LONGTOOTH

[miltnme]

hi longtooth

i am looking for a mechanic in the bay area, after reading one of your responses, i was wondering who you use for mechanical work on your pagoda in the bay area?

do you have an email address, i could not find one for you?

many thanks
jonathan

[Longtooth]

miltnme (Jonathan) - I'm currently using Tony at Autohaus (Los Gatos or Campbell... on Winchester between San Tomas and Los Gatos).  Tony's the only one that knows the 113's in that shop.  

I had used a long-time MB only shop (Hans Nissen) in Santa-Clara, then they moved to Campbell, then finally went out of business about a year after they redid all my mechanicals.  This MB shop and it's mechanics had serviced the car since '69 exclusively. For my money they were the best in NorCal.  

I then went to another MB mechanic in Campbell.... also turned out to be extremely knowledgable about the 113's details in mechanical/electrical issues... trained by MB in Austria for several years in the 113's era.  Alas, he moved his shop to Roseville after I used him 1x.... too far for semi-routine items for me to travel... so.....

... I've used Tony 2x so far.... but patience is the key with him... I'm adamant about doing it right... no short-cuts, no bailing wire or ad-hoc stuff.  

That's for mechanicals/electrical.  I also use a restorer (can't name him publically.... sorry) for some things... he has a mechanic he uses for the engines on his restorations (300SL's, Roadsters, Gullwings, other MB classics pre'72 to '30's or so ), but can't use him for most mechanical stuff unless there's some idle time available... but the restorer's mechanic costs $$$.

If it's about total engine (short or long block), I recommend Metric Motors in LA... look them up on the web.  Have a local MB shop remove the engine, hold peripherals, and ship your block (and head) for a rebuild).

I also do some work myself when my time & winter permits --- winter time even in CA is my 250SL's garage time except about 1x/month for a 100 miles or so just to keep things in tune.... but I only get to occupy 1/2 my garage for the 250SL, so I have to limit either time or extent of my own working on it.  Generally restoration work, remove, restore or replace, re-install.  

There are far more excellent MB mechanics shops for the 113's in the bay area north of SJ, so if you're north of SJ, you'ed be better off I think finding one nearer your location. .... Tony (at Autohaus) is very good properly motivated (read $$), but there are probably some better north of SJ somewhere.  If you're in the Southbay, South of SJ, I'd stay clear of any so called MB shops south of SJ... I won't use names.  

pbsmith on this forum keeps a list of local sources in bay area on a spreadsheet.  He'll send you a copy... I'll follow up on this note with his alias on this forum so you can contact him.

Longtooth
67 250SL US #113-043-10-002163
'02 SL500 Sport

[Longtooth]

johnathan,
Look up pbsmith in Members (click upper right "Members"), and send him an e-mail (it's sent thru this forum's e-mail address for him...so you can't see it directly). Ask him for the spreadsheet he keeps on local bay area resources.

Longtooth
67 250SL US #113-043-10-002163
'02 SL500 Sport

[DavidAPease]

Hi, Jonathan,

I have used Steve at Silver Star Auto (1630 Almaden Road, SJ) for some years now, including a complete engine rebuild.  (When Joe Alexander checked out and drove my car he said to give his complements to Steve, which I consider a high complement.)  He trained in Germany, including on the MFI system.  He's not fast, but I think he cares about the quality of the work he does - a too-rare attitude these days.  His number is 408-298-9994.  Tell him David with the burgundy 230SL sent you.

-David Pease
'66 French 230SL

[miltnme]

hi longtooth and david

many thanks for all the great info, i will contact pbsmith, and see what he has, i am located in downtown SONOMA, so MARIN is a very quick drive to get to, if there are any good PAGODA experts there.

many thanks again
jonathan

[miltnme]

hi longtooth

i have yet to locate PBSMITH on this forum, as a new member, maybe i just don't know how to work the forum, i'd be greatful for your assistance, if you have an email address, i could send  a note to PBSMITH for the spreadsheet?

thank you again.
jonathan

[J. Huber]

I'll take the liberty of filling in some blanks. Psmith is a long-time Pagoda fan named Pete (and a fine gent I might add!). If you look in the events forum under Bay Area Sunday drives, you will see many of his posts. From there, an email is possible. Good luck.

PS. (post script, not pete smith), I think David Pease's recommendation is a good one. However, I believe I used Tony at Autohaus a couple times when I lived in Los Gatos. (The shop was in LG at that time, if its the same guy. Fairly young guy -- used to live in Der Schweiz?) Anyway, he got the job done but I later found out a few things I had to undo. Nothing major.

James
63 230SL

[miltnme]

hi everyone

thank you for all your assistance, i found Petes address.

best regards,
jonathan

[psmith]

Hi Jonathan,

Sorry, I have been offline for a few days, but I sent you my list tonight.  I think I sent you the info on Tom Hanson before but it may have come from my work email address.

Thanks James and Bill.  My list of local owners is up to 27!

I have recently started using Steve at Silver Star Auto, and I agree with David, he is outstanding and really knows Mercedes.  It doesn't hurt that he is only a mile from my house!

For anyone else in the northern California area, send me an email and I will add you to the list.

Pete S.

[Longtooth]

Pete & David - thanks for the rec on Steve at Silver Star on Almaden... I'll check him out next time I need some work done (that I don't do myself).... had another prob develop this week-end (1st Sunday Drive.... but on way up to San Rafael on Saturday... shifter (4 speed) dropped outta-site.  More in separate post on 4-Speed Shifter.  1st Sunday Drive's turning out to be good for my fix-it list... wringing out whatever can go wrong will go wrong.... Murphy's alive and well.

Jonathan -- I spent this Saturday AM calling all over San Rafael for some shifter parts (bushings).... turns out the local MB dealer (R.A.B. Motors) recommended a local MB shop that works mostly on the MB classics like the 113's (or so they said)... place was called European something or other at a location that that was something "Place".  There were 2 places by the name European something or other... but only one with an address with the name "Place" in it.  Unfortunately they were closed on Saturday... so I can't offer any more than that.  BTW, RAB Motors was very helpful... they diagnosed my problem over the phone (since I didn't have my manual OR any set of tools with me I couldn't diagnose it myself), found the bushing PN's would need and would have ordered them for me... but I have another source.

Longtooth
67 250SL US #113-043-10-002163
'02 SL500 Sport