The best auto body shop anywhere has got to be Conejo Valley Autobody, Westlake Village, CA. Thanks to my 19 year old son, I've had some recent experiences with autobody repairs the past few years. I also had a BMW that I took to about 4 shops and that no one else could get just right. The shop is very small and run by Mitch, who is a real craftsman. He does a lot of restorations. He is completely honest. I wouldn't take a car anywhere else. I know this sounds like a paid advertisement but it really isn't. It's just nice to come across someone honest who really cares, especially in the autobody business.

Hi AAL !

I am so glad that you found a good body shop. By any chance could you post their address or phone number ?

Thanks !

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Ernesto Molina

1993 500E Pearl Black / Alpaca Grey
2001 E55 AMG Brilliant Silver/ Anthracite
2007 SL55 AMG Black / Anthracite

Conejo Valley Auto Body 805 499 1750.

I must recommend San Carlos German Auto located at the corner of Holly and El Camino in San Carlos. They solved a problem on my 90 Audi V8 that had me baffled. They were highly recommended to me and now I must agree.

Over the years I've tried 6 different shops in the East Bay to have my mercedes worked on and the best by far has been Independant Mercedes on Mt. Diablo in Walnut Creek. For the past 12 years or so that's the only place I'll take my cars.

It's a small outfit, but the owner is honest and knows how to keep the cars running. I don't know what his hourly charge is because that part doesn't matter to me. He also doesn't do repairs that aren't needed.

About 5 years ago he had my '75 450SL in there and thought I needed a new alternator. He replaced it and it didn't fix the problem, so he checked the voltage regulator and realized that was the culprit. He put my old alternator back on and replaced the voltage regulator rather than saying "your voltage regulator was bad too" and replace it like SOME mechanics would.

He also didn't charge me for the time he spent working on the alternator portion...

In that particular instance the repair job cost me less than having the car towed to the shop

The owner's name is Bill. His number is 925-932-4001.

The best Mercedes mechanic, that I have found, is located in Benicia. His name is Toni Gaumann, and he owns/operates Star Motors. Toni only works on Mercedes cars, has fair shop rates, and always completes the work on time. His number is 707 -745-5606.

I replied to this yesterday, but it didn't get posted, so here it is again. While traveling up to the Pittsburg, my car blew three fan belts out of 4. Fortunately, the one left was the alternator/water pump belt. I was able to complete the trip up. The next day I went to the Mercedes dealership in Walnut Creek and purchased the belts. I was told that unless I had an appointment, the dealership could not install the belts. One of the service personell informed me that Nick's in Lafayette could do the job. Nick was very accommodating and the belts were installed in an hour. I am very satisfied with the work done and would recommend him. He also informed me of another problem I had in the shifter which, if not taken care of, would eventually cause the separation of the linkage to the trans.

Thanks,

I've seen Nick's garage. I've started using ******** Europa (Jeff) in Moraga. Exceptional service and good rates.

RJ

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RJ
'92 500E
'75 Triumph TR 6

rjfjr1
I'm really not familiar with the area. My son lives in Pittsburg, CA. Where is Moraga in relation to Pittsburg? I'm always interested in good work at an inexpensive price. Thanks
Marv

Help I am looking for a body/detail shop that installs invisible bras. I am particular interested in someone who had good experiences with a particular shop with the invisible bra.

thanks
blau

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Silver Honda Accord, 2006
Silver G500, 2003
Silver SLK-320, 2002
Black ML-320, 2000
Bule Porsche 993 Targa , 1997
Silver Merkur XR4Ti, 1987

Steve: How did the glass replacement go? I am in the middle of a restoration of a 1970 280SE and am looking for a glass shop in the WSFV area myself. DO you think Tampa could handle a car that old?

TIA,

Peter Kaufman

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'70 280SE Cab. (111)

I take my cars to this guy in Concord,ca.
Medi's Mercedes

Almost across from the Costco on monument Blvd.@ Detroit.

I have used his service for three years.
He is the type that lives by the beat of his own drum for the most part, but he is a good mechanic and diagnostician.
He uses his brain and not the 'replace parts until you drop' type.

Anyway it is good to have a couple of ducks lined up.


UPDATE 2006

Although he may still be able to resolve your problem. His overstressed personal life has caused alot of lapses.

caveat empor

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
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1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Dear all,
My car had a terrible tranny leak and i bought my car to my usual shop, autopro in oakland(The owner called George). At first George replaced the oil pan for about $120 coz he said it was leaking seriously and asked me to come back to check if there's any leak... however my car still suffered serious tranny leak. Then he said i have to replace all of the seals, both front and rear and maybe the oil pump seal. This will cost me over $1000 because he needed to take the whole tranny down and it's going to take a few days! I don't wanna do it because i feel like i can get the whole tranny rebuilt for a couple hundreds more and i think i can live with it by filling ATF to its level($5/qt/month compare $1000)
It is very hard to find a good mb shop in san fran/oakland area
(can't find any good in this forum) so i tried to drive about 20 miles east and i pick Bill to see if i can get any luck.
I tried Bill at walnut creek and he fixed my tranny leak for only $80 (rear seal) and it doesn't leak anymore(at least i don't see any oil on the floor and no smoke during stop lights)! He really knows what he is doing! I am so happy to get my car back in one day and have over 900 big bucks!
Thanks for telling me such a great MB shop!

Dear all,
My car had a terrible tranny leak and i bought my car to my usual shop, autopro in oakland(The owner called George). At first George replaced the oil pan for about $120 coz he said it was leaking seriously and asked me to come back to check if there's any leak... however my car still suffered serious tranny leak. Then he said i have to replace all of the seals, both front and rear and maybe the oil pump seal. This will cost me over $1000 because he needed to take the whole tranny down and it's going to take a few days! I don't wanna do it because i feel like i can get the whole tranny rebuilt for a couple hundreds more and i think i can live with it by filling ATF to its level($5/qt/month compare $1000)
It is very hard to find a good mb shop in san fran/oakland area
(can't find any good in this forum) so i tried to drive about 20 miles east and i pick Bill to see if i can get any luck.
I tried Bill at walnut creek and he fixed my tranny leak for only $80 (rear seal) and it doesn't leak anymore(at least i don't see any oil on the floor and no smoke during stop lights)! He really knows what he is doing! I am so happy to get my car back in one day and have over 900 big bucks! It really worths for the extra 20 miles drive!

Another story about AutoPro is my car had no heat a few months ago and i brought my car there... George said he needed to check the whole unit to figure out what kind of problem is that and it's gonna charge me over $100 plus parts and labor if needed... guess it is normal for most of the mb shops in east bay. i searched out this forum and ordered the monovalve for just $37 from fastlane and guess what? My car got the heat back and just took me about 20 mins!

Some said George is good and his price is reasonable... well.. maybe he just doesn't like me then, just my 0.02!

Hi steven,
I would like to go a little east (just 20 mins from oakland) coz there's some good mb shops recommanded by the people here. and i guess the price is cheaper too.
both autopro, 40th/telegraph, allmercedes and also the eurpoean(dealer) quote me over $650 for a 60k services
Bill at walnut creek only costs $475... i never tried nick but i may give him a shot for the next services...
hope this imformation helps u!