I chatted with Carlos Herrero at C&H Auto (3322 W Irving Park, 773-583-6676). Seems like a good guy, and their shop rate of $65/hr sounds good.

Their other MB tech is David Gonzalez (ASE certified)... Carlos seems to be the go-to guy though.

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I'll post more feedback here later.

Allow me to recommend Europa Imports located at 1007 Tower Road in Winnetka, Illinois, phone 847-446-9500. I've been going to them since 1985 for all manner of Mercedes Benz repair, first on my old 1978 280SE (long departed), and now with my 1994 E320 Stationwagon. John Gabler, their Mercedes mechanic, used to work for Mercedes Benz at ******** back in the day, and he is simply the best mechanic around. His brother Michael Gabler runs their auto body facility, where they perform some of the best body work and painting I have seen. Yes, it is out of the way, but certainly worth the trip, and tell them I sent you!

For the best auto body work and painting for Mercedes Benz I would recommend Europa Imports located at 1007 Tower Road in Winnetka, Illinois, phone 847-446-9500, and ask for Mike Gabler. They have done the best body work and painting I have seen on my car, as well as the cars of friends I have referred, whether for insurance work, or on out of pocket restorations. I have been going to them since 1985, and have never been disappointed. Mike's father, affectionately referred to as "Pops", who continues to work there part-time, is one of the best welders I have ever seen. They use Sikkens paint products. You will not be disappointed, and tell them I sent you!

I took my 85 300TDT in for a pre-purchase inspection, Rudy and his guys did an excellent job identifying potential and real problems. The dealer got a little upset because I wanted an impartial opinion before buying the wagon. The dealer ended up fixing more than if I would had them inspect for problems. I turned out to be a great car! He also worked on my 89 560SEC, and my 89 560 SL when I lived in the suburbs of Chicago. It is amazing with the variety of cars they deal with, no factory support, and they not as arrogant as the dealerships.
A pretty good choice!

Hi,

Well, if the caliber of cars cared for is any indicator, then Skip McCabe in Mundelien is at the top of the list.

Many Pebble Beach, Cavalino Classic, etc. show winners.

Clients are names you'd recognize from the Forbe's Richest 400 list.

Wouldn't hesitate for a second recommending his staff.

chicago124

Does anyone know of Birkhold-De Jong Body Werks, LLC in Naperville? What is their reputation?

I would have to agree with Motor Werks in Barrington and The Last Detail. Both has execellent detail shops.

I am looking for a good tech in chicago. Willing to go out to suburbs for good reasonable tech. Not happy with dealer and looking for reasonable honest shop. Can anyone recommend anything?

Thanks

Contact Carlos Herrero at C&H Auto on Irving Park.

Have heard several positive comments on him, and my car is currently with him for some service (90K + some brake/suspension work.

C&H Auto (3322 W Irving Park, 773-583-6676, between Kedzie and Kimball.

Carlos is a good guy, and will give you good service. He's ex-Loeber... their shop rate of $65/hr sounds good.

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Tell him Manuel sent you

Dropped my 300/320 CE off with Carlos Herrero at C&H yesterday.

Nice shop -- organized, clean -- folks seem to take pride in their work.

We walked through the service items/observations, and he's come back with some estimates. Having an older higher-mile car (1993 / 90K ), some of the service items start to add up ($$ ), but IMO not out of line.

So far so good -- I'll get some updates later.
I'd definitely recommend him again.

Ron,

Thanks for recommending Drago in the Chicago area. I've had the opportunity to take both of my cars into him, and his service was as you described: honest, timely, competent, and fairly priced. And, as you suggested, he has a sense of humor. Based upon the three times I have used Drago, I would highly recommend him to others. Lastly, I took my E320 into him for replacement of one of the auxilliary fans. I had actually purchased the part, and when I got into it determined that replacing an aux fan on an E320 is not a two hour job! My point is that I took the car in with the new part, and explained that if he chose not to use my part, I would understand and return the part to my dealer. He never objected and installed my part. In the past, with other mechanics, this has always been an issue since it is hard for them to warrant material that they did not supply, and they lose out on the markup for the part.

Thanks again.

Ernie

thanks manuel; has anyone else been to Carmine's shop?

After reading the old posts, i have heard some good things; but i am not sure what that guy from German Star is talking about.

I a coworker of mine has said that Carmine really knows what he is doing. I plan to visit him this weekend, and will let you know how it goes.

JAZN who did you end up with?

__________________
I love low mileage cars!
1972 350SL 23,000 miles
.......Sold...........
Now 1969 280SL

Just got my car back from Carlos H at C&H.
Their shop is conveniently located on W Irving Park Road in Chicago, between Kedzie and Kimball cross-streets.

Their shop is busy but clean and organized.
There were several older/significant Benzes there when I visited: a V12 S600, a first-gen SL convertible, an older W124 diesel sedan, and a few older cars. A GOOD sign.

Service items included:
- full 90K service, including fuel, air filter, transmission flush, coolant flush/winterize, fuel injection flush, oil change, tune-up
- replacement of 4 brake rotors and pads
- replacement of propeller shaft flexible disc
- replacement of R front tie-rod assembly; 4-wheel alignment of modified Sportline suspension
- roadtest and checkout
- replaced misc bulbs that were out (they found these during test)

They were good at estimating time, cost and effort, despite some surprises with the suspension/chassis work (rusted/worn components, etc).

They pay attention to detail, and show this care in their work.

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Carlos and his crew did a fine job. I will definitely use them again for future service, and DO endorse them to MBZ and other import owners alike. You will be pleasantly surprised.

When I picked up my Benz, I dropped off one of my other cars for service (oil change, brake pad install, tranny check).

I used these guys 2 times for pretty big jobs. Both jobs were big front end fights on my 300E. Both times I was extremely satisfied with the work. My first experience was at their shop in Westmont, by Laurel Motors, the second was in Naperville. I worked with Tony in Naperville.

After each repair, the car tracked straight as an arrow and the paint was factory quality.

Interestingly, the second time I brought my car in, they found some rust on the interior that was caused by the first accident and not repaired at their Westmont shop. They fixed their mistake, as you'd suspect, at no charge.