Timing chain guides

[Baldrick56]

G’day All,
Could anyone give me some guidance please on the correct part numbers for the timing chain guides (believe there are two) for a 1988 300, M103 engine
VIN: WDB1240302A718014
& engine is: 10398322112455
I’m having trouble I/D’ing same & would like to have the parts ‘in hand’ before tackling the job
Thanks,
Rob

[John Green]

Given my previous occupation I need to be as little careful about how I answer this one. First up, here is your answer:

300e.JPG

Now my 2 cents worth on where the industry is going. At a guess you need the answer so you can order the parts online, rather than call or even have a face to face discussion with a professional parts interpreter? If not, my apologies for hijacking your thread. This issue was to a minor extent (please note, not the major issue) with why MB Spares closed down. I'm not trying to make an example of your question, but rather to see if we can generate some discussion on where the whole automotive industry is heading. We used to have the following on our website:

Back in the old day before the internet and online stores, cars were much simpler. But now that we have the technical ability to offer you an online store cars have got so complicated that we feel good old fashioned service is better. Here are a few of the hundred's of examples why we would prefer to talk to you or exchange e-mails before you make your purchase.

- The W203 C class has four different types of front brake pads! Basically it is easy to work out what suits what. The C180 has the smaller ones and the C55 the bigger ones. But it not quite that simple. When the C class was being sold as a run out special they fitted the C55 brake package to all models including the C180. This is a classic example of a car that needs to have parts ordered by VIN number as many owners of these cars will have no idea about this.

- For some reason in 1984 Mercedes-Benz made a very minor change to the size of the O ring that seals the oil filter housing on the W102 230E engine. It is critical to get the right one for your car. This part must be ordered by engine number.

- Quite often there are extra parts required to fit the parts you think you need. Once again using Brake pads as an example in most cases you need to buy the appropriate wear sensors to go with your pads, some have 4 some have only 1. We also supply the correct fitting paste at no charge with all brake pad sets sold.

So we hope you realize that in this modern world we would love to offer our customers the benefits of an online store, but until Bill Gates or some other guru works out how to build a fool proof online parts system we are better off to stick with phone calls and e-mail exchange.

Our business model was based on helping people work out what they needed, and we never promoted that we were the cheapest, just that we offered one on one service in exchange for a fair price. We were however aware that the days of our style of business were potentially limited. As we found out the success of any business is dependent on the staff you can attract and that is based to some extent on what remuneration you can offer them, which in turn is dependent on the margin you have on whatever you are selling. If that margin is eroded by business that don't offer much in the way of service, the the business is doomed.

So once again, we didn't close down because we didn't have the margin to pay staff, we just couldn't find them here in Canberra. The point is that I would like to see some discussion on where we all see the specialist parts industry heading?

[Aegean]

Don't know if this will accept pdf files but if not, let me know.

1240302A718014.pdf

1240302A718014.picture.pdf

[Baldrick56]

Thanks John, thanks Aegean,

exactly what I needed, yes I'm intending an "Internet shopping" order for same. My timing in buying this vehicle is appalling - just as 'MB Spares' reforms its business - I realise that. From my experience on other 'one make' forums I'm aware of the complaints of local suppliers Re. cheap web-based competition and it is to some extent justified. Personally I'd sooner buy locally (even at a bit more cost) because I usually want the part now, and if it turns out to be wrong it's easier to swap for the correct one. Always try the local options first but often find due to my weird obsession with old cars that no one keeps stock for anything more than about 10 years old. That said some of the Aussie 'big business' outlets are definitely 'having a lend' I give you the example of oil filters: OK so we're talking a tin can with a load of folded up paper inside - different sizes of can, different threads on the spout but all essentially the same thing - made in China. I went into one high-street outlet looking for a filter for my Peugeot 505, all the stock was same brand (Ryco) walking down the rows noticed they were all around the $20 - $25 mark (at least for Holdens / Fords / Toyos), got to the one I needed $59.99 - at least it was in stock I suppose. some weeks later, browsing one of the French online suppliers - same filter 8 Euros (European Brand) - I bought one even though I didn't need it by then so that next time I'm not "caught."

In the current case I've tried a couple of Aus based suppliers but so far no one seems to have the complete 'bag' of bits I'm looking for. Thought I'd struck gold t'other day with a UK based merchant that seemed to have a comprehensive stock. 'Click,' 'click,' 'click,' I went building up a basket that I thought had a reasonable chance of letting me complete a repair, at the end I had only 51 UKP worth, got to the 'checkout' whereupon postage was 109UKP. I abandoned that one, found another in USA - marginally more per part but 50% of the postage. Now given the preceding warning about parts variations for nominally the same model I'm not going to be mega surprised if the package from the USA turns up (eventually) & I find something's wrong - the tragedy is not the money spent (only about $15ish for a timing chain guide) but the interminable wait for snailmail to do its stuff.
My two cents anyway
Regards,
Rob