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

[ghuff]

You should have called the guy a pussy. I would have.

It's ok though, in this economic climate turning down money and work is the kiss of death. He will see.

Any mechanic worth his shit could take the time to tighten a top nut on a strut.

It is less than 15, try like 2 minutes...........

If it were me, I would have done it free and sent you on your way even if I did not want to work on a 914, just because.

[jimtab]

Maybe they were afraid their 356 and 911 customers would see it.....and understand that the shop had been "polluted".......

[ericread]

there's a small flaw in your logic... they don't work on 914s =/= a 914 is not vw or porsche

Here's the logic:
1. H&T works on VWs, Porsches, Audis, and Subarus.
2. H&T will not work on a 914.
3. Conclusion: a 914 is not a VW, not a Porsche, not an Audi, not a Subaru

Just wait until the VW-Porsche merger happens with VW on top. I guess H&T will only work on Audi and Subaru's at that point?

Eric

[dflesburg]

why do you care?

I would have said something like, "F U"

[Goge]

I lived about a 1/2 block away from H&T about 10 years ago. I went to see them once for something-or-other on my 914 and... exactly the same response. Strange bunch! The place has been there forever, so they must get work from somewhere.

[charliew]

I wondered how a body shop close to my house stayed in business then they got busted for selling dope.

[rascobo]

Yeah, stopped in there about five yrs. ago, must have spoke with same guy.
He all but called it a bastard(ol' doc Ferdi did git around). Gotta laugh, a VWs , a VWs, a VW .

[BKLA]

Dave -

I am surprised! Took our first Audi to them. Gave them a free set of 15 x 8 Audi Ronals when we lived nearby. They worked on our Coupe 'til it was totaled. Got great service - had I known that they don't "like" the 914 - woulda quit right there.

A & P or Marque Motors - about the same distance from your place (although you have to go over the dreaded sellwood bridge to get to Marque.... (splash!)

[davesprinkle]

Dave -

I am surprised! Took our first Audi to them. Gave them a free set of 15 x 8 Audi Ronals when we lived nearby. They worked on our Coupe 'til it was totaled. Got great service - had I known that they don't "like" the 914 - woulda quit right there.

A & P or Marque Motors - about the same distance from your place (although you have to go over the dreaded sellwood bridge to get to Marque.... (splash!)

Brett, I got the sense that they're a competent and experienced shop. Prejudiced, but competent.

Here's the rest of the story -- I drove down the street to Performance BMW. One of their techs tightened the cap for free.

Summary:
The 914. It's not a Porsche. It's not a Volkswagen. It's a BMW!

[rascobo]

I agree with Brett about 'Marque Motors', excellent business, but although Al @ A&P had been helpful numerous times over the years, the last job was an inexcusable disaster.

[dlestep]

...in '89, I had my 73 914 worked on in Seattle, when I lived there. The mechanic was very friendly and knowledgeable of 914s, offering advice and pointed out questionable issues that I should take care of immediately, and some to put off, but not ignore. I learned from him, which is a relationship I have enjoyed from certain automotive repair places scattered over the US, in places like, San Berdo, Sandy Eggo, Chula Vista, Victorville, Upland, Sacramento, San Jose, Stockton, Bakersfield, Denver, Louisville, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Miami.
...the trick is to qualify them for your requirements. EACH HAS THEIR OWN EXPERTISE. I aim my work or requirements at their abilities. Not any one business, except for three, two on the west coast and one on the east coast, that I have found, have full honors, and can truely perform all things.

...The only thing I haven't learned to do myself is transmissions. To me, they are a box of parts that go 'round 'n 'round. I can close my eyes and envision all the parts of my 911 and 914. The one black zone in my mind's eye are the transmissions.
...The same holds true to most mechanics when they look at 914s. They are daunting, apart from the norm, and most of the mechanics, over their careers have seen very few and from a distance.
The 911 guys, want to keep their, holier than thou, status by stating that they don't work on 914s, implying that they are not Porsches, and so they only work on Porsches, when in fact, they have no clue and don't want to expose their ignorance.
Most truly don't know and the good ones will state that they have never worked on them, and then we enjoy a gear-head discussion on the similarities and differences, and then they want to look at it on a lift.
...all in all, I have been able to weed out the grunge with work bays that look like my garage, and actually find, good mechanics. They are mostly my age and a few are half my age, but all, that I have found, that are good, are motor-heads, love to share information, are aspiring engineers and creative, not just 9-5 wrenchers.

