Seeking mechanic in NYC (queens?) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cleeves · #1 02-11-2021, 01:10 PM

I'm moving back to New York City soon and would like recommendations for a mechanic that has experience with old diesels ('76 300D in question), is reasonably priced, and within commuting distance so I can take the train after I drop it off for service. Will probably be living in upper west side or north brooklyn. I imagine the dealership in Hells' Kitchen is prohibitively expensive, or other boutique shops in manhattan for that matter.

Last I took the 7 train to flushing I remember seeing a bunch of auto shops close to main street / chinatown in queens. That seems like a reasonable distance from either place I will be. Any recommendations?

Thanks!
Henry

cleeves · #2 02-11-2021, 01:12 PM

Prefer something within a 15 minute walk from MTA station.

-Henry

Alex E · #3 02-11-2021, 03:36 PM

Henry,
Living in Manhattan I too would like to find a local mechanic who knows these old Benz's and is not a criminal. I searched a couple years ago when I got my ’83 and gave up in frustration.

One example, Autobahn used to be in my Yorkville neighborhood but moved to Park Ave &123rd. The owner(?) has a German accent and would not work on my car or recommend anyone else. I wanted to pay for diagnoses of an inconsistent rough hot idle. They had a very bad attitude to boot.

I work on my car myself during the summer at my Rhode Island camp. (Problem ended up being delivery valves)

It's far away but I strongly recommend Mainly Benz in Poughkeepsie. They are great guys, very reasonable in price, top experts. A pleasure to deal with. I had them look over, test my car with a fine tooth comb.

You can take the Hudson line train back & forth
Many customers from NYC go there.

ccrelan · #4 02-11-2021, 04:23 PM

Kraft German Auto in Brooklyn

cleeves · #5 02-11-2021, 06:50 PM

Thanks for the responses, Alex and ccrelan. It seems that the Kraft German shop in south brooklyn may be cheaper/easier to access since it's just MTA + short cab ride, rather than metro north + longer cab ride. But it's very good to have both recommendations in case I am haunting the hudson valley.

Alex, can i pick your mind a bit more regarding parking? I've been looking for places in the Manhattan Valley which is sort of the western counterpart to yorkville, so maybe you could advise. (Q1): Do you use a garage or street parking? I was thinking to park it monthly in a garage during the winter (some further away neighborhoods are cheaper...) and on the street when there isn't salt on it. (Q2): How much of a hassle do you expect street parking to be close to riverside drive and manhattan valley? (Q3): can you use a cover on the street and not get a ticket if you have the front license plate showing? (Q4): recommend wheel lock + unlocked doors or wheel lock + locked doors on the street? I have an original becker thats worth like 600 bucks, but never leave anything else in it. so I'm on the fence. I've had no issues in the city of atlanta in the last 4 years of partial street parking and don't even use a wheel lock and always leave the doors open.

Thanks!
Henry

cleeves · #6 02-11-2021, 06:55 PM

follow up to Q4 - always leave it unlocked so far because it's way cheaper to replace the almost zero items I leave in the car besides the becker, than it is to fix a broken window for those who want to look inside my empty glovebox.

-H

Alex E · #7 02-12-2021, 02:08 PM

Henry,
PM sent

cleeves · #8 05-06-2021, 02:16 PM

Have arrived, and diff went bad (in other thread). I found another shop that was super close and 4.4 stars on google, has been in business for 40 years. Thought it would be OK. When they put it on the lift they were kinda careless and I heard a nasty "thunk" as it was going up, so I yelled but didn't think much of it. And today I discovered one of my floorpans is bent and it's already started forming rust. I'm pissed, I know it was them because it didn't have that bend when I cleaned out underneath carpets 2 weeks before that; either I will receive a check from them or they will get a detailed 1 star review; will straighten that out in person tomorrow. Should have gone the extra distance and picked one of these two recommended shops. Will be going to Kraft in Brooklyn to get the diff fixed (Poughkeepsie is far...)

Agh.

-Henry

my83300cd · #9 05-08-2021, 06:47 AM

I lived in Brooklyn and used Xaver's in Newburgh in the mid 90's for my 300cd, they were a listed Benz shop, just repairs. Drive up, drop off, cab to Beacon Metro north. Living in CT, drive, drop off, train into NYC for work, then reverse to get home.