according to Heckmann & Thiemann, a 914 isn't a VW OR a Porsche Options

[davesprinkle]

So I've got a rattle from the right front strut. I stop in at an independent service shop in Portland -- Heckmann Thiemann VW Porsche Audi. 2 911s, one early, one late, are in the lot. Up on the lift is a VW van.

I pull up in the 914 and walk into the office. Three guys are there, none of them speak. After a few seconds, I ask if they would be able to tighten the cap on the strut. Simple job, should take less than 15 minutes.

One guy mumbles something about trying to reduce their workload; they're really busy. So I say, OK, when can you work it in?

Then I find the real reason -- "We don't work on 914s."

"Really?", I say, "that 914 front end is identical to that 911 over there." "And the engine is the same as the one in the van, only with Porsche cams and ports."

"Yeah, well, we've never worked on 914s and we're not going to start now."

So there you have it -- not a real Porsche, not a real VW. Bizarre.

[charliew]

I would think any shop that says they don't work on a specific auto is ok by me. They do the work and pay the employees and the bills. I would rather they not work on a car than do sh**y work because they don't like the car or charge for work that was poorly done. Personaly I do all the work on my own cars and always have.

Actually 914's and fieros are pretty different to work on and lots of mechanics have plenty of easier jobs usually waiting on them. I kinda wonder about someone's knowledge of a job who says it's a 15 minutes job to a mechanic and doesn't want do it themself, although if it's like a superbeetle it is a 15 minute job to tighten the cartridge nut on the strut.

[davesprinkle]

I would think any shop that says they don't work on a specific auto is ok by me. They do the work and pay the employees and the bills. I would rather they not work on a car than do sh**y work because they don't like the car or charge for work that was poorly done. Personaly I do all the work on my own cars and always have.

Actually 914's and fieros are pretty different to work on and lots of mechanics have plenty of easier jobs usually waiting on them. I kinda wonder about someone's knowledge of a job who says it's a 15 minutes job to a mechanic and doesn't want do it themself, although if it's like a superbeetle it is a 15 minute job to tighten the cartridge nut on the strut.

Charlie, it really is a 15 minute job. Car in the air, wheel off, remove strut nut, drop strut housing out of fender, use your big-a** wrench to tighten the cap. Those guys have worked on 911s -- it's the same simple process and they know it.

I'd do it myself, but it's easier with a lift and that aformentioned wrench. I don't have anything to prove. It's not a point of honor here, it's pragmatism. I'd rather pay a 1/2 hour shop rate than roll around in the dirt for an hour. Whatever.

But you're right, at least they were candid about their preference. They COULD have taken my money and then done a poor job on a car they don't like. Better I feel rejected than pissed about a lousy repair.