Good point. However, MB of Covington does have a phone number and will talk to you about parts and applications over the phone.
Interesting that they consider the conductor plate a theft relevant part. I’ll have to ask my dealer guys/gals about this. I wonder how FCP buys this if that’s truly the case? -D > On Sep 1, 2022, at 10:09 AM, Allan Streib via Mercedes > <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: > > So this is an interesting example. Just as a random trial I went to > mbofcovington.comn parts page and selected 2008 E350 "Base" model as my car > and tried to find a transmission conductor plate. I'm sure it's in there, but > I could not find it by searching for "conductor plate" or "conductor" or by > the menu navigation. > > On FCPEuro I found it easily by selecting that vehicle and searhing for > "conductor plate" and it lists it as "Genuine Mercedes" for $949. > > https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mercedes-transmission-conductor-plate-genuine-mercedes-0002702600 > > Then I went back to MB Covington and searched for the SKU number > (000270260080) that FCP Euro gave me. It came up with an entry called > "Automatic Transmission Valve Body" that "Does not fit your 2008 Mercedes > Benz E350" and is also "This item is considered a theft relevant part and is > not available for purchase online. Please contact your local dealer for more > information." List price is $369 for this "remanufactured" part. > > So, as a non-professional customer, the FCPEuro experience is way better. I'm > not even sure I'm finding the right part on MB Covington. > > > On Thu, Sep 1, 2022, at 11:40, dan penoff.com via Mercedes wrote: >> I totally understand this. >> >> However, if you’re buying online, there are any number of RevParts >> dealers (dealers who sell parts online) that sell with very good >> discount models making OE parts pretty darned cheap, relatively >> speaking. And I’m addressing OE parts, not OEM parts that you can buy >> from a third party seller like FCPEuro. >> >> For example, I bought the driver’s side exterior mirror guts for my >> ML550. List was around $500, my dealer’s price to me was around $375, >> MB of Covington wanted $250 + about $17 to ship. Easy decision. >> >> Same with a right side exterior mirror cover. List about $300, my >> dealer about $200, MB of Covington was like $140 + $17 shipping. >> >> Dealers use different discount structures. Some discount “down” from >> MSRP, or list price. Others, like Covington, mark “up" from their cost. >> As cost varies wildly depending on the part and other factors you can >> often get a much better deal working with an online dealer like MB of >> Covington who marks up from cost. >> >> -D >> >> >>> On Sep 1, 2022, at 9:24 AM, Allan Streib via Mercedes >>> <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>> >>> All well and good if you have a dealership where you can walk in and talk >>> to people. I am 75 miles from an MB dealer, and it's not anywere I go on a >>> regular basis otherwise. >>> >>> I used to buy parts from Rusty back in the day. I think he had a dealer >>> relationship where he could get OE parts when WorldPac didn't carry the OEM >>> equivalent? These days I use FCPEuro because the website and service is >>> great, they warranty everything they sell for life, and they actually honor >>> that warranty without me jumping through hoops. If FCPEuro didn't have a >>> part, I guess I'd start looking at dealer websites. >>> >>> >>> On Thu, Sep 1, 2022, at 11:11, dan penoff.com via Mercedes wrote: >>>> Depending on what the part is, the discount model that MB of Covington >>>> uses usually makes it a wash or slightly less than my local dealer due >>>> to sales taxes. However, I discussed this with my dealer a few weeks >>>> ago and they said they would match Covington’s price for me, so in the >>>> future I’ll price check using Covington and then go to my local dealer. >>>> >>>> Maybe it’s an anomaly, but my dealer empowers their employees to make >>>> the deal to get a sale. That’s really great for both of us, because >>>> they get the business and I get the best price. >>>> >>>> -D >>>> >>>>> On Sep 1, 2022, at 9:00 AM, Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes >>>>> <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I would probably buy a lot more dealer parts if my dealer was not a rip >>>>> off. The shipping from the online places usually ends up being too much. >>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>> >>>>>> On Sep 1, 2022, at 10:22 AM, dan penoff.com via Mercedes >>>>>> <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> I think the point is, “How many of those parts are you buying from the >>>>>> dealer?” OEM won’t make a difference. >>>>>> >>>>>> I mean, I even buy my soft parts such as filters and such for the dealer >>>>>> in most cases. They’re maybe 10% more, but it’s an OE part, which >>>>>> certainly has value. >>>>>> >>>>>> -D >>>>>> >>>>>>> On Sep 1, 2022, at 8:04 AM, Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes >>>>>>> <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> My goal is not to keep a beater on the road as cheap as possible >>>>>>> although some cars that come they might fit that description. All of my >>>>>>> drivers are properly maintained with OE or OEM parts. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Sep 1, 2022, at 9:15 AM, Jaime Kopchinski via Mercedes >>>>>>>>> <mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Is not that they "don't care about" them, its simply a matter of >>>>>>>> suppliers >>>>>>>> no longer willing to make the parts and not finding a cost effective >>>>>>>> replacement. If there is a demand, they will try to find a solution. >>>>>>>> They're a business, not a parts charity. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Next complaint will be that reworked replacement parts are too >>>>>>>> expensive. >>>>>>>> It takes significant resources to manufacture any parts for any car, >>>>>>>> new or >>>>>>>> old. Engineers, purchasing, business cases, testing, quality control, >>>>>>>> raw >>>>>>>> materials sourcing, tooling, etc. They don't just walk up to a >>>>>>>> machine and >>>>>>>> push the "make me door seals for a 123" button. