Figured easier to ask here ... hit a nasty pothole that basically cracked the underpanel in multiple spots, dragged for a mile til I could stop and yank it off. Attaching photo... Anybody have a part # and where?
Is that a plastic undertray? My CLS55 has a metal undertray
The E55 has a plastic undertray. The link you provided doesn't work for me. If the OP cannot access it either it would be helpful to just post the part number.
I would check on eBay first, then shop online for the part. Last resort, order it from the dealer.
MBUSA price: $65 (plus delivery fee or free local pickup at dealership, buyer's choice)
ECS Tuning price: $65
FCP Euro price: Not Available
I'd buy a new one from the dealership instead of a 15+ year old one from eBay for $30 + shipping.
EDIT: I get the $30 price because what I've noticed is that online junk yards find out what MB's price is and usually asks for half of that...and they rarely negotiate.
My local dealer told me they have an online parts portal (I think most dealers do since it is just extra profit). I can order online and select local pickup. I get the internet price and no shipping. I have done this quite a few times and it's pretty cool (in fact for the suspension sensor, they were actually cheaper than a place out of NY I was going to use and that didn't even include their shipping). Pretty cool.
So, ask your dealer parts person if they would kindly let you know if they have a parts website....they get paid either way so they shouldn't care, and if they really understand economics, it could be a way to retain an otherwise lost sale since MSRP on many items can be ridiculous.
Each dealership should have an "Internet Parts Manager" that receives these orders and processes them manually as though a person walked up to the service desk. They order the parts through that normal system and when it arrives, they either email you and say, "Your part is at the parts desk" or they put it in a box and mail it across town to you.
I've used this system since I got my E55. I got to know the internet parts manager very well in the process. Ordering this way is generally the same price as ECS or FCP and shipping is free and a lot faster. I just have to drive over and pick it up. Note that ECS/FCP probably just have "shop" accounts at their local MB dealership and they do the same thing (except they are now the middle man and add more time to the processes (lead time in ordering and lag after it arrives at their local dealership then they ship it to you). I guess MB said, "Hell. We can do the same and make that money. Anybody know how to make an ecommerce website?"
Each dealership should have an "Internet Parts Manager" that receives these orders and processes them manually as though a person walked up to the service desk. They order the parts through that normal system and when it arrives, they either email you and say, "Your part is at the parts desk" or they put it in a box and mail it across town to you.
I've used this system since I got my E55. I got to know the internet parts manager very well in the process. Ordering this way is generally the same price as ECS or FCP and shipping is free and a lot faster. I just have to drive over and pick it up. Note that ECS/FCP probably just have "shop" accounts at their local MB dealership and they do the same thing (except they are now the middle man and add more time to the processes (lead time in ordering and lag after it arrives at their local dealership then they ship it to you). I guess MB said, "Hell. We can do the same and make that money. Anybody know how to make an ecommerce website?"
Online MB dealers can often have a lower price than the over the counter MSRP dealer cost for parts. The lower cost online dealers are about 28% off the MB list price. You do have to watch for 'special handling' and crazy shipping costs before completing the transaction.
The online dealer sites ask for your VIN to confirm the parts are the correct items for the car. But, I recently tried to order the intercooler mounting braket from the W212 as I am upgrading my stock pump to the Pierberg CWA-100 unit. First online dealer would not sell the part as I had not provided the VIN. I didn't provide the VIN from my car as it would clearly show a different mounting bracket. So, I went on to another online dealer and grabbed a suitable VIN off the internet. But, they too refused to sell the part to me. Not sure how they knew the VIN did not belong to me, but apparently you can't do any 'upgrading' of your 15-20 year old MB with parts from MB. Frustrating to say the least.
The online dealer I used (the one in my earlier post) discounts heavily below MB retail and, at least for me, does not charge sales tax. I agree with Machild that you have to keep an eye on shipping charges. For smaller items the place I use is fair. For bigger items like this panel, it might be worth picking it up at the local dealer. The cost I found was $47.36 without tax. That is a reasonable discount from retail. Depending on the shipping charges, it might be better than the local dealer.
I'll be calling the local dealers tomorrow and see who has these parts in stock ... thanks again all.
If you do that, they'll likely charge you MSRP and go get the part from the shelf in the back.
If you order from https://mbparts.mbusa.com/ you will get a great price...and they will give you the very same part that's on the shelf in the back 😂
If you go in person and ask to speak to the "Internet Parts Manager" (every dealership should have one), and ask him/her to match that MB website price, there is a 25% chance they'll match it. Depends on their mood.
Just use option 2 above, place the order, and select: "Pick up at [local dealership name]".
I've done this dozens of times. The only problem is that sometimes the CC payment system borks-out so I pay via PayPal.
I literally can place this order now and drive down to the service desk and pick it up immediately (if they were open). If not, it'll be waiting on me in the morning.
If you do that, they'll likely charge you MSRP and go get the part from the shelf in the back.
If you order from https://mbparts.mbusa.com/ you will get a great price...and they will give you the very same part that's on the shelf in the back 😂
If you go in person and ask to speak to the "Internet Parts Manager" (every dealership should have one), and ask him/her to match that MB website price, there is a 25% chance they'll match it. Depends on their mood.
Just use option 2 above, place the order, and select: "Pick up at [local dealership name]".
I've done this dozens of times. The only problem is that sometimes the CC payment system borks-out so I pay via PayPal.
Just tried to place an order for a part but it does not give me the option to pick up the item. What am I doing wrong?
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