Just witnessed the end days for my 300cd on the road ,it just needs tons of tlc .The only type of mechanical job I would like to leave in a mechanics hands is the LCA bushing and ball joint replacement ,any leads for a good indie in Houston?

My father used Hans at Auto Haus Stuttgart from 1980 to 1990 or so, then I've be using him since 2001. He's good, quick and honest.

2020 Antoine
713-956-0656

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Thanks,I remember one older gentelmen german mechanic on the west side that I would use in a heartbeat but have lost his info ,he was so intersted in you and your car when in conversation with him that you knew it was ion good hands . 50 plus yrs of german cars while here and in germany.

Sounds like you're referring to Helmut Holder. I use him for big jobs I don't want to tackle.
His contact info is:
2047 Jacquelyn Dr.
Houston, TX 77055
713-683-1526

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

I use Ronnie Jackson Mercedes in Midtown. He has been working on all of my Mercedes as well as family's and friends for years. He is honest and the most cost affective Indy I have run across.

http://www.ronniejacksonmercedes.com- Independent, Used, Auto, Dealer

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2001 G500 (45k and counting)
1991 350SDL (211 and counting)
1998 C43 (50k) Silver/Black (sold)
1995 E500 (40k and counting) Pearl Black/Anthracite (sold)
1991 300CE (50k and counting) Silver/Black Cloth (sold)
1983 300D - 79k Classic White/Blue Leather
2002 E55 Obsidian Black/Black
1996 S600 Coupe - 75k Black/Black (traded)
1984 300D -145k (sold)
Silver Blue Metallic/ Blue Leather
1985 300D - 87k (sold)
Manganese Brown/ Palomino Leather
2005 E55, 50k(sold)
Flint Gray/Black

Helmut is a God on the old cars, but he doesn't work much anymore. Ronnie is very well known, just don't buy a car from him. I did.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Any time I'm in Houston, and only one I know I can trust is "Cedes" car. I don't live there, but they've done excellent work on my two cars, along with long record of great service for my brother in law. I have had both my cars "gone over" there before I bring them up here and very satisfied with service. I googled them and they are in League City.

Investigating the right shop seems important to get the best bang for your buck . I walked into an avg 3 bay auto shop this morning to punch up some hrs it takes to tackle this type of job ,states around 5 ,then ask what type of spring compressor he would use and says we normally just use a jack underneath the LCA and workout the other side when he gets to it.Hmmm ,wanted to ask about how they press in ball joints but didnt bother.I first contacted Hans this morning and unfortunatly he cant put on customers parts ,I understand this from working at a shop in yrs past ,1 ) it could be the wrong part then the car sits on a lift till new part comes 2) Part is cheap . I thanked him for his time . Called Ronnie ,says mon ,time is not an issue for the car ,I told him I needed a price,wasnt really able to price it ,may swing by with the car for the price quote.Called Helmut and he asks why I dont do it if Ive got all the parts,Im not as young as you I say, hes working up a qoute and Ill call back later this evening. Its interesting to me that all three of these men seem to enjoy what they do when other shops just seem to want to get you in and out.

Any mercedes spring compressor loaners in Houston on this forum?I would pick up and return within 5 days with $70 for the loaner tool.Im off work on sun thru teu and will most likely have it back by late teu.Lowest quote yet is $600 .Had no idea ,I was guessing $400 at most for labor.

Is there a story here? He tends to have nice stuff for sale, and asks top dollar.

Back on topic - Chasinthesun - if you're close to Midtown, you can try Silvio's or K&H, though these guys do a lot of work on newer stuff and can be pricey. If you're in the SW quadrant, you can also call Eurocarwerk. Eric there did the pre-purchase inspection on my '97 E300 and everything he told me about it turned out to be true. Heights Auto Haus on Shepherd and 14th came recommended to me, he seems to be OK too.

__________________
Charlie

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'66 VW 1300 96K miles
'97 E300D 239K miles
'85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)

Silvio's is overpriced in my opinion. I had them do some work on my M3 years ago and was not impressed. I have purchased 2 cars from Ronnie and have not had any issues. Like any mechanic its all about your relationship, he has always bent over backwards for me.

If you go by Ronnies, check out my White 300d that is there for restoration.

__________________
2001 G500 (45k and counting)
1991 350SDL (211 and counting)
1998 C43 (50k) Silver/Black (sold)
1995 E500 (40k and counting) Pearl Black/Anthracite (sold)
1991 300CE (50k and counting) Silver/Black Cloth (sold)
1983 300D - 79k Classic White/Blue Leather
2002 E55 Obsidian Black/Black
1996 S600 Coupe - 75k Black/Black (traded)
1984 300D -145k (sold)
Silver Blue Metallic/ Blue Leather
1985 300D - 87k (sold)
Manganese Brown/ Palomino Leather
2005 E55, 50k(sold)
Flint Gray/Black

Quick fixes, cheap paint.

For restorations, see Gus at Beverly Hills Motors. He can build Pagodas with his eyes closed. Great work; great attention to detail. He's not quick, though.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Helmut Holder

Obituary | Condolences | Gallery
Helmut Holder Obituary
Helmut George Holder, local Mercedes Benz legend, passed away August 3, 2014 in Houston, Texas. He was born in Germany June 2, 1928 and raised by his great grandmother Anna Schumann. At 16 he served in the German Army during WWII surviving a bullet wound to his head and captured as a POW. He originally went to trade school to become an airplane mechanic but soon after began his apprenticeship at a Mercedes dealer near Stuttgart, which fueled his passion for the Mercedes Benz automobile.
In 1958 he immigrated to Houston where he was reunited with his parents and 5 siblings after being separated for many years. Soon after he started his first Mercedes business which remained in operation for 53 years. While many would have long retired, Helmut continued to be a consultant for the Mercedes community. He mentored many of the newer generation of mechanics and was recognized for his knowledge and innovative ideas.
His interests included flying model helicopters and gliders and designed the Horizon, one of the very first pod and boom model helicopters. He was also a master woodworker, and created beautiful clocks.
A devoted family man with a heart of gold, Helmut is survived by his beloved wife Mimi Joanne Holder of 33 years, his 6 children Waltraud (Trudy) Holder, Helga Hauk, Helmut (Andy) Holder Jr., Max Holder, William Altenloh, and Sofia Holder-Montes. His 8 grandchildren, Nicole, Tanja, Thomas, Charles, Eric, Shelby, Kayleigh, and Tallulah, 4 great grandchildren, Lisa, Amelie, Jennifer, and Tobias, and his siblings Lynn Dent, Kate Mackey and Jack Holder.
The legacy of Helmut Holder will forever live on for the people who knew him and the family who loved him most.
A celebration of life in his honor is forthcoming.

Published in Houston Chronicle on Aug. 10, 2014

There is a good shop on the Houston side of Austin out off Hwy 71...

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

I remember two trips to Helmuts ,one was to buy some parts ,2nd included a trip inside the building ,some vintage MBs being looked after under his direction .When I was their He seemed to like the story I told him about how I came across any of my olde Mercedes located here in Houston ,he followed with one that floored me since it was some time ago in the early sixties .