My turn to B***h about MBUSA
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 422
Likes: 52
From: McDade, Texas
W211 e320 CDI
Lots of highway, lots of five bike trailer towing and if my business partner has done a better job on oil filter...well, it would probably still be running, but in the end, we all make tragic mistakes in life. Thankfully since we are a licensed automotive business in Texas we filed claim on shop policy, $2,500 deductible but seriously I think it's gonna total out.
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
What I understand, the oil was changed. and oil filter oring was not set properly. Other thing is that it takes some distraction to drive car/van with oil pressure warning on, to the point of seizing the engine.
"Never happen to me" but I heard that newbies DIY overlook oring groove on filter cap and put it on the very end. That will not splash, but will drip, what might be overlooked for some time.
Coming back to Sprinter engine, it is amazing how many things were replaced at 90k. It is common that dealers abuse warranty for better profits, but still.
"Never happen to me" but I heard that newbies DIY overlook oring groove on filter cap and put it on the very end. That will not splash, but will drip, what might be overlooked for some time.
Coming back to Sprinter engine, it is amazing how many things were replaced at 90k. It is common that dealers abuse warranty for better profits, but still.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 422
Likes: 52
From: McDade, Texas
W211 e320 CDI
There is a story here. I'll make it short. Business partner added one litervtoo much oil in addition to not seating o-ring correctly. Warned delivery driver for night dash would light up with oil warning but to ignore it. He did, not his fault.
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From: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
Sounds like your partner should stick to the administration part of the business LOL
Just joking of course....sorta *wink*
Just joking of course....sorta *wink*
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 422
Likes: 52
From: McDade, Texas
W211 e320 CDI
He usually does and is also a brilliant mechanic. The OM642 Sprinter he has cared for like his child since new. That said...everyone makes mistakes. We work on everything from GRIIIP G1 F1000 open wheel cars to $250k motorcycles. He is the administrator of the business however too, funny you would mention that.
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From: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
Very understanding of you, your attitude also shows that you have a healthy partnership. I had a partner in my business from 1986 to 2010. It wasn't easy for either of us.....and he was my brother.
Shot in the dark; I don't suppose you know a Mark Farley, elevator tech outta Houston?
Shot in the dark; I don't suppose you know a Mark Farley, elevator tech outta Houston?
Last edited by peter2772000; Jul 8, 2018 at 02:13 PM.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 422
Likes: 52
From: McDade, Texas
W211 e320 CDI
Ironically my dad worked for Otis Elevator when he was younger. I do not know your buddy. I'm a founding partner in www.af1racing.com & www.af1racingaustin.com & www.ApriliaForum.com (explains my pic hosting if you view sources ever) as well as a real estate holdings company. So basically I own a motorcycle shop and internet parts business. My specialty is motor R&D and gearhead back end stuff, dyno tuning, diagnostics and the like, I still work in the back shop though I also do photography and some media. Not uncommon to be running $250,000 superbikes on dyno one day, hosting MotoGP teams the next, changing oil on Vespas the next. We specialize in high end exotic European bikes in short. Two weekends ago I was in pits at WSBK with the Aprilia team. Sounds like a glamorous life maybe but, it's brutal hard work 5 days a week and weekends are farm/ranch work usually. I'm a city born country-boy, I live WAY out in the sticks east of Austin, shoot guns and have bonfires around our FlyingHivePreserve property where I live. Aviation is my real passion. Selling my Cessna 150 soon so I have hangar space to bring my V35 Bonanza home from Colorado where it's in controlled storage.
If weather sucks my goto hobbies are: Cars, Cameras, Guns, Travel (mainly developing world, not a big fan of most Americans honestly lol), Wildlife (only hunt with camera, unless feral hogs, f-those things). Precious little I own is stock from firmware in my cameras to cylinder head on my Vespa. Love exotic cars but only attainable functional stuff that can handle a dirt road. Considering getting my SCCA car race license soon as we sell/import Formula 1000 race cars by GRIIIP. I've always wanted to race an open wheel car and having them sitting in shop with me isn't helping lol.
