I am seriously planning on starting a Mercedes performance shop on us-19 in palm harbor,fl. I am interested io see how profitable this would be here. we will offer the best (up to date) technology in painting. prismatic,holographic, etc.. frame bending machine for collision repair. complete interior customizing. leather(original mb or other), cloth, or vynal.custom bodywork such as amg, brabus, lornser,
etc.,. body kit installation and wheels. also suspension work and eventually tuning.
anybody in the Tampa area interested in this service?
your comments and questions will be greatly appreciated!!
thanks!
Adam

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

Iwould be interested in the service, however I would also be interested as a partner. Since we are both young guy's, Adam we could become the future Brabus or Renntech.

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

thanks for the offer alex, i think that would be a little hard considering you are way north from me. if you have anything to offer im willing to listen.
thanks

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

kinda like the Performance Motor Group here in Vancouver
well, as long as the price is reasonable, I think it'll be profitable
coz there are many people out there that want to tune their benz

It all sounds good. let me know when you make it to california hehe.

Alon

__________________
'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Can someone explain to me how "painting. prismatic, holographic.. frame bending machine for collision repair. complete interior customizing. leather(original mb or other), cloth, or vynal" relate to "performance"? Where are the turbos/cams/exhaust/coil overs/camber plates?

I wouldn't spend a dime in a performance shop unless they can make my car go faster. Who needs 18", 35 lb Brabus rims when you only have 200hp?

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00 w210t, all stock.

TonyC, I respectfully disagree with your view. Call it performance, boutique or anything you want but, most "rice burners" have less than 200hp and they are expending a LOT of money in cosmetics alone. Of course, those cars are not at the same level as MB but, then again, how many people in this forum are buying performance parts from RENNTECH. They have most of those performance parts mentioned above and they are priced accordingly. Point is, there is a market for everybody.
Adam, as far as profitability, do your homework BEFORE you jump into it. This forum is a good place to start. I know Steve has his shop in Gainesville, Florida. Maybe he can give you some inside information or some of the other pros in this forum. Good luck either way!

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J.H.
'86 300E

J. your disagreement well noted. Tho consider this: Adam & company is offering costmetic services to Benz owners, many who also own cars that "have less than 200hp" (300E, 190E, C220/240/280, SLK, ETC). After they drop their cars off to Adam, they will also have spent "a LOT of money in cosmetics alone" due to the fact that Adam & Company are interested in 'holographics' instead of turbos. How are they any different from the ricers?

Many paint shop/trim shops can repaint/retrim a Mercedes and do it well. It is, afterall, just another 'car'.

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00 w210t, all stock.

I would love to start the business with Adam, and who knows maybe We'll do it however I know that I would boost power to all my customers who desire to have that done. Turbos, Superchargers, exhaust, suspension, brakes etc. As well as body enhancements. I see vortech superchargers at a very reasonable cost, and I am thinking of how to mate it to other Benz models like the 300E. I also think many Benz owners would like a 6 speed in their car. Perhaps If I had such a shop (who knows?) I would go to Hurst, and Borg and Wagner and possibly have them develop something for what my customers would want.

[Edited by CaptAlex300e on 12-28-2000 at 09:18 PM]

__________________
"Damn the torpedos, four bells full speed ahead"
-Admiral Farragut




-1987 300E Smoke Silver
-1997 S320 Black on Black
-Soon To be E55 AMG
-27 foot Grady White Offshore Sportfish.

dear TonyC.
as I said in my first post I do plan on eventually adding a tuning division. currently I have a building and the personnel for only body and interior customizing. if all things go well I will plan on going for the market of both performance and looks.
also, the body kits I offer are for performance as well as looks such as improving the coefficient of drag and keep the tires firmly planted against the ground at high speeds.
all the body kits i'm offering will be TUV approved, I will not sell the junk only for the purpose of satisfying my customers. I belive you get what you pay for and my consumers will appreciate the fact that i'm selling them quality parts for thier quality cars.
thanks for everyone's responses.
Adam

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

I see it like this, it doesn't hurt to try. you can always go back to working for someone else if your own business fails.

Thats why I'm self employed, if it fails I go get a job, end of story, but I plan to be working for myself for a long time, giving customers what they want is key, and if you can do it for a good price and still have it be profitable to you, then all the better.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon

Tony, I think you just answered your own question when you said "they will also have spent a LOT of money in cosmetics alone".
Forget about cars for a second... Adam is planning to open a business and he is asking for feedback. Bottom line for any business is profit. No business will survive without profit. Very basic supply and demand. Now refer to your quote above. Can you see it now?
On the other hand, Adam should take your input and everybody else's in this string very serious BEFORE taking any further steps.
P.S. Tony, I hope you do not take your car to just any mechanic.

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J.H.
'86 300E