Experiences with MB dealers that sell "mailorder"

As I move along on my m116 engine experience I realize there will be odds and ends that are dealer items. Has anyone found a dealer that is especially good at this (taking phone or internet orders and shipping the parts)? I have found that in the Volvo dealer network there are dealers that discount parts considerably and other that offer free shipping. Please share any experiences you might have along these lines.

Randy

I certainly appreciate your input. I have been to FastLane and the software there is something that I am familiar with and I plan to support them when I can. There are items on my list of current needs that would be considered "dealer items" ie. a 90 degree hose in the EGR system, and a compensating washer on the left cam behind the sprocket (found to be MISSING upon disassembly). I avoid dealerships in general as we seem to have so little in common. My local dealership priced a test gauge for determining the correct thrust washers at over $300. Another member pointed out he had paid around $50 for it at his local dealer. So obviously I am a little reluctant to walk into my local dealership! The only one I have reference to so far that has better pricing didn't seem too exicted about shipping. I know there has to be a dealer out there somewhere that can see the value of discounting parts (increasing volume) and efficient handling and shipping (service).

Randy

You are right I need to check them out a little closer and give them a chance to meet my needs. Thanks to both of you.

Randy

If your local dealer is the one in Cincinnati, forget it. They are sooooooo expensive, no local competition has bred a real self serving group of people. There are little shops in the area thriving on their ignorance.

[e320wagon4matic]

I've had great (albeit limited) experience with Clair Parts Express. Kevin Lipski ( klipski@clair.com ) has access to a large inventory of parts, and discounts parts and tools. Working within a large dealer, all Kevin does is service phone/internet orders. He has told me stories of ordering Euro bumper skins and the like for ML owners who want that look. Last time I was at Clair Kevin was putting together a group buy on the new Command system.

Obviously I'd support Fastlane first, but Kevin is a good alternative too.

[maheath]

I'll confirm that these guys have access to MB's inventory. I ordered a car cover over the phone from Rusty Cullens (***************) and it was drop-shipped from a Mercedes warehouse.

There's a certain large distributor that sells the web parts program used by a lot of the independent sites. Orders through the website have to be fulfilled by that distributor. If you can't find the part you're looking for, call them (FastLane, BuyMBParts, etc). The guys that specialize in Mercedes have other suppliers, including Mercedes-Benz.

[tvpierce]

Definately call Phil. Fastlane is just the "self service" section of this site. While the selection is very good, there are many items that cannot be found there. For everything else, call Parts Shop and talk to Phil. I believe he can even get "dealer only" items from one of his sources.

Jeff Pierce

[afmcorp]

hello randy

i just dealt with a dealer that left me impressed. earlier this week i needed to buy a cam, rocker arm, vlv spring compensator and vlv cover gasket. i shopped around on the internet probably a dozen sites and i finally found this one http://www.***********************/ first off they had everything in stock, second they did have the best price. (i had a 60.00$ spread on the cam), third i had asked a question regarding something i was not purchasing. removal of my console. these guys were so helpful not only did they try to tell me over the phone they faxed me 5 pages of manual on the topic. fourth they accepted paypal. fifth they have an automatic email that advises of the ups tracking number and sixth they called me the next morning to verify that i got my tracking number and to see if i was happy.

i haven't seen service like that since the sixties when you got your gas pumped, your oil checked and your windows washed. all with a smile.

when you find someone or thing good you should help that person/business by telling others. So i certainly recommend this supplier. i actually found them on ebay which is how i found this site.

but i must say this service of the forum is tremendously helpful. and if it wasn't for mercedesshop.com we wouldn't be able to find the knowledge this site has. so it is our duty to support the people that support us. i have talked with phil and man he was helpful. i think he felt sorry for me cause the tools i needed were kind of expensive so he volunteered other possible sources.

good luck hunting
tks much
craig

[kchemers]

I love this site and buy parts from Fastlane , but I also deal with a dealer out of Anaheim, Ca. I use Tom Hanson in their parts department. He is helpful and the parts are all 100% Mercedes. If you order in the morning you'll have parts next day. 800-252-6877.
Thanks , KChemers
1997 C230 140,000 miles
1976 240D 249000 miles

[ctaylor738]

I know that we are not supposed to mention other parts sources here, but the best MB dealer for mail order seems to be Caliber Motors.

www.calibermotors.com

I have not personally used them, but several very knowledgeable enthusiasts in the area have. There prices are very competitive. One guy needed a radiator for his 1971 3.5 coupe, and Caliber sold him an MB radiator for $800 and something, which was more than $100 less than the OEM parts offered by the ".coms"

I've used Caliber Motors for some time and have never had a problem. If you tell them to use UPS Ground, they do it. If you don't tell them, you might get something else. I've always dealt with Al Trevino.

I recently bought parts from MBParts because of the free shipping. Everything was great except that one part didn't get shipped. I was told to call them rather than use the Web ordering process. The people who handle the Web orders apparently make too many mistakes.

The prices were great as are FastLane's.

I have found Phil to be courteous, efficient, professional and accurate.

No mailing thewrong stuff back and forth.

Joel

[pmizell]

I snipped part of a post regarding dealer only parts and a good source for them. Unfortunately I forgot the poster's name but I think it was member 'Michael'. Here's what he had to say:

Best deal I've seen is thru my local (here in CT) dealer - 20% off list (and there are several "list prices out there; these guys seem to use the most reasonable) for most stuff, and 25% off on filters. And free shipping. Dealer is Carriage House @ 800.437.3361. Ask for wholesale parts when you call.

I've never used them personally, but if someone has a good experience to share, please do so as I am always looking for better "dealer only" parts prices.

[JBoggs]

I ordered a set of shock from Adsit, they mis-shipped a wrong pair for the rear, even though the pack slip was right, insisted that I pay return freight, tried to make me pay a 15% re-stock then wanted to charge freight again to correct their mistake. To boot, customer service people were totally unrepentant and unconcerned. Boss the same way. Stopped the credit card payment, never to return.

J. Boggs