Hello all,


Apologies for posting this here and not in the "mechanics" section which seems rather quiet of late.


Can anybody recommend an independent Mercedes mechanic in Springfield, MO who knows their stuff when it comes to W126s?


Have a 560SEL with a bad water-pump stuck down there and 1) not in the mood to pay c. $250 to have it shipped to my top-notch independent here in Mid-Mo and 2) I lack both the time and the facilities down there to try to do it myself.


Any and all advice and input would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance!

A quick update to this one that I nearly forgot all about...

In the end I had Henry's Towing (also recommended) take the 560SEL into


Taliaferro Imports, Inc.
GenuineSaab.com
525 North Prince Lane
Springfield, MO 65802
Phone 417.831.SAAB
Fax 417.831.4722
Toll Free 866.499.1068


Whom I can recommend.


First of all, I must say the quality of the work that they did was absolutely top-notch with a very clean and professional installation done with an obvious eye to quality and a detailed, methodical approach to the task at hand. The techs and staff there do know their stuff and have a passion for the work they do and it shows. The curt and to the point matriarch of the outfit, Linda Taliaferro, also knows her stuff in and out as did the gentleman who did the work on my 560 (sorry, I don't remember his name) who has had quite a bit of experience with MBs up to and including rebuilding a 4.5 M117 in a W116 450SEL.


If there was a downside, it was in the total – $560.00 for 7 hours labor (vs 6 book) @ $80.00 per hour with all materials supplied by me. I felt to be a bit high for an independent, very nearly approaching dealership pricing in my mind.


Be that as it may, Taliaferro Imports is the ONLY place in Springfield that I would consider taking my cars to for any work - not having heard a single good or kind word about any of the other independents down there who specialize in foreign cars.


Which, of course, is exactly why around here in Mid-Mo Dennis McDonald will always be my number-one go to as he unimpeachably on the level, irritated in exactly the same way that I am by the “it is good enough” mentality all too many have these days, and has a perfectionist's approach and eye for detail in all the work he does all at a fair price which leaves a fellow feeling that he received honest value along with excellent service.

It is becoming more difficult to find top notch mechanics who are versed on and willing to work on vintage Mercedes. Quality work normally does price out a bit higher than cheap, don't-give-a-s*** work. But, in the end, you know the work was performed correctly and that is priceless. I believe $80 per shop hour represents standard industry rates.

I think it is worth taking your car in for a twice a year checkup to a highly rated mechanic just to make sure everything is ship shape. A 560SEL takes more than a few $$$$ to maintain properly. One of the downsides, but oh, what a ride!

The fact that you supplied your own parts probably figured in the total cost. By doing this, you screwed the indie out of the profit that he would NORMALLY made if he supplied the parts. If I choose to supply a part to my indie, I find out what his price would have been and then I add 20% on to his bill. He is happy with no CA sales tax to screw with and most of the time it is STILL cheaper for me.
Anziani
'97 Cl500 144K
'95 E420 134K

Normally I'd agree with you but in this case it was 1) a warrenty replacement part in question and 2) these are SAAB folks - they asked me a dozen times to make sure I had the parts and fittings front under control.

Funny all my local guys here in Mid-MO just love it when I work together with them re parts and procedures since it saves them time and effort which is reason #762 why everthing is better out here in the country.

I'm sorry. I should have realized your location and quantity of Benzes in the area. We just returned from a 4600 mile road trip from SoCal to Seattle then across the Cascades into Montana, down through Idaho to Utah and back to So Cal. The LAST Benz that we saw was near Spokane. I thought that if I ever had a breakdown out here there wouldn't be a mechanic this side of Las Vegas that could help.
Having said that, years ago my '87 300E developed a tension pulley bearing out in the wilds of Eastern Washington. I managed to limp into Wenatchee, looked in the phone book for a foreign car mechanic but found nothing! Then I called the local Chrysler dealer service department and asked the Service Manager where he would send a Mercedes for repair. He gave us the name of a local who did a wonderful, reasonably priced job. However we waited a full day for a new pulley assy from Seattle.
Anziani

Which is why I posted on another thread that when taking a longish (over 500 miles from the house) trip, renting a car from a major car rental company (nationwide offices), is the only way to go. You were lucky you were able to find an indy when you needed one. What if there hadn't been any qualified indies available in the area where your car broke down? What if your car had suffered something MAJOR (i.e. total complete engine failure, transmission failure, etc etc.)?? That is when you call Santa Claus and ask him to bring his tow sleigh with eight tiny tow reindeer.

Husky Man,
Yes renting a car is a good option but then we wouldn't have the pleasure of driving an S Class Benz coupe. No "ricers" for me! Believe me, I went over this car with a fine tooth comb to make sure everything was in "new" condition. I had made numerous 800 mile runs locally as "shake down" cruises to spring anything loose. We are thinking "Cross country" in another year.
Anziani
'97 CL500 144K
'95 E420 134K