I just purchased an 83 SL 380 with 130,000. At a minimum, I would like to have the timing belt/chain replaced, Exhaust replaced, and have the suspension/brakes checked out. I hear a ticking noise I believe from the right front wheel. Can anyone recommend a shop in north NJ that is experienced with these cars, honest, and reasonably priced? Also, is there anything else that you suggest I have checked immediately? The car has only had very basic servicings during its life. Thanks

I have someone in Ossining NY if you willing to go over the bridge.

Try running a search for a shop using the forum tool at...

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/forumdisplay.php?f=14

There are quite a few North Jersey listings-

I had good experience with Imre in Short Hills.

Ramsey Motors in Ramsey, NJ is back in business (after being shuttered for about 6 months). While the shop has changed owners several times, the shop's primary mechanic (Sammy) has been a constant and, more importantly, a thoroughly-knowledgeable MB mechanic. I had been quite happy with Ramsey Motors for the five years I have had them service my 1997 S320.

Call Wolfgang in Tenafly (201) 568-7003
He's on the money every time. Honest, reliable, and very experienced.
He is a little eccentric, as only a German mechanic can be, and he's not cheap, but he is fair.

I live less then a mile from Wolfgangs. Been there in business for at least 30 years.

I have been searching for a mechanic to maintain my 94 E320. It was difficult to decide between a indy or the dealer, but I went with Wolfgangs in Tenafly. What a great guy, clean shop, loaner cars etc...I was very impressed with the overall quality of his service. I will definately be returning the next time I require a service.

I've given up on indy's when it comes to benz. They're OK to the point of oil change brake service etc. At the end of the day the indy's dont work for free. they charge almost the same as the dealer. on the downside they always have some smart comments to make when u go back if not satisfied. So dealer it is . Give morristown mercedes a call. I've had work done there. they're good. Ray catena definitely are the best when it comes to customer service.

I've given up on indy's when it comes to benz. They're OK to the point of oil change brake service etc. At the end of the day the indy's dont work for free. they charge almost the same as the dealer. on the downside they always have some smart comments to make when u go back if not satisfied. So dealer it is . Give morristown mercedes a call. I've had work done there. they're good. Ray catena definitely are the best when it comes to customer service.



Hey, I'm an indy shop. I understand what you mean about the smart comments towards the comeback cars...I had a boss like that a long while ago. BUT my shop is run by myself and my wife. 95% of my customers understand that I am a family business and it is my only source of income for my family. I don't give smart comments to the few comebacks. I'm borderline OCD and expect more from my work and my techs work than most of my customers expect from me. Also, two of my p/t techs work for MB full time. So, we are up to date on the latest models as well as the vintage cars from the 50's on up...and we are about $25.00 per hour less than the dealerships.

During the summer months, you can sometimes see my kids at the shop (my 8 year old daughter did a valve job on a 104 engine-not for a customer's car-don't worry) and I usually have BBQ's at my house and most of the guests are my customers. I am not your typical indy shop.

I use genuine MB filters and have the diagnostic tools to do the same repairs as the dealerships. I usually spend over $50,000 each year in updated tools, training, and other shop related stuff...most other shop owners would rather spend it on their boat or new car. Basically, I take what I need to live and invest the rest into my shop.
As for "FUN 380", it may be worth the drive to check us out. I'm offering 15% to all forum members for repairs to their Mercedes for the month of January and all the issues you want looked at we've done hundreds of times.
Dave
Autobahn Automotive
732-363-5552

wow, just realized this post started in august!

Funny you should say that. I still have some of the problems. Car idels fine then the idle slowly goes down and stalls. I also mentioned a slight leak in the radiator. The guy I went to put in some stop leak. I absolutley hate that stuff. I noticed now that the temp will clime to 3/4, then come back down to half. It happens on the highway and at idle. I think maybe that stop leak clogges the thermostat. Just a guess of course as I don't have much experience with these cars.

With the idle, it was just rough. He changed the idle box and now it is smoother but sometimes sputters out. When I took it back he replced the oxygen sensor. I don't think it got much better. I'm sure that now I passed the warranty on the idle box. I'm not sure what else can cause this problem.

Funny you should say that. I still have some of the problems. Car idels fine then the idle slowly goes down and stalls. I also mentioned a slight leak in the radiator. The guy I went to put in some stop leak. I absolutley hate that stuff. I noticed now that the temp will clime to 3/4, then come back down to half. It happens on the highway and at idle. I think maybe that stop leak clogges the thermostat. Just a guess of course as I don't have much experience with these cars.

With the idle, it was just rough. He changed the idle box and now it is smoother but sometimes sputters out. When I took it back he replced the oxygen sensor. I don't think it got much better. I'm sure that now I passed the warranty on the idle box. I'm not sure what else can cause this problem.

