I hope all indies aren't like this - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dmorrison · #31 02-08-2007, 12:55 AM

Firestone 1201 William D Tate Grapevine (817) 488-3278
For the alignment ask when Fernando will be working. My son's freind has a 67 Cougar and got us over to Firestone. We took my son's 65 Mustang and they did a good job. Asked Fernando about the Mercedes and he said he could do them. He is the only one at the shop they will let touch the Mercedes and older cars. If he leaves that shop I'll have to track him down.
The 67 Cougar went to the Firestone in Austin but they would not touch the car. So each Firestone is different.

I have used Park Place Mid Cities for aligments over the years but it's expensive and the Firestone deal is much better. We bring the cars in every 6 months or so.

I have heard of Don, but I do all my own work. But then again he couldn't figure out "smokey" for you could he??

There is a separate center pin tool for the gearbox, but the opening is also a drain plug so you don't insert the pin for alignments only for steering box instalations. When Fernando aligns the car he carefully centers the wheel and checks geatbox play while doing it. Once the wheel is centered he then does the alignment. As I have said, all three cars have run true and straight after their alignments. Fernando also looks under the car and will report anything he finds. He reported a small differnetial leak in my sons Mustang as well as a front suspension bushing that was failing.
A good mechanic and the shop does not seem to try and gouge you. All I have ever gotten from them is the alignment and an inspection.

Dave

JimmyL · #32 02-08-2007, 01:05 AM

Sounds like that is who I will use then if I don't hear of another on my side of the world. If that is a lifetime alignment, I certainly hope he does stay there.....

pmckechnie · #33 02-08-2007, 07:52 AM

I agree with the fact he was a jerk if we got the hole story. I had a call yesterday from a man that wanted me to install a used A/C compressor. I politly explained to him that I would pass on the request as there are to many things in that job that can give me a bad name and it not be my fault.
People seem to think that if something goes wrong, it is the fault of the last person that touched the car. I learned this from many, many years in this buisness. I think he understood. I don't want to put my name on a job that is not done correctly. Flame suit on.

t walgamuth · #34 02-08-2007, 08:01 AM

this is a response to the original post.

f&%k him.

tom w

Rashakor · #35 02-08-2007, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmorrison

Firestone 1201 William D Tate Grapevine (817) 488-3278
For the alignment ask when Fernando will be working. My son's freind has a 67 Cougar and got us over to Firestone. We took my son's 65 Mustang and they did a good job. Asked Fernando about the Mercedes and he said he could do them. He is the only one at the shop they will let touch the Mercedes and older cars. If he leaves that shop I'll have to track him down.
The 67 Cougar went to the Firestone in Austin but they would not touch the car. So each Firestone is different.

I have used Park Place Mid Cities for aligments over the years but it's expensive and the Firestone deal is much better. We bring the cars in every 6 months or so.

I have heard of Don, but I do all my own work. But then again he couldn't figure out "smokey" for you could he??

There is a separate center pin tool for the gearbox, but the opening is also a drain plug so you don't insert the pin for alignments only for steering box instalations. When Fernando aligns the car he carefully centers the wheel and checks geatbox play while doing it. Once the wheel is centered he then does the alignment. As I have said, all three cars have run true and straight after their alignments. Fernando also looks under the car and will report anything he finds. He reported a small differnetial leak in my sons Mustang as well as a front suspension bushing that was failing.
A good mechanic and the shop does not seem to try and gouge you. All I have ever gotten from them is the alignment and an inspection.

Dave

I also had good experiences with alignment at the Firestone in Irving on macarthur blvd just south of 635. They were with the fact that they will not touch the car for R12/ ac work but did the alignment fine. Now that i am ready to purchase new tires for the 240D i really think they will be Firestones! (talking about loyalty!).

rs899 · #36 02-08-2007, 12:09 PM

Surf-

You will have to find someone to do this one, but I surprised myself on my VW Rabbit last summer by getting the toe-in right all by myself. I bought a pair of laser levels from Harbor Freight for $5 each, attached them to the sides of the wheels, shot the beams in front 15 feet, then rolled the car so the beams shot back 15 feet. Set it a little in. Seemed to drive right.

Then I got a little nervous , chickened out and found a pro to do it in Sanford ( a good guy who does nothing but alignments). He said I was almost right on ( and knocked off $10 from his fee).

But that's just toe (all a VW has, well, camber too, but it was OK). MB has caster.

Rick

Surf-n-Turf · #37 02-08-2007, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rs899

Surf-

You will have to find someone to do this one, but I surprised myself on my VW Rabbit last summer by getting the toe-in right all by myself. I bought a pair of laser levels from Harbor Freight for $5 each, attached them to the sides of the wheels, shot the beams in front 15 feet, then rolled the car so the beams shot back 15 feet. Set it a little in. Seemed to drive right.

Then I got a little nervous , chickened out and found a pro to do it in Sanford ( a good guy who does nothing but alignments). He said I was almost right on ( and knocked off $10 from his fee).

But that's just toe (all a VW has, well, camber too, but it was OK). MB has caster.

Rick

Lasers, good idea. Better than the 2x4's I have used in the past. Sanford huh. Thats where I was born. Must be a good town.

I think I'll take it to Lakeland when I'm ready. There's a MB dealer/service place there. Zephyrhills only has a bunch of "good ole boys" who are great on F150's.

dannym · #38 02-08-2007, 01:59 PM

Hey Rick, what's the name of that place in Sanford?

aklim · #39 02-08-2007, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surf-n-Turf

And herego is the downfall of trust and loyalty. What have you done for me lately. Huh? $.50 cheaper next door. See ya. I must be a dying breed of people that deal with good people rather than good prices. The un-caring, un-connected internet age is killing the feel of being a part of something.

