Rob:

I would do one of two things:

a. Find a good rebuilder in your area. You live in a large metropolitan town, so there should be plenty of places that can do a quality rebuild on an MB alternator. This works if you can remove it and take it in.

b. Buy a new/reman unit locally. There won't be a core charge as you'll be turning in an old unit when you buy the reman. Same as item a...you have to do the removal/reinstallation. Some places hve a core charge for reman, but not for new; then some have it both ways.

Internet shopping for auto parts is all fine and good for some things - core charge items like starters/alternators is a pain. It just ain't worth all the trouble you have to go thru packaging/returning the old part. I've been especially turned off by all of the caveats web sellers place in the "return" instructions section.

My 2 cents.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"