Opps..here the info:

Group Specialist
Ken Montalvo/GM
421 Hurlingame Avenue
Redwood City, CA 94063
800-789-BENZ
650-367-9161 Direct

__________________
Make it a great day!
Jay E.

E55 '00 (Silver)
....SOLD

E500 '94 (Pearl Black)
...love my E500 so much!

Toyota FX-16 GTS '87 (Very Red)
...stored in my garage

Audi 4000CS Quattro '87 (Alpine White)
...Totalled

Mitsubushi Montero '91 (Blue)
...my daily ride

4/2003: just had awful experience with this shop=- see my other posts.

-fad

Fad,

That is terrible news!

I am very surprised and disappointed to hear that; shall I contact them and relay your negative experience?
I am certain they will accommodate you, especially since they should realize how active you are on the WWW!!!


RSVP

Greetings Scott- and thanks for the offer.

Both- Alfred & Mo at Group Specialist are aware (in the 1st person) of this very very unsatisfactory visit.

I did mention that yourself and I are acquainted as 500e500 owners...and that it was because of customer recc's that I am trying out this shop.

What was really unnerving - was when Mo asked me to come back the next morning with trans. fluid spraying and smoking like a locomotive at full steam! I firmly advised that this was not acceptable to drive 60 miles x2 with this condition.

best regards
-fad

That truly SUCKS!!!

I will reconsider going there, again, myself... in solidarity with you.

Greetings Scott- - and thanks for the kind gesture, my friend.

I'd think that if you have foirged a good relationship with them- - and are satisified with their service, you should continue to benefit from your relationship with them.

I however, obviously, have not received this benefit....and- cringe at the thought of any future malady as a result of their service to either my pristine 300E, E320 Coupe or E500.

thanks again and best regards
-fad

Thye use to be a great place when I went there..I guess Ken Montavo is no longer there. Sorry for your bad experience Fad.

Jay
I just got to the dealer here in WA

__________________
Make it a great day!
Jay E.

E55 '00 (Silver)
....SOLD

E500 '94 (Pearl Black)
...love my E500 so much!

Toyota FX-16 GTS '87 (Very Red)
...stored in my garage

Audi 4000CS Quattro '87 (Alpine White)
...Totalled

Mitsubushi Montero '91 (Blue)
...my daily ride

No worries, Jay & Scott- - as fellow 500e500 owners and enthusiasts- actually it was your recc's that persuaded me to try this particular shop's service.

It must have totally gone down hill big time since you've been there...

>I had to specifically request them to spell out & detail the comprehensiveness (or lack thereof) of each service completed (generic work order/ invoice)!
>I asked to see the old parts/ fluids as I'm interested in reading their condition and this request was not completely adhered to.
>I went further to explain that I normally perform minor services to my vehicles

I didn't see a Ken Montalvo there nor heard of him or spied his card hanging around on my visits. Alfred and Mo acted like they were were the persons in charge- both indicated to me that they are former Autobahn techs

Thanks for your responses to my (-) experience and best regards
-fad

Fad,

Mo did not come from Autobahn..only Al. Their is a really great head mechanic at a new MB place in San Jose area is Johann Chua. I've known him for more than 20 years. He is also from Autobahn and the SF MB Dealership.

I will contact him and ask what shop he joined..it sounded like Beshoss - Mercedes???

He worked on both my E55 and E500. He actually fixed the fuel system on the E55 that Mo f**ked up.

I told him that if I need something done major...I will fly him here in WA.

Later

__________________
Make it a great day!
Jay E.

E55 '00 (Silver)
....SOLD

E500 '94 (Pearl Black)
...love my E500 so much!

Toyota FX-16 GTS '87 (Very Red)
...stored in my garage

Audi 4000CS Quattro '87 (Alpine White)
...Totalled

Mitsubushi Montero '91 (Blue)
...my daily ride

From me hearing all this. I have to say this shops sucks. If your a true and good MB indie shop. you should no how much fluid these bad boys take. Soory to hear about it. I wish all you guys could be here locally in the southern cal area. I would be your guy. I take care of a fews guys down here. This from what I am hearing, form FAD is unacceptable. I would demand my $ back. For the fact that you have to have the undercarrige steam cleaned.. Or t call them up,tell them to meet you halfway on the bill. Since you have to take it to a local dealership.


Let me tell you once that oil soaks up in there. Escpecially that trans tunnel insulation. Very importment this does not get to saturated or its starts coming apart falling down onto the flex discs. Fad I would play fricken hardball with these guys.

Later Guido

__________________
500E Sold
2006 Mini Cooper S
Modified,pulley,injectors,suspension
2009 E350 Sport AMG package

The more I read this thread, the more I feel like an idiot/ass!

I am EXTREMELY sorry if you feel I steered you wrong, Fad: I had been going to Group Specialist for almost 3 years, back from the day they opened (when Ken Montalvo was running the shop). Ken has been gone for over a year, now, as he decided to pursue other business opportunities (with his wife, I believe).

I will *NOT* be taking my car to Group Specialist, anymore, as a result of your horrible experience; I will not recommend anyone else do so, either.

If there is anything I can do to help ameliorate your situation, please do not hesitate to e-mail me, directly, at: nemo@nemonis.net.

Kind regards,

Thanks for the support fellas!

Guido- if you come up to the SF Bay Area to buy my E500 OEM wheels- - perhaps you can give some love to the E500 with a 40k major service? I'd be happy to put you up at a fine lodging establishment and host you for some fine dining!

best regards
-fad