Why is part taking so long?91300TE4M

[Hazen]

Dear Benzophiles,
My 91 300TE 4M has been out of service waiting for a part since 2/13/01. So maybe the part wasn't ordered for a day or two. But how on earth can this part take so long to get here?
The original part was replaced in December because it was leaking. So when this part went south in Feb. MB insisted on doing the R&R even though an independent shop did the work in December. I thought that was a stand-up thing for MB to do. Sort of a "My part broke under waranty, I'll stand by it and fix it to boot." type of gesture. Doggone swell of them. Only where is the part?
Here's the info from the part box label:

1 ST STEUERVENTIL
A 124 350 40 57
911/05937 MADE IN GERMANY 060

The MB dealer in Bellevue WA, Barrier, on two seperate occasions, gave me two pick-up dates. Upon arriving to pick her up I was told, sorry, the part wasn't in yet. Aaaagggghhhh. They then said it would be done on Wednesday the next week 21 Feb. When I showed up on Wednesday early after noon they said the part wasn't due till the next Monday. When I called on Monday they informed me the part wasn't due till the 2nd of March, 5th of March at the latest. I checked last Friday in vain hope of its arrival and was told it wasn't due until April 5th!
Someone tell me this is ok. This is normal. They say they're picking up my car rental and all related charges but I'm beginning to think I should get it in writing. Any thoughts, ideas, recommended action, etc. would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Lebenz]

Hazen,

When my former ’91 300TE 4-matic needed parts, on a few occasions they sometimes took a couple of months to show. Especially parts for the 4-matic system. The transfer case, in particular took about 3 months to show up. I can’t speak for Barrier but my experience with the guys in Seattle is that if they said they’d do something they’d do it. BTW Mercedes picks up the tab for the rental; not the dealer, so I’m all but positive you’re okay.

Any chance you have my former 'TE? Does yours have a Sony CD system rather than the Becker?

…Tracy

[Bill Wood]

You must be very thankful Mercedes is covering that part under warranty.
List price is $2,180.00 !!!

[Hazen]

Tracy and Bill,
I guess I feel better now. Your posts and a note from Randy Steele @ epsparts.com reassured me that mine was not an unusual fate. :-)
It was MB's part that broke after six weeks of service. For $2180 back in December it should have lasted a bit longer, don't you think?
According to the service writer at MB in Belevue, the dealership is alotted X number of dollars per month by the factory for rental cars, depending on their volume of new car sales and service work.. I guess that jibes with what you say, Tracy.
I sell parts, too. Electrical parts. So I'm familiar with the routine. If I gave my customers vague answers as to delivery of product, it wouldn't take long before I had no questions to answer! Thank God I'm in manufacturing. The retail portion of business gets worse every year. Who says 7% un-employment is a bad thing.
Best,