I have a 99 the front calipers are painted high gloss black how do I know if they are the Bimbos?
The black calipers are the brembos. Meaning: You can do the silver-arrow swap! So congrats!
I did SA rotors and Akebono pads all around, and flushed the brake fluid as well, all of which Lynn originally suggested to me, and couldn't possibly be happier. Brake feel and performance improved tenfold.
The last piece of the puzzle should arrive shortly, which is my new braided stainless brake lines. I will report back in that thread with how they work and fit, though after talking to Classic Tube (the manufacturer) I am confident they know what they are doing and everything will be fine, especially since I sent them OEM Mercedes brake lines as templates. I also told them to keep them, for any future orders from you guys.
Anyways, I am very happy with my new brakes. The rotors have barely been shined by the new pads, they are so gentle on them, and I have gone 2+ weeks in the middle of pollen season while using the car every day, and the wheels were the only thing that wasn't dirty...so they really do cut down on dust big-time.
I think you would be very happy doing this swap, plus a set of stainless lines. For what it's worth, the charge from Classic Tube just came through on my Amex, and it's a grand total of $157 for the set of 4, including shipping. Not bad for a custom job, and I am sure the price will start going down if enough of you guys order them
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"Veni, Vidi, volo in domum redire." (I came, I saw, I want to go home.)
Thanks - I know Pyramid and Speedline - I just didn't know their official names. I also didn't know they did performance bits for the SL - in fact awhile back I asked Pyramid if they could get a few things (steering wheel, over mats etc) - they couldn't get anythign so I kinda gave up.
My father in law used to work for Zung Fu for about 25 years and one of founders is a family friend but they are just too expensive. For the more common parts I used:
Deutschland Auto Spare Parts
G/F, No 28-30 Ko Shan Road
Hung Hom, Kowloon
Tel: +852 2774 6698
Cheers
Alan
Went to them once with my list of items needed (OEM parts), they replied none to all, kinda gave up on them.
OT: Would you happen to know where I might be able to source AMG Style 1 aluminum wheels (8.5et25 x 18 and 9.5et23 x 18) for my car in HK, new or used?
For you guys in HongKong who are paying like 10X the going price in the United States for Mercedes parts: I know most US places won't ship to HK, but if you want to buy the parts over here online, then I would be happy to take delivery and then forward them to you as long as you cover my shipping costs (via paypal or something).
It kind of hurts to watch the prices you are paying for benz parts over there. After reading a pile of threads where you guys post the cost of different things, it is evident that if something costs $100 here, it costs you guys $500+ over there. Someone is sure making a pile of dough off the price difference...but in any event, if there is anything I can do to help, I would be happy to do so.
It is a lot of red tape for shipping to other country's, heavy import tax etc.
Basically they love when you bring money in.
But taking money out is an other story.
Regards, aam.
For you guys in HongKong who are paying like 10X the going price in the United States for Mercedes parts: I know most US places won't ship to HK, but if you want to buy the parts over here online, then I would be happy to take delivery and then forward them to you as long as you cover my shipping costs (via paypal or something).
It kind of hurts to watch the prices you are paying for benz parts over there. After reading a pile of threads where you guys post the cost of different things, it is evident that if something costs $100 here, it costs you guys $500+ over there. Someone is sure making a pile of dough off the price difference...but in any event, if there is anything I can do to help, I would be happy to do so.
The oem parts aren't that bad as most EU manufacturers have distributors in the Southeast Asia region, however it's the MB branded parts that are expensive.
It is a lot of red tape for shipping to other country's, heavy import tax etc.
Basically they love when you bring money in.
But taking money out is an other story.
Regards, aam.
