Addison Linck, a mobile classic mercedes mechanic

Photo: Ohad Kab

What initially drew you to become a Mercedes mechanic, and what keeps you passionate about working on these vehicles?

It all started when my grandfather bought his first Mercedes in 1972, a black-on-red 220D W115. He had done his research and determined that was the best value for a car at the time. From the moment of his first drive and experiences in his 220D, he was hooked. The reliability, efficiency, pioneering safety features, and overall design were unmatched by any other car produced at the time.

My father grew up riding in this car and fell in love immediately. He remembers turning the mechanical latch to the sunroof and pulling it open. This car was different from the cars my grandfather had previously owned; it was a Mercedes. Throughout my dad's childhood, my grandfather would trade in each car for the next model, not because of mechanical issues, but because of the improvements and new safety features such as anti-lock brakes, that Mercedes began to implement into their newer models.

When my dad reached college, he decided to purchase his first Mercedes from my grandfather when it was time to trade in the car. His first purchase from my grandfather was an orient red over tan 1980 W123 300D; he used the car as a daily driver on Long Island back and forth to work following his graduation from Cornell University. In 1986, my dad married my mom in Long Beach, New York, and my grandfather drove the family up from Philadelphia in the Signal Red 1985 300SD he had at the time. It was not until 2002 that my grandfather decided to part with this car after 17 years, passing it along to my father when I was born. I grew up riding in this Mercedes, just as my dad did, fascinated with how well it was built and how well it did its job in safely transporting us since 1985. This 300SD is still daily driven by my family and has accumulated over 412,000 miles, requiring only basic service and maintenance items throughout the years. I am passionate about these classic Mercedes because of their connection to my childhood and their connection to my family. The impact that these classic Mercedes had on me growing up, exciting me about their level of engineering and overall design, I would like everyone to experience. I am driven to be a mechanic because of this desire to spread excitement about these classics. I greatly enjoy being the instrument that can allow others to enjoy the best of their Classic Mercedes.

Can you share your philosophy or approach to your work as a Mercedes mechanic?

My approach to work as a mechanic is to develop a strong relationship with each of my clients, catering to their specific needs and desires for what they want from their classic Mercedes, and drawing up a game plan for how to reach these specific goals in a timely and cost-effective fashion. My goal is to make each of my clients' cars as reliable as possible for them and to achieve this through the proper diagnosis and repair of items on the car. In many instances, mechanics will throw parts at a car hoping that an issue will be solved, but in order to save money for my clients, I much prefer to get to the root of the problem and repair or replace that item even if it takes a little bit longer to diagnose exactly what that item is.

What guiding principles do you follow in servicing vehicles and interacting with clients?

The guiding principles I follow when servicing a customer's car are always to be honest with customers about the cost of parts and the time it takes to repair or replace them. It is unfortunate that in many instances, mechanics will keep a car at their shop for an extended period, charging a high labor rate and only repairing a few items. This often leads to a perception of dishonesty among mechanics. My goal and job are to create a strong relationship with my clients that will stand the test of time. Through this relationship, we can resurrect and restore these magnificent machines from a golden era in automotive design.

Photo: Ohad Kab

Could you describe your typical approach when servicing or repairing a Mercedes-Benz?

My typical approach when servicing or repairing a classic Mercedes is to utilize the diagnostic tree technique. This method involves using a tree-like model to predict the correct steps based on conditional logic. It's a logical way to use simple questions (yes/no, true/false) to determine which items are causing the issue and how to replace them efficiently.

How do you ensure thoroughness and attention to detail?

I ensure thoroughness and attention to detail by double and often triple-checking my work. When disassembling a component, I photograph the initial assembly before taking it apart. I organize each part in an orderly fashion to aid in reassembly. After completing the repair and reassembling the component, I double-check the torque specifications of each bolt and nut to ensure they meet the required standards. Before returning the car to the client, I start the engine and focus on the repaired components as the engine warms up to operating temperature, using a flashlight to ensure the repair is functioning properly.

Photo: Ohad Kab

What makes you particularly skilled as a Mercedes mechanic? Do you specialize in specific models or systems within Mercedes vehicles?

I believe my skills as a mechanic stem from my innate curiosity about how things are assembled and function together, coupled with the deep passion I've held for these cars since childhood.

My specialization initially focused on classic Mercedes diesels, as those were the primary vehicles my family owned. These included engines such as the OM615, OM616, and OM617, in both naturally aspirated and turbo variants, as well as the OM603 engine and its derivatives. As my family acquired gasoline Mercedes models over the years, I expanded my mechanical expertise to accommodate the specific needs of each engine type. These included engines like the M103, M104, M110, M116, M117, M119, and the M100.

What kind of problems or issues do Mercedes owners typically bring to you for servicing or repair, and which ones do you feel very comfortable fixing?

The most common service requests I encounter for these classic Mercedes involve general maintenance due to wear and tear. This encompasses tasks such as fluid changes, fan belt replacements, brake component replacements (e.g., brake pads and rotors), and the adjustment of intake and exhaust valves within the engine. Additionally, diagnosing and repairing issues with a car's vacuum system, which controls functions such as central locking, air conditioning vents, engine shut-off, and transmission shift points, is quite common.

One of the most frequent services I provide for my customers is the adjustment of intake and exhaust valves. This adjustment, crucial for both gasoline and diesel engines, necessitates specialized bent wrenches and a feeler gauge. Over time, the clearances within each valve tend to tighten, potentially impeding the intake of air during the combustion process. This can lead to diminished power, reduced fuel efficiency, and overall degradation of engine performance. Therefore, I recommend this adjustment every 10,000 miles to maintain the engine's optimal functionality and longevity.

Why do you choose to work on the street, and what are the benefits of this approach?

I choose to work on the street because it allows me to focus on jobs that I excel at and can complete efficiently. Knowing that the car must start, run, and drive immediately after my repairs ensures timely completion, benefiting both my customers and myself. Currently pursuing my architecture degree at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, I need to balance work with class schedules.

Photo: Ohad Kab

Favorite years and models of Mercedes? Why?

My favorite years of Classic Mercedes, and those I primarily service, are those built before 1995. I am most familiar with these models and engines, capable of diagnosing them with basic tools like a voltmeter. They lack the complex engine management systems requiring electronic diagnostic equipment.

What's your rate?

My labor rate for repairs is $85/hour, and for G-Wagon Models, it's $100/hour. Rates are subject to change, and for exact amounts, it's best to contact me directly before repairs.

Can you recommend another excellent mechanic in NYC, CT, or NJ, regardless of the car brand they specialize in? Why would you recommend them?

An excellent mechanic I would recommend is Jaime Kopchinski, working at the Classic Workshop in New Jersey. He is a close friend of my mentor, Pierre Hedary, with whom I've trained extensively.

What's your dream garage?

My dream garage includes a lift. While I've accomplished much working on the street, I never want to lose that connection or the relationships built. Having a lift and a tool bench would allow me to perform every repair necessary on Classic Mercedes, ensuring these classics reach their fullest potential for all enthusiasts.

Photos: Ohad Kab

Book Addison here.