August 13, 2004

Last June, I owned a sweet 1983 Mercedes 300 TD, a five cylinder diesel wagon that I had every intention of keeping for the next 15 years. The body was in great shape, and I was slowly replacing parts to keep it running. I had even gotten personalized plates for the first time in my life.

I had researched the car, decided on the price I wanted to pay, spent a few months shopping, and bought it. I had started to build a relationship with my mechanic, Dieter's in Oxnard, who specialized in Mercedes repair. And if I had taken the car there, I'd still have it today...

I took it to the Shell Rapid Lube across the street from Ventura College to get my oil changed. They made a mistake.

They forgot to put a gasket around the oil filter, causing the oil to leak out, which then caused the engine to blow up.

I managed to drive the car in to Dieter's, and Dieter ran out telling me to turn it off. He gave me a fatherly look, and said, "Rick, what did you do?"

I told him, and he shook his head. "Never do that. Always bring your car to me."

He took the car to the back, and told me to call the Rapid Lube. The first thing the manager said at the Rapid Lube, "I'm going to fire that guy."

From there it got worse. I'll make a long story short. I started calling everybody, including the Better Business Bureau and Shell, but to finally get things hopping I called in a favor. I got an attorney, Allen Ball of Ball & Yorke, who filed papers for me last August, and went to work.

Last week, my case settled out of court, after a year of time. I'm set to receive a sum which initially seems like a lot, but by the time I pay for the rental I had last summer, the 89 Mercedes 300 TE I bought as a replacement car, the storage of my other car for a year, I think I'm going to lose money. I have no idea what happens to people who don't have a lawyer.

I guess the whole point is if you have a good mechanic, use him (or her, though I haven't run into any female mechanics) for everything. If you need a good mechanic, and you drive a Mercedes, Volvo or BMW, I recommend Dieter's in Oxnard.

Stay far away from the Shell Rapid Lube in Ventura across from Ventura College.

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