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jnicol
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2008
Location: Cranbrook, B.C. Canada
Vehicle(s): 91 300GD, 911 (993), Dodge Durango, Subaru rally
Posts: 680
| Blue Ridge MB
Warning: Poor service from Blue Ridge MB
After a suggestion from a fellow P3er, I sent in my viscous fan coupler to be repaired at Blue Ridge MB in Atlanta Georgia. Unfortunately I have had a terrible experience and would like to give you all a heads up. If it ends up being resolved, I will happily update this post.
Details:
Called BlueridgeMB in October 2014 to discuss repair. He was pleasant on the phone and confident about the repair. Email replies were quick.
I sent him the part in Oct 2014.
Since then I have called him or emailed about once or twice a month. Often I have not had a response.
3 times I received the excuse that a grandparent had died and he was sorry about the delay. While that is statistically possible, it is improbable.
The last I spoke to him he had apparently already sent it but hadn't sent me the tracking. I have yet to get the part back.
Fortunately he has never sent me a bill - so I am not out any money. But it has been a pain waiting on this part to be repaired and I no longer have my original part.
So, in conclusion I would not recommend using Blue Ridge MB
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Inkblotz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3186
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
You having your viscous fan coupler repaired? What were they going to do?
I went through the same faulty clutch fan scenario as you. Was told that they stopped making our fan clutch due to low volume. Updated replacement can be had with a slightly different design.
You can buy one made for any 603 motor. I purchased the S350 Behr Fan Clutch for mine from Parts Geek. The bladed fan used has 3 mounting bolts to attach the fan to the Fan Clutch, instead of the 4 like ours had.
Fan Clutch:
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1994/mercedes/s350/cooling_system/...
Fan Blade:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/for-Mercedes-W140-W201-300SD-S350-Fan-Blade...
Works perfectly keeps temps down.
Mark |
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Inkblotz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3186
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
I've never heard of these guys but, let me know if I need to pay these guys a visit to see what's going on with your clutch. They are about 20mins from me.
Mark |
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jnicol
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2008
Location: Cranbrook, B.C. Canada
Vehicle(s): 91 300GD, 911 (993), Dodge Durango, Subaru rally
Posts: 680
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
Thanks, Mark.
I replaced the viscous fan clutch with an electric. This set up has been working well since September when I did it, but I would like the option to return to normal with the normal viscous fan coupler eventually.
I'll have to look at your links above. One of the reasons I am upset at loosing my original part is that any parts I found available were not identical in how they mounted - as you noted. So having the original part would help me connect the dots to a different solution.
I'm not suggesting anyone 'pays them a visit', but I was thinking somebody might see this and know them, give them a call and tell them to sort out their stuff.
In any case, I have a working G with an engine that is staying cool. Just want to have the option to return to a stock format sitting on my shelf. Thanks again for the info above, I will have a look. |
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jnicol
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2008
Location: Cranbrook, B.C. Canada
Vehicle(s): 91 300GD, 911 (993), Dodge Durango, Subaru rally
Posts: 680
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
Ordered the parts as above. Thanks Mark! |
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Flanker525
Veteran
Date registered: Jul 2009
Location: Connecticut
Vehicle(s): 1991 350SDL
Posts: 126
| RE: Blue Ridge MB
I actually bought my eurolights and wipers from that many years ago (For the 350SDL) I paid a pretty penny for them but everything was in perfect shape and they even sent me the French Euros which I really like. I know that they are really big into service and repair on early AMG cars. Beyond that I can't comment on any of their work. |
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jnicol
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2008
Location: Cranbrook, B.C. Canada
Vehicle(s): 91 300GD, 911 (993), Dodge Durango, Subaru rally
Posts: 680
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
My guess is they prefer to deal with people face to face. But, they had no hesitation when I called the first time and proposed I ship them the part from afar. In the end, beside the frustration and the loss of my original part, I will get what I need (as noted above) and be about the same out of pocket.
Edited by jnicol 5/1/2015 1:11 PM
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
I just placed an order with Blueridge MB. They also re-built my AMG Visco-Clutch.
I suggest you text Jono or send him an Email.
I did wait about a month for him to rebuild my Visco-Clutch. He is a one man shop. But he knows the vintage cars very, very well. I have always found him pleasant and he has always been very fair with me. He is an enthusiast...and part artist.
