Washington D.C. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#16 05-21-2001, 08:53 AM

No HBL for me then. Although it's convenient, I'll drive to Euromotorcars actually, to have my first service. I was just told that they're good. I bought mine at ASC and was deciding which service to take it to. I'll try them and see. Thanks for the heads up.

#17 05-23-2001, 08:01 PM

I'm a Bethesda resident and tkae my 92 300E to EuroMotor Cars. They are expensive, but service is great; loaners always available (not Mercedes--a Budget outlet is on premises)and the work sound.

I recentlhy discovered a less expensive alternative in Kensington, MD. Mitch Carr's Automotive Service.

#18 05-23-2001, 09:16 PM

Bluedog79,

Thanks for the info on Euro Motors. I bought my car from them and have generally been very pleased. I took it there once for an oil change but it's a bit of a hassle getting to work and back again.

Happy Motoring.

Ron
'95 E320

#19 05-31-2001, 08:40 AM

Okay, took my car in for my Schedule A service to Euromotorcars this past tuesday. Last night while driving home, i felt some vibration on my steering wheel at high speeds and thought, maybe, when they balanced my tires, they did one wrong or something, so this morning, i visually checked all the tires to make sure there are no other problems, well, I looked at the first wheel, front driver's side, one lug nut is missing. So, i have to bring it back in this morning. It's a pain since they're like 30 miles away. Maybe they'll activate my fog/aux lamps for free.

#20 05-31-2001, 08:40 PM

Thanks for the info; these things can happen anywhere. I'm just about due for a 60,000 mile service and am planning to take the car to ASC (near Metro and work). I hear they're expensive but do good work. We'll see. I still tend to favor independent shops.

Ron
'95 E320 Starmark

#21 06-02-2001, 12:39 PM

Well, took my car back last thursday and they had to keep it overnight since they're "so swamped" per my SA. And they activated my aux/fog lamps and charged me $114 with bulbs installed. Accdg. to my SA that's the discounted price, it's the same price that he gives to his sales. Okay. Last night, I was just curios so I called ASC and asked how much do they charge for that, they said $95 installed with bulbs. I said, is that the discounted price? and the SA there replied that is the regular price. Hmmm.... so, I wonder how much is the regular price for that at Euromotor Cars if the discounted price is more than that of ASC's regular. So, I lost 2 hours of my time driving to Euromotorcars for their mistake and to top that off, I had to pay extra?

Oh, when I initially questioned that $114, the SA said, well, I'm not charging you for the lug nuts and for the check of the vibration you feel. Well, I didn't loose the lug nut in the first place plus the vibration was not there before I took the car for service. Maybe I just had the wrong SA to begin with.

#22 06-02-2001, 04:53 PM

Interesting...I'm scheduled for the 60K service in about 1.5K. I'm planning on taking the car to ASC as I've heard good things (relatively) about them even though they can be pricey (although, perhaps not as pricey as EuroMotors). I'll let you know how I make out.

Ron
'95 E320

Turboman · #23 09-06-2001, 07:58 PM

Doug,

Thank you for your recommendation of Rick Ellinger in Rockville. I had my Eibach springs installed on my 300CE in a couple hours without giving up my entire "piggy bank", and the service was excellent.

I would also highly recommend Rick to fellow MB owners in the DC Metro Area.

Redflash · #24 09-09-2001, 11:04 AM

I dealt with Don Pool for 16 years when I lived in Virginia. I would recommend him highly to anyone. He does good work at fair prices.

Scotty Bates

#25 10-08-2001, 01:26 PM

Per the recommendations here, we had occasion to use Silver Star Motors in Vienna. We found them to be exceptionally Knowledgeable, competent and friendly, and their rates were very reasonable.

This was in response to a check engine light on a '95 C280, and the problem was mice. They had eaten through a wiring harness and a vacuum line, the latter of which was quite hard to track down.

Peter and the techs responsive and responsible, and I recommend this outfit to anyone, based just on this experience.

Chiragp · #26 10-15-2001, 05:10 PM

Been going to school in the DC area, have foudn this to be a rule of thumb.

For w201 and w124s, must for Rick, hes busy, but good, great knowledge, friendly, and won't kill ur pocket. Knows these cars inside and out since he races them at RC-Imports. Hes open minded, and does alot of aftermarket things, such as springs, roll bars, and stuff a Dealer wouldn't touch. I.E. brakes caliper upgrades, exhaust, etc.

For the older w123s and Diesels, I would deff say Don Pool. Haven't personally met him, but drove by and saw that he deff knows these cars.

Heard good things about Silver Star, and would take him my car if I needed MB Dealer Service at cheaper prices and I had a newer w202, w210, or w140.

And American Serice Center is the best in the area as far as MB and Dealers, just remember its $80 an hour I believe. If you need your car serviced though, take it to them. If you have a 2000+ that includes free Maintenance, I would deff go there to make sure they do an incredible job, migh be worth the 45 min treck.

blloyd7 · #27 10-26-2001, 01:42 PM

JCP Motorsports in Alexandria, VA is a great shop.
Carlos works on them all and owns 4 MBs himself. 2 gas 2 diesel.
Give them a try you will not be disappointed.

