Long SHot But - Need electrical connectors for 450SL

[nobby]

Wow. Finally a debate on the merits of, or lack there of, dealership parts.

I am a blue collar stiff working two jobs so my wife can stay at home and raise our children. Do you think I have extra money to spend just so I can say I shop at MB?
I have a 24 year old car with almost 150K. I attribute it's longevity to the fact that it was built well with quality parts. I wish to carry on that tradition. Within reason.
Example:warm up regulator Dealer $1250...rebuilt...$300. Guess what I did?

But for most stuff, the dealer prices are comparable and for a few bucks either way I prefer OEM.
I live in Canada and don't have the same access to parts that my American friends do and also have a Euro. Double whammi.
So what did I do? I formed a friendship with my MB parts guy.
A bottle of wine at Christmas and my sparkling personality equals 15% discount on everything, the odd free hat and a guy that goes out of his way sourcing parts that I can't even find on the net.

So am I biased?.Probably. But I did not dismiss the dealer outright until I tried.

[cth350]

every part for the EFI harness is available though the dealer network except the large white nylon connector at the brain box.

Visit a good foreign autoparts store and they should have a box of spares for the system too. The little white connectors come as pigtails to be soldered into the end of the harness.

-CTH

[ScottinSoCal]

I've been to my local MB dealer more times than I ever thought I would be. Originally I went with reluctance, as a last resort, when I couldn't find a part anywhere else or when I needed a part and I didn't even know what it was called. They always came through for me, and more times than not they had at least the same price I'd pay elsewhere. For example, I went yesterday and picked up the temperature gauge sending unit and the auxiliary fan sensor for my 75. Performance Products wanted $78 for them and then I would have paid shipping on top of that. I got them both from my MB dealer for a total (including tax) of $72. When I tore into the dash of my 78 and discovered the center valve distribution boot had disintegrated I couldn't find it anywhere - I didn't even know what it was called. I went to them, expected to pay through the nose for it, and got out of there for less than $40, part in hand.

If I ever need another servo, I'm certainly not going to the dealer. I can find a rebuilt - better than the OEM - for about 1/3 the price. But for a lot of parts the dealer is closer, better, and offers me the same or better price.