Hi all, long time reader first time poster–hopefully this is the correct place to post this question.
I recently moved to Seattle from Portland and I'm having a hard time finding a shop that I trust as much as the one I had (shout out to MBI!). With as many old Mercs I see rolling around this town I figured there must be a shop or two in the area that specializes in them–or at least that works on them regularly. Oddly, "Strictly Mercedes", which happens to be about a mile from me, refused to even hear what I wanted to get done. Apparently business is booming for that a-hole.
Anyway, I like to do small things myself but I have a couple items on my to-do list that I'd rather the pros handle. I'm in NE Seattle and it's a '79 300SD. Thanks in advance for any recs!
Welcome to the "House of fun":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ2X9SANsME
Or is that "House of Pain"...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhzpxjuwZy0
OK I'll stop now and show myself out...
See if you can PM member "Mattr" I think he is in Seattle.
I am up here, but I don't have any shop recommendations... I haven't had anything major enough to warrant a shop, and since I'm getting a lift installed before the month's out, I'm hoping to not require one again for my 6.9.
20 years ago I used Wim Goverde's that was in Renton, I see the business in now in Everett. May not be the same company. Wim is dead now so who knows.
Benzworld has a section for Benz shop recommendations, but the WA chapter seems very dead. Other than the shop you mentioned, there is another called "Benz Friendz" but they might have closed down since.
I have found that most shops, even older indy shops are very hesitant to get anything older than 10 - 15 years into their shop. In a way I can understand it, they want to turn around jobs quick and keep their techs busy. If you have to spend 4 hours to get a stripped bolt off due to rust, then that is time cutting into their other quick jobs like oil changes and such. Not defending crappy attitudes of course, and I feel your pain, as up here in Canada support is VERY limited, thus I have had to do all jobs myself for the most part. Learnt a ton, but also really hate spending hours on rusted fast components >:(
Maybe reach out to Kent @ Mercedessource. He does not work on customer cars as far as I know, as he mostly focuses on his youtube gig seems like, but they might give you a good lead on an indy shop, seeing as he is in Bellingham.
Wow, I used to live in the Seattle area and drove a Milan Brown 1979 300SD! I heard good things about Benz Friends in Burien--164 SW 153rd St, Burien, WA 98166 (206) 762-7691 (I actually bought my fintail station wagon from them). Mercedes Auto Service in Lakewood has a good reputation as well--11115 34th Ave S, Lakewood, WA 98499 (253) 584-7370. Also, the last I heard, Phil Smart Mercedes-Benz of Seattle likes to work on the old cars--2025 Airport Way S, Seattle, WA 98134 (206) 467-9999.
Wow, thanks everyone! I stopped receiving notices that there were replies to my post and I'm just now seeing these.
@Mattr - thanks for the recommendation to check with the local MBCA chapter. While their site hasn't been updated in some time it does seem they are quite active and I plan to make it to an event soon.
@daantjie - Kent is a national treasure. I've watched more of his YouTube videos than I probably care to admit and hope to do more work on my own car with his help.
@Squiggle Dog - I just spoke to Mercedes Auto Service and not only are they happy to work on the older diesels but the guy who answered was very courteous/easy to talk to and mentioned that he also drives one. 47mi is a bit far but maybe worth it. Benz Friendz has come up in a few searches too. Not as bad of a drive but still 20mi right through downtown.
And if you sold your Milan Brown SD back in 2010'ish I may have yours!
I sold mine on eBay in September 2009 for about $700 after selling fees (way too low as it was in really good condition and even had excellent weatherstripping all around) and a guy from Alberta, Canada met me at the airport and drove it home.
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Whoa, euro headlights but park bench bumpers? Electric window switches with crank handles? Rear headrests? What is going on here?! Still, for $700 that Canuck got a helluva deal. I paid...much more than that (only 100k miles though).
Quote from: MilanBrown79 on 10 April 2019, 01:13 PM
Whoa, euro headlights but park bench bumpers? Electric window switches with crank handles? Rear headrests? What is going on here?! Still, for $700 that Canuck got a helluva deal. I paid...much more than that (only 100k miles though).
I installed Euro headlights because I can't stand the USA version. I prefer the large USA bumpers over the small Euro bumpers. I converted the car to manual windows because it was too much of a hassle constantly fixing the power windows, but I didn't have the wood without the electric switch holes. The rear headrests are original and were an option.