jcd,

If you are satisfied with the job and the car works good, that's what counts. And to have an honest mechanic, although IMHO is high priced, is an asset.

But I figure that I can make about $50 or more an hour tax free by doing the work myself. Where else could I make that much money?

By fixing only what is broken, I save even more.

P E H

I think working on your car is like anything else (plumbing, wiring), if your busy and can make more money working and have someone else fix your stuff, thats great. I never had time or interest till I retired to fix my own car. Thats why theres Subarus and Camrays

__________________


1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Although you did not mention it, I am sure that the mechanic repacked the front wheel bearings while he had the discs off the vehicle.

I'm just guessing, however, I think you are looking at a minimum of 10 hours work there. That would equate to $80. per hour for labor. This amount is certainly reasonable in New Jersey. My indy that I go to in North Carolina is up to $75. per hour now.
The average moron who knows nothing about M/B is charging over $75. per hour up here in the Northeast.

I think you got a good deal there. Remember, he allowed you to bring in your own parts and, he therefore does not make any markup on them. Very rare individual, indeed. I had tie rod ends done at my indy the last time I was down there. He charged me $60. each for them (just for the parts!)! They were Lemforder, however, I am sure that the markup was probably 50% from what he paid

Brian,

Look up the tie rod ends in Fastlane and you can find out what they would cost you if you bought them.

P E H

The only work I didn't do on my car was replacing the tie-rods, lower bushings and alignment. I know an alignment guy and he lets me know what parts I need to get and he installs them for me. He didn't even charge to install the tie-rods when I had it in for the lower bushings and alignment. His rate equalled to about 60/hr.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Well, I did, and Fastlane is $46. so I do not feel that bad about it. Only a 30% markup

Actually it was 11 hours at $70 per hour. That is a fairly low hourly rate here in NJ. Usually around $75-85, and a dealership............... WOW.

I did buy all my parts from Fastlane so I avoided the mark-up.

YOu are right, he did pack the LF bearing and replace the RF. Also, valve adjustment consistent with the camshaft/rocker arm replacement.

Karl is a rare item, honest, reasonable and he does good work. He's a nice guy to boot. Rare in this crummy state of NJ.

Regards,

JCD

crummy state of NJ.

Regards,

JCD [/B][/QUOTE]

I'll buy that.

JCD.. what happend to the shop in Roxbury.. is that the one you talk about doing bad work? I remember your incident with them. This shop on 565 seems to be alot closer to you anyway.

Jcd
I was trying to send you an email about the acc servo info you had on the 300d 1977. If you could send it to me I would be thrilled.

David Madison
3050 Military pike
Lexington
KY 40513

thanks again

John,

I was disappointed in the shop in Roxbury. They did the work, but broke the fitting on the breather hose on the bottom of the air cleaner and just duct tape'ed it back. Kind of sloppy.

Karl's shop is much closer and he does much better work. He is the best.

David,

Send me a private message with your e-mail address and I'll send you the ACC diagnostic info.

JCD

hey...

i'm in north jersey (kearny) and i'm just wondering if this fellow recharges air conditioners ???

thanks

__________________
Audi TT

If he does, he'll tell you, if not he won't yank your chain.

Call him and ask,,

Star Service
Wantage, NJ

Search the yellow pages online and you'll get his number.

After reading all the praise, and my local German (Hamburg) indy saying he'd gone as far as he could go on my car, I called Karl at Star Service.

It is always nice to hear a German accent when calling a MB tech (technically, Karl is from Austria). It is also comforting when he intuits things based on your description of the problem and his experience.

I called him late yesterday to make an appointment, he said "bring her on in". I misjudged how far he was from me, and was late in getting there. When I called him to tell him so, he said he would wait for me. And he did, till almost 6:00 (he closes at 5 usually).

The first thing you notice when you pull up to his shop - a 300D and a 126 on the lot

Karl gave my car the once over, we spoke for 5 minutes and I went away content that my car is in good hands. I can't wait to hear from him today once he spends some time with it.

-g

__________________
GG NJ USA
1983 300SD (Sold at 198K)
1989 560SEL (205k) - slowly restoring
2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid (6k) - daily driver
1995 Colt Vista AWD (145k) - fun car! spare
1991 Buick Riviera 3.8l (85k) - fur die Kinder
RIP: 1965 LeMans/GTO Convertable -my first
RIP: 1968 GTO 400 HO w/ 400HP - ballsy!
(blew the motor racing a '69 GTX - bummer)

When you speak with him, can you ask him where he sends his 617 heads for reconditioning??

I need to find a good machine shop that knows these engines. Haven't found any on Long Island yet.

TIA.