Recent News

My father, Les Bergsma, passed away on July 24th at the age of 90. On Friday, September 3 the family gathered together to remember and celebrate his life. It was a very special day for us as we gathered at the old seaplane base location and had a Cessna floatplane fly overhead and drop roses on Lake Whatcom. He was a kind man with a gentle spirit who lived a life of integrity and faith. What I have done and what I am doing today is largely due to his influence. Many of you know that I have a background in aviation, but few know that my father was also a pilot. He was a C46 and C47 pilot instructor during the war. After the war he returned to the Northwest to start Bellingham Sky Harbor which provided seaplane charter service to the San Juan Islands.

As much as I try to get away from it, I end up working on old Mercedes almost every day of the week. When I post pictures like the ones here, people often ask if I still work on customers cars. Unfortunately, I just do not have the time anymore. When I do work on cars, it is primarily for the purpose of writing a repair manual or developing a new repair kit. If that does not keep me busy enough there are always my own Mercedes (too many), family cars, or friends cars that need help. It is hard to say no. I guess I have to admit I still like cars even after working on them for 50 years.  Thats right - I started real young....

I was going through some of my old photos the other day and came across this one. It was taken 40 years ago this month. Wow, how have the years gone by so quickly! 1969 was the year I graduated from college and flight school. It was the year that man first walked on the Moon. It was the year that I missed getting drafted by a high drawing number in the draft lottery - And it was the year that I married Linda -my wife of 40 years. I am in the front of this picture leaning up against my 1966 Alfa Romeo GTV. My brother is in the background sitting on the fender of his 1957 Alfa Sprint Veloce. The picture sure brings back memories. In the weeks ahead I am going to take you on a little road trip and show you some of the cars I have owned over the past 40 years.

From 1972 to 1980 Kent Bergsma had the unique opportunity to live and fly small aircraft in what many consider the most primitive place on Earth. During those years. Irian Jaya, Indonesia (eastern half of the Island of New Guinea now called Papua) was still considered "stone age." In fact, Kent was involved in making contact with some tribes who had never seen a white man nor made any contact with the outside world. How could this still be true in the late 20th century? Maybe that is why this mysterious and isolated land has often been referred to as the "land that time forgot."

Whether you currently are or are consider running your Mercedes diesel on bio fuel we have a number of products that can help lower cost and reduce maintenance troubles and frustration. Although they both come from vegetable oil, biodiesel and straight vegetable oil (SVO) are not the same thing. Neither fuel is perfect and each presents its own distinct challenges.

At one time we published a catalog on these products, but recently decided it would be better to put the entire catalog on line.  This allows you the chance to view all our products immediately and allows us to easily keep the catalog up to date. Browse through the list of products below and click on any link to order or read more detail.

Meet Kirby our newest member of Team Mercedessource

14 months after signing up for our reservation number we took delivery of our new 2009 Smart Fortwo and drove it back from Seattle on February 9th.  What a kick it was to speed down the freeway at 75 mph with other drivers gawking at us. You do not feel you are in a small car once you are moving and we were surprised by very minimal buffeting when passing big semi trucks.  This car has more front cockpit room and head room than any Honda or Toyota we have ever driven. The Tridon shell is an amazing piece of engineering and one can clearly see it is a Mercedes under the skin. For more images CLICK HERE.

Phase 4: THOROUGH ENGINE INSPECTION

We want to share with you some of restoration and repair work that has come out of our own shop. Our goal is that this information can both inspire and instruct you to tackle needed repairs on your own Mercedes. Nothing excites us more around Mercedessource than to have someone write to tell us that for the first time they have successfully worked on and repair their own car! Success breeds more confidence which in turn leads to more success. We want these articles to give you that same feeling of success.

Meyle has stepped into the market with new and improved products that can solve many of the problems associated with premature failure of OE parts. Their design and development team researches weak areas of existing parts and improves them by adding reinforced structures. larger bearing surfaces, tougher material, stronger rubber, etc. We are very pleased with the quality and performance of their parts and are excited to be able to offer them to you at very affordable prices.

This company is the last of a breed. They specialize in precision diesel and electrical products that are still made in Germany. Yes, that is correct. This is unique when you consider other well known companies such as Bosch are having their parts make in Spain, Turkey and India. Monarks precision high performance diesel injector nozzles are the best in the world and can make you diesel run superbly on all types of fuels.

Kent is hard at work on his new series of advanced D.I.Y. mechanic series of manuals. The challenge for him has been trying to make the advanced technical side of the information still understandable to the average home mechanic. For example, explaining how to use electrical testing meters to test the function and health of a diesel pre-glow system is not an easy task. Describing how to fine tune the vacuum adjustments on a diesel automatic transmisson is even more difficult.

You have asked for it and here it is. We will be presenting a whole series of condensed maintenance sourcelets (ie instructions with real meaning) to help you fix your Mercedes. These will be short booklets full of tips and tricks for specific problems that are common in older Mercedes. Each will be a short read but will contain concise information that will help you find the cause and fix it (without having to waste money throwing parts at your problem(s). Prices will range from $6 to $12. Here is a list of the current topics. Just click on the title link to order or get more information:

You are looking at Kents low mileage immaculate 124 chassis white diesel sedan. It is getting harder and harder to find these diesels in this condition and with less than 150,000 miles. Kent was fortunate to find this one in Colorado and had it trucked out to the west coast. It has the optional hydraulic limited slip differential and with 200 to 300 pounds in the trunk this rear wheel drive sedan works great in the snow! He loves the crisp handling and modern road feel of the 124 chassis.

Customers often ask us what does Kent drive? We thought we would give you a chance to view up close and personal both his daily wheels of choice and a few of his many collector cars. All of his diesels have been converted to run on straight vegetable oil. I think he just prefers the quiet sound of the engine and the pleasant smell of the exhaust! His gas cars get driven too. The classics get pulled out on sunny days and put through their paces.

You won't find another 201 like this anywhere! You don't even want to ask Kent how much money and time he has into this Benz. He calls it the Wolf. It is a super clean 1989 190E 3.0 5-speed with 16v ground effects, black leather interior, and wide wheels and tires. That's right a 3.0. I know the factory never made one but bolt a 3.0 to the front of a 5-speed manual transmission and you have a little pocket rocket in sheeps clothing.

Factory 16v ground effects installed

This could possibly be one of the best 126 300SDs in the country. Kent spent a lot of time searching for this example and then completing the upgrades and modifications. The project started by looking for an all original paint totally rust and damage free 300SD. Of course it had to be the right color combination. Lapis Blue. Palomino Leather. Extensive refurbishing and upgrading. One of the nicest you will find anywhere. It is a visual knockout. Newer style factory 15 inch wheels and gorgeous engine compartment you can almost eat off of.

You are looking at Kents pristine 1979 300SD turbo diesel that he recently acquired from the original owner. This sedan is so cherry the original spare tire has not been out of the trunk. Kent prefers the 116 chassis over the 123 or 126. He feels the ride and handling are smoother and quieter and the their transmissions better shifting and much more predictable.