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.