Contents: How to choose the right part ↡ Selecting a spare parts manufacturer ↡ Spare parts "second hand" ↡
You should have the parts needed for repairs the day before your visit to the workshop or at least on the day of your visit. Make a list of the necessary parts. At the same time, do not forget about such "little things" as seals, gaskets and self-locking nuts. Ask your auto parts dealer for advice - he may be familiar with your problem and will select the necessary parts for you.
How to choose the right part
Some details on the Mercedes E-Class may have changed over time.
Fig. 2.1. Typical plate in the door recess: 1 – release permit number; 2 – VIN (17-digit identification number); 3 – permissible total weight; 4 – permissible total weight with trailer; 5 – permissible load on the front axle; 6 – permissible load on the rear axle; 7 – serial number; 8 – type
Therefore, in most cases, the year of manufacture of your car is decisive in selecting a spare part. You will make your and the seller's job easier if you take the vehicle registration document and a sheet of paper with the data copied from the type plate (Fig. 2.1) or bring the old part with you.
Selecting a spare parts manufacturer
All spare parts required for repairing your Mercedes should preferably be purchased from an authorized Mercedes representative (that is, original spare parts). You can purchase spare parts from other well-known manufacturers (that is, non-original spare parts), but refuse products without the manufacturer's name. The money saved on a cheap purchase will not cover your costs for replacing quickly wearing parts and components.
Particular care should be taken when purchasing spare parts that ensure the safety of the vehicle.
Attention! Do not save on spare parts, on which your safety while driving depends.
Brake pads, brake discs, axle bearings, shafts and joints must be purchased from an authorized Mercedes representative, as most cheap products do not meet even the minimum quality requirements. What will you get from buying cheap brake pads from Eastern Europe or Asia if their installation leads to an imbalance on the front axle, which can only be corrected in a workshop for a lot of money? For ease of selection, Mercedes issues "General Operating Permits" (ABE) indicating the codes of brake pad materials.
Spare parts "second hand"
New electrical equipment parts are sold by Bosch through its representatives.
In some cases, you can use not new parts, but so-called second hand ones. They are not inferior in quality to new parts, but are much cheaper and are sold with the same warranty. If you want to save on repairs and the appearance of the car is relatively indifferent to you, you can use used body parts, such as doors, bumpers and hoods.
Fast-wearing parts can be replaced with second-hand ones only if the latter are significantly better than those on your car. In any case, ask the price: a used part should cost a maximum of half the price of a new one, and if the part is fast-wearing, its cost should not exceed a quarter of the price of a new one.