I'm an idiot

[hammer]

I've got news for you if you think that all the people who work in independent garages are "real" mechanics...

The independent mechanic I used to go to was a one-man operation...oil changes on up. Only time he ever sent work out elsewhere was when I had a window problem. He even soldered a board to fix a temperature dial problem I was having, saved me about $500 since I didn't have to replace the part.

Unfortunately he just recently closed up his shop. :sad:

 

[JimG.]

This is why I stick to Japanese cars...Subaru dealer's service ain't cheap, but it isn't the national debt either.

My parents owned Mercedes for years and always complained about the riduculous maintenance charges. And that was back in the 70's and 80's. I remember as a kid my Dad hitting the ceiling when Mercedes charged him $835 to replace a broken brake lens. $835 for a red piece of plastic!

I decided back then I would never own a German car and I never have and never will.

 

[JimG.]

I had an independent guy fix my car, which I inherited from my dad. A 1973 Porsche 914 that he had bought brand new.

Here's the before / after when he replaced the fuel lines:

Before:

After:

OMG.

The new definition of poor service!

 

[bvibert]

I had an independent guy fix my car, which I inherited from my dad. A 1973 Porsche 914 that he had bought brand new.

Here's the before / after when he replaced the fuel lines:

Before:

After:

That's just disturbing!!!

 

[Philpug]

I had an independent guy detail my car, which I inherited from my dad. A 1973 Porsche 914 that he had bought brand new.

Here's the before / after when i had the car detailed:

Before:

After:

Maybe that will make you feel better.

 

[Nick]

Maybe that will make you feel better.

Haha yeah., tons

 

[Glenn]

Eeek! Oh man. That's a shame. Those 914's are nice cars.

With German cars, you have to find a good indepenent shop. I drive about 35 minutes away for service. Is it a bit of a hassle, yeah. But these guys know their stuff and they do it for a fair price.

The only time your German car should go to the dealer it for warranty work.

 

[Geoff]

The only time your German car should go to the dealer it for warranty work.

For Volkswagens, it depends on the dealer. In my experience, VW-Audi dealers fall into that category. The VW-Audi dealer in Rutland, Vt refused to even quote me a price for a basic oil change. I had one done there, got a near-$100 bill, and will never go back. Seacoast VW in New Hampshire isn't like that. Miller VW in Lebanon, NH isn't like that.

 

[WakeboardMom]

Eeek! Oh man. That's a shame. Those 914's are nice cars.

With German cars, you have to find a good indepenent shop. I drive about 35 minutes away for service. Is it a bit of a hassle, yeah. But these guys know their stuff and they do it for a fair price.

The only time your German car should go to the dealer it for warranty work.

I have that policy in regard to all of our Volvos and now will do the same for the BMW.

I still remember my husband getting sticker shock over the cost of spark plug wires (wiring harness, maybe) for the first Volvo Turbo wagon in 1985.

 

[Nick]

Eeek! Oh man. That's a shame. Those 914's are nice cars.

With German cars, you have to find a good indepenent shop. I drive about 35 minutes away for service. Is it a bit of a hassle, yeah. But these guys know their stuff and they do it for a fair price.

The only time your German car should go to the dealer it for warranty work.

This guy was actually a really reputable VW service guy who worked on that car. he races VW's as well and pretty much all he works on is VW's.

I could never actually prove it was caused by the repair work because the fire damage was so extensive, but I had literally had all the fuel lines replaced a week earlier. When the fire started, I heard the fuel line let go, the engie started sputtering, and behind me I could see the disconnected fuel line (it was a mid-engine air cooled car) spraying fuel into the engine block. A couple seconds later it lit up, and in sixty seconds the whole car was in flames.

:angry:

 

[AdironRider]

Just do the brake work yourself. Its not hard at all. Its more mental than anything, similar to learning how to ski woods or something. Not really that tough, but its all in your head.

 

[billski]

Just do the brake work yourself. Its not hard at all. Its more mental than anything, similar to learning how to ski woods or something. Not really that tough, but its all in your head.

It works out well for me. I always have leftover parts. Kindof a bonus, I guess.:dunce:

 

[Glenn]

This guy was actually a really reputable VW service guy who worked on that car. he races VW's as well and pretty much all he works on is VW's.

I could never actually prove it was caused by the repair work because the fire damage was so extensive, but I had literally had all the fuel lines replaced a week earlier. When the fire started, I heard the fuel line let go, the engie started sputtering, and behind me I could see the disconnected fuel line (it was a mid-engine air cooled car) spraying fuel into the engine block. A couple seconds later it lit up, and in sixty seconds the whole car was in flames.

:angry:

On one hand, it would be hard to prove. On the other, when those air cooled cars burned, usually was because of a fuel line. The mechanic probably didn't tighten up one clamp...that's all it took.

 

[Nick]

On one hand, it would be hard to prove. On the other, when those air cooled cars burned, usually was because of a fuel line. The mechanic probably didn't tighten up one clamp...that's all it took.

Yup, that's what I figured. Something stupid & simple like that.

So frustrating.

 

[Mildcat]

Just do the brake work yourself. Its not hard at all. Its more mental than anything, similar to learning how to ski woods or something. Not really that tough, but its all in your head.

Master cylinders can be tough. With some makes you need a very expensive scan tool to cycle the abs when you bleed the system or else you will never get the air out of it. You also have to bench bleed the master cylinder which if you don't do it properly you will ruin it. The accumulator also has to be depressurized before tapping into the hydraulics or you're going to have to pay a body shop to strip and repaint your fenders.

 

[Mildcat]

yesterday when I was speaking to the "representative" I mentioned I also wanted an oil change. He comes back with "we should really do a "service" based on your mileage, this would consist of oil change, plus air filter, microfilter, coolant flush and brake fluid flush.

OK, how much?

$1100

I think I'll just stick with the oil change...

Why would they charge you for a brake fluid flush? You would think that would be part of the price for replacing the master cylinder.

 

[SkiDork]

Why would they charge you for a brake fluid flush? You would think that would be part of the price for replacing the master cylinder.

they said no

Whatever, they're croooks.

Turns out the problem was a brake caliper. Master Cylinder was fine.

 

[Geoff]

they said no

Whatever, they're croooks.

Turns out the problem was a brake caliper. Master Cylinder was fine.

So that was only $1500.00?

 

[SkiDork]

So that was only $1500.00?

he did a bunch of stuff for $1400 including the "service" the dealer wanted $1100 for., and the caliper replacement

 

[darent]

I had an independent guy fix my car, which I inherited from my dad. A 1973 Porsche 914 that he had bought brand new.

Here's the before / after when he replaced the fuel lines:

Before:

After:

nick- I am looking for a good mechanic, could I please have that guys name!!