Funny I should be reading this post now. Not fifteen minutes ago, I was on the phone with JCE and I mentioned that I was reading posts at the time. I also noted, that thanks to this site, I have learned an awful lot about cars in general. It is all the answers given that add to this knowledge, and the in depth technical answers help define MY limitations. To quote Dirty Harry, "A man's got to know his limitations", and the only way to know is to have them defined.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Wow,

This thread came from nothing to 2 pages in 7 or 8 hours.

All I can add is that I don't know how Steve does it. When he replies, it is almost always after some serious thought. When he is replying, it is almost always regarding a serious, non routine troubleshooting situation. He doesn't typically reply when someone is trying to figure out whether to use 10W30 or 15W40.

I'm sure that Steve gets hit with some really heavy emails beyond what we see here in the open.

I hope that most of the people that receive his help understand the time he offers here for free. And, I believe that most people do. He has helped me alot during my year of paying the car gods, and I appreciate it alot.

Merry Christmas,

For those of us interested in working on our cars, go out and buy the basic manuals BEFORE you need them! There will always be specialty stuff (Like CIS and ASR) that we could spend hundreds of dollars on and never use, but if we don't have the basics, shame on us! The Partsshop sells this stuff (hint hint)! Have you asked Santa to get you one?

Instant gratification...the pleasure and pain of the World Wide Web! Knowledge used to take time to aquire and we accorded it great value. Now it is available at the stroke of a few keys and we are impatient.

__________________
Dean Albrecht
"Lead, follow, or better yet, get out of the way!"E500 owners motto

Steve,
Please don't stop answering technical questions the way you do. There are people who can use that kind of advise. A vehicle is a very complicated piece of machinery if the poster cannot afford to fix the problem then (sorry to be blunt) they cannot afford the car. I for example can't afford to own an Acura , I know people who have almost gone bankrupt owning one of those things. Buying a car is the easy part, maintaining it over time can be the real killer, especially if you bought it used with some serious clock time. I've lost several paychecks to vehicles I,ve owned...it's the nature of the beast. They're not wind up toys sometimes as an owner you just have to bail when you get in over your head, no need to shoot (insult) the messenger.

Steve

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day
Teach a man to fish and he eats for life

Cliche....maybe, but the philosophy you practice...definately!

Jerry
(junior rookie novice member)

I tell my advisors (doctor, dentist, financial advisor, etc.) to "Use the right words, even if they're big. Explain what you have time for and I'll look up the rest."

One persisted in simply telling me he was going to give me "medicine." I found another perveyor of the healing arts.

I'll vote for the long explanation. Anyone who doesn't understand the answer can ask follow-up questions.

Thank you Steve, M.B. Doc, Benzmac, Larry and all of the others who increase the knowledge pool here.

BCingU, Jim

As a guide always leads, you can write for every level. If the post goes over the head of the reader, he can learn or bail out. I have read posts that send me to the garage and posts that send me to the local shop. Sometimes I stretch my capabilities and knowledge, enjoying most every minute. I urge you to take the highest level and if the reader is lost, it's time for them to seek a local mechanic.

You cannot teach us, only guide and advise. Thank you for that. You are not responsible for research and if you suggest the reader invest in tools of manuals, it is up to the reader to weight the cost/benefit. I bought a torque wrench but not a BOSCH MOT. I think it is incredible that if the reader would buy the data and learn about the system that you would be willing to teach and walk through it on-line, for free. That kind of willingness is simply mind blowing.

IMHO, please don't stress, you are providing an outstanding free service and should be appreciated for whatever you post.

Steve
'85 SL500 Euro

Give a man a fish and you give him dinner,
Teach a man to fish and he will be out on a boat drinking beer every weekend.

Steve -

You have been a great help to all of us - keep it up!

Chuck

Steve, I really thank you and all the other master mechanics who offer their valuable time for FREE.
One way I try "repay" for this service is to share my limited experience with my car with other members in a OPEN forum, that way, you and the rest of the experts do not have to "waste" your time with "minor stuff" and, at the same time, other members can benefit from the exchange of knowledge. If not now, maybe in the future (archives).
I am a DIY because I like working on my car and, at the same time, save some money in the process. However, I DO KNOW MY LIMITATIONS.
I advise everybody to INVEST in the manuals. If they choose not to buy for A or B reasons then, they are on their own.
Steve, I know you make a living from your trade and as a businessperson you know you can not satisfy everybody but, please do not get discourage, there are some people out there that really appreciates your efforts and all others involved in this wonderful site. Thank you!!!.


[Edited by J.HIDALGO on 12-30-2000 at 08:48 AM]

__________________
J.H.
'86 300E

Steve, I'm new to the forum, but am a retired G.M. Training Center Instructor Cadillac Motor Cars; You are needed and appreciated. Happy Trails Beep Beep from Houston.

Donald
On your side Buddy

Is this a great forum or what?
How about on future posts we put our abilities on a
scale of one to ten. Keeps it simple.

Some possibilities...

Tools - 1
Diagnostic capability - 1
Mechanical capability - 4 (OK 3)
Typing capability - 3
Enthusiasm - 10
Appreciation for the help - 10 (OK 11)
Love of the Mercedes - 10

Keep up the great work guys,

bond
93 500E silver/blue 56K
86 190E-16 blk/blk 120K
95 LR Range Rover 90K

bondjamesbond, you said 1 to 10 and you stumped your toe and popped an 11. Happy Trails Beep Beep from twelve Houston.

Donald
that's 4,5,

Steve,

J.HIDALGO above said exactly what I have been trying to say.

Thanks a million; Happy Holidays.

David