Thanks, guys, I see him tomorrow.

__________________
85 300CD Signal Red/Tan sold
83 300D Manganese Brown 109K
97 E420 Midnight Blue 197K sold
98 BMW 328i Vert White 100K, sold
95 BMW 525i White 125K, sold
93 BMW 525iT Red 193K, sold
95 E320 Green Wagon 125K, sold
94 E320 White 127K, sold
85 300SD 156K Grey (Annie), sold
84 300D Lapis Blue 170K (Judy), sold
99 ML 320 Black (lease), 1998 C230 White (lease)
00 Honda S2000 Red (lease)
86 Mercedes 300E (sold)
84 Porsche 911 Red (sold), 1965 Porsche 911 White (sold)

Whatcha bringin in?
If you are there early in the AM we might cross paths!

My 93 525iT has an oil leak. I should be there in the am, and you?

__________________
85 300CD Signal Red/Tan sold
83 300D Manganese Brown 109K
97 E420 Midnight Blue 197K sold
98 BMW 328i Vert White 100K, sold
95 BMW 525i White 125K, sold
93 BMW 525iT Red 193K, sold
95 E320 Green Wagon 125K, sold
94 E320 White 127K, sold
85 300SD 156K Grey (Annie), sold
84 300D Lapis Blue 170K (Judy), sold
99 ML 320 Black (lease), 1998 C230 White (lease)
00 Honda S2000 Red (lease)
86 Mercedes 300E (sold)
84 Porsche 911 Red (sold), 1965 Porsche 911 White (sold)

I'll be stopping in to get his diagnosis from him test driving my e320 cab the other day. Sounded like a wheel bearing but we'll see what he says!

I picked up a 300SD this January and it had some receipts in the glove compartment from a place called Marino's in Durham. I had been by the place, they specialize in older MB's. However, this car had some tranny issues - slipped severely going into drive, bad 3-4 shift. The PO stated it was the same problem he had before and he took it there. So me being the internet fiend that I am, looked up some info and came to the conclusion of B2 piston. I took a look at the receipts and noticed that it had already been replaced about 6 years ago, along with the torque converter and a fluid/filter change. I opened up the B2 and transmission pan to find that they hadn't replaced the metal B2 bushing, which is the cause of B2 failure (tons of talk about this on forum). Alas, the B2 was broken with grooves in where the bushing contacts the piston itself. So they replaced the part that was broken previously, but did not replace the part that caused it to break initially--maybe they were thinking more money down the road? Not sure why they wouldn't change out the bushing, but it definitely left a bad taste in my mouth about them.

I must say the times I've called them, they have been very helpful and informative, which leads me to suspect it was an isolated incident. Plus for a new Torque converter, B2, and filter + labor it was only 700 bucks. I'd be willing to give them another chance and see what happens.

They're on Route 17 in Durham. Just my experience, take it however you want.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

Just to wrap up what happened after meeting Jakov. I left my 95 BMW 525i Wagon there for a few hours and came back and my jaw dropped. He told me that the oil level sensor and gasket needed to be replaced which was a very expensive part and involved a lot of labor. The valve cover gasket also needed to be replaced and the oil changed. All in all, he told me the estimate for parts and labor WOULD BE $1100 freakin' dollars!!! WTF? I thanked him and realized he mistook me for a rich Greenwich housewife who knew jack***** about cars. Nice scam going there in wealthy Greenwich, Jakov. I only took it to him because my usual guy Mirko Sucic who works out of Port Chester, NY was gone for a few weeks in Croatia. He's the best indy around these parts, very knowledgeable, very reasonable.

I took the car back home, decided to take a closer look at the leak and noticed the leak was coming from the pass rear of the valve cover gasket. Got a new valve cover gasket, applied some gasket sealer, end of oil leak! $25 and 1/2 hr of personal labor. Estimate from Jakov, priceless!