The new "Cheers" generation would rather find the draft beer .25 cheaper at Maximo's 2 doors down than have a relationship with the crowd in the bar as well as the bartender.

Unfortunately, that seems to be the case at least in my experience. Yes, it would be nice to find a place that believed in loyalty. Seems to me that they do when they first start out but later, when they get more established, they change their ways and forget their roots. Well, I don't want to mourn for the dead. I just move along, see the rules and adapt. Ford store my Dad went to for 30 years pissed him off. He had something UNDER WARRANTY and the first thing they asked for is $100 to scan and see what the problem is. Well, he finally learnt that his loyalty to that place was, is and will be misplaced and went somewhere else.

Or to the bar down the road because the bartender has larger hooters.

justinperkins · #40 02-08-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Unfortunately, that seems to be the case at least in my experience. Yes, it would be nice to find a place that believed in loyalty. Seems to me that they do when they first start out but later, when they get more established, they change their ways and forget their roots. Well, I don't want to mourn for the dead. I just move along, see the rules and adapt. Ford store my Dad went to for 30 years pissed him off. He had something UNDER WARRANTY and the first thing they asked for is $100 to scan and see what the problem is. Well, he finally learnt that his loyalty to that place was, is and will be misplaced and went somewhere else.

Or to the bar down the road because the bartender has larger hooters.

It's just as much the person that needs to believe in loyalty as the place.

I like becoming friends with the indies, because then you can stop by just to chat, walk in the garage part of the shop and check stuff out, find out about cars for sale that you wouldn't normally hear about, get good deals or freebies from time-to-time, etc.. Now that I've became friends with my indy, he'll do PPIs on used cars for me at no charge. It *really* pays to be loyal and treat your local businesses with respect.

aklim · #41 02-08-2007, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

People that are loyal to a business are not few and far between, you just aren't one of them. I love supporting local businesses and usually stick with a good place when I find one, regardless of what price Joe next store is offering.

There's the people who shop at Wal-Mart, and the people who don't. There's a lot of people in each group. Whichever one you are is your own prerogative.

Well, when I find a business worthy of my loyalty, they will have it as long as they prove themselves worthy. I don't support a business because it is local. Not good enough. They have to prove to me that they want my loyalty constantly. Yes, they start out all good but the question is whether they can keep it up or not. If they cannot maintain a sustained effort to keep me loyal, why should I be loyal to them? Why shouldn't I price shop?

Well, so far, none of the stores have shown me that they are deserving of my loyalty. Why shouldn't I shop at Wal*Mart? What has ANY of the comparative stores done for me? I shop Copps for my food because they are non-union, cleaner bathrooms and their people are more helpful SO FAR. As long as that remains the same, they will have my loyalty. So it is a 2 way street. You earn it and keep earning it and I will give it. Otherwise, you (not you personally) can go fawk yourself and I'll find the deal of the moment.

aklim · #42 02-08-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmckechnie

I agree with the fact he was a jerk if we got the hole story. I had a call yesterday from a man that wanted me to install a used A/C compressor. I politly explained to him that I would pass on the request as there are to many things in that job that can give me a bad name and it not be my fault.

Zimbrick European has had no problems with me bringing in parts. The understanding is that I am responsible for the part itself. They are responsible for the labor. They install it wrong, they pay. The part breaks, I pay for everything. They just write "Customer brought part for install" on the work order.

aklim · #43 02-08-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

It's just as much the person that needs to believe in loyalty as the place.

I like becoming friends with the indies, because then you can stop by just to chat, walk in the garage part of the shop and check stuff out, find out about cars for sale that you wouldn't normally hear about, get good deals or freebies from time-to-time, etc.. Now that I've became friends with my indy, he'll do PPIs on used cars for me at no charge.

It *really* pays to be loyal and treat your local businesses with respect.

Well, if I found more places that do believe in loyalty, I would say it isn't just a rare find. Like I said, they do good work when they start out but they don't last once they get bigger or more established. Then they get more hard nosed. At least that has been my experience. However, seeing what is out there, I am pessimistic about finding many establishments that do reward me for my loyalty. If I could, I'd agree with you that is a preferable way of doing business with me. However, that said, if I cannot find it in an establishment, I accept it since I see it is a dying attribute.

I get to do that at my dealership in Madison too. Ask Gilly or 210Olemotor. I am there sometimes just to BS with them.

As long as they return the loyalties and respect, sure. Patronizing them just because they are local, no.

tobybul · #44 02-08-2007, 06:15 PM

I've posted a response on this b4. Any dealership or good shop that has laser alignment equipment will be able to align the car. Laser equipment normally has specs of all car makes. I have always had good alignment workmanship done by my local Ford dealer on my MBs. It cost much less than the MB dealership.

Although, again, its good to establish good rapport with people you deal with especially those you have to rely on to do service work for you. This way, you have some assurance that the job's done right.

rs899 · #45 02-08-2007, 06:38 PM

Danny M-

The shop in Sanford is ...ahh ... ahh .. ah ... I forgot. It"s right downtown and I can find it again ( I think). But I have the guy's name on an email at work. I'll let you know tomorrow.

Buuuuut. This guy is an ex-Ford dealership guy about 55 years old. He would be great to take my F-100 to someday. I am not so sure I will bring him a Benz to sort out . Good guy- knows what he is doing, but probably hasn't done a whole lot of German stuff.

Rick