Buying Euro Parts in the States

[Squabble]

hey all, i've been wondering about this for awhile so i thought i'd ask right before i might purchase a euro 280E.

how does one go about getting euro specific engine parts?  is there a list of the differences?  for instance, performance mercedes sells a euro water pump, and i know the fuel pump relay is different for a euro car, what else?  how do you know?  where does that info come from?

and, when i figure out what i need, where do you get it from?  i have no nearby mercedes dealership to deal with or talk to, closest is about an hour and change away.  is there another source?  is there an online source that has euro specific parts?

how does it go down?

[nutz4benz]

Buy from European online sites, but shipping is brutal. I think you can also go to dealer with part number and they can get it sometimes.

[junaid786]

i live in south africa

we have mostly euro spec cars here.

you could email me and we can shop around.

my email: junaid.hussein@absa.co.za

maybe it will work out cheaper to ship from here.

i really wouldnt know what prices are. but we can do the math when it comes to the time.

for the meantime, i own a euro 280e. go ahead and buy it man, lovely car!

[etmerritt33]

Squabble,

Easy solution to your problem. I have a euro 85 280E and am beginning to really like it after about 18 months of sorting.

Two tips for parts: Use the Mercedes Classic Center in Irvine Ca. Tom Hanson is the parts manager. A great guy, extremely knowledgeable and equally nice and helpful. All you need is your vin. Next, is to use the Mercedes online EPC http://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/. For about $ 30 a year you can access the factory parts catalog via a web based app. Very helpful in finding part nos. and understanding dis-assembly and assembly.

Hope this helps.

Tom

[Squabble]

tom, thanks for the help.  can you just call the classics center directly and order whatever you need and they'll ship it out?

i'll probably be signing up for that EPC thing.  doesn't the mercedes benz club of america have a similar service?

[etmerritt33]

Sure, you can call the MBCC and order. I order quite a few parts from MBCC. They have my payment info and I normally order by email. I send them an email after using EPC to locate my part numbers. It helps them also. However, there are times when EPC is not accurate and with superseding of parts over time so I get the benefit of MBCC expertise. It may be the same service available to Mecedes club members. I've had Startek EPC for about two years and only wished I had gotten it sooner. It's not a necessity but just makes things easier. Just some things to consider.

I have found the MBCC to be a tremendous benefit in owning and maintaining any older Mercedes. That is their mission to support owners of older cars. They have insights and knowledge that is often priceless and not in any factory books or manuals. Highly recommended IMHO.

Hope this is helpful...