It shows how well taken care of the car was at this point, it hasn't returned to a dealer for jack its whole life.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

In the last 20 years we've only bought two cars from a dealership. Neither one of them ever saw the dealership or any other shop again, except for air conditioning - and I wouldn't be afraid (as a buyer) to buy one of our cars (since I know we maintained them).

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

MB's should see the dealer. Only cheap SOB's buy a $60k++ car and try to skimp on service by going to a local shop. I can see after its older but for the first few years nope. I know their type quite well.

Just like my Grandfathers attorney who bought a 300SD new and never popped the hood for 30k+ miles.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Actually, if I had a new one I would still take it to my indy, who is probably just as well equipped as the dealer (and I trust him more). Unfortunately, he's not any less expensive than the dealer.

He probably couldn't fix it, does he have the SDS system?

I'm generalizing but, I have seen it time and again.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Actually, I believe he does have SDS (but I don't own anything that needs it). He just bought a hunter alignment machine with all the benz software (which apparently required some kind of authorization from MBUSA and cost a pile of cash). He seems pretty serious about having the same capability as the dealers.

Wow thats impressive! Those machines are very expensive and require a lot of money each month to keep.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I bought my first one in '91, for a tick over $74,000, took it to the dealer until they couldn't fix the backfiring and stalling problems, then started taking it to an indy (who fixed it). I haven't bought an M-B new since, nor have I been to the dealer since. Had the same problem with a new Jetta in '85, took it to an indy while under warranty to get it fixed properly (coincidentally, the VW dealer is also the M-B dealer here).

Some dealers are worth visiting, others are the reason Lexus exists.

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

What if the dealer is M/B of Fairfield? Still think that every MB should go there? Why would I go there and get ripped off?

If I have an indy that is competent and trustworthy, what possible benefit could a crooked dealer offer me?

Your generalizations are have no basis in reality.

What if "their type" is somebody who knows what they're doing, follows the service schedule precisely as it's printed in the manual, does everything properly and completely, and doesn't really feel like throwing part of a finite money supply into something that doesn't necessarily need it?

If there's something that's beyond the mechanical skill of the owner? yes, they should go in for the service.

If it's a DIY person who can get the knowledge to maintain it just as well and needs to save that cash for something else? I see absolutely nothing wrong with that.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

I have been very happy with MB or North Haven, they are probably number 2 in the state though. Supposidly MB of New London is the best. My friend just had them do $2,300 worth of work to his E300D and they did a wonderfull job, even giving him an E350 as a loaner.

I think your confusing them with MB of Fairfield who are crooks.


Their is no reason to have a trap ox on one of these at this point. If there shop was so good they should have heard of the recall.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Exactly. I'll edit the original post.