I got the long story from everyone in town. I have even heard some MB certified repair shops say, well I don't know how extensive the problem is, I can't even give u an estimate.

I have worked in three non-automotive, but technical fields and I never gave anybody that answer. I knew exactly what was wrong, how to fix it, and could give a very accurate estimate.

When it is an american or a japanese car, mechanics always know what is wrong and how to fix it. It seems like Mercedes Mechanics want to make it look like everything is mystical. That is why most of the time I search forums and take my cars to junkyard under-paid guys, and I give them a tip.

When I leave a Mercedes shop, I feel like suing them. My nephew had a 300e, needed ac, it was r12, every guy himmed and hawed. A good old country boy in the east county said, I know a fellar out in El Cajon who has a bunch of that stuff. Took it to the guy and had the coldest ac ever !

Mr. Mercedes would have said, " Well, it could be a number of things . . . ." I feel like saying, start working and find what "thing" it is.

I think what it is, is that the mechanics that were working like dogs at Mercedes while Mercedes took all the money, learned that stealership mentality and the culture continues outside of Mercedes dealerships.