I like the improvements to the forum and enjoy going through the wealth of information that is available here. But correct me if I'm wrong, this site was established to sell auto parts. My feeling is that improvements need to be made to have parts numbers and descriptions available to speed up the parts purchasing process. Parts shop gets the parts out fairly quickly if you know the part number, if you don't, then you must send in a parts request and wait until you hear back. I havn't seen any other web sites out there with such a strong following and number of posts and responses. Other internet vendors do have part # lookups. But we know Parts Shop forum surfers buy there parts here. Right?

Just a thought.

I have nothing to do with partshop sales so I can't say much about the process. I have never used them as I of course probably buy from the same sources.

The one thing that I can say is that identifying parts can be a big job. We have given much thought about trying to do the same thing at our website and have decided it would be a waste of time. Most of the parts necessary to give good coverage need to come from MB no matter who you buy from. Its real easy to list brake discs by application, but it takes a book to fill in all the rest of the possible component parts and pieces for brakes alone.

The only possible way to catagorize the parts would be to do as we do on our site for radio parts. That is to give the factory blow-ups with item numbers. Buyers transmit the item and sheet numbers and we convert to part numbers.

The problem with doing this is that the parts blow-ups are MB proprietary information and reproducing them on line would be a copyright infringement.

I often spend ten minutes or more identifying proper part numbers for advice I give. I only do it for fun, if someone tried to pay me to do this they mostly couldn't afford it. There is value to identifying a $500 part for sale. There is none to IDing a $5 part. Most of my dealings with DIYers has lead me to the conclusion that they only go to an expert for the nuts, clips, braces and brackets. The real components they think they will get cheaper at the Walmart (figuratively speaking).

Most of your "Walmart type" online stores only stock the brake rotor type parts. They don't really offer that good of deal (if you knew what they paid for them) and they don't waste time identifying a bunch of stuff they can't make money on.

Since I have no experience I can't say, but its my impression that partsshop will try and get you anything for a MB repair. Its a whole lot harder to put that kind of help in a text or image format.

You are wrong!!!!
I have been a member since almost the starting of mercedesshop and they DID NOT sell parts at that time. As a matter of fact, somebody in the forum suggested if they could sell parts, just like I asked recently if they have any mercedesshop merchandise available for sale (will be available soon, I hope). Sure, they make some money selling a few parts but, is there any other MB internet site as good as this one? NOT!!!!!
BTW, I am not involved in any way with MercedesShop, I'm just a fan of this site.

patience is a virtue
 

just give it a little time.
Jim
'95 E320
'97 CRV

Part number lookup
 

I have purchased items from PartsShop in the past and will do so in the future. A better lookup feature on the PartsShop page would be very helpful. The folks at PartsShop have responded with the numbers I needed in the past via e-mail, but I would welcome a more real time lookup feature.

JDUB-

First, thanks for the feedback.

Second, our primary reason for being is to provide the free technical support that's available here in the Shop Forum. In order to "pay the bills" we decided to sell parts rather than charge a membership fee to access the Shop Forum.

Third, we have been working very hard over the last few months to launch a new and much improved FastLane self-service parts store. No inquiries will be required for you to find and buy parts.

Give us a few more days...I think you will be pleased.

There are two search systems
 

If you know the part number you can serach by number, but if you don't know the part number you can search by name too. If you enter the Shopping Cart, at the top of the page there is a search function. Click that and enter the part name. To keep the search broad type in, for example "brake hose" rather than "front brake hose W123". Typing in brake hose will give you all the parts numbers for all the brake hoses PartsShop stocks. The first three digits of the part number generally correspond to the model number, but not always due to parts upgrades and sharing between models.

Just making a suggestion. I buy parts here too. This forum is second to none. I have have seen web sites literally abandoned because the sponsers did not receive the support to make it work. I just don't want to see it happen here. I always recommend that the forum users buy their parts from parts shop.

I agree and try to mention the PArtsshop by name to keep members focused on supporting this technical site!

Part shop revamp
 

Greetings,

I agree that there needs to be a search engine put onto this parts site by model and year. I don't know where they get their parts to sell, perhaps http://www.parts123.com one of the larger wholesellers for MB parts. If you're curious as to how the part site should look, take a visit to http://www.thebenzbin.com A very organized site that offers great online service, toll free tech assistance and the parts are right when you receive them. Their prices are right on target as well. I have ordered several items from this parts shop and the delivery is great but the only pics or descriptions are on the consumable items. Wouldn't it be great if all the parts could be listed that way?

