Yuille36

Since the drivers door handle is the most used handle on the entire car. It was bound to fail at some point, but surprised it lasted for 11 yrs before failing.
Well last Friday, I finally did it. I had my guys at Benz Elite Automotive replace my Keyless Go door handle, after about two months dealing with this issue.
The door handle wouldn't unlock, and the lock button worked intermittently. So the only way to access the car, would be to either press the unlock button on the keyfob or grab the drivers rear door handle. This was simple remove and replace, took about 20 minutes in total. And the cost was only $396, door handle $260 and the labor $115 plus applicable taxes. They also reset my summer open/close feature.

Strigoi

$260 is a lot for a door handle. I got mine for $210 shipped from some site and it took my friend about 10 minutes to swap it out.

cfmistry

I am looking forward to using Benz Elite automotive when I need them - I've read a lot of good things, some definitely from you.

The handle replacement, FYI, is a 10 minute procedure even for a novice. I had to replace mine a few months ago and it was very easy.

MSG 55G

could you post the site you bought your handle from?

tlambert

cetialpha5

The price of the handle varies depending on the color of the door handle.

https://www.oediscountparts.com/parts/2006/Mercedes-Benz/E55%20AMG/Base/?siteid=215242&vehicleid=186925&section=BODY%20HAR DWARE&group=FRONT%20DOOR&subgroup=LOCK%20%26%20HAR DWARE&component=Handle%2C%20outside

4ShoreRunner

I can second Yuille36's recommendations for Benz Elite Automotive - I used them per his recommendation and I will continue to do so. Headbolts, lifters, etc. was a hard pill to swollow but they made it easier with the amount of care they took in the job and genuine pride they take in their work.

Yuille36

4ShoreRunner,

They have relocated to a new shop. Their address is 2809-C Dorr Ave, Fairfax, VA 22031. They are expanding, and will have a detailing bay, door dings, paint protection film and tint bay. A larger reception area, with work stations for computers. I will be headed back to see them in 2 weeks, to remove small door dings in panels. They have a guy that works miracles with door dings. So am I worried that I might have paid a little too much, to have my door handle replaced. No...because these guys, have taken care of me so many times on small stuff, and I didn't have to pay for it. Example. Two weeks ago, I dropped by to have them install my new HID bulbs, because I couldn't get my fat hands inside the tight space to attached the bulb retaining rings to the headlight assembly. As it never stayed attached and would always loosen up, thereby causing the light projection to be diffused on the road, and I couldn't see sh*t on my morning drives into work. Well Eddie installed it no questions asked, and told me not to worry about it, when I offered to pay for his services.

Rovel

I hope somebody can help me here. I was switching driver side door handle. Put the new one in and then realized that the keyless go wire was getting on the way of the glass. I tried reinstalling the door handle multiple times with no success. Eventually some plastic that looks like a retainer for the keyless go connection came loose How do I fix it? Should I take the door panel off? If I should remove the door panel, how will I glue that black foam thing back on the door?

90lxracer

Bump..

Curious about Benz Elite since I'm in the NOVA area as well..

Yuille36

You may need a tech to take a look at this for themselves. I can't say one way or another.

Yuille36

benzelieteautomotive@gmail.com
http://benzeliteautomotive.com
(703) 370-1221
2809C Dorr Ave. Fairfax VA 22031

What would you like to know about them? Give them a call if your have questions. Tell them William sent you.

Worth the wait

I have worked with Benz Elite for over ten years. They were even instermental in helping me pick out which E55 to buy in 2009

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about these guys at all! Quite the contrary. In fact, I probably would have moved on from my car several years ago if they weren't around. I am coming to the end of an EXTENSIVE refresh of all the mechanical, suspension, interior and exterior components my 2006 E55 and Benz Elite has performed at least 20 different jobs for me during this process. When they could, they reduced book hours to save me money. While I primarily use Eddie for my work (he is a E55 owner himself, Emile and the crew are all top-notch.
I have always felt like I have been treated more than fairly in regards to price, workmanship and attention to detail. I have saved $1000's of dollars over the dealer for much better service.
Like any customer service relationship, the more loyal you are to the shop/brand/service provider, the more loyal they are to you.

Cheers!

Brian

Yuille36

Well said Brian. But loyalty goes both ways, the more loyal you are to them by using their services, the more loyal they are to you by discounting some of their labor hours.

A good friend of mine that happens to be a AMG Master Tech and Shop Foreman at a local MB Dealership, told me after my warranty has expired on my E63 to not bring the car to the dealership anymore.
But to take it to Benz Elite Automotive, he told me all about Emile and Eddie before I ever met them. He told me that they worked under him, and that I can trust their work on my AMG.

Since then, I used them exclusively, for all my vehicles. They work on not only Mercedes, but BMW, Audi and Porsche. But their bread and butter is Mercedes.
So when I tell you, that you can trust their work, it's coming from past experience developed over the years.

I have had A-E services done here. Occasional oil leaks addressed, suspension modes, exhaust, detailing and ceramic coating done.
And more recently, interior modification. They are all a good group of people that you can trust. Emile, Gretta, Eddie, Jessie, Larry and Angel

Check them out if you ever need work done on your vehicle.

90lxracer

Quite the endorsements! I'l have to give them a ring. They're 13 miles away from where I work.

I bought a E55 over the weekend, and I'd like to baseline a couple services for me.. to compliment the VMI I received with the car. I'd be interested in getting some paint correction/detailing work as well. The car does have lower miles, but wasn't garage kept.. so.. it needs little cosmetic love.

Yuille36

I had them perform paint correction and ceramic coating, and I’m very pleased with the results. And to be totally honest, I get a lot of compliments and thumbs up from other drivers.

90lxracer

Lookin'' sharp for sure!

curious the time and cost involved.

To get back to the intent of this thread.. is there a decent place to source a driver door handle. Mine is dead.. but the rest are good to go.

Yuille36

The time only took like 15 minutes to remove the old and install the new. I let Benz Elite source the part for me, is was like $200 for the keyless go handle. But there are dealer sites that have online parts departments like MB of Peoria, where I purchased my steering angle sensor they installed last Friday.
But there are other sites as well. https://www.autohausaz.com/catalog/k...0door%20handle

But you can shop around and get prices from your local dealerships. It’s good to make friends at the dealerships to take advantage of employee discounts, which I use a lot .

Strigoi

Yullie has to be getting paid by these guys. He's on their nuts hard lately.

Yuille36

I'm not getting paid, and you can say whatever you want. But I can guarantee my maintenance and repair costs are cheaper then yours.