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Think about how you buy your parts...are you supporting the system by >>>>>>>> buying from MB genuine? Or are you looking for the cheapest possible >>>>>>>> source regardless of quality? Then complaining when MB support is >>>>>>>> gone... >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Owners of the 60s cars are happy to pay for parts as the value of their >>>>>>>> cars are increasing. MB responds by making parts available. (Like 4.5 >>>>>>>> engine mounts, NLA for a few years, now available again with a new >>>>>>>> supplier). >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> 90s car support brings up another issue: electronics. If the chips >>>>>>>> don't >>>>>>>> exist to buy anymore, its simply impossible to make the parts. Period. >>>>>>>> But as the value and demand for these cars increases on the collector >>>>>>>> market, you will see more solutions appear. If your goal is to keep >>>>>>>> your >>>>>>>> beater on the road as long as possible and cheap as possible, you're >>>>>>>> not >>>>>>>> the target market for these solutions. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Thu, Sep 1, 2022 at 10:03 AM Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes < >>>>>>>>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> How long ago was that? Now days you can’t even get door seals for 123 >>>>>>>>> coupes. A lot of 124 parts are now unavailable. Many of the ACC >>>>>>>>> vacuum pods >>>>>>>>> are NLA. As previously mentioned you can no longer get 123 oil >>>>>>>>> coolers or >>>>>>>>> 126 SDL radiators. Vin coded ignition tumblers for 123 124 and 126 >>>>>>>>> are NLA. >>>>>>>>> Perhaps they want to support very old cars or very new cars, but >>>>>>>>> middle >>>>>>>>> aged 123-126 they don’t care about. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Sep 1, 2022, at 7:57 AM, dan penoff.com via Mercedes < >>>>>>>>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Very true. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> When I was “restoring” the 65 220SEb I was constantly amazed at the >>>>>>>>> parts I could still get from Mercedes, and in most cases, how >>>>>>>>> relatively >>>>>>>>> inexpensive they were. For instance, I could still get a lot of rubber >>>>>>>>> parts, both seals and suspension. A full set of bushings for the rear >>>>>>>>> swing >>>>>>>>> arms were less than $100. New front/rear springs, $110/each. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> The left front spring was really bad on that car, so bad that corner >>>>>>>>>> of >>>>>>>>> the car was a good 2” low. Dealer checks on them and none in stock, >>>>>>>>> but not >>>>>>>>> NLA. Turns out, they had run out of inventory and were waiting on a >>>>>>>>> new >>>>>>>>> order. So they were still sourcing these things over 50 year after >>>>>>>>> the car >>>>>>>>> was built! >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -D >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Sep 1, 2022, at 4:27 AM, Jaime Kopchinski via Mercedes < >>>>>>>>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Try getting parts for 50s and 60s cars. You'd be amazed how easy >>>>>>>>>>> it is. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> You have to be creative in this business to find parts, but having a >>>>>>>>> source >>>>>>>>>>> like the classic center is pretty amazing overall. It's pretty >>>>>>>>> remarkable >>>>>>>>>>> what they do have. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> For example, I just bought a vacuum pod for the distributor of a >>>>>>>>>>> 300SEL >>>>>>>>>>> 3.5. Pretty obscure part, still available, under $100. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Is it perfect, no of course not, but be thankful they put so much >>>>>>>>>>> effort >>>>>>>>>>> into it, its still pretty special. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Jaime >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On Wed, Aug 31, 2022 at 7:31 PM David Bruckmann via Mercedes < >>>>>>>>>>>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> I agree re; NLA parts. And not just obscure stuff, but for example >>>>>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>>>>> window regulator kit (the little nylon disc and clip) is NLA. >>>>>>>>>>>> Which is >>>>>>>>>>>> nuts. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Kaleb Striplin wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> But they do not have anything that a normal dealer could not order? >>>>>>>>>>>> Correct? The number of common parts that are becoming NLA is >>>>>>>>>>>> alarming. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> On Aug 31, 2022, at 4:32 PM, Jaime Kopchinski via Mercedes < >>>>>>>>>>>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> ?The classic center is alive and well, and even just moved into a >>>>>>>>>>>>> new >>>>>>>>>>>> (much >>>>>>>>>>>>> larger) facility inside the Long Beach VPC. Tom retired months >>>>>>>>>>>>> ago, >>>>>>>>> but >>>>>>>>>>>>> hes still active online. I get parts deliveries all the time from >>>>>>>>> them, >>>>>>>>>>>>> still excellent service and loads of parts in stock. >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Jaime >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Wed, Aug 31, 2022 at 4:16 PM Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes < >>>>>>>>>>>>>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> I have not heard that. I don?t think the classic center really >>>>>>>>>>>>>> does >>>>>>>>> much >>>>>>>>>>>>>> anymore anyway does it? They only have the same parts any other >>>>>>>>> dealer >>>>>>>>>>>> has >>>>>>>>>>>>>> as far as I know. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> On Aug 31, 2022, at 3:14 PM, David Bruckmann via Mercedes < >>>>>>>>>>>>>> mercedes@okiebenz.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> ?I may be late to the party, but I recently learned that Tom >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hanson >>>>>>>>> has >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> retired from the MB Classic Center. >>>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> Jaime Kopchinski >>>>>>>>>>> http://www.jaimekop.com/ >>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> Jaime Kopchinski >>>>>>>> http://www.jaimekop.com/ >>>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>>> >>>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>>> >>>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> _______________________________________ >>>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>>> >>>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>>> >>>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________ >>>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>>> >>>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>>> >>>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>> >>> _______________________________________ >>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>> >>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>> >>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>> >> >> _______________________________________ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > > _______________________________________ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
