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Independent Repair Shop Recommendations
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Posted 5/20/2019 4:00 PM
fernweh



Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Calabasas, CA - Centenario, BCS - Luebeck, Germany
Vehicle(s): Few Mercedes-Benz, a Toyota Amphibious and a Vespa
2000
Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Hello P3 Members,

We are looking for repair/install shop recommendations in your area. Can you provide us with your tips of whom you have used and would use again?

Some of our customers are looking for reliable shops, to have accessories installed and/or repair work done.

Please be so kind, and post the info here.....or just send me an email directly: karl@G-wagenaccessories.com

Thank you,

Edited by fernweh 5/20/2019 4:00 PM
#240697
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Posted 5/21/2019 11:59 AM
Aircruiser
Extreme Veteran




Date registered: Aug 2011
Location: Atlanta GA
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500, 1986 300GD, 2017 Porsche Cayenne Hybrid
Posts: 364
300
Re: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Hello Karl,

The only shop that I have worked with is OCD in Sante Fe, NM. Mark and Francis are wonderful, honest G people.

Tires, AC, and exhaust shops in my local area, South ATL can do acceptable work if hovered over like a momma bear.

The local Jeep up fitter shops in my area are really sucky at working on G's. I haven't found one yet that did a good job or that I would give more business.

Matt

#240699 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 5/21/2019 8:46 PM
Otiswesty
Administrator




Date registered: Jun 2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Vehicle(s): 463.241, 461.213
Posts: 3002
2000
RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

In Portland, Oregon

MBI Motors
Hartmann Motors

Mercedes Benz of Portland is quite amazing as well. It was the first MB dealership in the US.
"Don Rasmussen was appointed as the first Mercedes Benz dealer established in the US. Rasmussen was appointed in 1957 and held MB dealer franchise 1."

Edited by otiswesty 5/21/2019 8:58 PM
#240700 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 5/21/2019 8:55 PM
Fred V
Regular


Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Green Mnts
Vehicle(s): 02 G500
Posts: 88
50
RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Not that you'll have a ton of customers around here but Northeast Foreign Cars, White River Junction, VT. Given their level of skill and service, some of your non-local customers would do well to make the trip.
#240701 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 5/22/2019 1:08 AM
namsag
Member


Date registered: Nov 2014
Location: north Mississippi
Vehicle(s): '11 G-550, '90 Grand Wagoneer, '09 F-250, '97 LC
Posts: 44
25
Re: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Hi Karl, been a while, hope all is well! I had your coil spacers installed at Midtown Autowerks in Memphis. Mercedes of Colllierville would not do it, but the guys at Midtown were happy to do it and they did a great job. They are great guys and I would happily go back. Recommended.
#240703 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 5/22/2019 7:22 AM
spots350sl
Veteran


Date registered: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Vehicle(s): 2003 G500, 1972 350SL
Posts: 222
100
RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Chicago:

Lakeside International Auto
5407 N Broadway,
Chicago, IL
(Henry is the owner).

I've been servicing my G with Henry since 2005. Most recently, 4 new shocks, springs, and some bushings. Henry also doesn't care that I sometimes bring my own parts. Always pleased.


Edited by spots350sl 5/22/2019 10:42 AM
#240704 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 5/22/2019 10:02 AM
paulunm
Veteran


Date registered: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Vehicle(s): 2000 G500
Posts: 124
100
Re: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Los Angeles:

MBZ Motors
8300 Winnetka Ave
Winnetka, CA

They have done a great job for repairs, and know how to bleed the locker system!
#240705 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 5/23/2019 8:59 AM
emoynier
Regular


Date registered: Jul 2014
Location: New York and Montreal
Vehicle(s): W463 1997 300TD
Posts: 91
50
Re: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Brooklyn NY

Kraft German Auto
1107 E 56th St
Brooklyn, NY 11234
718-451-2500
#240707 - in reply to #240705
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Posted 5/24/2019 9:48 AM
hipine



Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
5000
RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

I've been working with Mark Yoakum, owner of:
https://www.germanmotors.net
for 17 years. I do most all my own work, so he gets the worst of the worst jobs from me, is always happy to help, and always comes through. Even when I drove in one morning with a blown clutch flex line and he found one in his spares that he could adapt to have me back on the road in the afternoon. I was just in yesterday to buy filters for both G's as I always do, just to stay in touch and throw him as much actual $ as I can. He did a front axle rebuild on the baby G a year ago when I didn't have time to do my own, and he did the parts cleaning for me on the axle job I did on the 280 last month. He once called me to consult on a front axle rebuild on a 463 that he diagnosed as having been jumped or somehow got the axle tube bent. On that one he didn't want to charge the customer for a new axle casing and so managed to supervise the straightening of the original to his satisfaction by a local differential shop. He knows everything from the most old-fashioned common sense approaches to sophisticated use of the modern electronic aids and diagnostic tools. I've recommended him to many people with MB's old and new and everyone comes away happy.

All of that said, I sum up by saying that I've never asked him to install aftermarket accessories and I've never seen trucks in there having accessories installed. Knowing Mark, I would expect him to be very leery of getting into aftermarket accessory installation, simply due to the large potential variation in the raw materials. The quality of the materials can come between him and his ability to satisfy the person that he sees as his direct customer, the one who comes through his door, and he's very protective of those relationships. When I was first considering my 280GE I took it to Mark for a look-over. He recommended I NOT buy the truck, but some years later told me that the reason he didn't want me to buy the truck then was because he thought I'd want him to work on it and he would be concerned about putting Europa Motors in Santa Fe, NM (at that time the only source of factory parts) between him and his ability to take care of me because he had years of experience with Europa's way of doing business (did all their transmission rebuilds for them for years on a ship-out-and-back basis) and didn't like it.

