Emergency need info - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ashman · #1 03-27-2003, 07:01 PM

I need to find a good trusted mechanic to do a PPI for me in Fremont, CA on a car.

If anyone knows a place, please let me know. I'm going up saturday to look at a car that sounds like a creampuff, and need to get a ppi done.

Thanks everyone..

Alon

longston · #2 03-27-2003, 09:24 PM

The dealer doesn't charge anymore than an indy. Call your local MB dealer and find out who the closest dealer is to your target, and make an appointment to have them eval the car. They usually charge about $100.00.

Ashman · #3 03-28-2003, 02:08 AM

Scott, nice to see you are posting again. We've missed your commentary and sharp wit.

In anycase, I know we can take it to a dealer, thats pretty obvious, but what I was looking for is a member in the area's trusted independent they would recommend to not say the car needs stuff it really doesn't. I'm afraid I don't trust the dealers to do an appropriate ppi.

The car we are looking at has full service history and was owned by a german mechanic, and is perfect, with low miles, according to the seller. So the point is we would like to take it to an independent for a look over to see if it truly is a good car.

Everything sounds good, service history, well maintained, low miles, no accidents, clean paint and interior, but an independent another member recommends, would be able to give the car a good look over for us. The Dealerships from my experience usually try to tell you tons of things need to be replaced. an independent will know these cars in and out, as they will have worked on many over the years.

In anycase, talk to you online, we'll be going up to fremont saturday to check out the car and possibly buy it.

I feel comfortable with my knowledge of the car to make a proper decision and be able to tell if there are any issues with the car, considering I have the identical car.

Alon

#4 03-28-2003, 08:38 AM

I would like to second Ashman's comments. It is good to see you back.

Have a great day,

Ashman · #5 03-28-2003, 01:37 PM

its a 91 300CE.

For my brother.

Alon

Ashman · #6 03-28-2003, 08:54 PM

So nobody knows a shoop in or near the Fremont california area they can recommend to do a ppi besides a dealer?

I need to know, I'm leaving early in the morning to drive up there to look at the car.

Alon

longston · #7 03-28-2003, 09:05 PM

I am a consumate shopper. I always look for the best deal, and it doesn't always come from an independent mechanic or parts house. I trust Mercedes dealers to give me a valid and accurate appraisial of the vehicle, as well as having the ability to pull up the service and warranty records through their computer system that an indy won't have.

I wouldn't send a mod to the dealer if I didn't honestly think it were the best source for info. The Indy's often have an axe to grind, or will over estimate repairs to cover their 6 for liability reasons. One of my local garages actually refuses to do PPI's anymore. They just don't want the headache of dealing with the party that doesn't like their evaluation of the vehicle.

I took my 300 SD to an indy and he told me I needed 6K worth of repairs (I haven't done any of the suggested repairs aside from a valve adjust, and new glowplugs, and the car runs out sweet), broke my upper coolant inlet to my radiator, discharged my refrigerant, and ruined my climate control system. Of course, he cliaimed that the systems that failed while the car was in his care were due to the AGE of the vehicle...

Go to the dealer, it's my best advice to you, especially on a '91 Mercedes. The cost is the same, and the resources they can offer you will be more than an indy can give you.

My apologies to the many fine independent Mercedes mechanics and garage owners who contribute their knowledge and experience these forums, but failing the opportunity to use one of you, I have to suggest the dealer. Just like in L.A., there are too many shady MB shops in the SF Bay Area.

#8 03-28-2003, 09:24 PM

When I thought I had a "great deal" on my 300TE a reputable indy missed a blown head gasket, flex disk, evaporator, radiator, rear bearings, and much more, I wish I would have insisted on a MB dealer inspection. In hindsight I have paid for the cost of the vehicles in repairs.. go with an MB dealer.

There is only one MB Werks.

What ever you do don't trust Lemonbusters.

Ashman · #9 03-29-2003, 12:24 PM

my dealer experiences have been completely the opposite. We had a 560sel, took it to the dealer for a small tranny fluid leak, and were told it needed a new tranny.

We took it to our independent, my current mechanic, and it turned out to be a leaking hose, and thats all.

The dealership wanted in excess of $3k to replace the tranny, my independednt was less than $300 and that included doing a service tot he car on top of fixing the hose.

I'll bet if I took my car to any local dealers here, I would be told it needed several thousand dollars of work, whereas my independent will tell me the dealership is full of it, because all my car needs is what I have been doing to it, TLC, consistent oil changes every 3k miles, and regular maintenace.

Alon

The Warden · #10 03-30-2003, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ashman
So nobody knows a shoop in or near the Fremont california area they can recommend to do a ppi besides a dealer?

I need to know, I'm leaving early in the morning to drive up there to look at the car.

Alon

I would make a suggestion if I had one, but I've never needed to go to a shop up here.

There's a place called Coast Fuel Injection in San Jose, but they're specific to diesels.

I honesly wish I could help...there are a couple of independent mechanics on Industrial Rd in south San Carlos (peninsula), but I don't know how good they are.

Sorry