Originally Posted by
Jack G
It's simple. The local MB dealership usually has a very high overhead operating expense that the MB supply chain doesn't get involved with. If you have had good experience with Pelican and FCP Euro stay with them. Also, I know FCP warrantees the parts they sell. Another advantage is these suppliers offer both MB and alternative brand parts which the MB direct does not offer. I have used alternative part supplier parts many times with good success. Many times these suppliers manufacture the same part for MB. Items such as hoses are replacement items that can be can be supplied by non-MB resources.
My post was mostly meant to be a warning that
the "ORDER PARTS" button on your local MB dealership's webpage has nothing to do with that local dealership, including showing the price of parts at the local dealership. Instead, the "ORDER PARTS" button links to the MBUSA supply chain. This is all very sneaky and not at all clearly explained since, after all, you are on the webpage of
your local MB dealership.