So, if you need a shop to repair or care for your G in Denver, Mark and the staff at German Motors is the best you'll find anywhere. I just can't send you there for what I expect is the main interest of this post, accessories installation.

Good luck!
-Dave G.
#240710 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 5/24/2019 10:12 AM
fernweh



Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Calabasas, CA - Centenario, BCS - Luebeck, Germany
Vehicle(s): Few Mercedes-Benz, a Toyota Amphibious and a Vespa
2000
RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Thank you guys,

amazing responses

It is nice to hear from you all

Best regards,

Karl
#240712 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 5/26/2019 10:21 AM
hipine



Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
5000
RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Hey Karl,
For what it's worth, in the interest of helping folks in the community, I'd be willing to reach out to Mark on the question of whether he'd consider doing accessories installation, or had done so in the past. My assumption that he doesn't is only that (an assumption), and I'd hate to lead anyone astray if he's in fact willing to give it a go. Give me a shout off-list if you'd like help with the investigation.

All the best,

-Dave G.
#240716 - in reply to #240712
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Posted 6/2/2019 8:18 AM
Rich
Regular




Date registered: May 2006
Location: Elkins Park, PA USA
Vehicle(s): 1985 280GE cabrio
Posts: 75
50
RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Philadelphia Area

Rich D'Ambrosio
Rich's Auto Repair
521 East Main Street
Norristown, PA 19401
#240737 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 6/2/2019 1:09 PM
bazsa81
Veteran




Date registered: Nov 2007
Location: Hungary
Vehicle(s): W211, W461, W463
Posts: 125
100
RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Bill Rader Motorpsorts G-WAGEN Parts & CUSTOMIZATION

Las Vegas, Nevada

Speedway Blvd (direct by the LV Speedway)

http://www.billradermotorsports.net/g-wagen.html

 Some pictures about the service:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#240740 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 6/3/2019 11:45 AM
po-porsche
Regular




Date registered: Jan 2011
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Vehicle(s): 2003 Mercedes G500, 1984 Porsche 911
Posts: 53
50
Re: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Los Angeles:

Tech Automotive
4000 Fountain Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90029
(323) 661-2788

I've had great experience and fantastic service here. The owner, Koko, is very knowledgeable and has several G customers with both Pre-MBUSA and MBUSA models.

#240748 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 4/9/2020 6:36 PM
tgoode3
Member


Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Charlotte, NC
Vehicle(s): Mercedes 2000 G500 (Europa)
Posts: 8

RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Hello all! Long time G-Wagen owner. The diff finally went out on the g and I don’t have the tools or expertise (yet) to pull the whole front end apart. Does anyone know of a shop on the East coast around Charlotte that can handle a full rebuild? Or at least have some good experience?
All suggestions are helpful!

-Thomas
#241629 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 4/10/2020 9:15 PM
WEBIII
Extreme Veteran


Date registered: Oct 2010
Location: Inlet Beach, FL
Vehicle(s): 461.318, 463.241
Posts: 315
300
RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

tgoode3 - 4/9/2020 5:36 PM

Hello all! Long time G-Wagen owner. The diff finally went out on the g and I don’t have the tools or expertise (yet) to pull the whole front end apart. Does anyone know of a shop on the East coast around Charlotte that can handle a full rebuild? Or at least have some good experience?
All suggestions are helpful!

-Thomas

This might be an option https://clubgwagen.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14820

Also keep in mind that swapping an entire axle housing will most likely be cheaper if you’re talking about needing a differential repair.

If you don’t mind the cost, then the best option is probably to pull the axle housing yourself and ship it to a known expert.
#241632 - in reply to #241629
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Posted 5/9/2020 3:46 AM
SKSAZ
Member


Date registered: Jun 2014
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Vehicle(s): 2006 G55, 2008 BMW 335ci, 2002 Jaguar XKR
Posts: 9

RE: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Phoenix (East Valley):

Marzocchi Imports
Southeast Corner of Cooper & Guadalupe
480-485-3749

I too try to do what I can on my own, but over the past 10+ years I have developed a good relationship with these guys. Competent, reasonably priced, and willing to work to assist me when my projects/ideas grew beyond my capabilities. I have used them as my primary source of assistance with projects as well as regular maintenance for the past 10+ years.

There are reportedly other great independent sources for MB work in the Phoenix region, and I have no reason to doubt those (perhaps someone with personal experience can add their info as well). Marzocchi has always worked great for me given my location.

Edited by SKSAZ 5/9/2020 3:47 AM
#241713 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 8/30/2020 12:17 AM
H1LM002G55
Expert




Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
1000
Re: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

What sort of accessories are you needing the most install help with?
#241928 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 12/7/2020 11:41 PM
allmack
New user




Date registered: Dec 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Vehicle(s): 96 Europa Ruby Metallic G320 SWB; ex 91 300 GE cab
Posts: 1

Re: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

Still looking for a good indy around DC/MD/VA. Thanks for tips.

Edited by allmack 12/7/2020 11:47 PM
#242260 - in reply to #240697
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Posted 1/3/2021 12:37 AM
Steermi
New user


Date registered: Jan 2021
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Vehicle(s): 1999 G500
Posts: 2

Re: Independent Repair Shop Recommendations

I'll second OCD in Santa Fe. Expertise, reasonable prices, clear communications. After a bad experience at a highly recommended indie shop in Albuquerque, I found OCD. Even though it's an hour drive, I happily take my 1999 G500 there.
#242347 - in reply to #240699
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