Nice to meet you folks. I've been around here for a while but usually stick to diesel tech and mod stuff. Not on FB or IG but have personal Twitter @ShoemakerMicah
If weather sucks my goto hobbies are: Cars, Cameras, Guns, Travel (mainly developing world, not a big fan of most Americans honestly lol), Wildlife (only hunt with camera, unless feral hogs, f-those things). Precious little I own is stock from firmware in my cameras to cylinder head on my Vespa. Love exotic cars but only attainable functional stuff that can handle a dirt road. Considering getting my SCCA car race license soon as we sell/import Formula 1000 race cars by GRIIIP. I've always wanted to race an open wheel car and having them sitting in shop with me isn't helping lol.
Nice to meet you folks. I've been around here for a while but usually stick to diesel tech and mod stuff. Not on FB or IG but have personal Twitter @ShoemakerMicah
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2017
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From: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
"Not uncommon to be running $250,000 superbikes on dyno one day, hosting MotoGP teams the next, changing oil on Vespas the next."
'Nuff said, you're hilarious!
Oh, and Mark also worked with Otis...after working with Westinghouse and some Japanese company. Finished up with Schindler before moving to Florida. He's an elevator inspector now. He's 65, so depending on your dad's age he may well know him. Typical Texan, freakishly tall and full of himself when it comes to anything Texan LOL
'Nuff said, you're hilarious!
Oh, and Mark also worked with Otis...after working with Westinghouse and some Japanese company. Finished up with Schindler before moving to Florida. He's an elevator inspector now. He's 65, so depending on your dad's age he may well know him. Typical Texan, freakishly tall and full of himself when it comes to anything Texan LOL
Last edited by peter2772000; Jul 8, 2018 at 04:26 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,234
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From: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
Sunuva......
That's some HD ***** bro. The red-hot exhaust pipes made me sport wood, but I'd never admit that publicly. And the pow-pows?
Last edited by peter2772000; Jul 8, 2018 at 06:06 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 422
Likes: 52
From: McDade, Texas
W211 e320 CDI
Have a thing for SW20 series Yodas too
Oops, someone spent $240k despite THREE audible warnings at local airport
A plane I used to work on when based in Burnet Texas, Obviously it lives in Austria now at Red Bull's Hangar7
This is typical of SBK motors in chamber area, this was an unlimited class build, 1077cc V4, made about 230 dyno bhp at 14,000rpm
Jet engine fetish ranges in size...also like rocket engines, liquid fueled of course
Love taking lightning pics
Love to make stuff glow on the dyno
The old 96' Panzer V-12 with B2 armor package, storm chase car
N3778N, my grandfather bought it in 1948 or so, I bought it back in 2015 or so
Daily driver
Turbocharged Guzzi show bike, new tuning strategy to come soon, long term project
Aprilia RSV4RF Factory Works in showroom
Two strokes pipes, the original resonant supercharger
Love jet engines, this is a prototype cruise missile motor I run on an RC JetCat controller, closed loop EGT
Bit of an HK fetish
One of the next ones up, because V10 power and AWD is needed right?
N3778N now, well in 2015 when I found it.
Tool box, like a good watch, you just never know what's right for the occasion
Effectively a laser gun out to 500 meters
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 422
Likes: 52
From: McDade, Texas
W211 e320 CDI
Too funny...very jealous of a few of your recoil based toys...just bought a Sterling L2A3 cut/build kit for after hours work project...we can get back to cars as soon as everyone is bored with other toys lol.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 506
Likes: 54
GL350 Bluetec and GLS580
Interesting, the 1998 MLs including my mom's, had engine failure issues. That's what brought me to the MB Mailing listerve in the late 90's. However, my '99 ML 430 was a dream.
Have been driving MB for over 20 years and treated my whole family to the brand.
We had extreme good luck to our original 1998 ML320 who spending 13years/130k miles with the family needed only about $300 for failed parts (MAF and some bushings).
