Any independent (not dealer) shops that you have used and liked?
TIA!
I'm not too far from sihlcity. the seals in the waterpump on my '91 300E-24 are leaking. The waterpump will have to be replaced.
I have used Migrol and been happy. Some haven't been.
Thanks. I just talked to Walter Holliger there, but he cant get to it until Monday. Are there any other shops around that you'd trust with your car?
Not in Zurich.
There are 2 in Chur but that doesn't help you much does it!
Yeah, Chur is a little further than I want to go at the moment. Interesting tho, bc this car was previously maintained at Ring Garage in Chur.
Frank - have you used Brunau before? I've seen them but dont know if I trust them to do the work...
I didn't use them before (too far from Oerlikon), but I have used Bosch Garages before, no complaints, and they also normally win the (non-car brand) Garage tests in Germany. Plus: you get Bosch parts.
Thanks for the tip. I took the car over and talked to them yesterday. Very nice people. Doris Stocker was very pleasant, as is the mechanic who is working on the car. I gave them the ok to start work, which begins this morning...
I'll post how it all comes out in the end, which I hope is quick and uneventful :-)
Two thumbs up for Brunau Garage. Honest and easy to work with. labor and parts proces were very reasonable.
What was their labour rates?
Not sure exactly. Their total was in line with what it should be. Book time is 5.9 hours, but I had them do some other things "while they were in there." If they did everything in 5.3 then they charge SFr. 120 per hour. The work order states 43 units at SFr. 15 for a total labor of SFr. 645.00.
One thing I liked is that they used only mercedes parts - they replaced the hoses and all the hose clamps too. They used Mercedes hose clamps, complete with emblem, and charged 1.15 for the small ones and 1.50 for the large ones.
Thanks - I have spoken to them - and emailed them - for a quote on some work - the plan is to replace front and rear brake calipers, discs and pads - and also have the wheel bearings changed.
Mostly precautionary - although I suspect 1 bearing is starting to wear.
Quote in - 4000chf!!!!
4000 is a big number but calipers are expensive. have you thought of sourcing your own? what was the cost breakdown?
They want 50chf for a cost breakdown!!
I have priced the parts in the UK (<900chf). The only thing I would need is some hose clamps and I could do the work myself - but that would cost me a ferry back to the UK (150chf) and the fuel (500chf) - and day or 2 off work.
I might speak to the garage I got the car from. However, none of the work is urgent. It is more me being anal about a minor issue. The car has done 22000km (and cost with new tyres, stereo and sumpguard - 3900chf) - so it has been cheap motoring so far.
Sounds like they just don't want to take on that job... (or they dont like you :-P )
On the other hand, if they are using new, factory parts (as they did for me) all that brake work is going to be crazy asspensive.
but 50 for a breakdown? wtf is that all about?
I can recommend these
have done work on our mg, lotus, landcruiser etc and all been fine
will normally be refunded if they get the job.
I can highly recomend Bermuda Garage -Been taking my 2000 Audi there for 3 years now & always been happy with the work & price.
They used to be next to Tea Room Blunt on Gassometerstr. & have recently moved to Badnerstr.
Lovely 2 guys that run it, they speak excellent english & are fair & honest.
They do a lot of restoration on oldtimers, but are happy with newer cars too.
Quite often seen older Mercs in their workshop.