Recomendation/"Plug" for a good Mercedes repair place in West Los Angeles

[larwik]

This is definately a "sign of the times"...
I own two great, but old Mercedes vehicles (1989/300TE and 1993/500E)...I have for many years used the greatest place to service and repair them with reasonable cost and very speedy turn-around.I just got my 1989 back after a cooling issue and the owner mentioned that it's getting harder and harder to keep his place open with two mechanics(been with him >25years) on the payroll...I stopped going to the "dealer net-work" a long time ago and before finding this place I was "floundering" around especially with the 500E...I never reflected on this but the "Cash for clunker" program killed his business almost overnight...that, and the fact that "old" Mercedesowners on the West-Side are really getting "Old"(like in "Old fart"-old) and don't drive anymore or have either a "Prius" or a "wheelchair".
What was earlier routine service with oil-change/tune-ups etc, etc is now only a memory...the owners bought new vehicles or leased new vehicles(with service plans included) and either service them via the dealer/leasing outfit or use the "drive through" type outfits...why spend a few dollars on quality oil and filters when you're going to turn-in the "thing" next January anyway?...So here it comes...If you have an older(up to year 2000'ish) Mercedes or a BMW and have encountered the "hoplessness" of the num-nut at the service counter or "Client Advisor/Representative/ or I love this:...Specialist!!" at any larger dealer establishment...try this guy out...where can you get a new Thermostat changed and also top-off the A/C while you're waiting and pay with the money in your pocket?...or have a fanbelt replaced while you're waiting?...

Sehmi Motors Inc
2042 South Sepiulveda Blvd(On the right hand side just north of Olympic towards S:a Monica Blvd)
West Los Angeles, Ca 90025
310-477-6739
His name is: Sehmi

There is of course a selfish reason for this "plug" too....where would I go if he closes down?...well, maybe I need a wheel-chair by then.../ Lars...


P.S...No offense to Prius owners around...as a matter of fact I have been passed many, many times by mostly young girls whipping by my right side in the "thick of" traffic bouncing off the curbs or other vehicles nearby...so I know they are super fast...and super quiet!...

[lowflyrE]

Hey Lars,
Don't apologize for the Prius remark... You hit the nail on the head with, "passed many, many times by mostly young girls whipping by my right side in the "thick of" traffic bouncing off the curbs or other vehicles nearby...". To me, they look like a women’s product... Well okay, I'll just say it. They look like a tampon on wheels. The great thing about this forum is it is filled with true like minded gear heads with an appreciation for good 'ol German engineering and like the fast, beautiful cars from those days gone by… No way on earth that a Prius can compete with that! And I wouldn’t be caught dead owning a Prius, no matter how advanced and technical they are supposed to be.

[larwik]

lowflyerE...thanks'..all I can say is:....You're a brave man...

[Jim Garfield]

Lars, I've been looking for a nice 300 TE for a while. I think it's one of the last wagons that still had the old Mercedes build quality. I missed out on one that was an original owner car (from around San Diego I think) that was bought and serviced at the the same dealer - with all records. The woman who owned it is now very elderly and her children convinced her to get a new smaller MB. It had 80k miles, looked immaculate, and sold for $2900. Damn! Now I'm comparing everything to that gem, and hoping to find one other with a similar history....... I think it could be a long wait.

[T308]

I'll give him a try. I've got a 99 C43 AMG that needs a "for sale" service. Thanks for the tip.

[larwik]

Great!...Good Luck and I hope it works out .../ Lars...

[Mr9146]

I'll give him a try. I've got a 99 C43 AMG that needs a "for sale" service. Thanks for the tip.

That's a bad ass little car.

[larwik]

Marco...I agree...that's a little rocket!...

[mrbeverlyhills]

I have a big rocket......ahem.....a 2001 E55 (little envious of your 500E, the Hammer is an amazing car) I go to Boulevard Autor Repair on Van Nuys and Burbank, they have the car purring like a kitten and can even do bodywork; I had my bumpers painted and all dings removed, color sand and buff, car looked and ran better than when I got it.

[356Mike]

Lars,
On your recommendation, I took my '94 E500 to Sehmi last week. My old MBZ mechanic "fixed" the car, except for the worn out ball joint, seized LCA bushings and loose idler arm. He also found that the original 18 year old brake hoses were dangerously worn. It was a very pleasant experience. The car was done in 1 day. He even drove me to work at UCLA and picked me up when the car was ready. I put 230 miles on this weekend and it was great to have the car back to it's usual rock-solid road manners. I told him about this post so he would know about your efforts on his behalf. I plan to take my wife's E320 wagon there as well.
Thanks,
Mike Goldberg