Buying replacement parts - advice please

[tiswas]

Hi

My local garage looks afte me well but I am increasingly being asked to source replacement parts myself.

Now, before you read any further, please bear in mind that I know very little about cars.

The first parts I bought were from the SL shop who provided a brilliant service. I thought I would use them again but I was surprised at the price they were quoting and when I googled the part number I found it coming in a LOT cheaper elsewhere.

I then tried autodoc and was pleasently surprised to see the part in question available from a number of manufacturers at a range of prices but of course I have no experience or expertise in understanding the quality of each manufacturer. https://www.autodoc.co.uk/spares-search?keyword=1243303407

Can anyone offer any advice as to what I should be doing when it comes to sourcing spares?

Many thanks

Rob

 

[s5tuart]

The SL shop do sell stuff with a healthy markup but you can be sure you'll be getting the right part if you talk to them about it first.
I suppose customer support isn't cheap.
Saying that I would just double double check any part numbers and buy from elsewhere.

 

[brandwooddixon]

It really depends what parts you are after.
Quite a few pattern parts won't perform or fit as well as those manufactured by OEM suppliers e.g. Lemforder for suspension parts.
If in doubt post in the forum the parts that you are after, I'm sure that there are people who will help you.

 

[DSK]

So this looks like a suspension arm base on your link, amazed to see lemforder not listed as that’s my default choice as it’s what was OEM on my Volvos and fitted where ever I could over the last century without issue.

I have known some other aftermarket brands to have troublesome fitting, different materials regulating in poor durability etc. from the available list of brands shown, I’d take TRW.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

I always tend to go down the lemforder route for suspension. everybody has there favorite, I've had original suspension replaced that has been both TRW and Lemforder. I suspect as per the Aircraft industry multiple suppliers provide OEM so the manufacturer never fails with single source failure. I find Autodoc useful.

 

[tiswas]

Thanks guys, comments are appreciated.

 

[mioba]

If you are hell bent on getting parts yourself, get aquatinted with many of the online websites that show parts diagrams for your car.

Find the part you need and pump the part no into google.

Also get aquatinted with a good motor factor, they can usually source parts based in the part number and offer you a number of alternatives.

 

[EmilysDad]

If you are hell bent on getting parts yourself, get aquatinted with many of the online websites that show parts diagrams for your car.

Find the part you need and pump the part no into google.

Also get aquatinted with a good motor factor, they can usually source parts based in the part number and offer you a number of alternatives.

what have you done with the real Mioba?

 

[BillyBoy]

Do your research, but don't rule out an MB dealer. If you build a relationship with the parts manager you may be surprised what discounts you will get. I used to have a very good relationship with the parts manager at my supplying dealership until I moved and he was ofter in the same range or cheaper that other suppliers and you know you are getting genuine parts that are correct for the vehicle. Also check eBay, one of the dealers (I think Newcastle Mercedes IIRC) has a shop in eBay and are very competitive and also helpful when you message them.

 

[AMGeed]

^ +1
Main dealers at MB Newcastle and Edinburgh are excellent.
Parts usually arrive next day too.

 

[tiswas]

Thanks again folks.

Going slightly off topic, I am in Norfolk and probably drive only a couple of thousand miles per year in the car.

I need to refurb the alloys, probably have the drivers seat repaired and maybe the doorcards and then I will have a half decent car.

Whilst costs are starting to mount, as you would expect for a 24 year old car, I would still probably only be offered peanuts were I to sell it and what would that money buy me in terms of a replacement?

So, I think we are probably stuck, till death us do part so to speak, and this can only mean more regular visits to the parts shops!

Roll on summer!