Above does not mean that beyond 15 years the parts will stop production completely.
Above also does not mean that MB will surely stock all parts up to 15 years.
I been looking for data of this sort, to see when is best to start buying parts I may need for my car which I plan to keep at least 20 years.
In theory W212 ends on 2016 for facelift, thus 2032 is 15 years and 2034 is 20th year of my car.
Parts like plastic intake manifold is not something we can make DIY and mine being a boosted engine has more risk than NA engine for intake manifold cracking.
OM651 diesel loves to crack its intake manifold, probably also because of soot from EGR.
My intake manifold. Item 10 , I already ordered, 30 days wait.
Item 100 Left and Right probably I will order next year , it is too thick and simple to break, but plastic is plastic.
It would seems year 2028 is as late as I would have, if i want to order parts I worry they define as EOL by 2032.
My brake vacuum hose is already EOL, at 10th year my car age or in 2024. I think it is because my car is RHD and low population count.
Being a RHD car and M276.8 3.0 TT engine adds 1 extra level of worry, due to lower production volume and thus less demand of parts.
I even traced W212 total global sales for this purpose, just to see logical demand of parts .
After Covid I notice getting parts for my region is getting slower.
With EV boom and MB EV sales getting whacked by Chinese EV and MB ICE sales in China ( world biggest market for MB by country ) tanking.... its not looking good
for us who wants to keep cars to 20 years with peace of mind 99% of parts will still be available.
Manufacturers will be more interested in selling new cars, rather than keep old car parts inventory.
My main worry would be engine and tranny computer, N73 ignition switch and ABS module.
These are very expensive item and theft relevant parts, so buying used need challenges to make it work. Buying new would cost more than the entire car even today 2025.
Electric steering is another fear factor, cost a lot and it will break some day for sure....
Replacement trim parts for low production models, i.e. wagons, seem to suffer first. As an example; the prices on trim pieces, larger, bulky plastic skid plates or things like model specific mounting brackets will soon begin to skyrocket then disappear. Good news is MB molds, prints or attaches paper label part numbers on most items. I collect this information as I inspect the car for wear and tear then make a list of these soon to be unattainable items. I search out good used examples on line or use one or more to make a free shipping minimum on a parts order.
This left or right door handle for US cars DRIVER side is used on many many cars and is electronic door handle not dummy door handle.
How can this be ????
These cars below use it :
W246
W242
W218
W212
W207
W204
W197
W176
W172
W166
W156
W117
A small glimpse for E class sedan.
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Let me see my car
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Right door handle
This is available, raw unpainted ?????
Unsold stock probably. Mine is Polar White color code 9149 or 149U
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
