There is no way to outlaw quick lubes and other operations because a few are not qualified. I have 4 cars and use a local Kwik Kar garage for all my oil changes and minor mechanical things that I cannot fix. They are EXCELLENT, have qualified mechanics, have Mercedes filters in stock and do an overall superior job on everything. We all must find a qualified mechanic and use them, just like every other choice in life. Ben Carter

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

It's great that you have found a local franchise with a competent staff. Considering that the local Quik Lube is less than a mile from my house, as opposed to the dealership, which is at least 20 miles away, I would love to drop my cars off for oil changes at the local shop...fortunately, my indie is 10 minutes away.

Unfortunately, the stories told on this thread are not folklore, and many of the "bad press" I've garnered, were from close friends and aquaintances. I have had Hondas and Mazdas serviced in the past with no repercussions...but I read the oil change threads on this forum, and to some, it sounds like black magic...no way I'm handing the keys over to one of these places, UNLESS I have first-hand knowledge that they frequently service MBs...

...unfortunately, even when I leave my lowly old W124 for inspection, it's the most exotic vehicle sitting in their garage!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Nothing personal, but thanks for telling me what I must do. No one can work on my car like I can, because I clean everything as I go, take extra time to check other things when I am working on a specific task, and my cars are a great source of pride for me. I doubt many mechanics feel the same.

The car I am fixing now is a W124 Wagon with OM603 and cracked head. Some indy replaced the radiator and did a cooling service and put in the green antifreeze. I am sure the head gasket was already deteriorated before he did the work, but the point is, he put in the wrong coolant because he did not know any better. The thermostat is also bent so it will stay open all the time.

Being a knowledgeable shade tree mechanic, I at least know what is right for these cars. I am glad you are happy with your local quik-e-lube, but I would not trust those guys to even check the oil, forget about changing the oil or doing any repairs.

Since I started this post I realized I have taken your advice - the qualified mechanic is ME.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI