Now I have 3 [Mercedes 450 SLC]

[Steve P.]

I'm starting to appreciate Britmobiles a bit more than I
have.

For some unknown reason (OK, they look cool and they are
cheap right now), I've been getting into the older
Mercedes convertables & coupes. Owners of these cars
have a dramtically different mindset. Several times
I've asked techical questions about issues I'm having
with my cars. Dead silence. Then it hit me...MB owners
don't work on their own cars. They pay someone else to
fix their cars!

To make matters worse, the service manuals suck, cost
a friggin fortune, and there isn't just one. There
are several. No luck finding ANY service info on the
AT. Groan. Take a look at the factory service manual
for any MG or Healey. A breath of fresh air!

Parts? Forget about it! Just bought a parts car to
maintain the two drivers I now have. Otherwise I'd
have to take out a second mortgage.

Steve

 

[tony barnhill]

Steve - I feel your pain....I've only got my 380SL but understand what you're saying (however, I do want either an SLC or a 560SEC)

& Jerri's C280 - nobody around but the dealer can work on it! But thank goodness all it usually needs is normal maintenance.

 

[Steve P.]

Tony,
I figured you would understand. Sorry for the vent, which
is not what I had intended.

What set me off was when I called the parts dude at the
local MB supplier. I need two tail light lenses (the tip
of the iceburg). $265 each for a total of $530. I told
the guy thats more than I paid for the car and he started
laughing. With me (I think). Most of the body trim parts
I needed they can't get, so I bought a complete parts
car ($250 delivered).

My next car will be an MGA. I speak English just fine.
The only German I know is 'dumkough'. ;-)

Steve
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[tony barnhill]

Steve - I've begun having luck on ebay with new OE Mercedes parts - cheaper than local...there are a couple of companies who sell there that I've developed a relationship with - I now just cll them direct...you might want to try them.