__________________
85 300CD Signal Red/Tan sold
83 300D Manganese Brown 109K
97 E420 Midnight Blue 197K sold
98 BMW 328i Vert White 100K, sold
95 BMW 525i White 125K, sold
93 BMW 525iT Red 193K, sold
95 E320 Green Wagon 125K, sold
94 E320 White 127K, sold
85 300SD 156K Grey (Annie), sold
84 300D Lapis Blue 170K (Judy), sold
99 ML 320 Black (lease), 1998 C230 White (lease)
00 Honda S2000 Red (lease)
86 Mercedes 300E (sold)
84 Porsche 911 Red (sold), 1965 Porsche 911 White (sold)

C'mon...are you surprised? You're in Greenwich with a guy whose name sounds like 'jackoff'. Folks in that area do not get a break on service.

I'm sure he has a bunch of lil' Jakovs to feed and has to pay taxes just like you and me. Anyway, live and learn....its always more expensive in the city.

I have a few old schooled dealer techs up here in the Hartford area farmlands that will give you a more than fair deal on service, and fix a car properly (Art F. from CH is one of them)...PM me. I just hooked up a Westport guy who was quoted about 5 grand to fix a water damaged 180K mile E320 wagon at some indy in Fairfield....he got it fixed, running better than ever and WITH a full detail for under a grand. And his insurance paid for the 70 mile tow to boot. I'm sure they were happy not to total the car; as was the owner.

__________________
Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad

Still looking myself. UGH.

In the Fairfield area...Tom Conti is a well respected indy by other local MB owners it seems. Give them a call/try.

Fort Point Phoenix
8 South Street
East Norwalk, CT 06855

(203) 852-8977

__________________
Jim

1992 500E
2007 CLK63
2003 Audi RS6
2001 Audi allroad

I am flying up to CT to pick up a 92 `190E this week, and the car has 1 known issue which is the blower for the heat & A/C isn''t working. I would like to take this in to a good INDY shop in the Stamford area . Usually one familiar with the older MBs would know where to look alot quicker than just a general auto mechanic. My brother has used Shippan Auto Repair in Stamford, also a neighbor but not sure yet how familiar he is with something like this on a '92 190E. Any help appreciated...

( i

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

I am flying up to CT to pick up a 92 `190E this week, and the car has 1 known issue which is the blower for the heat & A/C isn''t working. I would like to take this in to a good INDY shop in the Stamford area . Usually one familiar with the older MBs would know where to look alot quicker than just a general auto mechanic. My brother has used Shippan Auto Repair in Stamford, also a neighbor but not sure yet how familiar he is with something like this on a '92 190E. Any help appreciated...

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Hey HATT... I am flying up to CT to pick up a 92 `190E this week, and the car has 1 known issue which is the blower for the heat & A/C isn''t working. I would like to take this in to a good INDY shop in the Stamford area . Usually one familiar with the older MBs would know where to look alot quicker than just a general auto mechanic. My brother has used Shippan Auto Repair in Stamford, also a neighbor but not sure yet how familiar he is with something like this on a '92 190E. Any help appreciated... Austin

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Hey Connecticut people. Nevermind.

.

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Vinny at A. CT Quality transmission swapped a used tranny into my '83 300D and did a great job. Reasonable prices and he dialed in the vacuum adjustments perfectly. In 2012, Vinny swapped a used tranny in my '85 300CD and did an excellent job. They have pride in their work and I appreciate their expertise. 203-359-0100.

__________________
85 300CD Signal Red/Tan sold
83 300D Manganese Brown 109K
97 E420 Midnight Blue 197K sold
98 BMW 328i Vert White 100K, sold
95 BMW 525i White 125K, sold
93 BMW 525iT Red 193K, sold
95 E320 Green Wagon 125K, sold
94 E320 White 127K, sold
85 300SD 156K Grey (Annie), sold
84 300D Lapis Blue 170K (Judy), sold
99 ML 320 Black (lease), 1998 C230 White (lease)
00 Honda S2000 Red (lease)
86 Mercedes 300E (sold)
84 Porsche 911 Red (sold), 1965 Porsche 911 White (sold)

Anyone recommend a good Indy who can work on OM642 in Fairfield County?