OK, I've had a development since my original post. I found the part no. on my original part and it is 1244402933; the one that was sent to me was 1244405632. So as several of you mentioned, the Mercedes computer is simply wrong as to some of these 95 e320 wiring harnesses - we entered the entire VIN and it came up with the wrong part; so you can avoid a mess such as mine buy (1) letting the installer get the part (so at least if it's wrong its his or her problem), or (2) if you are providing your own part (and there is a healthy discussion above concerning this option) checking the part no. of your original - it does seem very hard to go wrong if you have that part no. first.

So I guess here's my question now: isn't that 2933 a replacement part? I'm now thinking this harness has been replaced (and now questioning my mechanic on the need for a replacement)... I checked a lot of the harness in looking for that part number and the only frayed part I found was one place where it connected on top of the engine (near that plastic shield on the front). I am thinking: return the wrong part, wrap some electrical tape on the frayed area, put my $1000 back in my pocket and drive on? Thoughts... ! (I know it's hard to say without seeing it).

A dealer parts counter can tell you more but that does sound like a replacement part and you should question why you would need a new one. The replacements are supposed to be free of the original problem.

ehm

You wrote My quotes.

A bad harness has dried out brittle insulation of the wires. Frayed black wrap surrounding the wires is not the problem.

Bob

I believe the replacement wiring harness has the prefix S(?) in front of the part number on the tag.

__________________
95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Thanks to all who posted in response to my initial one; I thought I owed it to all to provide the final outcome: unfortunately the harness on my car had not been replaced; the more I peeled back the black wrap the more crumbling that appeared, so I ordered the new one to match what I finally could confirm was the right number and hopefully now I am in good shape. An education in any event...

Why do mechanics charge an hourly labor rate if they don't want to sell labor? If restaurants charged an hourly cooking fee then I would feel fine about brining in my own steak and asking them to cook it.

Also, why do mechanics feel that they can rip customers on the labor rate AND the part costs? I can't think of any other business that can charge you for 4 hours of labor when it only actually took 2.