good shop for M-B diesel in Tallahassee, Florida?

[Eskimo]

I've been looking for several months for an '84-'85 M-B diesel. On the off chance that I turn one up close to home, does anyone have a recommendation for a good shop in or near Tallahassee, Florida? Right now I'm thinking specifically of a place for pre-purchase inspection.

(I know that I could ask this in the "Shops" subforum, but I'd rather take my chances with the diesel crowd first.)


-- eskimo

[coachgeo]

sorry I cant help you about Tally. I am in Panama City. Just so you know there is a 300 for sale down this way for a pretty penny ($4500) supposedly EVERYTHING works. I know the indy it gets maintained at. Apparently he likes MB's and MB diesels. He has had 5 of them and he used the same indy for maintaining all 5.

[Eskimo]

Originally posted by coachgeo
sorry I cant help you about Tally. I am in Panama City. Just so you know there is a 300 for sale down this way for a pretty penny ($4500) supposedly EVERYTHING works. I know the indy it gets maintained at. Apparently he likes MB's and MB diesels. He has had 5 of them and he used the same indy for maintaining all 5.

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, that's a serious price, but not necessarily out of line, depending on condition, history, and so on. Do you happen to know the year and model (300D or 300SD)? I'm working on a couple of other possibilities at the moment, but I might ask you for more details at some point in the future.


-- eskimo

[JamesStein]

Wow.. small world.. I live in Tallahassee. I've exhausted the phone book and haven't managed to find a single mechanic that will touch a mercedes diesel.

On a side note.. I've been buying up old 123's in the area

My Grey '84 300D came from Panama City and my Red '83 300D came from Destin.

[Eskimo]

Originally posted by JamesStein
Wow.. small world.. I live in Tallahassee. I've exhausted the phone book and haven't managed to find a single mechanic that will touch a mercedes diesel.

On a side note.. I've been buying up old 123's in the area

My Grey '84 300D came from Panama City and my Red '83 300D came from Destin.

James,

Well, I've been looking for an '84-'85 300D or 300SD, but no joy yet, even with a fairly large search area. There are cars out there, but I haven't closed on one with a suitable combination of condition, price, etc. that's still available by the time I've seen the ad. I haven't tried it yet, but I may float a couple of "want to buy" ads.

One of the reasons that I decided on that vintage was my perception that I'd be able to take care of a lot of the maintenance and repair myself. If the mechanic situation in Tallahassee is as bad as your results indicated, all the more reason to stick with that choice!

If you become aware of the availability of a car (even some distance away), then please drop me a line. Honest, if I get one, I'll try not to be a complete pest (though if it works out for me, I might be interested in learning more about your WVO experience).


-- eskimo

[JamesStein]

I'll keep my eye's open. But I'll be honest.. I'm looking for another

[joeltjen]

well, I don't currently live in Tally, but I grew up there... in any event, I noticed a 1992 300D for sale in the Democrat the other day (online... I have a diesel addiction too...) asking price is $5000 - unfortunately no real description of the car was given. Have either of you had a look? From the address, it looks as though the car is located not too far from the regional hospital...

good luck with the mechanic - there is a great mechanic that works mostly on Porsches in a small industrial park down by FAMU and the civic center (his name is escaping me....) maybe he could help you or give you a few suggestions?

[joeltjen]

the name finally came to be... Vernon... although not sure about the spelling...

good luck

[Eskimo]

Originally posted by joeltjen
well, I don't currently live in Tally, but I grew up there... in any event, I noticed a 1992 300D for sale in the Democrat the other day (online... I have a diesel addiction too...) asking price is $5000 - unfortunately no real description of the car was given.

I probably would have missed this one, as I haven't been searching for anything newer than an '85. I don't doubt that the newer ones are nice cars, but it would be my first diesel, and I'm a little scared off by the perception of greater complexity and lesser accessibility with the newer ones.

Thanks for the mechanic suggestion, too. You're right, even if it's not something they want to get into themselves, or if they're simply too busy to take on a job at a given time, a good shop can often steer one to the right place.


-- eskimo

[JamesStein]

I found a previous recomendation for a shop called Eddy's German Car Repair.
http://www.peachparts.com./shopforum/showthread.php3?threadid=3546&highlight=tallahassee

The current talking phone book lists their address as 3080 W Tharpe St 32302 412-0040.

I'm not recommending the shop.. I've never been there.. not sure it even still exists. I do plan on giving them a call on Monday.

[JamesStein]

They are still in business. I'm taking my '84 in to him tomorrow to have the AC looked at.

[JamesStein]

Just got my car back.. Actually didn't drop it off till this morning.

Eddie has a very pronounced German accent not that it matters all that much. He seems to be very knowledgable on the 300D, plus he drives a 300+ mile (maybe 400+) '81 300D Wagon.


$49.00 to leak test and recharge my AC system.

He mentioned that the AC compresor belt needs tightening and since I told him I just wanted him to check for leaks he didn't do it.

So far.. I'm impressed. I'll be sure to take my car to him when I get over my head.

[Eskimo]

Originally posted by JamesStein

Eddie has a very pronounced German accent not that it matters all that much. He seems to be very knowledgable on the 300D, plus he drives a 300+ mile (maybe 400+) '81 300D Wagon.

(snip)

So far.. I'm impressed. I'll be sure to take my car to him when I get over my head.

Thanks for passing this along. It makes me feel even a little bit better (I already felt pretty good) about my decision to look for a M-B diesel of that vintage.

I might stop by at the shop some time when I'm in that part of town, just to introduce myself, ask what he offers for a PPI, and let him know that I'm looking. Another place one might make a car connection...

[joeltjen]

79 MERCEDES 300TD Wagon, $1,500. Day 850-942-2463, eve 850-222-0497

saw this in cars.com

cheers,
JoshO

[Eskimo]

Originally posted by joeltjen
79 MERCEDES 300TD Wagon, $1,500. Day 850-942-2463, eve 850-222-0497

saw this in cars.com

cheers,
JoshO

Hell Josh,

Thanks for thinking of me! As it happens, I'm now happily driving Jim's (engatwork's) black '85 300D. This only took place last week, and I haven't made a lot of noise about it yet.

Before that transaction, I had already placed "want to buy" ads in several locations. I've been surprised at how many cars are even now coming out of the woodwork! Based on telephone descriptions, some of them don't interest me at all, but a couple of them sound as though they might be worth a look. I don't NEED yet another car, but I've been impressed enough by Jim's car that I'd consider another one if the deal were right...

Again, thanks!


-- eskimo