i don't know what vendetta has to do w/ this; all that i know is that i paid half of what 4x4 wanted for replacement wiper shafts by using sean at eurotruck...everybody is entitled to make a buck but at almost 100% markup over retail at 4x4, i will stick w/ sean...
Wow, looks like I created a little stir or stepped on somebody's toes...
Let me elaborate some points:
1. Over the five pure-personal years of experience I had with Mercedes-Benz, I found that on average replacement parts are on the cheaper part of the price scale, with outlyers in both directions meaning sometimes laughable cheap, sometimes un-understandable expensive.
As the experienced viewer will see, I modified my little A-class from a pre-facelift model to a post-2002 model. This could NOT be done without the help from the different forums I frequented at the time.
Just to give you an idea, on how much the OEM AMG alloy pedals cost for my manual transmission A-class: +- 30 Euro (incl 21% VAT)(+- 35-40 dollar); therefore it would surprise that the ones for the W463 cost 3 times that price ($98).
The fact that I referred to the SLK pedals is that lots of forums recommend those for a huge number of current (C, E, …) and older MB’s (old C, W124, SL)
(for more details please refer to http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=f3ec4e517b5b1da93c036000d26ca351& t=314&page=1&pp=15 )
Based on that experience, and now with the purchase of my G, I would like to update this wonderful vehicle, this by paying reasonable prices, that doesn’t mean I do not want to avoid somebody making a profit but please don’t exaggerate.
You will see from my gallery that I already started updating my ’91 G even before I actually got it. Such as replacing the yellow turn signals to white turn signals, clear head lights, rear red/white lights, which I bought on e-bay Austria.
2. On the German and Austrian E-bay site it is VERY common that the seller posts the part numbers! I allows people to check before they buy! A great buyer beware !
Therefore I ALWAYS ask the seller the partnumbers ! If they refuse to give them or find a lame excuse, I know theremust be something wrong !
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8009120104&rd=1&sspage name=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
This is hosted by Mercedes-Benz themselves, as you see they have nothing to hide and openly communicate with the prospective customer.
They make E-bay a great place ! (Some will recognise the burlwood knob)
Trust is good, control is better.
3. I also want to add that I think that this is an international Mercedes-Benz forum with people from all over the world (Canada, USA, Belgium, Brazil, Norway …) who are MB aficionados and who want to help or share their opinions on their beloved cars. So therefore I think that this is not only limited to the US market which you mention (MBUSA EPC).
Nevertheless I’m convinced that MBUSA must have enormous shipments of parts coming over and lagered in the US and with the scale advantages, price differences shouldn't be too high!
4. Now on a direct response towards FourbyfourClub: You will also notice the remarks from other forum members that the prices stated on your E-bay shop are not only contested by me. As far as I know, forums are NOT a place to sell or advertise but to share, if you can’t or won’t share some of your knowledge being afraid of some long-distance competition esp. as a power-seller, please ! You’re idea of a revenge is pretty strange to say the least.
5. Finally, the job it wasn’t hard or long at all, I just had to copy/paste the list I already started for myself. I admit that it is mainly exterior stuff, hardcore mechanics is not (yet) my cup of tea, but if people want I always can add more detailed numbers for something like transfer cases.
6. And yes, on an occasional basis, I’m willing to help some people out if I can with parts from Europe (but as you stated they should beware of customs).
7. Apparently, some people find it an useful idea, and if I can make at least one person happy or help them, it would be a way of repaying my debt for all the times I used somebody else’s knowledge.
Well to end this on a funny note: Just to show what people are trying to sell as a “must for every G-driver�:
http://cgi.ebay.de/Mercedes-G-Spezialklammer-Kartenhalter-SONDERZUBEHOR_W0QQitemZ8017130140QQcategoryZ72939Q QrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
That’s something you find in every office fro free ;-)
FLX - 12/16/2005 6:43 PM
....Is there a way to attach Excel files ?
Not on this forum. But there is a "USGwagen" group on yahoo where you can post such a file in the "files" section. That way you'd always have access to update it yourself without having to work through a web host. Just one other possibility.
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