Getting the right part

[TC350]

Last year I ordered online from a reputable supplier new windscreen wipers for my C350. They were specified as being for the year and specific model of my car. But when they arrived they were a different fitting altogether! I didn’t have time to send them back, so I just swapped the rubber blades and attached the ‘use by’ sticker.

Last month I started to look around for new front brakes and discs. To be on the safe side, I went to the Mercedes online parts place in Edinburgh and used their locator based on car registration. It came up with the correct car details and directed me to a disc and pad set that looked right. Everything looked the same as those on YouTube videos instructing how to replace them.

But before ordering I decided to check prices on a couple of other sites. That’s when I got really confused. Using my car reg details, one of the sites directed me to a different style of disc and very different pads! I was checking out the same make of parts everywhere.

Obviously I wanted the right ones, so I went out to my garage to have a much closer look at what I had already. It turned out that my discs and pads were of the style that only one online supplier had said. I ordered from them (a German company in Berlin) and received everything the next week.

To save all this confusion and risking getting the wrong parts, is there a way to check for absolute certainty the Mercedes part numbers before ordering stuff online? Clearly, the identification system used by suppliers isn’t reliable.

 

[ray_hennig]

is there a way to check for absolute certainty the Mercedes part numbers

I ALWAYS use an MB EPC to locate the genuine MB part number. I then order MB parts. Or, I cross-reference the MB part number to an aftermarket part and then order that from Auto-Doc in Berlin.

This policy hasn't failed me in 8 years.

Good hunting.

RayH

 

[TC350]

I ALWAYS use an MB EPC to locate the genuine MB part number. I then order MB parts. Or, I cross-reference the MB part number to an aftermarket part and then order that from Auto-Doc in Berlin.

This policy hasn't failed me in 8 years.

Good hunting.

RayH

Thanks Ray. I got my discs and pads from AutoDoc.

Excuse my ignorance, what’s an MB EPC?

 

[Muckypaps]

Google it

 

[ray_hennig]

what’s an MB EPC?

A Mercedes Benz Electronic Parts Catalogue. I use this one:

Mercedes-Benz Teilekatalog (Ersatzteile online)

mb-teilekatalog.info

You punch in your VIN and all is revealed.

R

 

[Petrol Pete]

I use the VIN number , even that doesn't work sometimes when the MB EPC is wrong and the parts guys at MB dealership you are standing in refuse to walk out of the building to the car park to actually LOOK at the rear brake callipers that do not match what they have on their computer screen and insist the car must be modified . I won't go into that much as I ranted on about it on here some years ago. Spoiler alert C55 uses C32 rear callipers but MB forgot ...computer says NO!. Luckily the people at NAPA and brakesinternational know their stuff.

The UK reg number is not always useful when using overseas suppliers and can be just as useless in the UK . It can not be relied on and is habitually wrong identifying parts on even the most basic of cars.

The catalogue in post #5 can often raise more questions than answers (it's the one that shows the wrong brakes for my car) but is a good tool that I use as a starting point and is mostly correct.

It is more likely that the problem is with the C55 AMG in particular as they are 'parts bin' specials made up of CLK and 203 bits along with other stuff they threw on as a last hurrah before launching the C63.

 

[colinallcars]

An alternative

https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genuine/locate?c=MB201810

 

[Petrol Pete]

An alternative

https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genuine/locate?c=MB201810

It's basically the same one as posted in #5 , containing the same mistakes , but again , as I said a good place to start .

Example : using my VIN on both of these sites shows 4 different part numbers for the rubber 'shim' at the top of my rear coil springs. Thats because there are 4 different thickness available. The only way to get the correct ones if replacing them is to take the suspension apart , hold the thing in your hand and count the burls moulded into it. Then choose one of the 4 numbers MB offer you.

Sometimes mark one human eyeball is the only answer

 

[merc estate]

I alway use MB Newcastle and Edinburgh give them your reg, you get the parts no agro and you know they fit.
Sometimes you have to take the agro out of things.

 

[TC350]

I alway use MB Newcastle and Edinburgh give them your reg, you get the parts no agro and you know they fit.
Sometimes you have to take the agro out of things.

It was MB Edinburgh that offered the wrong disc and pads based on my reg number. That’s a lot of weight to be sending back and forth. It would also be a bummer to jack my car up, take off a wheel, remove pads and disc, then open the boxes to find the wrong parts.

I suspect, but don’t know, that it may be because my particular model of W204 is fairly rare in the UK (about 50 registered here in total AFAIK) all its precise details haven’t been entered into most EPCs.

 

[TC350]

Thank you folks for explaining what EPC means (not Energy Performance Certificate as Google told me!). I’ve only been a member here a couple of days and already learnt something new.

Also thanks for the suggestions of places where I can try plugging in my VIN for part numbers.

BUT - of course I need to heed PetrolPete’s excellent warnings about possible errors. Just because the computer says yes, I shouldn’t rely on it.

 

[JHS]

A Mercedes Benz Electronic Parts Catalogue. I use this one:

Mercedes-Benz Teilekatalog (Ersatzteile online)

mb-teilekatalog.info

You punch in your VIN and all is revealed.

R

It says that there is no data card available.

 

[JHS]

An alternative

https://partsouq.com/en/catalog/genuine/locate?c=MB201810

I am not confident that it gives the part for the AMG Line front brakes, which I believe have bigger discs?.

 

[Gnasher141]

Does the car start? Sounds like a wheel sensor to me. A garage with a code reader should be able to confirm which one. The part is not expensive.

I suspect, but don’t know, that it may be because my particular model of W204 is fairly rare in the UK (about 50 registered here in total AFAIK) all its precise details haven’t been entered into most EPCs.

What is the model you have? Out of interest

 

[TC350]

What is the model you have? Out of interest

It’s the facelift C350 Sport saloon with the 3.5 litre 60 degree V6 M276 Direct Injection engine pushing out 306bhp.

 

[Gnasher141]

Nice

 

[DSM10000]

It was MB Edinburgh that offered the wrong disc and pads based on my reg number. That’s a lot of weight to be sending back and forth. It would also be a bummer to jack my car up, take off a wheel, remove pads and disc, then open the boxes to find the wrong parts.

I suspect, but don’t know, that it may be because my particular model of W204 is fairly rare in the UK (about 50 registered here in total AFAIK) all its precise details haven’t been entered into most EPCs.

Always use the VIN.

I have never had an issue with MB Edinburgh or elsewhere , in fact they and others insist on the VIN when ordering parts.

 

[TC350]

Always use the VIN.

I have never had an issue with MB Edinburgh or elsewhere , in fact they and others insist on the VIN when ordering parts.

Perhaps they insist on the VIN when placing the actual order. But when you’re looking for a part they say “Please provide car registration number or VIN with every order …” I provided my registration number, which they then confirmed as my specific car, but only offered this - which is wrong.

 

[DSM10000]

Perhaps they insist on the VIN when placing the actual order. But when you’re looking for a part they say “Please provide car registration number or VIN with every order …” I provided my registration number, which they then confirmed as my specific car, but only offered this - which is wrong.
View attachment 141206

I have always dealt direct with one person by email in the Parts Dept and not via the website

I can provide his name and contact details if you would like them.

 

[TC350]

I have always dealt direct with one person by email in the Parts Dept and not via the website

I can provide his name and contact details if you would like them.

Thanks. I’ve got what I need for now but will get back to you if and when I need something else if that’s OK. (I’m certain to lose the details if you give them to me now!)