Parts Sourcing for W211 E55k

[AaronE55Cripps]

Having owned my 2004 E55K since 2012 I’ve seen my fair share of large repair bills.
So far none of it has diluted my enjoyment of the car… however last year it was off the road more than it was running. Living in Ireland my Motor Tax is 2000€ before I drive anywhere. Yes you read that right 2000€ that’s not a typo. But last year was a major hassle.

Getting it through the NCT test was problematic. First I had suspension control height valve go. Then a rear shock needed replacing. And the big one the gear lever selector module. The gear lever selector although not a crazy price it wasn’t available anywhere in UK or Europe and had to be specially ordered which took 8 weeks. I must have spent 5k last year just keeping her maintained. Add the cost of tax to that and it was an expensive year.
I have no issue with the running costs if I have the enjoyment of driving as well. But with the waiting for parts last year it was almost unbearable seeing the car sat there for months on end Undriveable.

Is anyone else having this same issue ? Is there a good parts supplier that I’m not aware of ? Its really making me question if I want to keep the car or move on to something newer. I don’t really want to move on but I can’t justify the costs if I’m not able to drive the car. I realise it’s probably going to become even more difficult to source parts as the car ages.

it’s a 2nd car after all I drive it for fun.
Would appreciate peoples comments and thoughts on this.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

This kind of question comes up regularly. I run low mileage old V8's so I don't have a need for bits, but coming from an Engineering family, we used to repair cars using Breaker parts - back in the day when you had to drive up and remove the bits yourself in a muddy yard.

It's far easier to find used parts and OEM suspension (but not MB dealership) parts thanks to the Internet. And there are reconditioned parts around for "problematic" bits.

Are you opposed to sourcing parts like this - from the UK, Germany and East Europe?

2000 Euros to put a car on the road? Yet there are so many expensive motors in Ireland?

 

[W1ghty]

Is Autodoc app/website any good for you ?

 

[SL03WLY]

Yep, I've also been having trouble with getting parts here in London too. Airmatic shock on back order. They don't even know when its can be made available so there you go. I needed a bladder for the dynamic seat and its was 2 month back order so...

 

[AaronE55Cripps]

This kind of question comes up regularly. I run low mileage old V8's so I don't have a need for bits, but coming from an Engineering family, we used to repair cars using Breaker parts - back in the day when you had to drive up and remove the bits yourself in a muddy yard.

It's far easier to find used parts and OEM suspension (but not MB dealership) parts thanks to the Internet. And there are reconditioned parts around for "problematic" bits.

Are you opposed to sourcing parts like this - from the UK, Germany and East Europe?

2000 Euros to put a car on the road? Yet there are so many expensive motors in Ireland?

Thanks for responding. Sourcing parts for older AMG models in Ireland is almost impossible as there are so few around of these parts. Sourcing parts from UK I’m not even going to think about post-Brexit. I have enough trouble doing that for my business and the hassle it causes me. Parts from Europe could be an option though if I can find them. But like I said with the gear selector module it was made to order as there were none on the shelf anywhere. Had to enquire recently about a complete rear drive shaft and again there are none on the shelf in Europe or UK.

there are nowhere near as many expensive motors in Ireland compared to UK. There is one Official Porsche dealer in Ireland. None for other high-end marques. VRT here is 40% on anything like this So that kinda kills it. Appreciate the reply.

 

[AaronE55Cripps]

Is Autodoc app/website any good for you ?

Thanks. I have looked at Autodoc before. It’s ok for some parts. But certain parts for me have to be OEM. Wasn’t any use at all for the gear selector module I needed.

 

[AaronE55Cripps]

Yep, I've also been having trouble with getting parts here in London too. Airmatic shock on back order. They don't even know when its can be made available so there you go. I needed a bladder for the dynamic seat and its was 2 month back order so...

Had the same issue with rear shock. Think I waited 6 weeks. It’s not something that is sitting easy with me.
Another car I would love to own is a Lotus Carlton but sourcing parts for it puts me completely off the idea. With these cars becoming rarer it’s going to become a bigger issue.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Thanks for responding. Sourcing parts for older AMG models in Ireland is almost impossible as there are so few around of these parts. Sourcing parts from UK I’m not even going to think about post-Brexit. I have enough trouble doing that for my business and the hassle it causes me. Parts from Europe could be an option though if I can find them. But like I said with the gear selector module it was made to order as there were none on the shelf anywhere. Had to enquire recently about a complete rear drive shaft and again there are none on the shelf in Europe or UK.

there are nowhere near as many expensive motors in Ireland compared to UK. There is one Official Porsche dealer in Ireland. None for other high-end marques. VRT here is 40% on anything like this So that kinda kills it. Appreciate the reply.