Here in my country, it's not so much with regards to red tape on shipping andimport taxes, it's the high profit margins that the importers want on specially imported parts. Unlike before when dealers were required to maintain a level of spare parts, now MB has only one warehouse in the area (Singapore), all the different dealers in the Southeast Asia region have to order from that country + freight cost + taxes/duties + profit. A case in point, the battery needed for the newer keys of MB cars are not stocked here, if you need them, the dealer will airfreight it in for you, a week later and a markup of 200%
OVER MB pricelists + hourly rate of US$35 + 12% VAT. +
The oem parts aren't that bad as most EU manufacturers have distributors in the Southeast Asia region, however it's the MB branded parts that are expensive.
Can I take you up on your offer in the future?
Absolutely. Even with the declared-value tax, it will still save you 75% or so, compared to the prices you guys over there are paying. I am happy to help.
Absolutely. Even with the declared-value tax, it will still save you 75% or so, compared to the prices you guys over there are paying. I am happy to help.
I'm with Chris, I would also be willing to assist in shipping parts overseas. PM me and I'll gladly give you my address and I'll relabel and ship via your courier of choice. I'd be glad to help!
I'm with Chris, I would also be willing to assist in shipping parts overseas. PM me and I'll gladly give you my address and I'll relabel and ship via your courier of choice. I'd be glad to help!
Aboynton / Chris: thanks for the offers - very nice of you. Sometimes one has no option but to go the main dealer for parts (which I often get via my father in law in the UK - ex Merc dealer so connections etc). Some parts (wheels. tyres, bodyparts etc) such aren't economical to ship if heavy / bulky as all airfreight. Sea freight OK if one doesn't mind waiting 3 months (or occasionally I've had things disappear by sea-freight and have turned up 6 months after being posted).
Also, sometimes it's worth paying a little extra to have surety one can change the items if wrong - obviously with shipping this is more tricky.
Chicky: can't recall what side of the road you drive in the Phillippines - I think it's the same as HK (steering wheel on the right), if so - make sure to mention this if ordering from the states. Sometimes the part numbers differ slightly.
Anyway, thanks again for the offer - I need a new engine wiring loom at some stage and I may well take you up on the offer in the next few months.
Cheers
Alan
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1997 Benz SL500
2000 Benz CLK230 Cab
HONG KONG
Aboynton / Chris: thanks for the offers - very nice of you. Sometimes one has no option but to go the main dealer for parts (which I often get via my father in law in the UK - ex Merc dealer so connections etc). Some parts (wheels. tyres, bodyparts etc) such aren't economical to ship if heavy / bulky as all airfreight. Sea freight OK if one doesn't mind waiting 3 months (or occasionally I've had things disappear by sea-freight and have turned up 6 months after being posted).
Also, sometimes it's worth paying a little extra to have surety one can change the items if wrong - obviously with shipping this is more tricky.
Chicky: can't recall what side of the road you drive in the Phillippines - I think it's the same as HK (steering wheel on the right), if so - make sure to mention this if ordering from the states. Sometimes the part numbers differ slightly.
Anyway, thanks again for the offer - I need a new engine wiring loom at some stage and I may well take you up on the offer in the next few months.
Cheers
Alan
Hi Alan,
In the Philippines, the steering wheel is on the left side, similar to the US and Germany.
With our R129, a lot of patience is really needed in sourcing parts, that's why whenever I'm in HK or China, I make it a point to go to all the stores that I know off in HK that deals with MB parts, with my parts list and numbers at hand.
For us guys located in Asia, IMHO, the best thing is to look for someone based in Singapore, as that's where the regional warehouse distributor for original MB parts is located, and help in looking for a dealer willing to sell us parts at wholesale prices. That would help reduce your cost of having to indent order "right hand drive" parts all the way from London or Australia, btw, Singapore is right hand drive. Remember Steve of Valiant/HK, I asked him a few months ago to quote me 2 pages of parts that I wanted for my R129, well he sent me a quote for the parts with a separate pricing for sea and air freight which are quite reasonable, though he wasn't able to quote for the AMG parts as the price lists of his German counterpart does not have them. Why don't you give it a try asking him, but it would make things easier if you have the part numbers, like I did.
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