That was nice of you. I wish the indy Mercedes shop that used to work on my cars had done that on my '77 450SL. The charged me a few hundred to "fix" the subframe, instead of sending me to the dealer. All they did was mig weld some scrap steel to reinforce the subframe. That's why they don't work my vehicles anymore.

I'm sure they meant well, but like many Indies, they probably weren't praticed on their reading skills. To stay on top of things in this business, you have to read as much available information as possible. The one thing that Independent shops do that really bugs me is to install a shop version lock when someone's ignition tumbler needs replacing. It takes a few more minutes, but the right way is to order a lock coded to the VIN so people don't end up with two different keys like they own a Ford oe something.

Hi - I got the "reinforcement kit" from the dealer yesterday - it consists of four very small pieces of metal, about 3/4 x 2 x 3/32, formed to fit next to the existing tabs, that are to be mig welded on to the subframe and tab. Probably your inde didn't want to spend the $110 for four pieces of metal that look like they should cost maybe $5 - $10 at the most! I had illusions of the reinforcing kit actually increasing the thickness of the existing tabs, but such is not the case. The metal just goes on the ends of what's there. The instructions do say they must be mig welded on. Now if Portland Import Auto Wreckers can just come through on the subframe I'll be set to start on the car...

If you knew the shop, you would be amazed. They have factory trained owners who have been working on 450SL models since they switched over to CIS in 1976. I even asked about the recall, and they were aware of it. They told me that the replacement would be as unsafe as the original, and that that would make it better than factory. I can give them credit for ordering vin coded tumblers from the dealer. Once, after spending almost a thousand dollars for a ignition tune up and co mixture set up on the scope, I was told that they didn't bother to replace the twelve year old spark plus, and that I should do that when I got home.

so in your book the spark plug thing is a good thing?

tom w

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

No, it's not a good thing that they didn't change the plugs. That's because the new plugs changed the way the car ran, and I had to reset the co mixture and ignition timing again, that's after I paid this shop over $200.00 in labor to set the timing and fuel mixture. The mechanic that worked on my car war arrested for dui a few weeks later.

Richard ,this internet thing shows how small this world really is.I have a freind in
Portland ,who uses MBI services ( Larry is the head mechanic) for his 6.3, he has several actually , and won't trust any one else.But I also have a freind living in Battleground who comes from Brisbane and is mad on drag racing...and he's raced my friend from Portland on occasion.You can't miss the guys in Battleground,they're MAD MAX fanatics.