Rick does do nice work. I had a 89 with a blown engine, he replaced it with one I bought from Potomac German Auto in Fredrick(Also a good place to deal with). Thanks Rick!

I'm new here, but I'd recommend Springfield Motors, Inc (SMI) - they 've worked on my 300E a couple of times, they care about the cars and they carefully discuss all their work with the customer. They're not cheap, but I trust them - I'm quite satisfied with the work...

1. Rick at RC Imports
2. He cured the 11 year problem on my 190 see this post: Good wheel alignment shops DC MD VA
3. Tomorrow I will be taking my 260 in to have a camber kit put in (car was lowered= negative camber= inside tire wear).
4. I do about 90% of my own work, the only time I take it to a shop is when I don’t have the right tools and equipment. When I first met Rick I knew he knows his stuff and wasn’t BSing me for $$$.
5. He works on new and old Mercedes, from what I saw.

Thai GI sends...

__________________
GI but not GI Joe
They call me "The Thai GI"
Thai in the US Arsenal

I just had some service done on my 300SD at Cherner Automotive in Potomac. I think they did good work, but I also think I spent a premium price for it. I know, what do I expect in Potomac? I had a number of things done.

2 maintenance items were:
a) changing the transmission fluid and gasket ($140 with me supplying the filter and gasket) and
b) adjust valves ($235 including gasket). These prices sound high. I just wanted to see from the group here if that is the going rate these days.

I do most of the work on the car myself (as do most of you), but I'm starting to think I need to do even more given these prices. I was expecting slightly more than half what I spent.

Like I said, they do good work there and supplied some extras like washing and vacuuming the car. The old MB gets treated like the new ones here. :-) Any comparisons with the other local shops? I went here because I was familiar with them, but want to also feel comfortable I'm getting reasonable prices when I take it in. Thanks for any feedback!

__________________
1987 300SDL 265,000 mi.
1982 300SD 325,000 mi. (and holding)
1956 Packard Clipper 150,000 mi.

How about a reasonable body shop in the DC area?

tstarr> Those prices sound very, very high. $140 is highway robbery considering (if you provided the filter and gasket) all they spent to do the hob was about $5 in fluid. I would be very curious to have you look at the torque convertor drain plug to see if they even drained the convertor.

Greg
'84 300D
Arlington, VA

I'm new here so this is a little late, but worth while. Have had great experience at American Service Center. Always done right, any concerns are noted by service writer Ted Wessler, discounts always applied.

I just went to a Tech Forum at the local MB club where they had a mechanic demonstrate how to do a valve adjustment and a transmission fluid change. Yes, I really got ripped price-wise at Cherner. The mechanic accomplished the valve job in about 45 minutes without breaking a sweat. The transmission job was roughly the same time frame. Even given that it would take me longer because I haven't done this a million times like he has, it couldn't take THAT long to do.

Lesson 1 - I will be doing these jobs next time myself, even if I do buy the valve wrenches.
Lesson 2 - I will try one of the other shops mentioned here next time.

Oh, well. Live and learn...

__________________
1987 300SDL 265,000 mi.
1982 300SD 325,000 mi. (and holding)
1956 Packard Clipper 150,000 mi.

I'll second what several other posters have said about Rick at RC-Imports. He's worked on my Benzes (1980 240-D; 1980 300-D; 1897 190-E 16 valve) for seven years and has always given me great service and honest work.

Any feedbacks on them? I bought mine at AMS but because of my work location, it's hard for me to take it over there for service. I have been told not to go to HBL in Tyson's.

I've never been happy with HBL. Three out of three times to get a simple part (windshield wiper blade, oil filter) and they have still never gotten the right part. I think they only got into Mercedes in the last couple years, so they're still a bit green. If you're looking for a good DEALER to take your car to, take it to American Service Center in Arlington. They've been around for years and really know their stuff.

Have taken my W126 twice now to new MB dealer in Washington DC area, MB of Alexandria, with good results (A/C problems and wheel balancing).

FYI, they are offspring of American Service Center of Arlington, an older MB dealer with a good rep.

JoeB

Recently took my '97 E420 into RC Imports for service based on the recommendations from this forum. Rick was terrific, very friendly and knowledgeable! I'll definitely take it back there for stuff I can't do myself.

For Starmark warranty repairs I took it to EuromotorCars. John Petronio was my service adviser and he's very good. I can only recommend him since we had bad experiences with some of the other SA's there.

Fred Pulliam, Pulliam Engineering has a shop at his residence in Silver Spring MD. Worked for Herb Gordon for years! He does outstanding work at reasonable price's
Highly recommended!

Hello everyone,

I have an '89 300E with a 3.0L 6cyl. I am looking for a good place that I can either buy a refurbished transmission from. I am also looking for a good place that will do the work for me to either put in the refurbished transmission or rebuild one for me.

I am in the Washington DC area and hoping that there may be some places out there that are cheap, do good work and are easy to work with.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thankyou