I'm using an independent shop in Houston. They are across the street from where I go to school, and they always seem busy and full, and always have a lot of 107 and vintage SLs in the shop. They are so convenient for me I thought I would give them a try. They are older mechanics for the most part. This all started when I had new tires put on a couple of days ago, and the tire shop guy said the wear on my old tires indicated the car, which has 171k, needed front end work, so I decided to take it this guy. I only spent $3,000 on the car - it runs good but it needs work, but at $3000 up front for a rust free SL I figure I can afford to put about $2500 and some work into it and have a cool car. I want to do the typical mechanical work myself and leave the stuff I don't know about to an expert, and I'm trying to figure out if these guys are alright or if they are going to rip me. If the damper is no big deal, I'll do it, but the other stuff sounds like special tools are needed.