Best independent Merc garage?

[simonafloat]

Hi all

Our 2002 ML270 has a long list of issues that need sorting but is still drivable. I need to get theses works priced up so I can make a decision to sell her or give her a complete makeover. However, we are in North Devon and have no independent garages anywhere near us. So looking for recommendations please. Willing to travel anywhere pretty much anywhere if the garage comes highly recommended.

Works include brakes, shocks, injector seal, gearbox overhaul, excessive smoking. Transfer box sometimes fails to engage.

A few months ago an insurance claim paid for her bodywork to be completely tidied up and resprayed so she looks almost showroom, be great to keep her.

Thanks

Simon

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I've only ever received and heard about excellent service from PCS near Portsmouth, Mercland near Nuneaton, and MSL in Birmingham - I wouldn't hesitate in recommending all three for the quality of work and fair pricing.

Thinking closer to home, there's an independent Porsche specialist in Braunton, which used to have a good reputation, but you mind want to Google for recent feedback, and I've seen a few Mercedes parked outside. Maybe worth a try if you're shopping around.

 

[daveenty]

Steve at Avantgarde gets a lot of positives on the other forum, based in Clevedon N Somerset, so a bit closer to you. I don't have any first hand knowledge though. Other than that I'd go with Rob's suggestions above, especially having met all of them.

 

[Smart320]

Used Continental Cars Cardiff for my E class, was impressed, gather they were MB dealers a while back but lost the franchise, now have a small well equipt 2 bay workshop and specialise in MB and Smart cars, also have courtesy cars. First time I used them I got a Star diagnostic FOC as they said they liked to know as much as possible about a car the first time they serviced it. Wered about 65% cost of local dealer. Also gather there is a good Indi in Bristol. Search the Servicing/ Indi threads on the forum. Am sure you will find a good one

 

[neilrr]

This is an old car that any MB indy will have seen & worked on dozens of times. Fixing it isn't rocket science, you don't need the best indy in the country, any experienced local indy with a good rep will do just fine.

 

[AMGeed]

As Post #3, Steve is a Mercedes forum supporter and well recommended

 

[Yugguy]

Acms Walsall are good, conscientious and know their stuff. Bit of a drive from Devon mind.

 

[Eddy77]

Big thumbs up for Huxleys Mercedes Specialist in Fleet, Hampshire. He looks after my CLK...believe me, he knows his Mercs! He looks after James Hunts old 1970s S class....have seen it a couple of times when I pop my car in. He also does a lot on 10-15 year old cars....everyone round here with an older Benz uses him. Very nice guy too.

 

[clk320x]

Terry @ Wayne Gates Mercedes, excellent service and based in London so you will have plenty to do while your car is being repaired!

 

[gunning]

I'd google an mb specialists near you. I use TMS Mercedes specialist for all my cars but even Truro in Cornwall is quite the drive from you.

 

[flat6buster]

I have used Coverdale 2 in Newton abbot who were fine. Plus 1 for Steve at avantgarde. Knows his stuff and a nice guy - he's now the only one i go to now.

There was i think mbs in exeter but i never got round to using them before I moved from north Cornwall ( i had the same trouble as you....North Devon/Cornwall is miles from anyone !)

 

[simonafloat]

Thanks for all the replies. We have had nothing but grief with servicing in north devon, been around pretty mich everywhere over the last 5 years. There are no workshops with any mb specific knowledge around here. Got friends in portsmouth so I might look up the chap steve in that area.

 

[simonafloat]

Thanks for all the replies. We have had nothing but grief with servicing in north devon, been around pretty mich everywhere over the last 5 years. There are no workshops with any mb specific knowledge around here. Got friends in portsmouth so I might look up the chap steve in that area.

Edit: I missed the post about avantgarde in north Somerset. Heard good things about them and they've much closer.

My thinking on the ml is if the work comes to sub 2k then its worth doing. I still love driving the ml and we wouldn't get much car from the proceeds of selling her.

 

[Davycc]

I've only ever received and heard about excellent service from PCS near Portsmouth, Mercland near Nuneaton, and MSL in Birmingham - I wouldn't hesitate in recommending all three for the quality of work and fair pricing.

Thinking closer to home, there's an independent Porsche specialist in Braunton, which used to have a good reputation, but you mind want to Google for recent feedback, and I've seen a few Mercedes parked outside. Maybe worth a try if you're shopping around.

Have added these to the members map as a yellow marker. If you would like to add a good dealer or Indie please choose sunflower from the DETAILED marker list or pm myself with the name and location and I will add them. Will be good to see at a glance where the recommended centres are.

 

[Biglips]

Edit: I missed the post about avantgarde in north Somerset. Heard good things about them and they've much closer.

My thinking on the ml is if the work comes to sub 2k then its worth doing. I still love driving the ml and we wouldn't get much car from the proceeds of selling her.

Steve at Avantgarde is fantastic. I would highly recommend him. I wont go anywhere else. he usually has a couple of SLRs in for servicing which are nice to drool over when dropping off your car as an added bonus....

 

[Adrian5405]

I'm another one for Aventgarde, great service when I had my steaming lock changed, good price also.

 

[219]

For those further north - Merparts in Port Glasgow are great .

Merparts Ltd Independent Mercedes Benz Specialist