"Importing" diesel MB to California - I actually was making money driving them since several of them sold after 2-3 years of use for more than I paid for it + air fares.
So now, after decades of good luck, come bad luck, or is it all bad luck.
Over a year ago I drove via water puddle with 2008 E320 Bluetec. Blow the engine and had to import rebuild from UK. The rebuild is not as good as original engine was at 180k, but it runs... well... turn that old gasket between oil filter assemblies gave up. EPC on US sites is not even showing it, but being international, I found part number. No USA MB dealer recognize the part number as it is not sold separately. So to get $4 gasket, I have to buy $150 assembly. Tuff luck? Don't think so - I always had good luck with ATV (observe drying before torquing) so gave it a try. .
But wait, that was easy, when on my 2014 E250 Bluetec I need DPF filter. $3500 for rebuild at local dealer, who could not get it, or $2500 at Husker dealer, who took the order couple weeks ago giving me note about 2 months wait time. WHAT? The car was on the rack waiting.
So today I call Husker for update and delivery date changed to October/November. I placed order in May, so MBUSA makes me keeping the car on the rack for 1/2 year waiting for filter? DPF is consider wearable with 90k miles intervals.
My remote family drives Toyotas for decades with much better luck. My friend is driving 2nd Honda in his life, where the old one did not pass smog at 360k miles and the "new one" has over 300k already.
So as much as I am MB guy, I am thinking about becoming convert.
We had extreme good luck to our original 1998 ML320 who spending 13years/130k miles with the family needed only about $300 for failed parts (MAF and some bushings).
"Importing" diesel MB to California - I actually was making money driving them since several of them sold after 2-3 years of use for more than I paid for it + air fares.
So now, after decades of good luck, come bad luck, or is it all bad luck.
Over a year ago I drove via water puddle with 2008 E320 Bluetec. Blow the engine and had to import rebuild from UK. The rebuild is not as good as original engine was at 180k, but it runs... well... turn that old gasket between oil filter assemblies gave up. EPC on US sites is not even showing it, but being international, I found part number. No USA MB dealer recognize the part number as it is not sold separately. So to get $4 gasket, I have to buy $150 assembly. Tuff luck? Don't think so - I always had good luck with ATV (observe drying before torquing) so gave it a try. .
But wait, that was easy, when on my 2014 E250 Bluetec I need DPF filter. $3500 for rebuild at local dealer, who could not get it, or $2500 at Husker dealer, who took the order couple weeks ago giving me note about 2 months wait time. WHAT? The car was on the rack waiting.
So today I call Husker for update and delivery date changed to October/November. I placed order in May, so MBUSA makes me keeping the car on the rack for 1/2 year waiting for filter? DPF is consider wearable with 90k miles intervals.
My remote family drives Toyotas for decades with much better luck. My friend is driving 2nd Honda in his life, where the old one did not pass smog at 360k miles and the "new one" has over 300k already.
So as much as I am MB guy, I am thinking about becoming convert.
Last edited by DC-BENZ; Jul 11, 2018 at 07:12 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 155
From: Montreal/Cape Coral FL
2012 X6 35i Sport, 2013 ML 350 BT, 2019 4Runner TRD Pro, 2020 CRV-AWD
Bud, you quoted Kajitek1 but didn't add your comment. Sorta kinda like a tease. I knew a girl like you when I was younger....LOL
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 506
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GL350 Bluetec and GLS580
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
Likes: 1,798
From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
UPDATE.
Finally got a date on status of order I placed 6 weeks ago.
Rebuild DPF for my E250 Bluetec will leave Germany on August 7.
In the mean time the ATV I used instead of not available gasket holds on my E320 Bluetec.
Takes time but things are getting sorted out.
Finally got a date on status of order I placed 6 weeks ago.
Rebuild DPF for my E250 Bluetec will leave Germany on August 7.
In the mean time the ATV I used instead of not available gasket holds on my E320 Bluetec.
Takes time but things are getting sorted out.
