Quote:
Originally Posted by Lance Allison
Today's dealer techs either do not have the necessary skills or simply refuse to work on our older MBs.
The first time I saw someone post about dealers refusing to service a W123 or 126, I thought how absurd...they must be crazy. Impossible for dealers to say they won't work on ANY MB. Fast forward a few years, there are several posts here backing up dealers' refusals. It seems as if they don't like vehicles 140/210 and older.
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Given shop traffic in 2019 is low for these older cars, what you pay for a dealer tech that is expert in and at the ready to service these cars? Would you be OK with 2 or 3 X the rate of newer cars? Would you want to pay 2 or 3 X for the dealer to have service parts in stock for these cars at all times?
If you were expert in these older cars, would you want to be paid flat rate to work there when maybe one or two of these cars showed up every month?
If you took a 60's 300SL / 300SE to any dealer, would you expect them to have a tech that could set up the mechanical fuel injection pump?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lance Allison
Back to the issue at hand, there are a select few independent shops relatively nearby that are highly regarded here on this forum. These guys always have older MBs in for service. In fact, you can drive by their parking lots at any time and see plenty of 115/116/123/126's. I will be seeking out one of these shops when needed.
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And these shops will be few and far between to cater to a dwindling number of cars. Note that they likely will charge higher prices, partly due to them having difficult to find skills and partly to keep the cheap people that drive junk away.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lance Allison
In my logical mind, the best place to get service would be at a shop backed by the folks who made the car. This is simply not the case.
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Once cars get past say 10 - 15 years old, they develop problems not seen in newer cars and the dealer isn't prepared to address these issues. As a case in point, the 722.6 5 speed electronic shift trans has an issue with torque converter clutches dragging. Early on this will cause a light throttle vibration and worst case, it will cause a stall when shifting into drive / reverse.
It took an independent shop and , to quote the article " Wayne had a tolerant, accommodating customer (which can be rare in this industry)."
The PDFs are posted below, it is worth the read not only for the 722.6 problem / fix but to show that all auto mechanics are stupid idiots that only rip people off.. . . ( This last bit is aimed at others in the general audience not you as apparently you are OK with many mechanics. )
Also, if book time calls for 4 hr to do a job, it will take longer on an older car that has seen road salt. Bolts break, heads strip and the customer won't be willing to pay more for the added time.