Hello Sirs,

I've been DIY'ing my 87 190E 2.6 for the 4 yrs I had it with plenty of help from this board. I feel the need to chat with a tech and get a good repair and diagnostic on some suspension and engine annoyances I can't do myself.

Last year I took my car into MB-Burnaby for a free diagnostic and got a long list of stuff that was wrong (the tech needed 2 pages) but the Service Manager treated me like some poor, know-nothing kid (rather than finacially-stable, knowledgeable, young engineer). I don't exactly like MB Dealer Sales and Service People (Techs, Parts guys are gods).

Can anyone recommend a good shop in the Vancouver area who are nice guys and really know their M103s and W201s?

Thanks.
I really value the opinions on this board.

do a search for shops in Vancouver. I cannot give you a good one, but I can give you the worst. Make sure you avoid them. Complaints also listed with the BBB.

My 126 was serviced at MB Vancouver for 23 years! I bought it off my Uncle a couple of years ago and had it serviced a couple of times at MB Boundary. Not bad but really expensive. I was treated well.

With my recent temperature problem I decided to bring it to Milo at European Auto on Kingsway in Vancouver. He was recommended to me by a fellow Doc.

AWESOME!!! Friendly shop and reasonably priced.

www.miloeuropeancars.com

Give Milo a call!

Good luck,
Brad.

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Dr. Brad

2003 C320 4Matic Station Wagon
2002 C240 Elegance
1982 380 SEL Star Certified

I've used Milo's here in Vancouver and will use them again.

Milo replaced the transmission and complete rear brakes as well as a steering link on my 190E, a fair price and everything was explained well. He knows what he is doing technically and is also a great communicator and a super nice guy. I went back to him when the window regulator failed on my 560SEC.

I've used another shop here in Vancouver as well, Henniken down under the Oak St. bridge. Hans will try to make your car as close to factory as possible, this isn't always a bad thing however it can cost $$$ so take his recomendations VS. your financial commitment to your car.

- Steve

If you're willing to drive into the valley, there's an excellent ship in Abbotsford. The name is Valley Eurotec, and their owner's name is Ron Hannigan. 604-864-8550

The PO on my car had it serviced exclusively with Milo - before buying it I spoke at length with Milo and he was very knowledge and reassuring to talk to. I've heard lots of good about Hennecken also and based on the opinions here I'd be happy going to either place. Haven't needed to yet - but I am sure I'll go to one of them for serious work I cannot handle.

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1984 300D Turbo, 326000 Km, Thistle Green Metallic

I'll second the opinion on Valley Eurotec, Ron and Mick are good guys. I've dealt with them since 2002. They even rented their spring compressor to me to replace the coils in my 300CE.

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Democracy dies in darkness, you have to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight

In North Van there is Salish Auto House, and in Burnaby there is Norwescan Motors.

Serviced at MB-Vancouver/North Vancouver since new (professional, explains problem/solution, issues always addressed to my satisfaction).

Tried Henneken a few times, professional (but does not take the time to explain the problem/solution), happy with their work....BUT,
1) Installs after market (OEM) parts, but charges OE (MB dealer) price. That's additional 70% more profit for him, but rip off to me.
2) Labor $20 less/hr than MB, but charges more time. In the end, the labor ended up being the same/more what MB dealer charged for the same job....so NO saving for me here either.

Evaluating Milo right now, tried them a few times. Very professional, takes time to explain the problem/solution. Their work is excellent. Two times I thought the price was very fair/good & two times I thought the price was high. But at least they let me supply my own parts & they provide the labor.

Highly Unusual (AND very accommodating of the "Shop")

Almost always the shop gets it's parts at a wholesale rate from the supplier
and makes a few dollars on the parts prices (Retail markup) to the customer.

If they're letting you bring in your own parts for installation...You've found
some Nice Guys to Service the MB.

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Seconding the opinions on Henneken v. Milo's.

I went to Hans at Henneken for a year trying to get the cold start problem fixed on my 300E.

I haven't totalled the bills (probably because I prefer to keep my head in the sand) but I am sure I spend $5000+ replacing various fuel and ignition parts, and the result was a car that had trouble starting when cold. I'm not necessarily blaming Hans, but between his advice and my money, the problem never did get solved.

After a two year hiatus during which the car sat idle, and during which I was able to replenish my Mercedes financial maintainence plan, I decided to try Milo on the recommendation of this thread.

Cold Start: Milo "I think that's a resistor" He was right, as far as I can tell,

He also recommended changing the `two fuel pump' system on my car to a single fuel pump system. I don't recall Hans telling me of that option.

I don't have any sacred cows around keeing the car stupid original, so I just made sure Milo was certain it was possible, not just surmising. Apparently he has engineering background, but more importantly he has a feel for cars that transcends factory training. That's how I see it.

Car runs and handles now like a 300E should (I believe, since mine has never been right, I suspect.)

And friendly? Wow, a great guy. We ended up in lengthy discussions of music and career choices....

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MB 1986 190D in my past
MB 1987 300E on the street
MB 1994 'Smoke Silver' E420 in my driveway
1999 Mazda Miata in the fun stable
1964 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1970 E-Type Jaguar Coupe- Sold
1968 Corvair Monza Conv. with Turbo Transplant- Sold
1986 Merkur Xr4ti- abandoned
various mundane American autos

If I'd known then what I know now...

Hell, I'd probably still have done it anyways.

Henneken did a valve job on my car, quoted me $1800. The final bill came to $2800.

Avoid Henneken! They are not honest at all. The original owner with the last name Henneken sold it around 10 yrs ago. Check on the new owner's name on BBB.

Euro Class Motors

Euroclassmotors.com

On the Langley/Surrey border, a block from Willowbrook mall.

I take my car there and I couldn't be more satisfied. The owner, Walter, used to work at a MB dealership. He knows his cars inside out. He is a perfectionist, honest and his rates are reasonable. I am very happy with his work and I've gotten better service from him than from the MB dealership.

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'90 300E
Lowered with Eibach Springs
Mouldings and bumpers painted body color
Clear front corners
94/95 W124 Taillights