Ken Marino in Durham

[greatz]

Simply the best.

[John Mancini]

I concur 1000%.

Just picked up a 1996 SL 500 there. I was treated suberbly and they exceeded my expectations.

[crit1]

WOW! I've had some really bad luck with these guys (on a purchase and repairs). I'll explain more later!!

[Jim's500E]

Tom P, the service manager is very good and is a very reasonable wrench on the side. The rest of them...forgetaboutit IMO. Sorry.

[crit1]

I'm not so sure about Tom either. He's under Ken's thumb and does his bidding. Can't say too much more now. Maybe they're fine for repairs if they're not under warranty, but don't buy from them and expect to have anything fixed correctly under their warranty. Ken is way to cheap to have his mechanics fix it right when he's paying for it.

[crit1]

Here's an update. I purchased the vehicle with a blown head gasket. They 'repaired' it, but it started leaking with <10k miles on it. Upon returning, I'm given a load of crap how the intake is blocked which builds up pressure which then blows oil out the head gasket. I verify with a competent mechanic and the local Mercedes Benz service manager that this is a load of crap and they're just trying to get me out of their shop. I have a competent mechanic replace the head gasket and two things appear. First of all, Ken Marino did not put in a new reinforced head gasket, but an older style that is known to leak. Secondly (and amazingly), when they replaced (or not replaced) the head bolts, they did not replace them with new head bolts, but what was installed were regular bolts from Home Depot that had been cut with a hack saw to length and they used excess washers to pick up the slack. Please don't give these jokers your business!!!

[crit1]

With all the problems with Ken Marino, I'm remiss in mentioning the gentleman that fixed my C280 properly. Joe Portelinha of JP Motors in Woodbridge, Ct. (right off exit 59 Merritt Turnpike) is truly a top notch mechanic. I had him fix the head gasket (among other things) and he did a superior job. I've driven the car 5k since the repair and it's running like a champ. No problems whatsoever. What else I like about Joe, is you can just drop in and ask him a few questions about your problem. It's not 'just make an appt. and we'll take a look at it'. Joe and JP Motors are highly recommended. They also work on VW, Volvo, Saab, pretty much anything imported.

[truckinik]

His prices are as high as Mauro Motors, in North Haven, and the general attitude around his shop, is a bit disturbing. I'd use Vertucci, in North Haven, Ct. before ever going back to Ken Marino's. Vertucci, has some really great techs. Best of all though, is Classic, in Branford, Ct. The guys there are really top notch, and treat your car, as their own, when you bring it in to them. Their prices are great, and they are as honest as I've seen, as far as any auto repair shops are concerned. All he even bothers with are Mercedes, and he knows a great deal about them. If you feel like driving to Branford, it's worth it.He's on the side street, next to Chowder Pot, off exit 56, I-95.

[tbomachines]

Just posted this in another thread and noticed this one. This service was 5-6 years ago, so I can't say much about nowadays.

I picked up a 300SD this January and it had some receipts in the glove compartment from a place called Marino's in Durham. I had been by the place, they specialize in older MB's. However, this car had some tranny issues - slipped severely going into drive, bad 3-4 shift. The PO stated it was the same problem he had before and he took it there. So me being the internet fiend that I am, looked up some info and came to the conclusion of B2 piston. I took a look at the receipts and noticed that it had already been replaced about 6 years ago, along with the torque converter and a fluid/filter change. I opened up the B2 and transmission pan to find that they hadn't replaced the metal B2 bushing, which is the cause of B2 failure (tons of talk about this on forum). Alas, the B2 was broken with grooves in where the bushing contacts the piston itself. So they replaced the part that was broken previously, but did not replace the part that caused it to break initially--maybe they were thinking more money down the road? Not sure why they wouldn't change out the bushing, but it definitely left a bad taste in my mouth about them.

I must say the times I've called them, they have been very helpful and informative, which leads me to suspect it was an isolated incident. Plus for a new Torque converter, B2, and filter + labor it was only 700 bucks. I'd be willing to give them another chance and see what happens.

They're on Route 17 in Durham. Just my experience, take it however you want.

[Oracle12345]

Ive heard some good and bad things about them.

[Jim's500E]

FYi

Ken sold out last year...the place on Rte 17 is a stone and fence place now.