It would probably be best to flush out the stop leak and fix the leak. The idle could be many things. From a simple CO adjustment to a fuel delivery problem, to a sensor ot of spec. I would need to run some tests to be sure.
Dave

Hey, I'm an indy shop. I understand what you mean about the smart comments towards the comeback cars...I had a boss like that a long while ago. BUT my shop is run by myself and my wife. 95% of my customers understand that I am a family business and it is my only source of income for my family. I don't give smart comments to the few comebacks. I'm borderline OCD and expect more from my work and my techs work than most of my customers expect from me. Also, two of my p/t techs work for MB full time. So, we are up to date on the latest models as well as the vintage cars from the 50's on up...and we are about $25.00 per hour less than the dealerships.

During the summer months, you can sometimes see my kids at the shop (my 8 year old daughter did a valve job on a 104 engine-not for a customer's car-don't worry) and I usually have BBQ's at my house and most of the guests are my customers. I am not your typical indy shop.

I use genuine MB filters and have the diagnostic tools to do the same repairs as the dealerships. I usually spend over $50,000 each year in updated tools, training, and other shop related stuff...most other shop owners would rather spend it on their boat or new car. Basically, I take what I need to live and invest the rest into my shop.
As for "FUN 380", it may be worth the drive to check us out. I'm offering 15% to all forum members for repairs to their Mercedes for the month of January and all the issues you want looked at we've done hundreds of times.
Dave
Autobahn Automotive
732-363-5552

wow, just realized this post started in august!

Dave,
that's great to know ! where abouts in NJ is ur shop at ?

Dave,
that's great to know ! where abouts in NJ is ur shop at ?

We are located at 40 Chestnut St. Lakewood, NJ 08701. It is on the Toms River/Jackson/Lakewood border...also about 5 miles from Brick.
The address will come up on mapquest.
Dave

I just had Wolfgang do a headgasket and other related stuff on my 94 E320. It could not have been done any better at any cost. He is so thourough and even checked my spare tire pressure. I drove a long way to there because I had problems with so many independents, Especially Brothers in Pompton Plains. They are a joke. Also he fininshed a boatload of work in four days and in retrospect his prices are pretty good. Trust the guy he is good, Probably the best shop I have delt with. Next will be a rear wheel bearings and hopefully I will be done.

I have had good luck with Lucio Import Car Service Inc 201 869-2284
Address: 6215 Park Avenue, West New York, NJ 07093


If you are willing to go to Central Jersey, I would take the car to
German Automotive 732 544-0441

Address: 872 Shrewsbury Avenue, Eatontown, NJ 07724

Bell's Service on East Ridgewood Avenue, opposite Lord & Taylor, in Paramus NJ is a great shop! They do excellent work, are honorable and reliable and have never done anything that they didn't promise that they would do. They instill confidence and are extremely affable. They're the best MB mechanics I've ever been to!

If you need a top for that SL call Stan's Auto Top 973-635-3443:)

Park Ridge, NJ

201-802-1117

Arpi is the tech, friendly, knows his cars, been in business for about a decade or more. I drive an hour from upstate NY to use him.

Mrquiet - its refreshing to read your candid input and experience. I have had 3 E320s over the past many years and I have watched the Mercedes quality deteriorate with each newer model, meaning the newer cars requiring more repairs. My current E320 is a 2004 4matic and it is the worst Mercedes I have owned to date.

I prefer not to go to the dealer / stealer. Since I am in Northern NJ I previously have used Brothers in Pompton and I agree with you 100%. I brought the 04' in since I was getting the BRAKE VISIT WORKSHOP message. I specifcally asked him - do you have Star Diagnostics and can you read the codes? He said yes no problem. He calls and said you need new brakes. I just checked the brake linings 2 weeks before during a tire rotation and had about 65% pads left. I told him the car has a specific message for brake lining wear. He insisted this was it. Normally I do all my own brake jobs for the past 30 years, and I do know the procedure for dealing with SBC manually. I get the car back from him and 2 days later I have the same message! I brought it back to him and they drove it and said they couldn't get the message to come up. He then wanted to charge me for diagnostic time! I told him, he never fixed the main problem I brought the car to him for! He said, thats okay, I'll get you next time! I don't think so, I'll never go back. The bottom line is he doesn't have Star Diagnositcs and this is pretty much a requirment for working on the newer cars. The issue with Brothers is the son running the business now. The father was never like this in his day. I think I'll give Wolgang a try. I wish I was closer to Autobahn!

.....I brought the 04' in since I was getting the BRAKE VISIT WORKSHOP message. I told him the car has a specific message for brake lining wear......

The "Service Brake/Visit Workshop" message doesn't mean the pads are worn out. You probably have a faulty brake light switch, and whoever checks for fault codes will find code C215 stored in the SBC control module.

Good mechanic at a good price, will only do the work that is needed. Knows and only works on Mercedes, has been around for years. Damons in Orange, NJ.