Hi, don't know if this is an unusual occurrence-- but my wife's ML350 Bluetec has been at an approved MB Body shop since May because they have been unable to get a new hood. Reason 1: supplier can't give them a commit date Reason 2: Worldwide shortage of Aluminum (altho' AL price seems to be tricking down slightly, so don't understand how there can be shortage).

Is this usual? I would never have bought a premium brand if i had known that a simple spare part would take 4 months +...

An untruth to say the least or to put it another way ,absolute crap.:-

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...-demand-climbs

http://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/...supply-weighs/

I hope you have a nice loaner to compensate for poor service.

Not really. The Dealer has washed his hands off the whole situation saying they are not resp for MB spare parts issues...I reached out to MB Customer Service, who basically said they were "helpless". What is galling is that they are not claiming any shortage of hoods as they build new trucks- they would rather make a new sale than take care of an existing (and loyal) customer

Time to call your lawyer.

unfortunately that seems to be my only recourse now
maybe hard to find a german speaking lawyer

A little negative advertising might "grease the wheels" .

How about retrieving the vehicle from the workshop & park it daily at a busy intersection or outside the dealership without the hood with a sign explaining the problem.

Another example of fine customer service from MB. I know that I've purchased my last MB vehicle and I don't understand why people keep buying them.

Ring any local MB dealer and ask for a price and availability for the hood. It shouldn't be more than 2 weeks away at the most. Only in very very very rare situations would they not be able to supply one within a few weeks.

What's interesting is that I own two 1984 300SDs. One was built early in 84 and the other may have been a few months later (can't remember). One has an aluminum hood and boot lid, the other has a steel one.

I guess these days they can't just swap things out ***** nilly, but I always thought that was interesting.

Have you noticed any appreciable difference in the longevity of the two metals? ie minors dents in the wonder metal or oxidation .

The steel one spent it's entire life garaged and the aluminum one had to get the hood replaced after an accident around 7 years ago, so nothing really could be gleaned.

As with all older 126s that have spent a lot of time in rain, the first things to rust seems to be around the rear window near the corners anyways.