[W126 Coupe] Off-Topic --- Need MB Shop in Texas

[Doug Gavin]

David G. Cole wrote:


>Jim,

>

>If you can get it to Houston look up Helmut Holder, he is about 75 yrs old

>and has worked MB only for the last 55 yrs. He worked at the factory after

>the war and sometime in the late 50's early 60's migrated to the states.

>Don't bring a W140 car to him, but the man is amazing on anything

>pre-fancy electronic gizmos.

>

>His number is 713 683 1526.

>

>Best of luck in getting it there.

>

>Dave

>

>

>

>  

>

>>Greetings, all------

>>

>>Please help me with a lead.  I'm traveling and need a traveler-friendly MB

>>shop in Fort Worth, Dallas, or nearby in eastern Texas.  My need involves

>>a W108 car, and while it's off-topic for the MBCoupes, you guys are

>>probably my best hope.

>>

>>My wife and I are traveling cross-country with our newest acquisition, a

>>W108 280SE 3.5 sedan---Euro, of course.  While it's a common model

>>overseas, it's quite uncommon to find one in the US, and that's why we

>>wanted to buy it.  We're driving it back from California to Orlando, FL,

>>and have mechanical problems.

>>

>>The engine (well-worn, with over 200K miles, but with even compression and

>>modest oil usage) is missing and backfiring, and it seems two cylinders

>>aren't carrying much weight.  I already tried changing the plugs, and

>>while it made an improvement, it wasn't long-lasting.  I suspect the

>>breaker points are the culprit, but it could be fuel injection as well.

>>Along the way, we've stopped at three shops, but everybody says they have

>>3 to 4 days' backlog, and can't even look the car over for us.  At this

>>point, we're about an hour north of Fort Worth, Texas, en route to Fort

>>Worth, Dallas, and finally Houston late in the afternoon today, then

>>turning east on I-10.  I suppose the car will get us home on 6 cylinders

>>(it's even getting 15-16 MPG; not so bad, considering)----but it would be

>>much better if we could get it some much-needed attention.

>>

>>DOES ANYBODY KNOW A VINTAGE MB-FRIENDLY SHOP in Fort Worth, Dallas, or

>>Houston, or in the general vicinity?  I'd love to drop by later today, if

>>only I could get a strong referral (and also a chance they could look at

>>it right away, and get us on our way fairly quickly).  Please give me the

>>shop name, contact name, and number, for any shop you could provide to me

>>as a good lead.  Thanks so much in advance----------Jim Rothrock,

>>Windermere, Florida    108, 109, 113 & 126

>>________________________________________________________________________

>>Check out the new AOL.  Most comprehensive set of free safety and security

>>tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web,

>>free AOL Mail and more.

>>The MB Coupes Website!

>>W126 SEC Mailing List

>>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>>    

>>

>

>

>The MB Coupes Website!

>W126 SEC Mailing List

>Postings remain property of MB Coupes, L.L.C.

>

>  

>

Hi Jim, I'm in Houston and have heard very good things about Helmut. If 
that does not work our I use a MB specialist Gus Kidonakis  of  
Alemannian Auto Haus 713- 977- 9612,  5620 Schumacher, Houston 77057  He 
is close to loop 610 and Hwy 59 south just south of the Galleria area.  
He only works on MB and occasionally a BMW. Under the circumstances you 
find yourself in it would not surprise me if Gus could get you right in. 
He is very accommodating and extremely knowledgeable. If you need 
anything else let me know my home phone is 713-692-5363 and my cell is 
832-216-6678.

Doug Gavin