Parker Imports destroyed my Mercedes' engine with 80,000 miles on it, then acted incredulous when I wanted my car back the way I dropped it off.
I voiced my concerns with an engine swap. "It could've been abused or rotting in a lot for years." I suggested they buy my car at private party value, repair, and sell it. It would've alleviated tension on both ends. The front desk guy, Luke, relayed this to Adam, the owner, as "he wants you to buy him a new car". This caused a LOT of tension.
Adam outright told me he was doing an engine swap w/ or w/o my permission--b/c he is legally required to return my vehicle "as it was received"--what a joke. I suggested legal action, causing more tension, but Adam did offer an alternative rebuilt engine from Mercedes, provided I bore some of the cost. Eventually I agreed that a used engine was the most viable option PROVIDED I received information on the source, mileage, and condition. In the end I was given zero proof of the engine source or quality. The only assurance I received was a walkthrough while it was partially disassembled. As far I know the engine was sitting in a junk yard for years w/ 120k miles on it--not 80k.
During these conversations I once referred to Adam as "bro". This is just my natural dialect. Adam snapped at me and suggested I treat him with "respect". Despite my apology, at the end of the conversation he addressed me aggressively as "BRO..." as if to insult my maturity.
Two days after I got my car back, the starter failed. It had never had an issue before. Adam tried to insinuate I'd have to pay for everything, but after an argument he begrudgingly agreed to fix it. Over the following weeks my car was in the shop multiple times. There were broken plastic parts in the engine bay, a scratched bumper, a newly squeaking drive belt, the seatbelt light coming on while buckled, a significant power loss, and leaking oil/smoke. The squeaking belt was repeatedly ignored. Additionally, I was lied to and told it's not leaking oil, and there is no power loss--"My son has the same car and I don't notice any difference." While Adam did agree to replace the broken parts and repair the bumper, I was consistently treated like I was taking advantage of the situation. I eventually asked another shop and was told that not only was the cam sensor plug leaking, but they put the wrong power steering fluid in (and I've since been informed the antifreeze is the wrong type as well). I brought it back to Adam, and they finally fixed the leak, but it was leaking again w/in the day. The second time they essentially glued the sensor down. As soon as the leak was fixed, my power was back in full. As for the power steering fluid, Adam argued and showed me that the software they use shows basic power steering fluid--despite that every internet search, Mercedes forum, and even other shops tell me to only use CHF11. This was never replaced because I was getting sick of fighting him on everything.
When I called to arrange a time to get the broken parts and bumper fixed, Luke, the front desk guy, treated me with disdain. He seemed agitated that I wanted to talk to Adam--who was always out or on vacation over the following weeks. Eventually due to Luke's attitude, I quit trying altogether. What good is a warranty if your employees act foul.
Over the last 15,000 miles, the belt squeak--which was never once an issue before--got worse and worse. Eventually I realized that whatever engine they gave me had a failing idler pulley when I got it. That seems odd to me if the engine was supposed to have 80,000 miles or less. Maybe that explains why I was never given proof of the engines source or mileage.
I tried to avoid this review, but your negative attitude earned it--like what happened to my car was somehow my fault and my problem. I would never go back to this or any associated shops. read more