Recently picked up a 2002 E320. Previously owned a '73 450SE, '74 350SE (Euro), and a '86 190E, but have been Benz-less for about 5 years.

The resources available on the web now are amazing!

Anyway, I live in Concord and work in SF, so I would like to find a good and hopefully not too pricey shop somewhere in between or around.

Looking through this thread, I've compiled a brief summary of shops that might work for me. However, a lot of these thread entries are very old. Would appreciate any current reviews of the following shops or any others nearby.

Antioch:
Independent Mercedes Service Center
103 Walter Way, Antioch
925-706-0300
www.imsvc.com

Benicia:
Star Motors (Anyone Have More/New Info on this Shop?)
(707) 745-5606
986 Adams St
Benicia, CA 94510

Berkeley:
Auto Europa (Anyone Have More/New Info on this Shop?)
546 Cleveland Ave
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 528-3196
Steven Lukacsy

Dublin:
John's European Auto Service
6295 Dougherty Rd, Dublin, CA
(925)551-7822

Oakland:
Germany's Best Inc.
College Ave, Oakland
510-658-8948 5291

San Francisco:
Sal's ******** (Any Recent Comments?)
2942 San Jose Avenue
Off 280 at Mission/19th
415-334-6221

Octane (Can Someone Who's Used Them Comment?)
330 10th Street
415.863.5555

Thanks for your help.

Cool_Breeze

Dear Cool Breeze,

I can comment on Octane in SF. First a disclaimer: I'm secretary to Octane, but also a very satisfied customer!

Octane was started by Randy Kuwatani who was head foreman at MBZ of SF for many years. He is himself a fine mechanic and hires excellent mechanics as well. Working with him is Lawton Louie; both Randy and Lawton are great guys, and very knowledgeable about Benzes. More importantly, they are both gentlemen, honest and pleasant to deal with.

Octane is located a block from Costco, near the freeway onramp. Thus easy to get to. Many of the 500E/E500 guys from the 500Ectasy forum are customers of Randy/Lawton as well. I think you'll find this shop to be an excellent choice.

Kind regards,
Bob

__________________
'94 E500 Anthracite
'92 300E 4Matic (donated to charity)
'90 300TE 4Matic

Thanks for the helpful info on Octane.

Hoping to hear some updated info about the other shops too.

CB

I saw this recommendation last week, as I was searching for a MB service shop. I went there this morning to drop off my car. I came out happy and unscathed when I picked it up at 4p.

DIETER FISCHER'S MERCEDES SVC
8699 LA MESA BLVD
LA MESA
91941-3903
(619) 460-1498

I posted a detailed run-down of my experiences with this shop vs the perception of others who have tried to send me elsewhere in the thread titled: "San Diego,CA".

Ended up using http://www.theworkshopmercedesbenz.com/ for an A Service on my 2002 E320.

The tech was good, smart, friendly and effiecient. Would definitely use again.

CB

Hi Cool Breeze
Star Motors in Benicia has been in existence for 15+ years. The owner, Toni Gaumann, was trained in Switzerland and has many years of experience. His rates are good, and his part prices are very fair. He only works on MBs. I've been a customer for 9 years, and have never had any complaints. His diagnostic skills are awesome.

Good to know. I'll keep that shop in mind for the future.

Thanks!

Made a note of Enriques shop
Might give him a try next time around
Been going to & happy w British European Motors on VB in Encino
but always open for a better deal

kruse Lucas in Modesto, Ca is an outstanding shop. I have used them for over 30 years. The have always been fair and the work is very competent. I have also used them for Porsches and now I regularly see some major Ferarri work going on. I know they have done some extensive work on gull wings. This is a top knotch shop with reasonable pricing.
Tom

I'm surprised at how difficult it seems to be to find an MB indie in Berkeley or environs. When I owned a BMW, I found more well-recommended shops than I could have used in a lifetime! But now I'm searching for someone who knows and loves Mercedes, particularly the W129 SLs (mine's a '96 SL500). I've read every post in this thread. There was mention years ago of a shop off I-80 at the Gilman exit, but no name; questions but no replies about both Auto Europa (Albany/El Cerrito) and Bauer German (University Ave.); and occasional mentions of Import Motors in Oakland, which is a bit inconvenient for me, and a shop near College and Broadway. Is that really it?? No good indies that people have experience with in the central East Bay?

Thanks,
Alan

Alan,

While not in the East Bay, Octane is just across the bridge in SF, down the street from Costco at 10th and Folsom. Randy Kuwatani runs this Mercedes specialist and he has outstanding MBZ credentials, great service and fair prices. I frequently see SLs in the shop, along with other top Mercedes cars. 415.863.5555. 330 10th street, San Francisco.

Disclaimer: I am secretary to Octane, Inc. (and also a satisfied customer).

Regards,
Bob

__________________
'94 E500 Anthracite
'92 300E 4Matic (donated to charity)
'90 300TE 4Matic

Askay, email me or private message me. I'll give you a referral of a pro mechanic who jobs.
Den.

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

If anyone knows any good tech for 190E 16V specialist in the Los Angeles would be appreciated! thanx, and have a good one.

__________________
ipod software
ipod software

Ken Auto in El Monte might be a good place. The owner has a 190E-16V with only 24k miles. He worked on MB a lot. Honest and Dependable. His number is 626/444-7338.

__________________
94 E420 116k
90 560sec 57K
90 560sel 57k
89 300E 138K (sold)
87 Porsche 930S 38K (sold)