I live in Nashua, NH and am looking for a good independant shop within an hour of me. That covers Boston to Portsmouth. Does anyone know of a good shop with lots of experience with MB cars? I don't like my dealer. They are slow (one time they had our car for a whole week) and last time my '02 C320S was in the shop for its "B" service they broke the windshield while they were changing the blades. While that one is under warranty I don't have much choice but would like a shop for my '88 560SL if there is a job I don't want to tackle myself.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

I recommend Hatch and Sons in Wayland Mass. For you they are within an hour down 128 and then shoot west on Rt 20 right to the Wayland/Sudbury line. I just used them for the first time last week and they nailed my cars "stall on quick start from stop problem" (a loose crank position sensor) that had stumped two MB dealers that I had taken the car to. (and cost me big $$ for misdiagnosis to boot). The H&S techs appeared to know these cars well.... Just my experience...your mileage may vary.

__________________
Matt
____________________________
92 400E 128K
99 GMC YUKON 88K

I would second that. I have used Hatch and they are well versed in the older Benz's.They are not shy about charging you $$$. They also offer loaner cars so if you're coming from NH you will have a car to use.
I would definitely NOT recommend Koko's in Cambridge. Son of a ***** ripped me off. Didn't do the work he and I specifically discussed and misdiagnosed old fuel return lines (diesel smell) that I figured out on my own.
Wouldn't mind hearing of a reasonably priced shop around Boston for my non essential repairs, ie: sunroof, cruise control amp.

Paul Kaminski at Star Service in Topsfield, MA worked on my cars for years- even while at grad school in VA, I would time my service needs so that he could work on my car while I was visiting MA. He was also the only person who could calibrate the mechanical injection pump on my old 108 280se.

-JAS

__________________
94 E320
71 350SL

even though they cost plenty they really know older benz cars better than the dealer and they are very thorough.

__________________
Chip Johnson

There's also a Good MBShops forum at this site. You might find more information there.

__________________
Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

I second Paul Kaminski, owner of Star Service in Topsfield, Mass. The shop is located just off of Route 1. Paul tends to do a LOT of vehicle service for Alex Dearborn. If anyone here does NOT know of Alex, just punch his name up on any search engine. They are next door neighbors in business.
Good luck,
spo out.

I would like to recommend Dave Clark at Benz Den in Belmont. He is efficient and knowledgeable. He charges 85$ an hour.
Bruno

Thanks for all of the helpful replies. Too bad nobody has any recommendations of shops in NH, but maybe someday a good tech from a dealership will decide to open one on hhis own here! I may try the Sudbury shop which comes so highly recommended

nhdoc,
not really within an hour drive, but Carter's European Auto in Greenland NH. Small shop but knowledgeable service and affordable. Good guy, won't charge you for wasted troubleshooting time like the dealers will.