Repair shop in Phoenix/Deer Valley area
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
2004 E55
Repair shop in Phoenix/Deer Valley area
Hi All,
I need to get some repairs done on my car. I am looking for a recomendation on a shop to do a rear main seal as well as head cover gaskets. Car is leaking oil and want to get it fixed.
Thanks.,
B
I need to get some repairs done on my car. I am looking for a recomendation on a shop to do a rear main seal as well as head cover gaskets. Car is leaking oil and want to get it fixed.
Thanks.,
B
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 602
Likes: 3
From: America
04 E55 AMG
If you're going to mod your car when you do the rear main seal not a bad idea to throw Sharduls Torque Converter in.... If you don't mind getting your hands dirty or learning a little bit about your car in the DIY sticky section there's a bunch of things that you can do to your car and follow those guidelines....https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...-addition.html
Or
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...reat-info.html
I've seen a few members posting from AZ but I don't know if they do their own work or just haven't seen your post yet, heck they may hate their shop! Good luck
Or
https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...reat-info.html
I've seen a few members posting from AZ but I don't know if they do their own work or just haven't seen your post yet, heck they may hate their shop! Good luck
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: AZ
C32, C55, 08 E63
There is also STAR service right down the street from DI that I've used as well, a smaller shop that's a bit cheaper but still does great work. For something that isn't too complicated such as your issues I would personally use them as I bet their bid will be a little easier on your wallet. Ask for Jerry when you call.
I personally would do the valve cover gaskets myself, it's pretty straight forward and there are a few DIY's for them on here. Or call up both of the above shops and go with who you feel more comfortable with or is cheaper.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
2004 E55
Cool thanks. I was thinking of redoing the valve covers myself. Just trying to find time to do it. Seems pretty easy. I heard the rear main seal is pretty easy as well just dont feel like dealing with it.
Thanks,
B
Thanks,
B
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
2004 Mercedes E55 AMG
I have taken 2 AMG's to Bela at Dynamic Imports. In addition to good work, he has always been extremely customer friendly about the scope of work done. If it may be a headache, he prescribes aspirin, not brain surgery.
Regarding the comment above about "expensive," I have not had that issue nor have the friends and family members who I have referred. I have appreciated his research and calls to friends who work for Mercedes dealerships as part of his problem solving. On those occasions that I have obtained a dealer quote (or when he has done so on my behalf), his cost has been at least 1/3 less than dealer prices. I also appreciate creative fixes such as the self-dimming driver's side mirror on my 2004 E55 AMG. It stayed dark and had to be replaced. He suggested that I obtain a mirror for a 2002 E55 that is not self-dimming. It worked and saved $640.00.
Regarding the comment above about "expensive," I have not had that issue nor have the friends and family members who I have referred. I have appreciated his research and calls to friends who work for Mercedes dealerships as part of his problem solving. On those occasions that I have obtained a dealer quote (or when he has done so on my behalf), his cost has been at least 1/3 less than dealer prices. I also appreciate creative fixes such as the self-dimming driver's side mirror on my 2004 E55 AMG. It stayed dark and had to be replaced. He suggested that I obtain a mirror for a 2002 E55 that is not self-dimming. It worked and saved $640.00.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: AZ
C32, C55, 08 E63
I have taken 2 AMG's to Bela at Dynamic Imports. In addition to good work, he has always been extremely customer friendly about the scope of work done. If it may be a headache, he prescribes aspirin, not brain surgery.
Regarding the comment above about "expensive," I have not had that issue nor have the friends and family members who I have referred. I have appreciated his research and calls to friends who work for Mercedes dealerships as part of his problem solving. On those occasions that I have obtained a dealer quote (or when he has done so on my behalf), his cost has been at least 1/3 less than dealer prices. I also appreciate creative fixes such as the self-dimming driver's side mirror on my 2004 E55 AMG. It stayed dark and had to be replaced. He suggested that I obtain a mirror for a 2002 E55 that is not self-dimming. It worked and saved $640.00.
Regarding the comment above about "expensive," I have not had that issue nor have the friends and family members who I have referred. I have appreciated his research and calls to friends who work for Mercedes dealerships as part of his problem solving. On those occasions that I have obtained a dealer quote (or when he has done so on my behalf), his cost has been at least 1/3 less than dealer prices. I also appreciate creative fixes such as the self-dimming driver's side mirror on my 2004 E55 AMG. It stayed dark and had to be replaced. He suggested that I obtain a mirror for a 2002 E55 that is not self-dimming. It worked and saved $640.00.
Personally I had a issue with my c32 making a clanking noise when driving down the road, I took it to Bella and it turned out to be the rear sway bar end link bushing had popped off. His mechanic popped it back in and reconnected it. The car was probably on the lift for 20min tops and I was charged 75 dollars... This was pretty off putting for me considering my family has spend thousands of dollars with him. He could of charged me 20-30 bucks for the 20min it took which would have been more reasonable. This is the reason I take my cars to STAR if it's something small because they are the type of shop to charge you the 20-30 dollars and not an obscene 75 for 20min of work with no parts cost.
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
2004 Mercedes E55 AMG
Today, I paid $103.00 for three hours of diagnostic work and to have my throttle plate cleaned to deal with a surging issue. He was not 100% sure that this was going to be the entire solution, so he refused to charge for most of his time. I thought that was "too fair" to me and unfair to Dynamic Imports. I am mailing a gift card to him and his wife today.
I do not expect free work because I have made substantial payments for needed repairs in the past. Shops have overhead. Begrudging any garage a small profit is not my style.
