Wow, spare parts are hard to get!

[cawimmer430]

The hydraulic pump for the retractable roof on my dad's 1989 500SL failed recently. I know! WHAT A POS CAR! The car has "only" 200,000 km on it and this happens? What an unreliable POS!!! I mean this has never happened before but at 200,000 km? WHAT A POS!!! POS!!! This would never have happened on a Camry or Accord Convertible which could easily go 89430938433400343 miles without nothing fucking up!!! 

Anyway, Mercedes themselves don't offer this crucial part anymore. Well actually they do: a new hydraulic pump, but it's only compatible with a new electric system. That means, if my dad orders the new pump, he'll have to replace a large portion of the electric systems of the car. I know how that sounds: crazy! Insane. Sounds like they want people to order the new pump and pay extra for the new electrical components. What would this cost? 6,000+ Euros according to the dealership.

Luckily, there's Ebay and Hood. On those sites I found a used hydraulic pump from an old A124 convertible, which uses the same pump. Cost? 450 Euros after 19% VAT. And my dad has a buddy who owns a shop who'll build in the part for a friendship price. Problem solved.

Here's what the pump looks like.




Kind of sucks that the MB Classic Center only offers a "new pump" that comes with extra hidden costs.

[Rich]

shoulda gotten a Miata

[cawimmer430]

shoulda gotten a Miata

I have a penis, not a pussy.  

[CJ]

And this is precisely why I decided not to get that W124.  Parts are outrageous.  Also,only 200k km?  My 940 has 300k+.

[cawimmer430]

And this is precisely why I decided not to get that W124.  Parts are outrageous.  Also,only 200k km?  My 940 has 300k+.

He doesn't have a W124. He has an R129. The A124 is the convertible version of a C124 coupe and it has the same hydraulic pump as the R129 SL. What I am bitching about is the fact that MB (or Bosch) doesn't offer this hydraulic pump anymore. They offer a new model for the A124/R129 which is not compatible with several electrical systems found in the R129. In order to make it compatible several electrical components have to be replaced.

And the car has been very reliable for those 200,000 km. No breakdowns or issues. Just some fauled spark plugs one time. Also, does your Volvo have a complex retractable roof that is operated by a hydraulic pump? I don't think so. 

[Galaxy]

Did you check with Bosch classic?  http://www.automotive-tradition.de/de/start/index.htm

[cawimmer430]

Did you check with Bosch classic?  http://www.automotive-tradition.de/de/start/index.htm

Good link.

I didn't know Bosch has a classic department for such issues. It certainly didn't show up in any google searches I did regarding this particular item.

[Madman]

I'm surprised Mercedes doesn't supply the original pump anymore.  I seem to remember them crowing about their "Classic Parts Division" or somesuch for older models.  What about all that History and Heritage??

I experienced something similar when I had to replace the driver's door window regulator in my old Volvo 740.  Volvo no longer made the part so I had to go to my local Pull-A-Part where I found an old Volvo 940 (740 and 940 used the same doors) to get the bits I needed.  Volvo used to be pretty good about providing parts for their older car but this doesn't seem to be the case anymore.  I blame the Ford influence which seems to have crept into Volvo's corporate culture during the years when Dearborn was calling the shots instead of Gothenburg.

[veeman]

I wonder if one would go to a dealer with a "part they can't get" that you obtained from your own resourcefulness, would they put it in?  I bet not. 

[Northlands]

I'm sure they would for some money. They just won't guarantee the part if it breaks.

[Onslaught]

I have a penis, not a pussy.  

Very debatable.

[cawimmer430]

I'm surprised Mercedes doesn't supply the original pump anymore.  I seem to remember them crowing about their "Classic Parts Division" or somesuch for older models.  What about all that History and Heritage??

