Recommend Shop in Tampa FL?

Hi,

I will be relocating to Clearwater, Florida in Mid-July of this year for a job transfer. I know nothing about the area, can someon advise a good Mercedes service center in the Tampa Bay area?

Any help will be appreciated!

Thanks.

Jay
87 300E 158k miles and just starting!

The Mercedes dealership in Tampa on Dale Mabry Highway is excellant.
It is Percision Motorcars
4636 Dale Mabry
Tampa, FL 33614
(813) 870-0010
I hope this helps you out.

Don Solomon
Durango, CO

[stevebfl]

Precision Motor Cars is an outstanding MB dealer and I am aware of most Northern FL dealers.

Being partial, I always suggest a good independent MB specialist. There are a number of reasons for that. They include; ownership by technician rather than business/sales person, vast variety of repair options including all the factory ones, competative pricing, personal service, etc. They often have much more overall experience and continuity in the work force. While obviously the dealer techs have more training available, there is often only a small sector that has both training and experience.

All this might not apply if you buy new and trade before you are out of warrantee. For those people the value of the dealer relationship is in the power to buy right. In the years between purchases your need for good service people will be at a minimum (as the car is new) and the extra money spent on service probably will be less than that which can be saved with a repeat business relationship with that dealer.

I would definitely recommend taking all cars over ten years old to an independent as most dealer techs don't see many of those cars.

With all that in mind I know a number of good shops in Tampa. One, that has helped a number of my customers while in Tampa, is German Motorcars 813 960 2288. They are a Bosch Service Center run by a father and son. Those they have helped came back and thanked me for the recommendation.

------------------
Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

[This message has been edited by stevebfl (edited 04-24-2000).]

[ncarter]

Precision Motorcars IS an excellent dealership. I've always been pleased with their service.

Rick's European is also a good one; we've been using them for as long as I can remember. I don't have their address or number here, but you should be able to find it in the phone book; also, they're in Clearwater, not Tampa.

If you want a true independent, you might also try Ledbetter's; it's over near the fairgrounds in Temple Terrace. I guess that's somewhat out of the way for you if you're in Clearwater, though.

... now all I need is to find a shop down here in Ft. Lauderdale that's as good as the ones I used in Tampa.

- Nathan
'83 240D, 250k miles

[Rick Miley]

Unfortunately, I can give you a longer list of where NOT to go. I've had bad experiences at the following:
Lokey M-B in Clearwater
Just German in Tampa
Mercedes Automotive in Tampa
Prestigious Motorcars in Ft. Lauderdale (Nathan!)
Precision Motorcars wanted to rebuild my entire rear suspension on the 300E for something like $1500, when the problem was solved with a $35 link I replaced myself. That's what happens with dealers - they always seem to go overboard and use the most expensive solution.


For dealer service, I've had excellent results at Crown Eurocars in St. Petersburg. They are slow, but they always provide a loaner car (even for the 300E I didn't buy there) and they don't make you wait days or weeks for an appointment.

For an independent, Euro Car Repair in Pinellas Park has been highly recommended to be, but I haven't used them myself. The contact is Ivo Kucera, phone is 727-541-7410.

------------------
Rick Miley
99 E300 TurboDiesel
87 300E (Sale pending)
00 Jetta TDI

[ncarter]

Hmm, let me clarify.

I've had good experiences with Precision Motorcar's dealership repair shop IF I already knew what needed to be replaced or fixed. What Rick says is true; dealerships seem to always want to go the route of the most expensive repair if you let them diagnose it for you.

- Nathan
'83 240D, 250k miles

Thank you all for your recommendations. I appreciate all your input!