2007, 5.9, G-56, Just changed the orange shift boot. Here's a laugh

[Motorhead]

I looked under my truck the other day and saw what looked like trans oil leaking from up top of my G-56. I had bought a good thick replacement Orange boot and put it on. Since my original one was from the factory, I looked for a Mercedes part number and found A 971 267 01 96 on the old boot. I surfed the web and found an OE Mercedes one for $142.50 with using the Mercedes part number!

 

[Ozymandias]

Yeah, nowadays Mercedes Parts are quite expensive.
Wasn't that way some 40 years ago, back then they have been cheaper then from any other car manufacturer.

 

[Motorhead]

My concern about aftermarket stuff, especially rubber/silicone parts is their resistance to the specified gear lube. I remember old VW swing axles had a boot between the axle tube and the trans to allow travel. The stock factory boots lasted 15-20 years. Aftermarket boots would get hard as a stone in no time from the components in the gear oil.
I'd pay the $142.50 if I was guaranteed that it was an OE part. My OE boot lasted 15 years.

 

[Ozymandias]

So true, especially rubber parts have been MUCH better in the past.
Lasted for decades - hoses, belts, grommets, all the stuff was so much more durable

 

[Ozymandias]

This >>>>>> https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Registration,_Evaluation,_Authorisation_and_Restriction_of_Chemicals killed the good rubber.

 

[Regcabguy]

Yeah, nowadays Mercedes Parts are quite expensive.
Wasn't that way some 40 years ago, back then they have been cheaper then from any other car manufacturer.

Just today I saw a guy who picked up one of those old Mercedes giant sedans. It was an immaculate sedan with the original German oil based paint everyone used. It is a gasser that needs $2000 worth of upper engine work he said. He fired it up and dang it sounded good. He bought it at auction in Otay Mesa on the Mexican border. He paid $2300 for it.Beautiful tank of a car. It was similar to this. #ad

 

[Ozymandias]

Just today I saw a guy who picked up one of those old Mercedes giant sedans. It was an immaculate sedan with the original German oil based paint everyone used. It is a gasser that needs $2000 worth of upper engine work he said. He fired it up and dang it sounded good. He bought it at auction in Otay Mesa on the Mexican border. He paid $2300 for it.Beautiful tank of a car. It was similar to this. #ad

Tell you what, these series was the best Mercedes ever built. That was the last one that was reckoned by the engineers and not by the beancounters. With just little maintenance they last forever, only rust is their enemy.
Afterward it was like everywhere, the sales office said how much the car should cost in the end and the engineers had to follow. Before it was vice versa, the engineers built and priced it.

If you ever have the chance to get one of these - buy it!

Our old ones are all in Africa, still running after the DOT took them out of service because of the rust. They last a million mile.

 

[Regcabguy]

Tell you what, these series was the best Mercedes ever built. That was the last one that was reckoned by the engineers and not by the beancounters. With just little maintenance they last forever, only rust is their enemy.
Afterward it was like everywhere, the sales office said how much the car should cost in the end and the engineers had to follow. Before it was vice versa, the engineers built and priced it.

If you ever have the chance to get one of these - buy it!

Our old ones are all in Africa, still running after the DOT took them out of service because of the rust. They last a million mile.

Yeah. It's the car that says "Get out of my way." Beautiful vehicle.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

old Mercedes giant sedans

The W123 Chassis line of Mercedes is just about the only thing I'd ever drive from them, Diesel or Gas they are beautiful cars in form and function. The only thing keeping me from getting in one is the parts availability.

I've towed a handful of them with AAA but for minor things like dry rotted tires "exploding/ Just came apart" and dead batteries.

 

[Regcabguy]

My friend used to work in the parts dept. of a Mercedes dealer. The cost of even simple items is astronomic.

 

[nibroc]

volvo parts are not very cheap also

 

[Regcabguy]

volvo parts are not very cheap also

Yep and BMW. I spoke to some BMW techs at a lunch spot. One drives and old BMW. We have a 2005

So true, especially rubber parts have been MUCH better in the past.
Lasted for decades - hoses, belts, grommets, all the stuff was so much more durable

Our 2005 Honda Pilot's hoses are original. I have a very good Honda garage I use. Ex tech for 10 years before opening his own shop. I keep asking him if the hoses need replacing and he says no. Still nice and flexible. 237K. Fluid's been changed every timing belt service. Maybe that helps.

 

[BigPapa]

My friend used to work in the parts dept. of a Mercedes dealer. The cost of even simple items is astronomic.

volvo parts are not very cheap also

Yep and BMW.

ALL auto parts are expensive and hard to get now. The rear Ride Height Sensor on my parents 2007 Cadillac DTS went out. It’s been discontinued and none new left anywhere. There aren’t even used ones on eBay. The rear air ride shocks were just over $400 WHOLESALE. The dealer priced them to him at @ $1,100.