Vehicle: 1988 300 TE. 2001 ML 55AMG. 2003 ML350 (now the new service vehicle...)
Location: Oakland, Ca
Posts: 304
Quote:
Originally Posted by ohlord
are out of warranty and that is why I use the 7090 oe ngk plug it is the closest thing to the original platin single side electrode.I also recently noted that the newer models list NGK as an approved plug so that may save you some concern on that issue and save your customers some money as well.
Keep up the great work and it is nice to see a shop dealing fair and straight up with MB owners,the dealer should take lessons from you and they would regain their Cred
On site serviceGreat idea
Now keep in mind that we have a shop location also,which is STRICTLY by appointment only on Oakland, Ca.
We perform ALL phases of MB repairs, maintenance and upgrades. Our focus in on MY's 1988 to current.
We feature 90 days, 6 or 12 months 0% interest financing as well, for all our services via our Car Care One program.
We are building a new home page with pdf files listing transmission (2 year unlimited mileage warranty) and engine replacement (4 year 50,000 mile warranty, long blocks only) installation prices with necessary parts.
Car sales are coming soon. Which will feature certified pre-owned and used, all with warranties!
We are focused on becoming a one-stop establishment for the MB owner, both old and new.
Not trying to eliminate the dealer(s), but just grab a share of the market by being the value alternative.
I know this site is Diy, but we are a business, and businesses need to make a profit, but we strive to do so in a manner that is both acceptable and feasible.
Vehicle: 1988 300 TE. 2001 ML 55AMG. 2003 ML350 (now the new service vehicle...)
Location: Oakland, Ca
Posts: 304
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kajtek1
It is different stuff for hobbyist and different for professionals ohlord.
I fully understand The Workshop on insisting on OEM parts. Point is, that the parts are cheap comparing to labor. I often have similar situation in my remodeling business. Often customers ask if instead of $35/galon paint, I could use cheaper from Home Depot.
Point is, that the possible material saving might be $60, while risking repeating $1000 job on the top of bad feelings.
Kajetk1, I agree. The reason we insist on the OE part is that we can provide the 12 month UNLIMITED warranty on the job. We then have the backing from MB in that they afford us the same warranty on parts we purchase. Now when we go aftermarket (as we have done before), we are not backed by the same warranty on the parts we purchase, it is limited, and in 90% of the cases, we end up doing the job again, for free + eating the parts.
I/we love the MB car. Have worked on all makes an models, and feel that this car was built with the respect that someone at sometime or another will have to take this thing apart!!
I do not like combacks, but I feel a little better if the comback involves a failed part that we can warranty, other than a failed part that we have to pay for + labor.
The 1996 to 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-class, dubbed internally by Mercedes as the W210 model, represents one of the best values in the used midsize luxury car market. The W210 marked a radical — and initially controversial — shift in Mercedes-Benz design philosophy. Mercedes waved goodbye to the slab sides of the 1980s and 1990s, and with the W210, ushered in the sleek, yet still timeless, styling that continues to direct Mercedes-Benz design today. Many styling cues of current Mercedes models — such as ovoid headlamps — were patterned after the W210 E-class. The W210 E-class still looks like a brand new Mercedes, but costs less than than a new Honda Civic!
The Four-Eyed E (W210): 1996-2002
With four elliptical headlamps, the 1996 E-Class (W210) set the styling trend for Mercedes models into the 21st century. Underneath the dramatic new aerodynamic skin, the wheelbase grew 1.3 inches over the W124's and overall length was up 2.2 inches. The engineering itself was rather familiar. There were still double wishbones doing the suspension work up front, and a multilink system holding up the rear.
For '96, the new W210 E-Class models offered in the U.S. were the E320 with the 3.2-liter, DOHC six from the outgoing W124 making 217 horsepower, and the E300D with the carryover 3.0-liter diesel six. The W124 E320 coupe and convertible carried over for the time being.
In the middle of the '96 model year, the E420 sedan reappeared with the 4.2-liter V8 (making 275 horsepower) hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission.
The 1997 model year saw the introduction of a new driver-adaptive five-speed automatic for the E320 and E300D. Additionally, Mercedes added a sport package to the options list for the E420 -- included within it were 17-inch wheels and Z-rated tires, foglights and various cosmetic touches. All models got a smart sensor that could detect the presence of a front passenger and decide whether or not to deploy the airbag in a crash.
Major changes to the W210 for '98 began with a new 3.2-liter, SOHC, three-valve V6 replacing the former straight six in the E320, the station wagon body returning as an E320 and the E300D gaining a turbocharger and intercooler. The boosted diesel was impressive with a 30-percent increase in horsepower and a massive 57-percent increase in torque. Beyond all that, the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system was back as an option.
A new side curtain airbag system came with the 1999 E-Class, but the more enticing development was the new AMG-engineered E55 sport sedan. Using a hand-assembled 5.4-liter version of the SOHC, three-valve V8, the E55 was engorged with 349 horsepower. It was fast and gorgeous hunkered over its 18-inch AMG wheels, and it was the most expensive E-Class ever. Also this year, the E420 became the E430, as its V8 was a new 4.3-liter mill, though output was unchanged.
The diesel disappeared again as the 2000 model year started and the "Touch Shift" system (that added a manual-shifting scheme to the five-speed automatic gearbox) debuted. A revised front end and interior appeared in '02 as well.
With a new E on the way, 2001 and 2002 were relatively quiet years for the car. But you could get a new sport package for the E320 that included lower body cladding and larger wheels and tires.
(Info found at Wikipedia.com) (Thanks to acarter53 for the digging...)
__________________ If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
When you fail to learn from any mistakes, that's government.
hey guys,
I think this thread contains a lot of useful information that is not organized well. Since the audience of this thread should be the new bee's (like me), I think it is better if one volunteer (maybe the establisher of this thread) can organize these information/problems according to the model year, severity (cost), probability of occurrence, etc, so that it will guide us in making a decision on purchasing a specific car or not.
hey guys,
I think this thread contains a lot of useful information that is not organized well. Since the audience of this thread should be the new bee's (like me), I think it is better if one volunteer (maybe the establisher of this thread) can organize these information/problems according to the model year, severity (cost), probability of occurrence, etc, so that it will guide us in making a decision on purchasing a specific car or not.
regards
Very true. I'll see if I can clean things up a bit.
Great idea
confused 
Linear Mode
