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Posted by: bkrantz Mar 15 2023, 08:27 PM

Might be the only show in town.


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Posted by: SKL1 Mar 15 2023, 08:31 PM

Sure, have them put new antifreeze in the 1.7... and while they're at it, flush the wiper fluid...

Posted by: altitude411 Mar 15 2023, 08:44 PM

Don't forget to tell them to change the winter air to summer air in all 4 tires. Its spring time after all, and your not some idiot that they can easily take advantage of...

Posted by: wonkipop Mar 16 2023, 12:07 AM

must be owned by an australian.
they are always trying to find ways to shorten your name.

don't trust them. its a nation of bullsh#tters.

Posted by: Superhawk996 Mar 16 2023, 06:52 AM

I’m going to go against the grain - could be a great mechanic. Lots of folks are terrible at spelling, proof reading, and book learning. But, they are great at hands on work and the trades. Heck, how many online articles have I read from mainstream outlets that have spelling errors in them - lots! Online age of texting, forums, etc., has devalued proper spelling. Even my own posts here are full of spelling errors due to auto correct or my own lack of diligence before posting. So it is in the world!

I’ve seen plenty of shops with a fancy sign, slick marketing, and a beautiful front office. Yet they were overpriced and barely competent to fix anything that didn’t spit out ODB codes recommending parts for them to replace without actually solving the root cause of the problem.

My neighbor sent me video just yesterday of his Audi TT steaming out of the radiator after picking it up from a fancy shop. Could be they just spilled coolant on the radiator core - or it could be they damaged the core while trying to replace a serpentine belt. Jury is still out until he can drive the car more and see if it stops steaming or if it is losing coolant. Either way a shop of that “caliber” shouldn’t be sending a vehicle out the door steaming like that to confuse and worry a customer.

Only way to know for sure is to visit the place or find someone that has experience with them.

Posted by: mrholland2 Mar 16 2023, 09:18 AM

Go visit the place and see what's what. Superhawk996 makes great points. When I was in the Bay Area (San Jose), I was looking for a shop for my Honda Element. Found a place that looked like nothing but every one of the mechanics was Honda certified (or whatever they call it) and VERY honest.

Posted by: technicalninja Mar 16 2023, 10:23 AM

The real trick is to find a shop that the owner is a technician and IS STILL wrenching himself. His hands should show this.

The ONLY honest shops I've worked in have all been technician owned and the worst ones have been salesman owned.

The are lots of specialty shops that state Honda/ Acura or Toyota/Scion/Lexus only.
There are Toyota specialist shops that ONLY work on Toyota Hybrids (Priuses)
The best one is in San Francisco. All Toy techs there.

Brand specialist shops are almost always technician owned and are what a consumer should look for.
They are probably not the cheapest, but you will get "the best value for the dollar" from these guys.

A Porsche specialist might also do Audi/ VW/BMW but a real German specialist will do just one brand.

Does PMB work on other stuff?
I'm betting NOT...

Posted by: Root_Werks Mar 16 2023, 10:40 AM

Best way to see a shop is to go see it, talk to a few people, Mech's and/or owner. You can get a feel pretty quick about people in general, especially their level of knowledge with aircooled cars.

A really long time ago, went to look at a 914-4 for sale at Park Place here locally. Arrived on a weekend only to learn the 914 was back in the shop. Wouldn't start, Mech couldn't get it to start. Talked my way back to the shop with a Manager. D-Jet 2.0, there was a 009 dizzy in place of the stock dizzy. Tracked down the stock dizzy, static timed it, checked all connections, vroom! The Manager was dumbfounded.

Bought the car and drove it home.

Some mechanics may not know what they don't know about old Porsche's and VW's. Best to find out before they start turning a wrench.

Posted by: Superhawk996 Mar 16 2023, 11:09 AM

That’s an understatement.

Over the few years I’ve been on this forum, I can’t believe the number of guys that are paying a shop to learn about 914’s at their expense.

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Mar 16 2023, 11:48 AM

we all get desperate these days with the lack of mechanics, let alone GOOD mechanics/. We desperately need four right away, anyone want to move to Atlanta?

Posted by: 930cabman Mar 16 2023, 11:55 AM

Let's not mention doctors or lawyers

Posted by: Archie Mar 16 2023, 05:36 PM

Don't hold back, tell us what you REALLY think!

Posted by: technicalninja Mar 16 2023, 05:44 PM

He's one of those "upside down" guys.

Posted by: Front yard mechanic Mar 16 2023, 08:02 PM

Ask your porsche peeps in Durango maybe they have first hand knowledge

Posted by: bkrantz Mar 16 2023, 10:03 PM

OK, maybe I was being too snarky. And not really looking for a local shop. I still have issues letting the car out of my sight (and out of the garage).

Posted by: rgalla9146 Mar 17 2023, 06:18 AM

I hope they accepy my Car Shield repair insurance