Not affiliated etc.
JCP 703-719-0509

PS
He told me that out of over 30 techs at American Service Center 4 could work on a sunroof, the rest were parts changers.
There are cars with American Service Center tag frames all over his shop.

Thai GI · #28 12-28-2001, 11:22 PM

1. Anyone know a good shop or dealer in the DC metro area that can correct a wheel alignment problem, it basically drift to one side when I let go of the steering wheel, also evidence of uneven tire wear. Sounds simple to me...
2. The vehicle, 87 190E 2.3 had been in left-hand drive countries for about 7 years I tried several countries both shops and dealers to have this problem corrected but no luck (the way they drive on the left and not use to diagnose the problem was my way of accepting it during all those years)
3. A common thing is they would play around with the Tie Rods and ended up braking it at my expenses!

4. I thought wheel alignment is done by the eccentric bolts and washers on the control arms.
5. Seven years before that, I’d brought the car in California and this was also the common practice, what gives? I’d only tried one place (Goodyear)then I got orders to the UK. And the rest as youall know is the unsolvable problem.
6. Well now I’m back in the good old US, the state of Maryland and would like to correct this problem any place in MD DC VA?
7. Do youall think they should try to see if the back need adjusting too? How many techs do or know how? Is it common to adjust the rear when you go to the right people that knows what they are doing? Or is this a usually missed item?

Note* I also cross post this in the “Wheels & Tires” forum

Thai GI sends...

michael rybikowsky · #29 01-10-2002, 11:54 AM

As for euro motorcars.I worked most of my life in the auto bussiness in every facet.One mercedes I bought years ago with full documentation had been serviced at euro.One who has seen it all can read service tickets and know if someone is being treated right our robbed.I saw many examples on these euro service tickets of puffed up repair and unnessarary work.Now this was some years back.and things change.But if you want to use a dealer,I have never heard a bad thing about American service center.

Thai GI · #30 01-15-2002, 09:50 PM

Chiragp
Collegiate AMG wannabe

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 692
RC-Imports.....Rockville, MD. Great Shop, they race 190E 2.3-16vs, and they align, balance, everything.

Also great for taking your car their for maintaining it. www.rc-imports.com

__________________
Chirag (Charlie) Patel

Turboman
Junior Member

Registered: Jun 2001
Location: Washington, DC Metro Area
Posts: 24
I agree. Rick at RC is very competent, and easy on your pocket

__________________
Turboman

1993 300CE Garnet Red
Eibach Springs
18 x 8.5 Zenetti Vega wheels
EBC Greenstuff brake pads

Thai GI
Member

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: MD
Posts: 31
Thanks for the tip Sirs,

1. I’m busy with the war and on 12 hour shifts nights at the moment.
2. I’d sent them an email on the 31st, but no reply yet, will give it a week then I’ll call.

Thai GI sends...

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

Thai GI
Member

Registered: Oct 2001
Location: MD
Posts: 31
Alignment fixed

Hi All,

1. Rick and his pit crew at RC Imports just cured my 11 year problem!
a. He did the 4 wheel alignment the correct way.
b. They begin by putting it on the alignment system and it prints out the original specs and compares it to my cars’ settings.
c. Started with the rear, had to replace one of the rear track rod because when they try to adjust it the bolt(original one on the car) was seized and broke.
d. Then did the adjustments in the front. He described to me the way the car was adjusted at the present settings, how the tires should wear (drivers’: left shoulder feather wear, passengers’: left shoulder wear). He did this without looking at the tires!
e. I went ahead and have him put all new tires on, he got a deal for me from his buddy Paul at Radial Tire Co. I’d call and had them delivered it to Rick’s shop. Also he didn’t push this on me to go to his friend, he did ask me where I usually get tires, I said the RACK but since I want it then and there he sent me to Paul. (Sorry Luke next time but will get some for my 260E after tax-return)

2. He fixed other things here and there like my trunk lock and air vents. All this work and parts didn’t broke my pocket! And it only took about 4 hours.

3. I would recommend this shop to anyone I saw a new SL and an old SEL in there that was being worked on too so he do them all not just 190s. This guy is an enthusiast like youall said he races these cars knows them in and out. Like me for example this is one of the things I can’t do at home is a wheel alignment. So with some knowledge already, when I talk to Rick I know it wasn’t BS for quick cash. We were on the same page.

4. Since I gave the kudos let me give the turkey award too, these are the shops that could not figure the problem out:
a. Brodie’s Tire & Brake, Petaluma, CA USA
b. Lancaster Mercedes-Benz of Ipswich, Suffolk United Kingdom
c. Woodbridge Tyre and Exhaust, Woodbridge United Kingdom
d. Mercedes-Benz Center Chiangmai, Chiangmai Thailand

5. Thanks for the tips from Chiragp and Turboman

If youall are in the DC VA MD Metro, or Next time in the area give RC Imports a try

Thai GI sends...