Pennsylvania - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 01-15-2001, 04:30 PM

I live in the Pgh. Pa. area and would like to know if there are any really good independent shops located near here. I do know of an excellent Mercedes shop...Bobby Rayhal.

bachlauter · #2 03-22-2001, 08:04 PM

Hey...
I just bought a vintage MB and the previous owner gave me a phone number of a guy, who lives 20 mi. east of Washington PA who works on these cars.
I've spoke to him on the phone and he says he has a garage and about 40 old MB's parked out his way.
Everyone I mentioned this to said they weren't so sure.
The man, named Messiah seems like a great guy! He says he's a minister on Sunday and he has been working on these cars his whole life!
I am trying to work on MY car myself. However, if I botch it up too bad...I'm probably going to give him a try.
Let me know if you're interested and I'll give ya his number.
But...I don't KNOW him and have never been out his way.
Everyone I mention him to says it sounds too good to be true. He might be legit!
~Christy

#3 03-22-2001, 11:53 PM

Why not just go to Rahal???
I am in favour of independents. However, when a dealer is as good as Rahal, then I believe one should be impartial.
I moved to Pitt from NYC. The dealers in NYC are just awful. Rahal was an absolute godsend, completely restoring my faith in MB service.
The service manager there really understands the notion of customer service. He really has bent over backwards for me so many times. Even their salespeople, arguably not the most knowledgable in the world, are nevertheless very nice to deal with. I insisted upon buying my next car from them and indeed bought an E420. They gave me full KBB for my 300TE.
Even though I recently bought an E500 and E320T from Dallas, Rahal still bends over backwards to ensure that I am well taken care of.
Sure, one might be paying $10/hr above the independent rate for their service, but I am confident that it is worth it.
Incidentally, I am in no way affiliated with them... :-)
I just wish more dealers could be like them!
farrukh

bachlauter · #4 03-23-2001, 07:39 AM

Hi....
I'm in the South Hills area. Bobby Rahal is way up north, right? That is one reason I don't go there. #2 is $$$$$$$!
Remember, I'm doing it myself, NOT out of boredom!

BUT...I MUST say...the people at Rahal are INCREDIBLE!! When I first got mine, I called them with some basic and some DUMB questions. The service man must have spent 15 minutes ON THE PHONE with me, just trying to sort out what is wrong with my car. I don't know many mechanics that would "waste their time" on the phone!!! I was WAY impressed!!!

~Christy

#5 04-18-2001, 11:06 PM

I recently had a climate control glitch in my '86 300E - air from the defroster vents, nowhere else. I took it to an independent Mercedes shop (Mike Snyder's Service Center) here in York, PA and got an estimate of $1300 to fix the problem. I balked, but was still charged $250 just for the diagnosis. A couple of weeks later, I took it to Bavarian Enterprises (also an independent MB shop)in Harrisburg, PA. They gave me a loaner car, and within a couple of hours, called to tell me the 300E was fixed. The bill was $190, parts and labor. The former shop had diagnosed the problem correctly; apparently they just felt that it was worth an additional $1100 to fix it! Four stars for Bavarian; somewhat less for Mike Snyder's...

Robert W. Roe · #6 05-05-2001, 10:13 AM

Not bad. Years ago (late 1970's actually) I had some work done by Frederick and Fair Mobil in Carlisle and they seemed pretty good. Not sure how they are now.

Robert W. Roe · #7 05-05-2001, 10:16 AM

Looking for a good upholstery shop in this area who will install parts from Partshop (seat spring frames, cushions) and do good work at reasonable prices.

Also, any experiences with local repair shops? I use Star Service Center now, but wanted to hear from anyone with alternatives.

#8 05-10-2001, 05:54 AM

I know of a good mechanic in Mullica Hill New Jersey, if you are willing to travel a little bit.He has been a Mercedes Benz mechanic for over twenty years. P eople come from all over to his shop in the country. His name is Chuck Oliver 856-261-1662.

#9 05-31-2001, 01:53 PM

If your looking in the Pittsburgh area try Colwell Automotive 412-422-0632. I have an older Benz 81' 380SEL and Dave and his group do all the work that I can't handle myself. Its' an honest family business.

#10 06-21-2001, 10:10 AM

Three cheers for Bavarian Enterprises......have had service there since 93, for wife's 190E, then my BMW 5series.....bought the wife a clean 95 C class last year and bought myself a 90 500SL there last fall......very reasonable pricing, trustworthy, generally fast service, loaner cars available by scheduled appointment...can't say enough good about them for either sales or service of MB and BMW!! They aren't paying me to say this either, and recently my SL has been in for weeks debugging some water leakage issues and assorted other electrical and wheel issues, but Bavarian has been great, charging me almost nothing to make very significant repairs, so they DO stand behind the cars they sell, and the service they do....Ask for Andy or Gil, and tell them I said "hello"

cth350 · #11 08-11-2001, 10:33 PM

Hey, Christy, sounds like it's time to talk to one of these guys about your car.

-CTH

pkmorgan17 · #12 08-23-2001, 01:47 PM

Recommending a mechanic in Bethlehem Pennsylvania. Walter Piekarski -Walters (610) 865-4255. I have an 82 300TD and my father has an 85 300D and we a tried couple shops around us (Morristown, NJ) and couldn't find "the guy" until Walter was recommended to us a few months ago. He has tuned-up and fixed a number of things on our cars including a few "unsolvable" issues. Knows the cars (40 years experience), loves the cars, does fantastic work, willing to talk shop, and reasonable. In summary - The guy.

#13 11-30-2001, 07:32 PM

That's GREAT news guys!! I am a new 300E owner who needs a place in central PA to take the car. Based on your experiences these guys will have another loyal customer!

Ps... if someone could either e-mail me or reply to this as to where the shop is that would be greatly appreciated!

#14 02-01-2002, 07:19 PM

Hey All,
I'm looking for "the" MB shop in PA area to do some work on my baby including transmission work, I want someone who knows what they are doing. I AM TIRED OF GETTING RIPPED OFF!!
Can anyone help?
Thanks

#15 02-05-2002, 08:30 PM

In West Chester:

West Chester Foreign Car Service

Ask For Don 610-692-4337

If your trans needs a overhall I recomend Phil at Cottman paoli

They just rebuilt mine and gave me a flat price before there started 1500.00 12 month warrantee