I bought my 2004 E55 in December and had about $2,000.00 of work done to bring it up to excellent condition. Bela discouraged me from replacing seals that were barely showing leakage and a couple of other repairs that just were not urgent. I tend to trust a mechanic who talks himself out of legitimate work that does not create (from his point of view) sufficient value for the customer and if the risk of it leading to bigger problems is very low. He knew that he would see me every couple of months and could monitor the seals. I really appreciated him putting the customer first.
I do not expect free work because I have made substantial payments for needed repairs in the past. Shops have overhead. Begrudging any garage a small profit is not my style.
I bought my 2004 E55 in December and had about $2,000.00 of work done to bring it up to excellent condition. Bela discouraged me from replacing seals that were barely showing leakage and a couple of other repairs that just were not urgent. I tend to trust a mechanic who talks himself out of legitimate work that does not create (from his point of view) sufficient value for the customer and if the risk of it leading to bigger problems is very low. He knew that he would see me every couple of months and could monitor the seals. I really appreciated him putting the customer first.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: AZ
C32, C55, 08 E63
Today, I paid $103.00 for three hours of diagnostic work and to have my throttle plate cleaned to deal with a surging issue. He was not 100% sure that this was going to be the entire solution, so he refused to charge for most of his time. I thought that was "too fair" to me and unfair to Dynamic Imports. I am mailing a gift card to him and his wife today.
I do not expect free work because I have made substantial payments for needed repairs in the past. Shops have overhead. Begrudging any garage a small profit is not my style.
I bought my 2004 E55 in December and had about $2,000.00 of work done to bring it up to excellent condition. Bela discouraged me from replacing seals that were barely showing leakage and a couple of other repairs that just were not urgent. I tend to trust a mechanic who talks himself out of legitimate work that does not create (from his point of view) sufficient value for the customer and if the risk of it leading to bigger problems is very low. He knew that he would see me every couple of months and could monitor the seals. I really appreciated him putting the customer first.
I do not expect free work because I have made substantial payments for needed repairs in the past. Shops have overhead. Begrudging any garage a small profit is not my style.
I bought my 2004 E55 in December and had about $2,000.00 of work done to bring it up to excellent condition. Bela discouraged me from replacing seals that were barely showing leakage and a couple of other repairs that just were not urgent. I tend to trust a mechanic who talks himself out of legitimate work that does not create (from his point of view) sufficient value for the customer and if the risk of it leading to bigger problems is very low. He knew that he would see me every couple of months and could monitor the seals. I really appreciated him putting the customer first.
I am not trying to discredit the work he does or the moral in which he and his wife run their business I was just sharing a personal experience that was a little off putting to me. I've still had work done there even after the sway bar issue because I do trust that he won't "create" work for himself and he will do an amazing job. He just got done doing over 4k worth of work on my dads ML63 so he still sees plenty of business from my family for that reason. I was just trying to give the OP a honest review of my past experiences with both shops.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: AZ
2005 E55, 2010 E350
I wouldn't call them a performance shop by any stretch, but I had asked the owner last time I was there about doing a HE upgrade and new IC pump for me and he said he would, but only if he ordered the parts himself, which I understand. Not really the type of shop you can walk in with your own parts and say "hey throw these on for me".
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
2004 E55
to be honest. There is no meet for us phoenix people. I am at the car show off the 101 and indian bend almost everyweekend. I dont ever see another 55 there. Its all old muscle cars. Which are cool. My parents own quiete a few of them so take one of those everyonce in a while. But other then that not a whole lot. I would love to get together with a couple of the guys around here. Its always nice to have some one who can lend a heloing hand if needed when working on our cars. Like i am doing the SC pulley and idlers this weekend along with the Heat exchanger. It would be nice to have a second pair of hands pulling the bumper off to do the heat exchanger.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
03 E55 AMG
Wish it was amazing there, cause the area is AWESOME! Guess we'll have to start it off. I'd be willing to help others out with their car's. I need to obviously meet new people after the move. I can't really think of anything that could be more fun than upgrading parts, wrenching and test drives while meeting new people. Haha.
How's cars and coffee in Scottsdale?
How's cars and coffee in Scottsdale?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: AZ
2005 E55, 2010 E350
Car scene is pretty good, at least before it hits 100 degrees. Mainly muscle car centric which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Like bk said the show at Pavilions mall every weekend is huge, I'm surprised there aren't more 55's. Cars and coffee in scottsdale near gainey is a smaller gathering, super high end cars for the most part though, at least the few times i've been there. My 9 yr old car wouldn't really fit in there parked next to a brand new $350k ferrari 
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
2004 E55
Ya i havent been to it. My dad took his bentley down there and said it was packed with high end. I like the tuner cars more. And by tuner i mean cars that people modify. Not rice rockets but i do appreciate a nice Nissan that some one has spent a lot of time and money and attention to detail in.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 408
Likes: 1
From: AZ
C32, C55, 08 E63
AZ is a great car scene, just not any big MB meets, at least that ive found. Ive been to vette meets with 100 cars, same with hondas, VW's ect. just not much for us currently. I know there's enough people on here in AZ that we could get a good one going but nothings been put together as of yet.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
03 E55 AMG
So good to hear. I like a mixture of cars and people so glad to hear there is a lot to see and do. I think it would be awesome to start something, maybe on an off night even, so it doesn't interfere with the events most people attend. I'll post a thread in the next couple days to see who is interested, a safe but fun place to meet up, shoot some photos, things of that nature.
Last edited by Nissanskies08; Apr 19, 2014 at 04:15 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Surprise, AZ
2004 Pewter E55, 1931 Ford P/up, 1951 Ford Custom
Hey guys, I live way out west in Waddell and wouldn't mind meeting somewhere, sometime at a cruise in or something. Pavillions is a bit far for me. 
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
2004 Mercedes E55 AMG
If an E55/E63/AMG meet is going to be organized, I would suggest a new thread with a subject line that would attract appropriate attention. I'll be there if something is planned.
