Chicago Mercedes community

[Meridivs]

Recently my girlfriend will be moving to Chicago and I intend to find her a good-old 300SD or SDL Mercedes-Benz there as trusty as the one I have here.

I wonder how many of you are driving a MB Diesel in Illinois?

Finally, but most important, do you know any good Mercedes-Benz mechanic in Chicago that could maintain an old Diesel like this one?

[thorsen]

What part of Chicago are you going to be moving to? I am in the western burbs and use Helmut & Vito's in Downers Grove when I have something over my head. I take my wife's ML there too. They are fast and charge fair prices.


Here is a whole thread on shops:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=144095

[Meridivs]

Rolling Meadows. In would look into the threah you told me but I wanted to know more of MB Chicago mechanics and rapair shops than other locations.

By the way, can you give me a few examples (something you changed recently) at Helmut & Vito's? How much do they charge/hour of labour? Do you get parts from them too?

[thorsen]

My most recent visit was due to 2 stuck lug bolts on my E300D. They had to drill the lug bolts out and, at my insistence, replaced all 20 lug bolts. They also replaced the rear pinion seal on the differential. The total bill was $260. They supplied the parts.

I do have three pieces of advice:
1. Develop a relationship with the mechanic you choose. If they understand you, they will know exactly what you want. For example, my mechanic knows that I am a big "Do It Yourselfer" and will only come in when the job is beyond my skills. They don't bother recommending oil changes, but always give my cars a thorough look to notify me of things I need to keep my eye on.

2. Plan to do a lot of the work yourself. If you're looking for an old 126 chassis, most of them (in the Chicago area) will be eaten with rust. There's no sense spending $$$$$ to fix a car with a terminal case of rust. You will spend a lot of money very quickly if you need a mechanic to take care of an old car. Carefully consider your options.

3. Chicago.craigslist.org will have a handful of Mercedes diesels at any time. They generally fall into two categories - the sub-$1000 cars that are rusted through or the $5,000+ cars that are selling at a premium because of BioDiesel. Patience is a virtue.

Also, for the last ~18 months or so, diesel has been more expensive than gas (at least in Chicago). In my area, it is currently around $.40-$.50 more expensive per gallon. In the NW burbs it is about $.20 more per gallon.

[stcbenz83]

i live in St. CHarles which is about an hour northwest of the city. I use the same mechanic the Stevehamilton uses. the chop is called harmon. he charges extremely fair prices, and has worked on older MB's more than new ones. he used to be an MB tech years ago. its just him and another guy running to 2 door garage.

[StevenHamilton9]

I think we're all due to have a gtg. It has been awhile maybe we could do something along the highway and go for a drive. I think that would be awesome. *meant for once the weather clears up some.
-steven

[darkman]

I took the following advice from GermanStar on the thread listed above-- while living in Arlington Hgts.

Carlos Herrera at C & H Auto on Irving Park near Kedzie. He worked at Loeber for many years. His phone is 773-583-6676.

Glad I did! He is knowledgeable, personable, and reasonably priced. I already had the parts (Benz OEM) and he used them. That's a rare bonus.

There was a 240D on the floor whose odo had just rolled over. First I've ever seen. He had just restored an 87 300D for his daughter-- so he definitely knows diesels.

[whunter]

Originally Posted by Meridivs

Recently my girlfriend will be moving to Chicago and I intend to find her a good-old 300SD or SDL Mercedes-Benz there as trusty as the one I have here.

I wonder how many of you are driving a MB Diesel in Illinois?

Finally, but most important, do you know any good Mercedes-Benz mechanic in Chicago that could maintain an old Diesel like this one?

MBCA

Chicago Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America
http://www.mbclub.com/




Have a great day.

[Meridivs]

Thank you all for your replies and useful info.

I hope we will add to the Chicago Mercedes community shortly with a fine 126 or 123 Diesel. Looking forward to meeting you,