I think your best shot is sending the note to Tom Hanson and asking him about such a "demand" list. I think that if you keep your continuing use of a Mercedes-Benz at a level of attention with MB (for instance, getting the high mileage badges, ordering parts at the dealer occasionally, maybe using the dealer service department once in a while or more often if inclined), they have a good idea of world-wide population for that model and can forecast parts demand so that they can decide when and how much of a part to put back into production.
-Max ________________________________ From: David Bruckmann <bruckma...@transcontinental.ca> To: mercedes@okiebenz.com Sent: Tue, December 21, 2010 2:29:08 AM Subject: [MBZ] Question for Jaime and others w. MBUSA connections - or - How to get NLA parts demand onto the MB radar The MB policy of actually supporting their classic community is brilliant, and I am willing to put my money (within reason) on it. As I posted before, I'm becoming impatient with aftermarket parts of questionable provenance and will pay a premium for OE quality. A couple of times now I've gone to order something for my W115 and have been told by the dealer that the part is NLA and "we even checked with the Classic Centre". Two parts that come to mind are the rear seat pads and the speaker grill assembly (the one that always shrivels up) on later W114/5 dashboards. Demand for some items like seat pads must be increasing after being close to nil for many years. When I did the interior in my W115 I got what World Uplholstery said was their last set of rear pads, one of which was a NOS genuine part, the other had served as their fitting model when they were testing the covers. A friend is getting set to do his W115, and World confirmed that the pads are NLA. Same story from GAHH and Mercedes directly. A while ago I happened upon a note from Tom Hansen at the Classic Centre that the trim pieces for the R107 were once again available after being NLA for a while. So my question: if the part is "NLA", but Mercedes-Benz is restarting production on certain items according to demand, how does one ensure that this demand is actually registered with the company. Is there a way of getting onto a list or something so that these parts become available? Or do I just send a note to Tom? D. PS: to the joy of W116 owners, it appears that those formerly NLA rear seat pads are once again available in the aftermarket (and a bargain!). Not sure how they'll hold up over time, but better than crumbling vestiges of the original... _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com _______________________________________ http://www.okiebenz.com For new and used parts go to www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
