Why I now appreciate my expensive Indy - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

DubMutant · #1 03-22-2007, 02:53 PM

So a few weeks ago, I was complaining about how expensive it is to have an indy work on my car. Besides the special tools required, I couldnt seem to get my head around the mammoth cost of labor. I was looking to supply parts and get the stuff put in cheap. Well, 1/2 of that plan happened, at least.

I found a reputable machanic, who only works on early model Mercedes untill 1991 when MB made all their technical stuff proprietary. This man does all our older cars all the time and has customers drive in from more than 7 states away for him to work on their cars. Impressed yet? Just wait because it gets better.

I dropped the car off and talked to him for about 30 minutes and told him what I wanted done. No problem. I didn't need the car for a week, so after a large snowstorm and a lost key, I had the car back a week and 1/2 later. I didnt care as long as it was driving better, which of course, it was- like new.

What really impressd me, besides his ability to expain the car systems and theory (in detail) when I asked simple questions, was the fact that he told me, in as many words, that if I had brought the vehicle to him and asked him to repair the most obvious things that would most benefit the car, he would have done it all differently. I mean, that takes balls to tell a customer that he was wrong. Here, I was not surprised because, I am an idiot when it comes to these cars and what they need. He also blew out a brake line when road testing it, so that actually boosts my confidence- If he's going to drive it hard like I will, that is a good feeling. Also he stayed untill 8pm to repair the transmission vacume issue that he forgot to do and didnt charge me for it.

Unfortunately I have the compulsion to restore "Zuker" to factory new condition and I wanted to start with the suspension. I got a new suspension and my g/f finally is warming up to the car. It only took an arm and half a leg. But that is not the point.

Point is folks, that if its simple on these cars, its complicated because like the human body, everything is somehow connected and one wrong adjustment may toss off several more. (I watched how in 15 minutes he made my transmission go from "extra chunky penut butter" to "I can't believe it's butter"y smooth)

So, I just want to thank my new Indy for an impeccable job and honest clear communication. And for blowing a brake line so I didnt have to deal with that, and for making a list of all the
'next' items on the to-do list. (vac pump seals, more new brake lines and fluid, and drive axle cans and boots) I hope that I will never be a pain in the a*& to another indy and just walk in and pay my (large) bill and leave with a huge smile nonetheless.
Ben

live and learn from my mistakes.

Jadavis · #2 03-22-2007, 04:51 PM

All that and you are not going to post his information???

-Jim

Nate · #3 03-22-2007, 05:01 PM

Post the INFO BUDDY!!!

Looks like u found yourself a great indy, and I'd love to have him look at my car if he's not too far away from me... Which I bet he is (damn)

~Nate

JimmyL · #4 03-22-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubMutant

Point is folks, that if its simple on these cars, its complicated because like the human body, everything is somehow connected and one wrong adjustment may toss off several more.

Just for a talking point, is the paragraph above over romanticized, or is there really much literally to that?

This isn't about you DubMutant, I have heard others say that also.....

WINGAS · #5 03-22-2007, 08:25 PM

They're both an excersize in systems design.

Havent found an indy yet. Just a friend at the dealer's parts counter. Whom I desperately need right now!

It would be proper to post his name and 20.

Cephallus · #6 03-23-2007, 12:27 AM

I'm totally jealous. I have yet to find an indy that I trust with my diesel, and I just don't have time to do everything myself anymore...

#7 03-23-2007, 06:57 AM

I have often found it difficult to understand why folks think that someone should work on a car for cheap. Buildings cost money, utilities cost money, insurance costs money, equipment costs money and tools cost money. Beyond that people who use all these things to fix your cars have to have a roof, food, clothes and shoes for the baby.

Unless you can find a very skinny tech that uses a pair of pliers, screwdriver and baling wire, lives in a tent, wears the same clothes everyday and works on your car under a shadetree in the park, it will cost a reasonable amount of money to have your car seen to. Even if you can find this guy, do you REALLY want him taking care of your car?

winmutt · #8 03-23-2007, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryBible

I have often found it difficult to understand why folks think that someone should work on a car for cheap.

Even if you can find this guy, do you REALLY want him taking care of your car?

My personal reason is that I often find that these "mechanics", even ASE certified dealer trained, will "forget" things. It is often not their fault, operational issues beyond their control (read boss) leaving them to service more cars. There is no system on these old cars I dont understand pretty well (cept turbo but I'm getting up to steam) and don't feel uncomfortable working on.

The real question is, are you willing to let someone you don't know touch your baby?

tangofox007 · #9 03-23-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

The real question is, are you willing to let someone you don't know touch your baby?

If dealing with people you don't know is a bad thing, then asking questions on an internet forum can't be a good thing.

Jadavis · #10 03-23-2007, 01:07 PM

Notice that the original poster found something that is key to this mechanic's success. He only works on pre-1991 MB's. He knows what he is good at and he has specialized on a niche market. The strength in that is that he KNOWS his pre-1991 cars. The weekness is that the market on these can only get smaller with time. IMHO, he will be fine as there will always be people willing to drive 5 hours to have him work on their baby.

-Jim

DubMutant · #11 03-23-2007, 01:09 PM

Sorry guys I misplaced the card. Just found it.

John F. Allen Co.
3 Peckville Road
Shelburne, MA 01370-9643

Ph. # 413-625-9256
email: jfallen@crocker.com

owners name is Johh (obvioisly)

I highly reccomend this man. He is so competent and honest that I will be using him exclusively for all major repair jobs no matter where I end up.
Ben

Jadavis · #12 03-23-2007, 01:15 PM

!
Half way across the country, of course!

Don't forget to post him in the Good Shops section.

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

The tab for it is at the top of the page between DIY Links and Cars.

-Jim

WINGAS · #13 03-23-2007, 01:15 PM

Tax a cHUSEtts....

Hmmm... I have bass instructor in Maryland, the only one I'll use... Once a year for a day... cheap fare imho...

Lots of these rides in TAXAchuSetts... You've helped the community by sharing!

:

Peace.

hahaha, i notice the ":guiitarist" is actually a slap bassist...spot on! .. how appropos..! )

Out.

cgunderm · #14 03-23-2007, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubMutant

Sorry guys I misplaced the card. Just found it.

John F. Allen Co.
3 Peckville Road
Shelburne, MA 01370-9643

Ph. # 413-625-9256
email: jfallen@crocker.com

owners name is Johh (obvioisly)

I highly reccomend this man. He is so competent and honest that I will be using him exclusively for all major repair jobs no matter where I end up.
Ben

Reading this thread and especially that the indy made a list of future things to do, I thought to myself, sounds like John! And bingo!!! wow. The world is small.....

cgunderm · #15 03-23-2007, 03:04 PM

But it's actually not true that John Allen only works on pre-91 MB's. He worked on my 1993 300D, and I see plenty of newer MB's even than that at his shop.....He drives two diesels himself, one is a 1987 300D and a 1983 300CD, but he works on gassers just as much....