I feel fortunate to find him, and I told him so when I left yesterday.
There were two other obvious mechanic options here in Santa Fe. When I started "shopping" for my Benz, I thought I had a good candidate (an 84 300SD that didn't work out) and set about asking all 3 about pre-inspection (cost, availability, etc)
Tom wrote back within hours, told me his availability, he also had a 300SD, and told me if I take good care of it, it would likely last me a long while.
Never heard from the other two (despite invitations to "contact us" on their websites)
One of the other two apparently is run by a guy who turned up his nose and disparaged my friend's 300TD wagon shortly after purchase.
The other place...the one with THE "rep" in this town as being the best place to go for MB's...doesn't take credit cards, if you can't pay in cash you can pay via paypal if you pay the fee, and their entire website sounded pretty unfriendly to anyone either 1) on a budget or 2) wanting to DIY (for either budget or interest). I'm all for quality service, and I expect they're good at what they do to have their rep, but the vibe wasn't for me.
Other than telling me I paid too much for Betty (ouch. please let me live in ignorance!), Tom has been totally supportive.
And he offered to show me how to do a valve adjustment next time he does one (likely on a 240D he has out back).
So yeah...holiday goodies for sure :)
And in general, I like to do business with people I can build a good relationship with. I choose who I flow my hard earned money to VERY carefully whenever possible :) (I hope the grammar police aren't watching...)
Caitlin in Santa Fe
--- In diesel_mercedes@yahoogroups.com, "Nate" <vwnate1@...> wrote:
>
>
> Sounds like Tom deserves a nice Holiday Pie.....
>
> Being nice you your Mechanic means he'll remember you kindly when you need help .
>
> -Nate
> Caitlin wrote:
> >
> > Picked Betty (83 300SD) up from my mechanic's today, and she's now a much safer ride. I also continue to be really happy with the service and support (as an eager but inexperienced enthusiast) I'm receiving. He had no problem using a couple of parts I had on hand (small stuff that I hadn't gotten around to yet). If you're ever stranded near Santa Fe and need a mechanic for your Benz (or other euro auto), call on Tom at European Autowerks.
> >
> > Anyhoo...here's the list of what got done:
> >
> > * Replaced 4 accessory drive belts
> > * Replace driveshaft support and bearing + install shaft boot
> >
> > And for no extra charge, he took care of a bunch of little stuff per my request:
> > * Install missing bolt on rear flex disk
> > * Inspect flex discs = OK (yay!)
> > * Install vac modulator cap (I had this in my trunk, hadn't gotten to it yet)
> > * Loosened my 19mm(???) hex nut in my oil pan so I can change it myself
> > * Replaced exhaust hangers w donuts I supplied (not the tasty kind)
> > * Removed pesky P/S clamp and replaced with one I had in trunk
> >
> > He also checked out my fuel leak at cyl #2...didn't go away after I put in new return lines. His verdict was that there's a leak in the injector itself.
> >
> > Best of all, he gave me the name and number of his PaP guy...basically the only place in Santa Fe that really has these old diesels. Can't wait!
> >
> > Tomorrow I'll try to get the P/S maintenance done, and hopefully this weekend I can do my own dang oil change :) in the near future I'd like to replace the bent up pan, non OE drain bolt (and gasket, natch).
> >
> > And of course I'm still planning on hunting gremlins and cleaning off the engine so I can have Brian over for lunch ;)
> >
> > Ok, back to drooling on the craftsman site. (And making plans to hit the pawn shops...thanks, Nate!)
> >
> > Caitlin in Santa Fe
> >
>
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