Relative Parts Costs of a Q-ship vs MBZ

[texasoil]

I got some real sticker shock today--went to my friendly MBZ dealer where I have been a 'good' parts customer for over 20 years. Unfortunately, I made a big mistake 3 years ago and bought a 94 sl-600 (paid $3000 for a 3 yr extended warranty too)--and then the warranty Co cancelled 3 weeks later. No recourse b'cause in Texas, car warranty ipoicy is not considered 'insurance'. Today priced the main wiring harness for engine compartment --$2900 up from $1300 a year ago. ( Insulation biodegrades to dust!!) Electronic throttle actuators (one for each 6 cylinders) were $3500 and $2900 --up from $1700 and $1600 a year ago. (ame wiring to dust issue) I did not have the free cash right then. Parts guy (known the entire 20 years) said ALL the parts prices, ESPECIALLY models not in current production are up 200-500% in the last year alone!! I was trying to get a replacement hose for the heater supply fittings burried in the VEE of the beast. It had to come from Germany--none in US stock anywhere--and that particular hose ($5.65) dates from 1978 and is used on over 20 different models. Was 8-10 business days delivery at best. Am replacing it with red silicone hose--screw the Benz black.

One unnamed employees speculated MBZ is actively trying to kill off all cars older than 6-7 years by pricing parts so high, and deliberately not stocking them, as to render the cars unavailable for daily driving.

MBZ of old was fantastic--itty bitty detail parts for 25 year olds were reasonable, and readily available--if not in stock, 3 days max.

Enjoy the Q-ships and be thankful. Repair parts for MBZ and Chrysler products are essentially out of sight now.

[maxnix]

Damn, Keith, sorry to hear that. DB was one of the best marques in efforts to keep its legacy cars on the road. In spite of all the the new turbo-charged (because the 3 valve heads won't breathe at high rpm) V12s, yours is definitely a legacy falgship for the marque. I will now go kiss my G50 with its VH45DE and antiquidated 4 speed auto.

Boy, Chrysler has sure improved the brand! Wonder how long the 300C will last? Bet it's not 10 years.

[PalmerWMD]

Sorry to hear that Keith.

I have always eyed those S class 600's as well.

Fred..

[elwesso]

The S600s and al the S classes are such golden cars.. You even inspired me to look into one after my old Q died..... But that would have been a mistake...

I hear BMW parts for the older models are about the same as our Q..

Its a shame such a high end marque and world class company would do this... I also dont understand why they would want to have the old cars not useable... That makes no sense, as thats where the dealers make their money.. SERVICE.. But I guess that would make people want to get a new MB, but IMHO if serivce is such a PITA, i wouldnt want to do that..

How is your MB doing?

[Jesda]

Thats a damn shame. Im glad I sold the 300 and convinced mom not to buy an S-class.

Hopefully, the Germans in charge of DC dont do the same thing to Chrysler.

[HeavyDuty]

A good friend (who currently holds a NHRA Top Fuel license & is an accomplished superbike competitor) that works as a lead tech at the MB dealership in Winter Park, FL was called upon when I was looking at an absolutely perfect 02(?) CLK430 said this;

"It is a great example of a DC product. Awesome car."

BUT

"I have customers who buy one and drive it forever with no issues, AND I have those who buy one and spend a King's ransom 'keeping it between the lines.' during the entire course of their ownership. You DO NOT want to know the book time for even a heater core replacement."

Too bad, that little V12 emblem on the fender states;

"I have HUGE ones, and they're both engraved with '10LB solid brass"

I get a chubby when seeing/driving a new SL5 or 6, always will. The CL55 & 65 nets the same response, albeit purple & engorged.

(Renntech is only 3 hrs from here.)

Meanwhile, I'll keep driving my raggedy-a$$ 91 Q45, it costs enough just to do that.

[Q45denver]

I've had a 300TD turbodiesel for awhile and the maintenance parts have been quite reasonable, However, most of them have been aftermarket and not from the dealer. Very simple car to work on and maintain since it has almost no electronic components. Even the door locks and transmission are vacuum operated.

[911/Q45]

How do you run down those little vacuum leaks that act like gremlins? I could never figure that out.

[maxnix]

Even the door locks and transmission are vacuum operated.

