[Mackhack]

Ok, thanks. They're a little far though, which is my only hesitation. I just can't get over the fact that MB of SD wants $99 per diagnosis and won't tell you if its under warranty unitl after they look into the problem.

Do they have a loaner car program? What does it cost? What is Hoen's hourly labor rate?

I hate MB of SD probably as much as you do (also well documented why in this forum). They charge normally 120/hrs. But ask for discounts on parts and labor. Simply start with a good 25% discount. They give you that. They want you as a long term customer, especially since there is a lot of competition out there.

They have a loaner program. I get it for free (long story again ) but I know a friend got a C-Class for like 12 bucks a day. That is not bad at all.

 

[sunnySD]

Marci at the front desk at South Bay is great. A friend of mine who has a Porsche swears by All German in Escondido. That's the only place he'll take his car.

I'm willing to go anywhere in San Diego County for the most honest, reputable mechanic I can find. I go to the mechanic once or twice a year. I'd rather not think about the service the other 363 days vs hating SD Mercedes everytime I get in the car in the morning.

 

[Mackhack]

Marci at the front desk at South Bay is great. A friend of mine who has a Porsche swears by All German in Escondido. That's the only place he'll take his car.

I'm willing to go anywhere in San Diego County for the most honest, reputable mechanic I can find. I go to the mechanic once or twice a year. I'd rather not think about the service the other 363 days vs hating SD Mercedes everytime I get in the car in the morning.

She is really great and helpful. The mechanics even let you see how they work if you want to. Just ask and you can stand next to them.

 

[sd300td]

She is really great and helpful. The mechanics even let you see how they work if you want to. Just ask and you can stand next to them.

Heh. I'm taking the wagon there tomorrow for oil and gearbox service. GTK.

 

[PeterZ]

Nick's was reccommended to me by friends. They have proven to be honest and fair.

Nick's Auto Repair- Independent Mercedes Service
207 G Street
San Diego, CA 92102
Phone: (619) 231-0405

 

[mrtremere]

Minsky Mercedes & Bmw Service not bad

I went to them for a pre-purchase auto inspection.
Min [owner] gave the CLK 500 Cabrio a clean bill of health.
Explained to me what to expect for maintenance for the upcoming year.
They even pointed my tread wear was low.

With the Pre-inspection in hand I was able to return to the seller and negotiate a better price that we were both comfortable with and 2 new tires.

So far I like them...and will be returning for my standard maintiance. We'll see how happy I am after my first big bill.
I have a feeling the CLK will be a little more expensive to maintain then my old Camry.

Minsky Mercedes & BMW Service
3727 Convoy Street Suite B
San Diego, CA 92111

 

[luke4]

North County

Hey all, what's a good shop in North County (Oceanside, Carlsbad area) for my 1986 300SD? not everyone knows diesel and I'm not inclined to use the full price dealer.

thanks

Luke

 

[Mackhack]

Go to Hoehn in Carlsbad. Best dealership IMHO, fair prices and they are always willing to give discounts if you ask in a friendly manner.

 

[whosdamazo]

im over at northpark, i took my clk over to MBSD and they charged an arm and leg for just a service b. I was wondering what is a good place thats close by cause there is other work I need done, due to the previous owner's lack of upkeep maintenance.

 

[Mackhack]

im over at northpark, i took my clk over to MBSD and they charged an arm and leg for just a service b. I was wondering what is a good place thats close by cause there is other work I need done, due to the previous owner's lack of upkeep maintenance.

Southbay Autohaus in Chula Vista. For me it's worth the drive for these services. $90/hr is fair I think.

MBSD is Penske and they are pure rip offs!

All other things I'm driving north to Carlsbad to Hoehn! They are a family business and they treat you with respect, listen to you. They don't try to up sell you anything. That's what I like most! They do what needs to be done or what you ask them for to do.

 

[rheftmann]

I've taken my cars to Michel at Exclusive Motors off Miramar Road for over 15 years. He's an independent, only does MBz, honest and extremely competent. I've never had a problem with his work and it's a pleasure doing business with him. In fact, he has loyal following. The cars are meant to be safe and reliable, above all else, and he doesn't treat them or his customers with pretense and excess that marks the dealerships' attitude.

