For the Mercedes and the poor old Volvo in South City for all the times it got sideswiped, hit and run and rear ended or messed up by wife, you can't believe how dangerous it is to drive in San Francisco, we lucked out on a body shop, you need a good one in San Francisco if you drive anywhere there. And guess what, you DO need a car when you are there. Imagine shlepping groceries or furniture on the BUS! "Here, let me give you a HAND with the LEG!!

May I present Rich Martinez, of Eurodesign. 1168 San Mateo Ave. SSF
phone 650- 888-1440

He fixes up the McLaren MBs, AMGCL55s, etc., Lambos, Ferraris, BMW 740s all the real six digit cars, so he HAS to be good. Last time he had among other things, a BRAND NEW, CL55AMG silver coupe, which had deep scratches on every panel, courtesy of an enraged spouse!! Hell hath no fury, blah blah blah

He is easy to deal with, soft spoken, really cares about his work and his customers, does a beautiful job right the first time, on time no excuses or bringbacks, a joy to go to. With all the mediocre and bad repair places all over the Bay Area, this is the trick , find a place like Eurodesign!!

Top rating!!!

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

1165 North Fifth Street, San Jose (downtown) CA 95112
(408) 971-2880 Bureau of Auto Repair Certified,

Guy supposedly owns a 560SEC according to wife who took the SEC in for a Steering Box R/R it cost a few pennies over $700.00, don't know if price is reasonable or not.

Have personally never seen the place but cannot recommend because steering wheel was off center when returned and back and forth over and over and nevergot it right. In the end I just had to live with it, he said he would make it right, but I just love it when it comes back right the first time, don't you. Maybe I was full of beans but OTOH the car's steering wheel was centered when it went it, how come not when it went out?

Uninformed, I guess, but have to give him a neutral. Would NOT go back

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Re. Novak Automotive and Body Repair: GET IT IN WRITING!!! Better yet, do not go. They will probably resist putting it in writing and that should be a huge clue. They worked on my 450SL for a very large sum of money (then asked for more), essentially promising to restore the body, paint, suspension, brakes, cooling, exhaust and engine. Work not completed. What was completed was not all done well (the brakes and suspension work I do not fault, er, yet). Over sprayed the chrome. Didn't fix paint mars. Didn't fix lights. Exhaust smoked & installed wrong. Cooling system ran way too hot. Completely rebuilt engine had 135lb. compression within 800 miles and blew up within 1500. I have been fighting to get this remedied for almost a year now. Throughout, these clowns have lied repeatedly and often.

Most of the shops on the list are still around, but I just came accross a new shop in Antioch.
May want to try Independent Mercedes Service Center. I heard 2 techs from SF dealer left and opened their own shop. I beleive their web site is www.imsvc.com
I was planning on going there with my 99 ML320. The web site shows some good qualifications.

Mercedestech I went to the imsvc shop today and they worked on my s600 1992 v-12 just did a trans filter and gasket but they were very nice, very helpful, answered a bunch of questions and went out of there way to help me. I strongly recomend the shop.

I can comment on Stead Motors in Walnut Creek, CA, but not as to actual repairs. Because they are an authorized dealer - and we all know about dealers' prices - I use their services sometimes for information. They have always been very willing to make a copy of a wiring diagram or answer questions, if they can, about old 123 cars. The problem is that very few people in CA drive older cars, so knowledgable mechanics of old cars are scarce in CA.

In Portland, OR, I HIGHLY recommend MBI Motors - an independent shop on S.E. Hawthorne ST - with mechanics who are extremely knowledgable of older cars, and where you are actually allowed to step into the shop and talk with the guy working on your car.

I use Pete's Mercedes in San Francisco when I don't have the time or the expertise to do it myself. I find Mario there trustworthy and reliable.

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Steven
1989 260E (276K miles)
1995 E320 (50K miles)