to mercedessd@cox.net for further information.
Ray
mercedessd@cox.net

[Veloce300DT]

carson356-
Does it cover parts AND accessories?

[boneheaddoctor]

Originally Posted by carson356

i have mercedes epc on two cd-roms. version 10- 2003, will cover all models from the 1960's untill late 2004.
it will load completely and not require discs to be inserted in drive.
once installed it works perfectly. send email to mercedessd@cox.net for further information.
Ray
mercedessd@cox.net

You have mail