Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: joelj on March 20, 2005, 07:36:00
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hello,
Could you guys recommend a good supplier for SL parts. I've tried SL classics but have not received a response. I use to use Caliber motors for but Tm is no longer there.
Thanks
Joel
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http://www.sl113.org/links.asp
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quote:
Originally posted by joelj
I use to use Caliber motors for but Tm is no longer there.
Joel,
I don't think Caliber closed their parts department because Tom Hanson left. I would expect that you would get the same service and proper parts from his old co-workers.
Also, use the link A.Dalton provided. Your fingers will go numb after phoning all those suppliers listed.
Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both tops
1994 E420
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By all means shop around a little, but don't give up on Ray at SL Classics. Hate to think that your writing him off just because he's on holiday or dealing with a family emergency or something. I have worked with him many times over the years (including thee Star Quality days) and he cares and is someone you can trust.
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Joel,
I would agree wholeheartedly with Tom. Don't give up on Ray. i give SL Classics very high marks. Ray has gone out of his way to help me.
tdun824259
71 280 SL
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FYI Caliber is still offering the same discounts to the group. Uncertain if I was getting a good deal (post Tom Hanson) I called around and they did indeed have the best price.
1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.
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bud's benz has every part for the 113 series, and rebuilds these cars in totality as their business. There is no more complete parts source than Bud's
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Hauser,
Who are you using over at Caliber? I always used Tom over there, but now that he's gone my only hesitation about continuing to use them is that I'm not sure who knows these old cars over there. With Tom, I didn't even need a part number. He knew the part before I finished describing it.
Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220
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Same excellent service from Caliber... Al Trevino
trevino_anaheim@mbretailer.com
Dick M
1970 280SL
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Dr Benz rules for parts and service<and advice as you purchase >
1971 280sl
1962 VW
1954 Allstate vespa
1958 gs150 vespa
1962 gs160 vespa
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e-mailed AL at Caliber a couple of days ago, and have had no reply, is e-mail the way to go with Caliber? :?:
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I always contact Ray as my first resource. He is always very helpful and would not make you spend more if it is not needed. I would recommend him anytime.
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Gents,
Having been at Caliber Motors last year, I can tell you that it is a massive operation, with what looks like an indoor football arena sized service area with untold number of lifts. There are many buildings, and they have a "fleet" of golf carts (maybe they'll use SMART cars when that project goes down the tubes :) ) to transport the salespeople and what have you around the property. There is a state of the art robotic parts "fetcher" for lack of a better term. The mail order parts department (as opposed to "over the counter") is its own good sized room with about half a dozen professionals (like Al Trevino or Tom Hanson when he worked there)all sitting at a computer with telephone headsets on. For the time I was there, everyone was on the telephone constantly.
So, if you want a quick answer from Caliber, or anyone for that matter, my suggestion is to call. If you don't get Al, leave him a voice mail. Operations like this tend to answer email when they can (i.e. when they are not on the telephone), and from what I saw this doesn't happen often. When I dealt with Tom, and it was often, email requests took a day or two. When I needed it in a hurry, I always called. Yeah it was a pain sometimes what with the time zone difference, but that's what it took.
I won't malign anyone here, but for what its worth, some of the better known suppliers out there--ones that many of you swear by--NEVER ONCE responded to emails or faxes I sent--not once. Most of my parts business, and trust me on this, it was substantial, went to those who took me seriously. It's not every day that someone compiles and faxes or emails a long list of parts--then turns around and orders them, but that's precisely what I did on more then one occasion. Those that were there, offered good pricing and service, got the business.
What you might find--as I did--is that some 3rd party parts came with the Caliber label still on them. It is when I saw this that I decided to go straight to them.
Another great source of mechanical parts at the lowest price is ALL EURO in Royal Oak, Michigan. They are regular advertisers in The Star.
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored
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I've dealt with Mike Ochoa at Miller's for many years and find him to be excellent.
Tom in Boise
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Joel,
I use Cheryl @ K&K knows her stuff and has or can get what you need.
Jim Saylor
Kauai, Hawaii
'65 230SL
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It should be of no surprise to Jim and Tom that K&K and Miller's supplied a substantial volume of parts for me...right up there with Caliber and All Euro. Those four supplied 90% of what I bought in my restoration. It should be of no surprise that all four of these vendors knew quite a bit about the parts they were selling, all had excellent customer service, were prompt on shipping, stocked most of what they sold and made dealing with them a pleasant experience.
All Euro doesn't get a lot of press, but when I went to their warehouse in Royal Oak (Michigan), it was quite an experience to walk around with them and basically pull off the shelves, various transmission, fuel and other hoses; brake boosters, some suspension parts, rebuild kits, etc. for a 35 year old car. They'll do that, by the way, for Alfa, Fiat, Porsche, BMW, etc. hence the name All Euro. Their small ads in The Star don't clue you in to their size. When you need some "non-proprietary" parts (i.e. you won't find them having any Mercedes made items specifically for a 113, such as trim) they might be worth a call. They did me well, and they were the lowest price on most of the parts I sourced from them--even after checking with my other favorites.
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored
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Mike -- I'll bet that was fun going around the All Euro facility! I enjoy such things.
About 8-9 years ago I had some pretty significant restoration work done to my 280SL. We're currently in the process of re-doing some of that (plus adding numerous hidden enhancements) and while I'm not 100% certain this is correct it sure seems like the availability of parts has improved. I'm sure we're all very grateful to our suppliers. And we should be, because they are excellent. I don't know what I'd do without Gernold, or Mike at Millers.
I just hope that some day the prices of our cars increase to levels reflecting what some of us have invested in them. Not that I ever intend to sell mine, but I think prices would have to double before I'd even come close to recouping the investment.
On a different thread I mentioned having seen a projection in an issue of the SL Market Newsletter (date unknown) of price increases of 100% for 230/250s and 120-130% for 280SLs over a 5-year period. What's you opinion on that forecast? Personally, I'd enjoy having some 'bragging rights' on the value of W113s...but we're not there yet.
Tom in Boise
'71 280SL 4-spd signal-red lt. tan interior