I just purchased a fuel plug that goes on the #5 injector & an 80 amp fuse at my local MZB dealer:

Plug - 0403-070-01-55 $11.80
Fuse - 0000-545-03-34 2.28

Total with tax $15.10

I notice that Performance Products has the fuse for 58 cents & the plug for 99 cents.......???

Have I been had?

minimum orders at performance prods is 20 dollars, min shipping is 5.95 so thats 25.95 allready not inc. tax and wating for the to part to arrive. Sounds like you did pretty good at the dealer, some times you pay for convience they might have had your part in stock,which pays for itself right there,of course large orders will save you money through catalogs,but little things just dont work well on catalog orders.

Look for non-MB marked parts (Bosch, etc.). If it has the star on it, you can plan on adding 20%+ to the cost.

I agree with the post above the above post For smaller things (less than $30) ill just pick it up at the dealer. who cares if its a few extra bucks, I get it right away.

Its kind of cool to walk in and buy a little part for a car designed in the 70s. Get to check out the new MBs too.

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

With 198,000 miles have changed glow plugs twice. This time changed relay which I bought with plugs online, so at least the dealer didn't get me there. I used to blow 50 amp fuses in my 240D but have never had an 80 amp one go in the 300SD - just wanted to carry one as a spare, especially after changing relay....

I enjoy visiting the local dealer from time to time to buy smalls items such as light bulbs, coolant, etc.. and sit down at the gallery that looks out into the garage to watch MB being serviced and repaired. Also, there is a drink-as-much-as-you-want DIY cappuccino machine at no charge in the room with a wide screen plasma TV. I figure, since I've spent about C$19.99 in parts, I'm entitled to enjoy the amenity provided.

The first number 403-070-01-55 has changed several times. Latest number is 604-070-02-55 & has MB list of $5.50.
The fuse has a LIST of $1.20.

Most dealers don't use suggested list as they won't stay in business long at 25-30% mark-up.

Both parts should have cost less than $10.

MANY dealers offer discounts to MB club members!! HAVE you asked?

Many aftermarket parts like PP sells are from ASIA & Turkey & not even close to OE quality!

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MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Isn't this the truth!
I bought what were labeled "Ronak" shut-off valves, 3 of them, from PP and sent them all back. What pieces of Sh!$
OEM is the only way for 99 percent of the stuff and Phil is the guy for it. Unless you need it at that second, then the dealer.

Adam

I guess you have to charge big to pay for t.v.s and cappachino. Big thumbs up to European Parts Specialist in Goleta, CA, a one man parts warehouse, who gave me the plug for free the first time I walked in there to get filters, and great free advice for a Mercedes virgin.

Today I need to buy some touch-up paint, but called the dealer first & they said it would be about $27 which doesn't sound too bad. I haven't seen this for sale on any of the mail order sites.

When I have bought parts at PP, they have told me that it is the exact part from the same manufacture that I would get from a MB dealer. If that is not a true statement, then I am not a happy camper. I have bought from them because I can drive up and pick up the parts.

If that is the case, whom other than the dealer can one buy parts from that are equal to those parts?

In my last purchase, the ball joints were from Meyle (made in Turkey) and the lower control arm Almax (made in germany) brake support bushings Meyle (made in germany).

In today's world, do we know for sure that all MB parts are made in Germany?

Don

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1980 300TD-T (82 Turbo and Trans) 159,000 Miles "Jackie-O"
1983 300SD 272,000 Miles "Aristotle"
1987 Jeep Wagoneer Limited - keeps the MB's off the ice and out of the snow
1994 BMW 530it

If you go to your local auto paint supply store, you can buy a whole quart of your color for less than $27. $27 for a little bottle of touch-up paint is a TOTAL rip-off.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Very rarely I have to resort to a trip to satan (MB stealership) but it is always a suprise how badly they are willing to screw people over there. I'd come in figuring worst I can pay is retail right? WRONG! I've paid several times retail price over on some parts, this wouldn't bother me that much if they weren't as rude and condescending as they are. It is always such a coincedence how I always call them to check if my part is in before they call me to....

As for the paint, I think you might be taking it a little far there lietuviai. I bought some paint for touch up on my 83 and a quart was about $52 and a pint is about $30, none-the-less the price for touchup paint is a bit much.

I've never really liked Meyle parts, IMHO they are cheaper quality than OE. I prefer Febi or Lemforder when given the choice, almost all online parts stores have a selection for your manufacturer and always Meyle is cheaper. Off hand I can think of one example, a Meyle balljoint costs pocket change over $10 where as a lemforder is more like $18 however I've heard from a few people the Meyle won't last and the lemforder does. I bought a Meyle just for the boot (could buy it from satan for $9 or the whole Meyle joint for $10) and when doing so I noticed they use about half the grease as Lemforder....

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

Take a look at stevebl's post here about matrix pricing.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

www.paintscratch.com I used them once to get touchup paint for a 58 220S. Paint code was db something. The paint they sent me was actually a very close match considering the age of the car.