I like the old 600 Pullman limos the best. The windows, door locks, brakes, all power was hydraulic from engine driven pump. Can't even imagine.

[elwesso]

That would suck... Instead of replacing your under plenum hoses, youd have to replace your lock hoses, door hoses, transmission hoses and so forth.....

I'll stick with $400 to buy all of Joes hoses for the engine

[Q45denver]

Actually pretty easy to find leaks using a minivac pump and isolating the system you are checking. Other than a couple of wires for temp sensors and tach and the headlights and radio there is no electrical wiring. Plus the fuel injectors and fuel pump very seldom fail. I still prefer the Q however, even with all its problems.

[pito11213]

Well sorry to hear that about the Benz. But I do love that S body benz. I have always considered that a true luxury car. Benz is still a pretty good and reliable car especially the older ones. It is just time taking its toll. So whats next for the Benz?

[elwesso]

Well sorry to hear that about the Benz. But I do love that S body benz. I have always considered that a true luxury car. Benz is still a pretty good and reliable car especially the older ones. It is just time taking its toll. So whats next for the Benz?

Agreed... Id love to have an older 520SEL sometime...

[qship96]

Wes,no 520sel to my knowledge! 380,420,450,500,560sel imported to USA over the years.I would kill for a final year 560 SEL,1991 if i recall correctly-the last of the truly great,overengineered benz.

[elwesso]

560... Thats it.....

Shows my MB ignorance..... I saw one of those one time, and that car just looks rock solid driving on the interstate......

[aaronl]

Hah,The guy I bought my Q from sold it because he bought a sl600 for 13K. Is he going to be shocked.

[GreenQ45a]

Would vacum driven systems pump still work underwater?

I know Infiniti electric system will work for 7-14 mins underwater.

IE.. You could roll down your windows if you drove into a lake.

[Jesda]

A common trick for thieves is to "deflate" the vacuum system and have easy access to all doors and the trunk. Not sure exactly how its done, but a guy I knew warned me about it.

[natsoundup]

I am finding that parts for my 1988 300e are very reasonable....so reasonable that i am replacing some known troublespots on the car as preventative maintenance.

There is a huge aftermarket since these cars were in production for so long.

I once owned an S class...you really have to have money to own one of those....I didn't ...that's why I eventually got rid of it.

On the flip side, you give up performance.

That's life

[Jesda]

Are you going OEM or aftermarket?

[Q45tech]

My bad habits in a previous life are catching up to me. T3 has a DeLorean that we have been charged with rehabilitating for a charity. Duncan our Lexus, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jag, Audi, BMW, MB [anything European] expert has his work cut out for him......what a piece of work [mechanically?] this 130 HP car is ------ mix and match parts from every European vendor. Only 8,583 DeLoreans were manufactured in 1981, 1982, and 1983.

[Jesda]

If I ever happen to have 30k in pocket change to throw around, I can buy a restored Delorean with a warranty.

[maxnix]

My bad habits in a previous life are catching up to me. T3 has a DeLorean that we have been charged with rehabilitating for a charity.

The charitable thing to do would be to immobilize it. They are dogs.

[Rex]

Admittedly, in the 80's the gull wing doors had huge sex appeal, but we've all dried up and wised up since then.

Maybe, you should see if you can find a great Crockett & Tubbs outfit to throw in with it.

[natsoundup]

I am using a combination of OEM and aftermarket depending on how critical the part is to the health of the vehicle.

[Jesda]

I think the gullwing door is one of the greatest impractical stylistic excesses in automotive history. The current scissor-style trend just doesnt cut it.

http://delorean.com/

[911/Q45]

The unpainted stainless finish was a pretty slick idea though.

[elwesso]

I agree...

Over on caddy forums, we have a few guys that are putting the 4.9L caddy engine, with a turbo... In the delorean.....

I gotta admit, they are slick cars.....

[Jesda]

Eww, the 4.9? Why not a Northstar? Someone wrecked a Deville and had an extra motor?

[elwesso]

Because they are MUCH more solid (read: headgaskets)... Plus they are smaller even though there is more displacement (only SOHC)... They are apparently easier to modify due to the electronics are similar to the 4.1 and 4.5l cadillac engines they used from 1981 in the FWD cars...

More solid, better fitment, and easier to mod.....