Interesting. Sorry to hear. Curious.

And now you've got me worrying how my friends in Ireland all drive Panamera's, Macans and Cayennes.

.

 

[AaronE55Cripps]

Interesting. Sorry to hear. Curious.

And now you've got me worrying how my friends in Ireland all drive Panamera's, Macans and Cayennes.

.

when you actually compare the list prices of vehicles in Ireland against the UK the difference is really staggering. This isn’t recent information but base price on an A45 used to be around 47,000£ in UK in Ireland at the same time is was 70,000€+. Keep in mind we are already working in €uros and cars should be coming through Europe directly. It’s the same for any of the high end vehicles. It’s all tax. its What’s stops me changing up as I wouldn’t mind getting into something newer but I’m not going to be robbed by Revenue just because I want to drive a nice car.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

when you actually compare the list prices of vehicles in Ireland against the UK the difference is really staggering. This isn’t recent information but base price on an A45 used to be around 47,000£ in UK in Ireland at the same time is was 70,000€+. Keep in mind we are already working in €uros and cars should be coming through Europe directly. It’s the same for any of the high end vehicles. It’s all tax. its What’s stops me changing up as I wouldn’t mind getting into something newer but I’m not going to be robbed by Revenue just because I want to drive a nice car.

I didn't realise how much you guys pay in personal taxes of all sorts.

What happens with cars sold from North to South? Heavy import taxes, presumably?





I'd assumed corporate taxes would be way higher given all those multinationals.

I

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

(Cough) On that theme, I'd assumed that this £30k car, being sold on literally on the border between North and South, would be from the South, which is why it's described as being "imported."

Price is slightly warm by English standards, for a 2015 S500 on 42k

But given what you've said, surely it can't make sense to sell such a car into the North. They must be more valuable to remain in the South, let alone the import taxes.

"Asking for a friend." (Cough)

Car advert here: Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

 

[AaronE55Cripps]

(Cough) On that theme, I'd assumed that this £30k car, being sold on literally on the border between North and South, would be from the South, which is why it's described as being "imported."

Price is slightly warm by English standards, for a 2015 S500 on 42k

But given what you've said, surely it can't make sense to sell such a car into the North. They must be more valuable to remain in the South, let alone the import taxes.

"Asking for a friend." (Cough)

Car advert here: Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Sorry for the delayed response. I think the “taxes” for importing south to north are not as punitive as the other way around. Government are greedy bastards here have no love for cars and love taxing them heavily.

 

[frp422]

I have bought several parts from Rock Auto https://www.rockauto.com in the States. Even with the import costs it was far cheaper than buying in the UK or Europe. I have bought OEM Bilstein air shocks from them and, more recently, brand new electric mirror assemblies for less money than the cost of a new wiring loom from Mercedes or eBay reclaimed mirror units.

 

[BlackC55]

Its the same for all cars at the moment. We have to wait many months for parts. A whole year for an EGR valve for a 642 engine. It's a real issue for all cars and all garages.

 

[AaronE55Cripps]

Its the same for all cars at the moment. We have to wait many months for parts. A whole year for an EGR valve for a 642 engine. It's a real issue for all cars and all garages.

Good to know it’s not just because I’m based in Ireland. I know the car is old now but it really concerns me how long it’s taking to get some parts. Think it’s time to move on to something newer.

 

[AaronE55Cripps]

I have bought several parts from Rock Auto https://www.rockauto.com in the States. Even with the import costs it was far cheaper than buying in the UK or Europe. I have bought OEM Bilstein air shocks from them and, more recently, brand new electric mirror assemblies for less money than the cost of a new wiring loom from Mercedes or eBay reclaimed mirror units.

That’s a brilliant reference point. Thank you

 

[DSM10000]

Surely importing occasional parts from the UK is just a requirement for some paperwork as required by the Irish customs service?

 

[BlackC55]

Good to know it’s not just because I’m based in Ireland. I know the car is old now but it really concerns me how long it’s taking to get some parts. Think it’s time to move on to something newer.

New cars are even worse!

 

[AaronE55Cripps]

That’s a brilliant reference point. Thank you

Thanks again for this. Just had to order Arnott AS2788 …. Great resource

 

[CaroS]

Another good place from the US is FCP euro. Ordered air struts and rear bags and some other stuff, fast shipping considering it comes from far away (US to Finland). Compared to the prices here I saved money and got the stuff faster cos in some of the parts there was no availability here.