[scotty]

Marque Motors

[ghuff]

...in '89, I had my 73 914 worked on in Seattle, when I lived there. The mechanic was very friendly and knowledgeable of 914s, offering advice and pointed out questionable issues that I should take care of immediately, and some to put off, but not ignore. I learned from him, which is a relationship I have enjoyed from certain automotive repair places scattered over the US, in places like, San Berdo, Sandy Eggo, Chula Vista, Victorville, Upland, Sacramento, San Jose, Stockton, Bakersfield, Denver, Louisville, Tampa, West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Miami.
...the trick is to qualify them for your requirements. EACH HAS THEIR OWN EXPERTISE. I aim my work or requirements at their abilities. Not any one business, except for three, two on the west coast and one on the east coast, that I have found, have full honors, and can truely perform all things.

...The only thing I haven't learned to do myself is transmissions. To me, they are a box of parts that go 'round 'n 'round. I can close my eyes and envision all the parts of my 911 and 914. The one black zone in my mind's eye are the transmissions.
...The same holds true to most mechanics when they look at 914s. They are daunting, apart from the norm, and most of the mechanics, over their careers have seen very few and from a distance.
The 911 guys, want to keep their, holier than thou, status by stating that they don't work on 914s, implying that they are not Porsches, and so they only work on Porsches, when in fact, they have no clue and don't want to expose their ignorance.
Most truly don't know and the good ones will state that they have never worked on them, and then we enjoy a gear-head discussion on the similarities and differences, and then they want to look at it on a lift.
...all in all, I have been able to weed out the grunge with work bays that look like my garage, and actually find, good mechanics. They are mostly my age and a few are half my age, but all, that I have found, that are good, are motor-heads, love to share information, are aspiring engineers and creative, not just 9-5 wrenchers.

You are describing a very rare mechanic indeed.

So rare the lack of them is what caused me to do everything myself.

[Joe Ricard]

I paused a bit then told him he didn't have to be such an ass, then I peeled out in his drive way. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
[/quote]
Your 914 can peel out?
[/quote]


Mine Can (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[MBowman325]

I paused a bit then told him he didn't have to be such an ass, then I peeled out in his drive way. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

It was funnier when I misread it to say that you peed out in his driveway. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I've not had my car (refering to the 914, though the Impala and the Aero fall into that category) to a shop since I've owned it. All the work thus far has been done by myself or with me assisting Clay / Betty. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Going through high school and college I did most all the work on my cars but would take it to a shop for bizarre things that I couldn't run down. After the LT1 swap on my '78 Monte Carlo I needed the speedo adjusted for a different ratio. My shop that I'd been going to off and on for years told me that he could do it but wouldn't and refused to talk about it anymore. Never took it back since.

Now that I think about it, haven't had any of my vehicles in the shop for anything other than insurance work since then either. (Or a while before)

My problem is that even in respectable shops you've got low paid guys starting off or helping that can booger things up. I figure I'll just do it myself because for the most part, I trust me.

[Katmanken]

A lotta mechanics take one look at the tiny engine access hatch and how they have to bend over around the sail to get in there and pass. When you further explain that you can remove the trunk lid for better access or the engine can be worked on from the bottom or out of the car, their eyes glaze over.

Not the easiest engine to get access to to work on and some might say PITA. In fact, name one car with a less accessable engine......

[Air_Cooled_Nut]

Just happened to drop by...

I've used Motor Sports International over here in Beaverton (just north of Hwy.26). I got their business card years ago when they worked on my first 914: 503-643-2656.

They rebuilt my 914 tranny and did some engine tune-up work. I'd use 'em again.

[Jake Raby]

Every instance where I have had an engine end up with complications upon initial fire up it was installed by a "Porsche Shop" that generally had "35 years of experience".
That should read 35 years of close minded parts changing... I swear most of these guys have no brain and if they did they would not know how to apply it..

The last one charged EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS to install an engine that came to them 100% turn key in a crate. They didn't know how to crank for oil pressure.. They removed the clutch and pressure plate to "inspect it" and ended up leaving the fasteners loose which ruined the flywheel and etc...

Needless to say, I have been interrogating installers prior to even engaging in engine builds these days.. The more you brag about 35 years of experience the more I question what you have been doing for those 35 years and why you deserve the privilege to work with advanced technology.. If after 35 years you are doing the same thing and haven't advanced, there is probably a reason behind that.

The worst thing this shop could have done was take on your 914, be glad that they didn't take it on and don't be pissed... Trust me, the outcome is in your favor.

[pete-stevers]

i thought i would ad a link to the snotty mechanics service page
http://www.heckmannthiemann.com/services.html
kinda a good read.....if you like being patronized (IMG:style_emoticons/default/stirthepot.gif)

[Silver Surfer]

My car is over at Marque Motors right now getting a tune up and some idle work done and apparently a new door strap from Craig (Camp914). Nice guys, knowledgeable and they weren't afraid to work on the 914. Oh, and they have nice dogs too!