I experienced something similar when I had to replace the driver's door window regulator in my old Volvo 740.  Volvo no longer made the part so I had to go to may local Pull-A-Part where I found an old Volvo 940 (740 and 940 used the same doors) to get the bits I needed.  Volvo used to be pretty good about providing parts for their older car but this doesn't seem to be the case anymore.  I blame the Ford influence which seems to have crept into Volvo's corporate culture during the years when Dearborn was calling the shots instead of Gothenburg.

They offer the successor model to the pump - which is not compatible with certain electrical components in the car. If my dad ordered the successor model he'd also have to consent to them ripping out all the electrical wirings and components that are not compatible with the new pump. And that drives up the price. I ordered the pump yesterday and it'll be sent to my dad who'll have a retired MB mechanic (a buddy of his) install it for a friendship price.

Other than that I hear good things about the Mercedes Classic Center, especially in regards to helping out with original blueprints, restoration and maintenance etc. of classic cars.

[Soup DeVille]

I wonder if one would go to a dealer with a "part they can't get" that you obtained from your own resourcefulness, would they put it in?  I bet not. 

I've done that with independent garages for years. Some are more receptive to the idea than others.

[cawimmer430]

I wonder if one would go to a dealer with a "part they can't get" that you obtained from your own resourcefulness, would they put it in?  I bet not. 

They'd try to convince you to pay more for the new version.

[cawimmer430]

Very debatable.

Pussy = a guy in a Miata.  

[280Z Turbo]

Pussy = a guy in a Miata. 

Nope, this guy has a penis, but lacks a brain.

[Onslaught]

Pussy = a guy in a Miata.  

Large balls. You don't care what people think and still get ass without a snob German car.

[280Z Turbo]

Chick cars have to be FWD because women can't drive RWD in the snow. Unless they are sturdy ol' chain-smoking broads with a RWD work truck. We have a lot of them up here.

Why would Mazda go through the trouble of engineering an expensive RWD platform when FWD is better for women? And why bother with the double wishbone front suspension and multilink rear suspension?

Women need a convertible car that has no distinguishing features other than the removable roof. i.e. Sebring, Eos

[Onslaught]

Actually it's a fact that more Miata's are registered to men the females. Not that it really matters all that much. We should be talking about his POS German car is having problems. 

[VTEC_Inside]

I was amazed at some of the more obscure parts I was still able to get from Honda for my Accord.

20yrs old and you could still order a whole carb from them (easily available Khein outside the dealer anyway but).

The last part I ordered new was the hot air recirc diaphragm in the intake snorkle. Even the parts guy was surprised he could get it.

That fixed one of the most annoying problems that car was having (carb icing) shortly before I stopped driving it.

[Onslaught]

I wish Mazda was that way. You can't get all the parts OEM for my Miata anymore.

[TurboDan]

Would it have been cheaper to track the part down in the US rather than pay a 19% sales tax? I see a lot of people still driving R129s here. They're getting parts from somewhere, although I know someone who owns one and she said she rarely has any problems with it. It's a mid 90s model and it's her daily driver.

[Madman]

I wish Mazda was that way. You can't get all the parts OEM for my Miata anymore.

There seems to be a huge Miata aftermarket filling the void for stuff Mazda can't supply anymore.  Although I'm a bit surprised, considering how many early Miatas are still on the road, that Mazda is just giving that business away.

[cawimmer430]

Would it have been cheaper to track the part down in the US rather than pay a 19% sales tax? I see a lot of people still driving R129s here. They're getting parts from somewhere, although I know someone who owns one and she said she rarely has any problems with it. It's a mid 90s model and it's her daily driver.

I'd rather import a classic car for that little money. Something like a 1974 Dodge Monaco or '72 Chrysler New Yorker. They can probably be had for less than $ 200. 

[Onslaught]

I'd rather import a classic car for that little money. Something like a 1974 Dodge Monaco or '72 Chrysler New Yorker. They can probably be had for less than $ 200. 

And be more reliable then a German car.

[cawimmer430]

And be more reliable then a German car.

[Laconian]

* with the N54 engine

[Onslaught]

I don't know. They both suck.