What should i tell my mechanic? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JamesStein · #16 02-01-2005, 08:19 PM

I've also heard good things about Autoworks International. But I haven't taken my car to them. So far I haven't run into anything that I haven't been able to do. For local parts I like the CarQuest on Duval Street (downtown). I avoid the dealer like the plague. I've ordered several things through them and I've never gotten the right part from the start.

Eddy Vermeiren 50-60 year old German mechanic.. I think he moved over here with the 300D's in the 80's. The letter he sent me says he's at the Bradforville Auto Super-Service center. Which is likely the one at.

6535 Thomasville Rd
Tallahassee, FL 32312
(850) 580-2123

aklim · #17 02-01-2005, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesStein

I avoid the dealer like the plague. I've ordered several things through them and I've never gotten the right part from the start.

I usually get the right parts because I am in the parts department and not on the other side of the table. I go have them pull up a pic and order the thing. I watch the form they write it on and I have a copy of it. Also I have compared it to the EPC. These days, I have my own copy of the EPC so I eliminate most of the problem.

One time we had to get the item ordered 3 times. However it was MB's fault. Each time the wrong item was packaged in the correct bag. Only way you know it is to tear the item out and compare it with the part on the bag.

83-240D · #18 02-01-2005, 08:31 PM

the local better biz bureau. see if there are complaints aginst them. heck file one yoursef!

there is a dealer thread here on the front page. check it out for dealers near you.

aklim · #19 02-01-2005, 08:33 PM

Don't we also have a "recommended shops" section in the forum

83-240D · #20 02-01-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Don't we also have a "recommended shops" section in the forum

yeah that one.

this one....good mb shops. although we should have one that is bad mb shops to balance off the karma.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/good-mb-shops/

JamesStein · #21 02-01-2005, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Byrnzoil

Furrin? is that a play on words...furrin=foreign? or is that the guys real name?

Don't know where the name comes from. But here is their website..

http://www.pacfl.com/staff.htm

As a side note. On the website under services they say they still haven't committed to servicing non-japanese cars. However, their sign out front now says get your Mercedes serviced here. Go figure. I have nothing against these guys.. I'm just not sure they know enough about MB Diesels to work on them.

Eskimo · #22 02-01-2005, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesStein

Don't know where the name comes from. But here is their website..

http://www.pacfl.com/staff.htm

As a side note. On the website under services they say they still haven't committed to servicing non-japanese cars. However, their sign out front now says get your Mercedes serviced here. Go figure. I have nothing against these guys.. I'm just not sure they know enough about MB Diesels to work on them.

James, it seems to me that their web site is a single site for two different shops - one for Japanese, one for European. On the services page, the paragraph about Professional Automotive Center has the, "We have not yet committed to working on non-Japanese cars" statement. The paragraph about Furrin Auto claims that they offer, "general mechanical repair and maintenance on German built cars such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porshe, Volkswagen, and Swedish built Volvo".

I agree with your evaluation - we've got no evidence that they know what they're about with respect to M-B diesels.

JamesStein · #23 02-01-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskimo

The paragraph about Furrin Auto claims that they offer, "general mechanical repair and maintenance on German built cars such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porshe, Volkswagen, and Swedish built Volvo".

Don't believe I missed that. Ah well.

aklim · #24 02-01-2005, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskimo

paragraph about Furrin Auto claims that they offer, "general mechanical repair and maintenance on German built cars such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porshe, Volkswagen, and Swedish built Volvo".

I agree with your evaluation - we've got no evidence that they know what they're about with respect to M-B diesels.

Still says "Jack of All Trades" to me.

Tirebiter · #25 02-02-2005, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Still says "Jack of All Trades" to me.

In the abovementioned shop, that may be true.

But. For those who have "proven" their knowledge as an ASE certified master mechanic; have access to the proper information; have the proper tools; and their brain works, I'd say they were qualified to work on just aboot any vehicle. It ain't rocket science.

Most of us specialize because it reduces our need for special tools used on other makes. Bumper to bumper familiarity with a particular model allows you to work faster with more confidence.

Many mechanics got their training through a dealership and after a period of time, they went off to independents or opened their own shops.

The world has many excellent and competent mechanics that happen to make their living doing something else. This forum is full of them. We learn from each other.

Eskimo · #26 02-02-2005, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Still says "Jack of All Trades" to me.

To be clear:

The section I quoted from that web site was only intended to clear up a misunderstanding about what sort of cars that Furrin Auto claims to service. There are two outfits that have one web page; one works on Japanese imports, one works on European imports.

That post in no way constitutes an endorsement of Furrin Auto, and was not intended as part of whatever "indy vs. dealership" debate you and anybody else happen to be enjoying in this thread.

I'm glad that you get great service from your dealership where you live. If the opening poster lived there, then he could take his car to that dealership, too. He can't.

aklim · #27 02-02-2005, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskimo

To be clear: one works on European imports.

Which means Audi, BMW, Mercedes, etc, etc. No speciality. This is like going to a general practioner as a doctor. He works on pretty much anything vs going to a cardiologist for your heart who doesn't care if your eyesight is getting worse. I'd go to a Jack of All Trades if it was a simple thing that most cannot screw up. However, for more complicated services, I want someone who does that thing for a living. Just as when I had snoring and my wife thought I might have sleep apnea, we got a referal to a sleep specialist and they did the diagnosis all the way to the treatment. My General Practioner doctor didn't do anything more than fill out the referals.

I have taken engines out of my 91 Firebird to the point I can tear the engine apart. I wouldn't dare try that on my MB. So, with all due respect to Tirebiter, it might not be rocket science but it is damned close to it these days.

aklim · #28 02-02-2005, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tirebiter

In the abovementioned shop, that may be true.

But. For those who have "proven" their knowledge as an ASE certified master mechanic; have access to the proper information; have the proper tools; and their brain works, I'd say they were qualified to work on just aboot any vehicle. It ain't rocket science.

Most of us specialize because it reduces our need for special tools used on other makes. Bumper to bumper familiarity with a particular model allows you to work faster with more confidence.

Many mechanics got their training through a dealership and after a period of time, they went off to independents or opened their own shops.

The world has many excellent and competent mechanics that happen to make their living doing something else. This forum is full of them. We learn from each other.

IMO, mechanics are all alike. IF they have the talent AND the right attitude then all they need is the training, proper tools and the knowledge. So, with that in mind, do you think there will be a difference between indie or dealership? I don't think so either. So all things being equal, it boils down to tools and knowledge. If they are large enough to have the right tools and can send their techs for the constant update trainings, I have no problem one way or the other.

My only question is can they have access to the same database that a dealership has. If so, I suppose it all the same then if they do have access to the database of updates and what not.

The experience part I am not so concerned because they will go by book time. If they take longer than book time, that is their own problem.

aklim · #29 02-02-2005, 11:28 AM

What is the differenve between the independent and the dealership anyways? Provided their prices are about the same, that is. Last time I checked, when I went into a dealership they are individually owned. The only real diference I see is that they also sell the cars besides fix them and that they usually have a larger supply of the right parts on hand.

83-240D · #30 02-02-2005, 01:48 PM

maybe you should say goodbye,

call a dealer and ask if they have someone who knows your car

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