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All the online parts cost more than the dealer charged me for the part. It's a simple install. Two screws. But it got installed right...so, I felt OK about it.
Is it possible to buy that part online without having to go through the dealer? Does anyone know the part number for that rear windscreen?
You can definitely get one online and usually cheaper than the dealerships. The part number should somewhere on the part itself. It's really easy to take off and put back on. The two screws aren't really necessary to remove. No tools are necessary. There are just two pins that go into each side of the rear headrests. That's it. It's almost like changing a toilet paper roll. I took mine off for the winter and just put it back on for the spring.
Any US based vendors for the part A2078600174 9051? I saw the UK eBay post but they won't ship to the US. COuldn't find on aliexpress either. Any leads would be appreciated!
Why not go to Mercedes and buy one? Not that expensive new. Its like $70.
I wish my dealers could quote that price. In the Tampa FL area I have prices quoted from $140-195 (tax not included) just for the part. Not sure why there was that much variation. I'll install it myself.
Clearly, American Mercedes dealers expect their customers to pay a premium, and DON'T make it easy to buy parts online and install themselves. I'm not sure why its a problem here in the US, and not overseas. I would suspect that dealerships here in the US have a bit of a "monopoly" mentality. I'm not sure of how Mercedes as a brand is perceived overseas, but here in the United States, its seen as "The Top" luxury brand...and quite a status symbol. You pay for that here in the US.
Seen in the UK as a luxury brand in the same level as BMW, Audi, Jaguar.
Laws were passed in Europe that you can have an Independent look after your car from day 1 and as long as the manufacturers schedule is followed and OEM parts used they have to honour the warranty. This has made a difference in how dealers are used and have to act.
Clearly, American Mercedes dealers expect their customers to pay a premium, and DON'T make it easy to buy parts online and install themselves. I'm not sure why its a problem here in the US, and not overseas. I would suspect that dealerships here in the US have a bit of a "monopoly" mentality. I'm not sure of how Mercedes as a brand is perceived overseas, but here in the United States, its seen as "The Top" luxury brand...and quite a status symbol. You pay for that here in the US.
Its the same here. Under waranty you must use autherised Mercedes dealers. But styling it you can do as long as it dont affect technical parts. But id you run into a problem under waranty you can alsways put back the original parts before leaving it to workshop.
SO I was able to buy one On eBay shipped for $90. It had a tear in it as well. I used a heat gun to soften the edges and pried apart the piece. I purchased some speaker fabric at JoAnn fabrics store for five dollars. I ripped out the old mesh and glued the new fabric in its place using some small rubber pieces as spacers. I had to use two micro screws to put the piece back together. It was a fun repair and it looks great, and it functions just like the original. Telling the dealership to get bent on being ripped off for this part was priceless!
04-04-2016, 09:26 PM
