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  #1  
Old 01-03-2010, 10:49 PM
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Question Dealer or independent?

Which one should I take my 190E to be repaired? I have now given up trying to fix it myself after more than a year listening and applying some of the advices I get in forums including the Tech Help on this one.

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  #2  
Old 01-03-2010, 10:52 PM
Craig
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In general you are better off with an indy shop, assuming you can find a good one. Most dealers do not see very many alder cars. Someone here probably knows a good indy shop in your area.
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  #3  
Old 01-03-2010, 10:58 PM
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I got jipped by both in the past but I am willing to take a risk upon recommendation. This will be the DC/Baltimore area!
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  #4  
Old 01-04-2010, 07:05 AM
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Take a drive up 95 to Rt2 24 ( Edgewood/ Belair) go towards Edgewood and turn right on Edgewood Rd. Take your first right into the commercial park . At the left side of the first building on your left is a very good indy. Old age syndrome prevents me from giving his name. There are usually some interesting vehicles parked outside. A 600 Pullman, or a Ferrari, or Lambo, or even a nice clean W123 Coupe. When you see those (or similar) vehicles you will know you are at the right place.
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  #5  
Old 01-04-2010, 11:10 AM
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You mean on the opposite side of Denny's and Burger King? I think I have been there...
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  #6  
Old 01-04-2010, 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by professor View Post
You mean on the opposite side of Denny's and Burger King? I think I have been there...
I believe that is correct.

If you were treated poorly, you will be the first that I know. A friend with a 300CD and a 300TD swears by the man, and he has probably spent $5000 there over the past few years.
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  #7  
Old 01-04-2010, 12:30 PM
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I have no real love for the independents. I have been screwed by them before. That said, I go to an independent right now only because the tech I used to see at the dealership went there. The thing that the independent doesn't always have is the tool and the training. All things being equal, tools and training does take a tech further. Now if you want to compare a good indy with a lousy factory trained tech with a bad attitude, that is a whole different story.
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  #8  
Old 01-04-2010, 12:59 PM
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the right indy will blow the dealership away. most of the one's I come across received their training at the dealership. some are good, some are not so good. you have to weed out the undesirables to find one that really knows their stuff and will give good service.

few years back a mechanic gave me good advice: he said when you find a good mechanic stick with him. even if he charges a bit more on some services, best to stick with one mechanic.
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  #9  
Old 01-04-2010, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by HuskyMan View Post
the right indy will blow the dealership away. most of the one's I come across received their training at the dealership. some are good, some are not so good. you have to weed out the undesirables to find one that really knows their stuff and will give good service.
How do you figure that unless you are comparing the best indy tech with a dealership tech that is not as good. As I said, if you compare the best dealership tech with the best indy tech, I can't see how it will be at best a push. Indy techs may have been trained by the dealership at one time but they don't have access to the latest tech bulletins and maybe not all the specialized tools and will have to make do. Dealerships have access to a tech line that will walk them thru certain procedures and they are more able to afford specialized tools. Take my W210 Spring Perch. How many indies know of the procedures and have the special rivet gun? The dealership I went to had to buy one. They tried to see if the regular ones would work to speed up the repair but they were breaking them one by one so they had to stop and buy the right rivet gun.

Tools and training are NOT a substitute for mechanic aptitude but when one has it vs another equally talented individual, it makes the difference.
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  #10  
Old 01-04-2010, 01:20 PM
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if it's out of warranty- find a good indy.
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  #11  
Old 01-04-2010, 01:44 PM
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It has been a costly process for me to not even settle on an indy or dealership. Everyone I went to ended up taking advantage of whatever situation I was in. I had stopped going to repair shops for the last three years or so and managed to do my repairs myself but this stalling issue with the 190E got me and many forum people baffled.
I can't go through the process of finding a repair shop by elimination again. It will be a costly process otherwise.
I need solid recommendation on someone you would fully trust with their knowledge. Price is then not an issue; it's the waste that I abhor!
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  #12  
Old 01-04-2010, 02:02 PM
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I will fix your ride, if you take Jack my dog.
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  #13  
Old 01-04-2010, 02:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by professor View Post
It has been a costly process for me to not even settle on an indy or dealership. Everyone I went to ended up taking advantage of whatever situation I was in. I had stopped going to repair shops for the last three years or so and managed to do my repairs myself but this stalling issue with the 190E got me and many forum people baffled.
I can't go through the process of finding a repair shop by elimination again. It will be a costly process otherwise.
I need solid recommendation on someone you would fully trust with their knowledge. Price is then not an issue; it's the waste that I abhor!
Have you checked the injectors lately?
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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
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04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow
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  #14  
Old 01-04-2010, 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by The Clk Man View Post
I will fix your ride, if you take Jack my dog.
You'd love to watch it, won't you? And they say I am the resident pervert.
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99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow
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  #15  
Old 01-04-2010, 02:18 PM
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Take a look at a section of the forums called 'good shops'. Hopefully there is one near you.

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