Charles

[Edited by can-do on 02-11-2001 at 11:44 PM]

Let's Get On Track...
 

First of all, this entire thread is misplaced in "Tech Help", and belongs in "PartsShop Feedback", or at least, "General Feedback".

Second of all, I personally find it kind of offensive for "can-do" to be making insistant comments about a website that he has only been a minor part of for about a month or so. I, for one, think that you should try to be respectful and make contributions, and see how everything works here, before trying to offer criticism about the site...

Charles, I think that you need to read this entire thread to see that one of the principals actually posted in response, and also see that you might be ill-advised to make absurdly rude comments like "If you're curious as to how the part site should look, take a visit to the benzbin.com". FYI, they (the Benz Bin) are actually thinking about how they can try to copy this site in terms of having a forum for tech help... and the other comment, "I don't know where they get their parts to sell..." speaks volumes about your entire posting. If you don't know, then find out, or just be quiet... Besides, unless you haven't noticed, Parts 123 only offers links to other sites (like The Benz Bin) when it comes to Mercedes!

So, go ahead and use The Benz Bin for your part numbers, then compare price and quality with this site, as well as MegaParts, or any other website you choose. You know, one of the nice things about the people who operate this website is that they do not censor our comments or prevent anyone from suggesting other sources for parts... Very democratic system, if you ask me!

Stick around, contribute some assistance, and see how this site flows, then make your comments in the appropriate forum! But, please, don't insult the intelligence of the real contributing members who are actually trying to support this site, or the people who created it in the first place!

Sorry about the rant, but this particular "criticism" has just gone totally against my grain...

[Edited by longston on 02-12-2001 at 12:07 AM]

Use the search function stated above. It is easy to find the right parts if they start with the chassis number or engine number, I have had alittle bit of trouble with electrical parts though as most of them dont have the chassis number or engine number. Also the part number lookup allows you to just punch in a few numbers, for example you can just put in your chassis number and it will show all the parts they have starting with that number and they usually correspond to your chassis.

I was chatting with a chap who drives a 260E at a local car interior workshop (upholstery & interior), and he mentioned this site to me. Since then I've been constantly logging in to read various comments and experiences concerning something we all have in common - a piece of classic auto pedigree: MB. In this forum, I find that we share common problems and interests, and above all, the passion of motoring driven by MB. My colleague used to tell me that you either own a car, or a Benz. I think hit the jackpot, and with this site, the passion for MB grows yet with a larger audience sharing a love for this amazingly built vehicle. So what if this site doesnt equip us with parts (but it does). And I am really pleased to be acquainted with you'll through this site. How I wonder why dont we have a life of eternity to see and appreciate future models coming of the MB line, and talking about it here.

Parts Shop Part # lookup
 

I feel that I owe Parts shop my bussiness,in thanks for this wonderful tech site.But I am as dumb as a door knob about this computor stuff.One site that I find very user friendly Is Amazon.I have no trouble using it.Once you are regestered with them they keep all your info on file.You do not have to go into filling out the same thing over and over.Make It simple for us stupid.Michael.

Sorry you took offense
 

Greetings Scott,

Sorry you took offense at my thread, and had you read mine thoroughly you would have seen that I also buy parts from this MB parts shop. Nobody is offering criticism, simply information. Yes, this entire line of threads does belong on parts feedback. I thought the whole idea of this site was not only to offer MB help to fellow owners but to share whatever information we find pertinent to maintaining them as well. I suppose mentioning Auto Zone, Wal-Mart, Atlanta Stutgart or any other retailer or wholesaler to keep our oil burners either full of oil, fluids or replace worn or broken parts would be taboo as well. Good thing this is a democratic site.
I have found a lot of useful information on this site, and generally it's made up of either personal experienses with ones own vehicle or technical expertise from the gentlemen/ladies that fix them for a living. So don't assume I haven't made my fair share of purchases from the parts shop, or that I won't in the future to support this site.


Charles

Thanks Larry and Patsy for all your help, the ole 300 is up and running.