Tami,
Welcome to the Forum. You will find everything you need to know right here. If you aren't afraid to turn wrenches the experts here can make Mercedes' ownership downright economical.
As for buying parts.... Click on the "BuyParts" tab and visit Mercedes Shop. ( Hint: note name of the forum in "mercedesshop.com). Phil is a great guy. He will steer you in the right direction. I have always been pleased with his service. Old-timers around here have read it before, but I ordered some brake stuff from him at 4PM EST times one day. Stuff I needed to get my car inspected and back on the road asap--It was delivered to my house before I got home from work, the very next afternoon. Service like that, combined with his knowledge is a combination that is hard to beat.--plus its good to support the guy who provides this forum.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags