C230 Sport Coup

Local Picknpull has an 02 C Coupe on the lot.
I'm pulling a couple parts for myself.
Anyone have any requests for parts?

ItalianJoe1

There are tons of them down here, most in pretty poor shape sadly. It's a shame they just aren't worth enough to keep them on the road for most people anymore.

C230 Sport Coup

Went there, someone took a door and front fender, plus bumper and removed
the radiator etc the whole front was gone, engine ready to be picked.
Mine has had a leaky head gasket for years on the #4 cylinder, this one looked good!
Oddly they'll sell you the whole engine for $175 with accessories but want big bucks for little bits and pieces.
Would be tempting to grab it, if had a place to work and storage.

CL600? Talk about depreciation!
Still an awesome vehicle though.
Pagani uses Mercedes V12 for a reason!

KevinH2000

If it's not too late, I need a tow hook (the part that screws into the front bumper when you need to tow the car) and wheel alignment bolt (for use when installing a wheel) for my C230 sedan. I assume that parts like that are interchangeable between the coupe and sedan. There are a couple of pick and pulls in my area, but I haven't seen any C Class cars on their internet lists.

Thanks - and and please let me know what I owe you if you are able to find the parts.

ItalianJoe1

Those things are usually gone from the local junk yards, but if I see some i'll get them for you, i'll be out there this sunday.

KevinH2000

Thanks

C230 Sport Coup

I could probably source those....but would it be worth
the $2 entry fee and my time to find out? I'll have to climb through the back seat to find out
though there is a sedan there too.

How much are you expecting to pay?
Is there nothing else you might need while I'm there?

It's funny, I was at a P&P once, managed to get a self dimming mirror, car was listed only that morning,
was still unpicked and a guy was there, new coup owner grabbed the
shift bezel (arrgh he beat me there by minutes)...of course those disappear quickly.
I saw the tow hook, and said hey do you have this because you are
gonna need it?! Ha, he nabbed it.
Here's one for ~20 bucks on ebay
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...AN%26vxp%3Dmtr

KevinH2000

I wasn't expecting anyone to make a special trip for me. If someone was already there, I was just hoping to save a few bucks versus buying the parts new.

The wheel alignment bolts are $33 new http://www.rmeuropean.com/Products/M...229-V3529.aspx I haven't been able to find the emergency towing hook new, but the one on eBay is down to around $10. So somewhere in that range seems a fair price if anyone can make that work.

I don't "need" anything else right now, but Xenon headlights and a complete interior out of a C55 are on my dream list. I am willing to be patient on those until a good deal comes along. I hope I can snag those locally and save the shipping.

KevinH2000

Working on the premise that the Lord helps those who helps themselves, I checked the local pick and pull web site. A 2001 W203 had been put in place on November 22nd. Thinking that the carcass was relatively fresh, I took a drive over, paid my $1 admission fee and had a look. My fellow vultures had already picked the car over and I couldn't find anything of value - let alone the tow hook and alignment bolts. I also looked at the W202 models that they had, but those were mostly skeletal remains.

I'll need to keep a closer eye on the web site and move more quickly if a W203 pops up on the list. If you haven't been to a pick and pull lot, it is an interesting experience. It's 50% treasure hunt and 50% visit to a cemetery.

C230 Sport Coup

Sign up to get alerts on row52. Yeah, you gotta move fast.

KevinH2000

Thanks for the information on Row 52. I wasn't aware that web site existed. I purchased the tow hook on ebay for $20.05 including shipping. I couldn't find it for less anywhere else and if the car breaks down and needs a tow I would be kicking myself for not taking care of that issue in advance.

For the wheel alignment bolt, I found this on Amazon:
The listing states that it fits older Mercedes vehicles with M12x1.5 metric threads

Based on my research, it looks like that is the thread size on our cars. Can anyone confirm that?

C230 Sport Coup

Problem with picknpull is some of the parts are wayyy too expensive!
Case in point, the supercharger air valve, also called a recirculating air valve, looks like a throttle body,
they want over $60 + (+ environmental fees, possible core fees and taxes) for a part
that sells on ebay for as little as $35. Every time I get my foot into it, it goes into limp mode, and you
lose boost, just running without SC. Still have all the gears, just like 1/2 power. Restart the car and it's back.With
P&P if it doesn't work, you have to return for credit only. With ebay of course, if they state it's functional and it's no good, full refund!

I think I'd prefer to buy a new once since I already bought a used one from P&P once,worked for a while,
luckily it was 1/2 price day! New can be had for ~ $300.
1/2 price days occur around most major holidays, which
typically I'm not around during.

Other parts are definitely worth it, I pulled a shift module,
best price new was $700 and used was $200.
Got it for ~ 35 ar P&P.

KevinH2000

All good points.

I've only had my C230 Sedan since August. The car needed work when I bought it, but I wanted a 6 speed manual so I had to compromise a bit on the condition. I've learned a bit working through my list of repairs, but I'm still learning the nuances of parts acquisition.

I have a 2000 Boxster which I also bought used, and some of what I've learned with that car doesn't apply to the C230. One of the differences is that a fair number of Boxsters are raced or suffer catastrophic engine failures. So, you can pick up some parts surprisingly cheap from guys who are gutting the interiors to make racers or parting out the whole car because replacing the engine is too expensive. Another difference is that, I don't see Boxsters in pick and pull yards in my area. So I need to dust off my junk yard search techniques for the Mercedes.

4XFORE

Which Pick & Pull? I'm looking for a tranny for my 2004 C320

C230 Sport Coup

Well, that was San Jose south. Check row52.com to see whats where and sign up for notifications.
Maybe one in Newark. I've been to Moss Landing, San Jose, Newark, Oakland and Richmond....all for C class W203.
Got my shifter in Richmond...Mercedes is like the farthest from the parking lot.
Transmissions are cheeeeap! Like 75 bucks or something any brand.
Maybe get one of those VIN checking services so you can determine the mileage.
Carfax?

4XFORE

Thanks! We'll do that.

C230 Sport Coup

Yeah, be sure yo get a low mileage one Sheet, I saw one laying on the ground on day at P&P
thought about grabbing it, but it had rained, and water had gotten into. It's not that big surprisingly and
doesn't weigh that much, like maybe 100 lbs or so.

The fluid etc will cost more than the tranny so make sure it's good one!!
No sure how do able this is, but it you get a sample of the fluid, you could get it analyzed before pulling,
but then it might be gone before you get the results.