This site provides access to PDF print files and multimedia training materials used for Technical Training at MBUSA:
http://www.mercedestechstore.com
Based in Irvine, California, the Classic Center has the expertise to fully restore a vintage Mercedes. It also acts as a trusted source for classic vehicle and parts sales, and support.
http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/enthusiast/classic_center
Below are some of the more popular general online forums related to Mercedes vehicles:
The International Club for Mercedes-Benz 230 SL, 250 SL and 280 SL Roadsters based on the W113 platform. The site was established as a source of information relating to the Mercedes W113 cars and to help maintain, restore, exhibit, and promote the ownership and admiration of these cars among the international community of W113 enthusiasts:
http://www.sl113.org
MBWorld is one of the largest MB-related community sites. It offers the usual discussion forums, a photo gallery, and lots of news and reviews. There's also a wiki, a store, and a free regular email newsletter:
http://mbworld.org
The Benzworld General Forums include a range of topics such as General Mercedes-Benz, Vintage Mercedes-Benz, Recommended Repair Shops, MB Safety Testimonials, Mercedes-Benz Motorsports Racing, Events, and For Sale, Trade and Wanted Items. Their Technical Forums cover Audio and Telematics, Detailing and Car Care, and Tires, Wheels, Brakes and Suspension:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums
The Mercedes Forum has features similar to the Benz Forum, with separate sub-forums by model:
http://mercedesforum.com/forum
The Benz Forum is dedicated to MB vehicles. Includes news, forums, photo gallery, and classified ads:
http://www.benzforum.com
The Mercedes ShopForum, hosted by PeachParts:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/index.php
How to reseal a MB steering gear: This project used a steering gear from a 126 chassis vehicle. Other MB boxes are very similar and the same steps should apply. This procedure only addresses the issues of seals and adjustment of the gearbox. Leaking seals and gear wear result in sloppy steering, and are easily cured if you follow the basic procedure outlined here:
http://www.davidpetryk.net/Mercedes/Steering.htm
'How to repair your broken odometer': Broken odometer on an old Mercedes? Don't lose heart! There is usually one of 3 reasons why they don't work, so follow along with this pictorial and fix it yourself:
http://dieselgiant.com/repairyourodometer.htm
'How to Diagnose W210 Air Conditioning Malfunctions': The E-class A/C is a complicated system of blower motors, computers, relays, switches, and refrigeration parts. With a system this complex, youll likely encounter an air conditioning problem at some point. Thankfully, the onboard climate control computer has a self-check mode that can help you quickly diagnose A/C problems.
http://www.eclassbenz.com/2010/02/how-to-diagnose-air-conditioning-malfunctions
A 58-page PDF discussing how to diagnose problems with the Mercedes-Benz 722 Series transmission used in the C220, C280, C36, E300D, E320 E420, S320, S350D, S500, S600, SL320, SL500, and SL600:
http://w126.pp.ru/akp722.pdf
Here's another "how-to" article dealing with the 722 transmissions - it's a 160-page PDF:
http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/other/tranny_722_repair.pdf
The W124Performance site also offers a lot of other "how-to" documents:
http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb
Mercedes Diesel Maintenance Tips:
http://dieselgiant.com/mercedes_diesel_maintenance_tips.htm
This site has a large collection of "how-to" articles intended primarily for the W123 chassis (77-85 300-series & 240D). However, some may also apply to the W126 chassis (81-91 300SD & 300SDL):
http://boostnbenz.1baddsm.com/DIY
A series of detailed articles on subjects ranging from MB engine diagnostics to transmissions, A/C, alignment, head gaskets, etc.
http://www.continentalimports.com/ser_art.html
Mercedes Fault Codes can be a pain, especially the body and chassis control codes. Here is a detailed list of them:
http://www.bba-reman.com/content.aspx?content=Mercedes_common_fault_codes
Lots of good tire / wheel info on all four pages that make up the site:
http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg4.html
Wolfgang Henke, Ph.D. created these pages, focused mostly on the newer ML and GL models:
http://www.whnet.com/4x4/index.html
A large collection of detailed articles and photos from Jaime Kopchinski describing his various projects to restore and repair classic MB vehicles:
http://www.jaimekop.com
German SPOB GmbH in Sanitz, Germany has a well developed web site and searchable online catalog, apparently take PayPal, and will - for a hefty fee - ship worldwide. If nothing else, this site will give you a feel for parts prices in Germany:
http://www.german-spob.de/start.php?seite=neuteile&language=eng
A huge forum with everything you could possibly want to know about safely burning vegetable oil as biofuel in diesel engines and for heating:
http://www.burnveg.com/forum/wvo-conversion-f3.html
"Changes in Gasoline IV" is the 2009 edition of the ongoing series of "Changes in Gasoline" manuals, first published in 1987. Since that time, numerous editions have been necessary due to changes in federal regulations, fuel specifications, and advances in automotive technology. This version of the manual continues to present information about fuel quality as it relates to vehicle performance and driveability, focusing on the auto technician's areas of interest. A new chapter on Flex-Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) and E85 has been added, as E85 appears to be emerging as the renewable fuel of choice:
http://www.blueridgemb.com/Themessthatisethanol.pdf
List member Ed Ebel is known as "the expert" on anything related to Harman/Becker audio systems used in MB vehicles. His company provides repair services and modifications, as well as sales of accessories, antennas, and speakers:
http://www.beckerautosound.com
One thing almost every member agrees with: Leatherique is "simply the best" when it comes to maintaining and restoring your leather interior:
http://www.leatherique.com
If the subject is restoring or refinishing natural wood in your MB's interior, lots of list members will immediately name Jean "Drew" Tibcken as the expert. He's worked on many winning show cars including Pebble Beach, and performs warranty work for several prestige import dealers. He's been restoring wood for over two decades, with several thousand cars completed:
http://www.heritagewoodworks.com/index.php
Daniel Stern Lighting is a North American premier automotive lighting consultancy and supply house. Mr. Stern is an experienced consultant in the field of automotive lighting science and technology, setup, regulation, development, history and modification:
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/home.html
List members occasionally meet for "listfests". Some are informal get-togethers for drinks or dinner, while others are much larger and well-planned. This page provides photos from one of the latter events, held in Chicago in 2002 that drew members from all over the Midwest:
http://buy-a-boat.com/Mercedes_listfest_photos.htm