Independent shop
 

In the Buffalo, NY, area, I've had great luck with United Import Motors on Main Street in Williamsville. Better call ahead for an appointment, though. He's busy, busy, busy, and everytime I drive by, there are at least several MBs on his lot waiting for work. The fact that he's busy indicates that he does good work and has a good reputation. He relies on word-of-mouth advertising from satisfied customers, which is how I found out about him. He's the best of several MB independents in the area.

I was just wondering what type of work does he do? What are this limits? How about the price? Good? High? Also do you by chance know of any real good body shops that work on Benz. I have had no luck or when I pull up they are trying to get me to pay a lot because I have a benz. Let me know my car needs some work and I am going crazy trying to do it myself.

Body Shop
 

Really happy with Elmwood collision.Ask for Steve or Rick.

Bflo shops, United
 

Hi

Without paying dealer prices, there is no question United Import Motors is tops! We go to the Williamsville location, and have for years. They do full mechanical work; no body work; no tire work; few other restrictions. They have never faced a problem or difficult puzzle that they were NOT able to get ironed right out.

At Martin's Motorwerk right off South Park Avenue in South Buffalo (716-826-6777), Martin is intimately familiar with these cars, but that is a small shop. Martin himself is also a Germanic import!

These shops offer a HUGE savings over the dealer, but they are not cheap. If you want cheap, I don't think you could get United's level of professionalism, but there are other pretty competent shops around here.

What are the other competent MB shops that are cheaper?

What are the rates and wait times to get an appointment like for these and the above mentioned places?

Any DIY'ers around here?

Buffalo
 

Experiences with Autopia? Mine have been pretty good.

At the Williamsville United Import Auto, it was a four or five day wait to get an appointment, plus a four day delay before they actually looked at the car once I dropped it off for its appointment. But perhaps that was a busy time.
Martin seems quite busy but he's a very friendly guy and willing to give advice over the phone for things you can try yourself, albeit hard to get ahold of.

for import cars I have had good luck with APEX AUTOMOTIVE 4915 Ransom Rd. Clarence, NY. 14031 Nathan Raupp is the owner. real friendly guy. Not cheap but does good work Small shop near the corner of Ransom Rd. and Main St. in the Hallow in clarence. 759-8686 cell - 353-3471

Martin gets my vote
 

This is an old post admittedly but having just nosed into it I feel its worth a reply. I would reccomend Martin's Motorwerks as mentioned earlier in this thread. I was taking on of my cars to a more convenient shop and began to get concerned about how long the repair was taking. Not wanting to upset the guys there I took a low level approach by showing up and just asking how things were going..in which they always felt progress was being made but still no final solution. One day in casual conversation the owner metioned Martin as a source of some hard to find parts so I made the trip and found some surprising things. Martin knew immediately all about my car and the issues being addressed at the convenient shop. It turns out that my local guy worked for Martin in the past and was calling him for step by step ideas how to address my problems! The more Martin and I talked the more I discovered that just about anyone who had an independent shop in the area had worked for Martin at one time or another. They all began at his shop and then once they felt confident took off and opened their own shops.
There may be several Jedi "Star" Warriors in WNY but Martin is Yoda. Hes not only old country..hes old school as well. He doesnt operate from service manuals..he doesnt need them. If you own an older Merc Martin is your guy.

Mechanic
 

Try Autobahn Repairs on Hertel Ave. He is about a half a mile from Delaware Ave heading toward Elmwood, on the right side. Steve is in business by himself for the past 20 some years.