 

[sd300td]

im over at northpark, i took my clk over to MBSD and they charged an arm and leg for just a service b. I was wondering what is a good place thats close by cause there is other work I need done, due to the previous owner's lack of upkeep maintenance.

Try Lusti / Rudi's Autohaus. Haven't taken my cars there in a long time, but they do good work. Price/value somewhere between cheap indy and expensive dealer.
MBSD is the worst. I use their parts department but that's it; no more.

Hein Geitz in La Jolla is a fair factory service center, but the hourly rate is high like MBSD. I think they'll give you a free loaner though...

You might also try the euro car service place on Adams in Normal Heights, near Oregon St. They'll do the minimum to get you back on the road and won't go looking for things to fix.

+1 on Southbay Autohaus as well. I've used them before while working in the area.

 

[DuaneC63]

im over at northpark, i took my clk over to MBSD and they charged an arm and leg for just a service b. I was wondering what is a good place thats close by cause there is other work I need done, due to the previous owner's lack of upkeep maintenance.

Try ACG. Both mechanics are MBZ certified.

 

[Mackhack]

What is the hourly rate at Exclusive Motors on Miramar Road and Rudi's? I'm open to try them if they are cheaper than Southbay Autohaus in Chula Vista.

Thank you.

 

[sd300td]

What is the hourly rate at Exclusive Motors on Miramar Road and Rudi's? I'm open to try them if they are cheaper than Southbay Autohaus in Chula Vista.

Thank you.

Haven't been to Rudi's in a year or two, but it was $90/hr back then....probably more now.

 

[Mackhack]

I just called around last night and all MB certified shops charge the same as the dealership for a Service C. That means I can ignore them for at least the Service C and even get a free loaner from them.

Thanks sd300td though.

 

[XavierDeRoos]

Dont know if anyone else is in my situation but I am looking at buying a 1981 240D and I just called a couple mechanics to see if they worked on that year/model and what they charged for a PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION. Here is what I found

Hans Foreign Car Service
619-298-6575
$98 for a basic visual, Add $100 for a compression test.
Seemed like a nice guy, I spoke to Michael

Nick's Auto Repair
619-231-0405
Don't work on "those cars." I dont know if that is older MB or just diesel.

Rudi's Autohaus Stuttgart
(858) 560-5068
$196 for the inspection. I am calling back in about an hour to find out if that includes a compression test.
They seem VERY nice and friendly. Just based on a 45 second conversation, I would bring the car to them just based on that.

Minsky Auto Services
858-467-1304
$120 for Basic visual and "about $300 for a compression test"
They did not seem all that friendly, or confident with these cars.

Hope this helps!
Anyone else have any advice on a good mechanic for an older diesel near Clairemont?

 

[sunnySD]

Xavier, you may want to try Dieter Fischer in La Mesa? I don't know about this shop but I've walked by there before and noticed that there were a bunch of Mercedes there and none of them looked newer than 20 years old.

 

[vwclevenger]

Southbay Autohaus, Chula Vista, CA

Found them 12 years ago when I moved to CV; polled owners in a shopping center who were driving older, "well loved MBZs", stopped polling at 10 of 10 for Rick and Gary at Southbay. Honest, straight shooters who have kept my 560SL, my daughte'rs 320CLK and wife's ML500 on the road and running super. All MBZ trained mechanics, no extra work without discussion; great at telling you what can be deferred and what needs to be done now. I've found pricing to be reasonable and every person I've recommended them to has come back with extremely positive inputs. They are locals, know all the local shops and can steer you to other experts for work they don't perform - upholstery, conv tops, alignments, etc.

 

[sd300td]

Found them 12 years ago when I moved to CV; polled owners in a shopping center who were driving older, "well loved MBZs", stopped polling at 10 of 10 for Rick and Gary at Southbay. Honest, straight shooters who have kept my 560SL, my daughte'rs 320CLK and wife's ML500 on the road and running super. All MBZ trained mechanics, no extra work without discussion; great at telling you what can be deferred and what needs to be done now. I've found pricing to be reasonable and every person I've recommended them to has come back with extremely positive inputs. They are locals, know all the local shops and can steer you to other experts for work they don't perform - upholstery, conv tops, alignments, etc.

Yeah, they're pretty good with my w123's. Going to drop off the 05 c230 tomorrow for typical 05 c230 nonsense. I hope they figure it out; will post results here later.