Edited by H1LM002G55 5/7/2015 11:50 PM
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jnicol
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2008
Location: Cranbrook, B.C. Canada
Vehicle(s): 91 300GD, 911 (993), Dodge Durango, Subaru rally
Posts: 680
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
Have called and emailed countless times.
I've given up. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
jnicol - 5/8/2015 4:42 PM
Have called and emailed countless times.
I've given up.
I know that they've moved and are not in their previous location. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
jnicol - 5/8/2015 4:42 PM
Have called and emailed countless times.
I've given up.
I spoke to him this evening over text message. I suggest you text him. He has been very responsive with me and I have never not had great service from him. That being said, I was not breathing down his neck for my fan clutch and I recognize that he is a "one man shop".....I do not rush "artists". Sorry that you are having problems. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| RE: Blue Ridge MB
Just had another great experience with BlueRidge MB.
I have been out of town for a while but got back and found a box of ignition parts waiting for me.
This includes
- New Bosch distributor Cap + Rotor
- New Beru ignition wires
- New MB spark plugs (That Jono gapped free of charge)
Another positive experience for me. Thank you Jono / Blueridge MB.
Edited by H1LM002G55 5/22/2015 3:56 PM
 (IMG_0203.jpg)
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jhodg5kc
New user
Date registered: Sep 2011
Location:
Vehicle(s):
Posts: 1
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
Jim,
My sincere apologies...First, I'd like to make it up to you and ship up a factory New unit post haste, free of charge for your trouble.
I was a 1 man shop till about a year ago, brought on a new fellow who Was great till the last couple of months reflecting back.
After your first call I asked him to please take care of it post Haste as I tasked him with building my fan clutches/he modified my method slightly with Excellent results. Your last call we had some more Stern words and he assured me he'd take care of it Utterly.
Given the time frame I wasn't worried about charging you as you had been patient to a fault.
Short of it, he's gone now..it's back to just me, I don't know what he did with your old clutch...I just spent the first few hours here trying to locate it.
Again, sorry for all of this, not how i like to do things. I hope you'll accept the new clutch as a the best way i can find to apologize.
Thanks for your understanding.
H1LM002G55, thank you Sir for the kind words! Appreciate it very much! And yes, texting me is an Excellent means of communication...even with bluetooth tending to the phone can be a Task.
Thank you all.
Kind Regards,
Jono |
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J.R.
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Southern Maryland
Vehicle(s): 00 G500, 09 911 4S, 11 Cayenne S, 86 280GE (sold)
Posts: 828
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
Nicely done Jono. Nicely done. |
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H1LM002G55
Expert
Date registered: Mar 2010
Location: S Florida / Geneva / Jeddah
Vehicle(s): 500 GE, G55, LM002, H1
Posts: 1796
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
X2.
I appreciate Jono for many things, but primarily the following:
- He is enthusiastic about the last "great" generation of MB vehicles
- Hard to find anyone with his experience that contributes as much time and support to owners groups and forums
- He is experimental with MB models and tests different fluids / parts / brands to figure out what works best and shares this knowledge
- Excellent ability to rebuild / refurbish vintage spare parts that may be hard to find or expensive
- One man shop = Artist = Best quality control possible
He is a great asset to the community.
Thank you for what you do, Jono.
Edited by H1LM002G55 5/25/2015 1:31 PM
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gerryvz
Extreme Veteran
Date registered: Apr 2014
Location: Annapolis, MD
Vehicle(s): 1994 G320, 1989 560SEC, 1994 E500 (W124)
Posts: 336
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
I would not hesitate to use Jono for anything that is Benz-related.
He's been a very valued member & contributor in my 500Eboard.com community for many years, and I have had the pleasure of meeting him numerous times (most recently two weekends ago in Washington DC) and visiting his shop in the Atlanta area last year.
I was saddened to see this post, but I am glad to see that he is working to make the situation right. I would expect no less. |
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jnicol
Elite Veteran
Date registered: May 2008
Location: Cranbrook, B.C. Canada
Vehicle(s): 91 300GD, 911 (993), Dodge Durango, Subaru rally
Posts: 680
| Re: Blue Ridge MB
Jono,
Just happened to log in today. I accept your apologies and will happily accept the part. You should have my address on file but if not, PM me.
Thanks, |
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