TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sat Jul 05, 2014 3:19 pm

A lot of guys on this forum are true-blue mechanics with a lot of tools and even more skills. I, unfortunately, am not one of those. I can work my way around on minor projects, but I know my limitations. Thus, I bring my van to a shop for a biennial once-over, and I've not been disappointed once.

I want to give a huge double thumbs up to STEPHAN'S AUTOHAUS in Sacramento, California. He did my conversion seven years ago, did my disc brakes, and pretty much makes sure I'm able to make it from point A to point B in a trouble-free fashion. The rates are fair, and he's a down to Earth guy who'll go out of his way to help out a customer.

So, Kudos to Stephan and his crew! Now, how about some others? Any shop or individual you'd like to publicly thank?

(BTW- I give this compliment/recommendation of my own volition, and no kickbacks or rebates are involved... unless he reads this and wants to give me his Syncro. :wink: )

Sat Jul 05, 2014 4:44 pm

Good topic, I do not do my own work.

Mechanics I am grateful to for work and advice, include

Eric and Christian at Van Cafe
Paul at GermanMotorWerks
tdwesty
syncrodoka
gears
Derek Drew
Syncrozilla
my friend Eddie

Sat Jul 05, 2014 4:49 pm

Bostig.

Jim and Brady - helpful, friendly and knowledgeable.

Thanks guys for the memories.

LP

Sat Jul 05, 2014 4:55 pm

Huge kudos to Meyer's Auto Parts and Service in Las Vegas (especially the shop on Boulder Highway). Easy to work with, excellent prices, great service (and they work everything).

Sat Jul 05, 2014 4:57 pm

If I'm not doing the work:

Dad
Mark and his gang at H&M Motorworks in Phoenix

Sat Jul 05, 2014 5:54 pm

I'm grateful to my high school autoshop teacher, Mr Carr (ha ha ha), who was a crusty old cuss, but he provided me with the basic skillsets I still use today.

Sat Jul 05, 2014 6:06 pm

Kudos to my Dad - who taught me the benefits of saying "DAMN!" between
clenched teeth while working on the exhaust of our 1972 Opel 1900 wagon...

...and we're still working on projects together! 8)

Sat Jul 05, 2014 6:11 pm

I had my Subaru conversion done by Hans at Vanaru and it has been flawless. Other mechanics are always complimentary when they see the work he did. Hans seems to keep a low profile on this site but I think he deserves more recognition.
I have also had Andrew at Flint European do work on some upgrades and he is clearly doing some inspired work that will affect the future of these vans.
Also a shout out to Blair at Wagonwerks who made my van look super sweet and ready to last for decades more.
Also, RMW totally saved my vacation last year by giving me some brake and transmission work.
Hopefully I am done for a while and just routine maintenance going forward. Well, it would be nice to have some window tinting and I need to replace the 94t tires I am driving on, and a subwoofer would be great.... It never ends.

Sat Jul 05, 2014 7:46 pm

I 2nd Stephan's :D

Sat Jul 05, 2014 8:44 pm

Thanks to

A. Mike foreign auto repair in Anaheim Ca.

B. Europro Costa mesa Ca.

C. Gowesty for all their advice over the phone.

D. Van Cafe Peter the owner and Chris

E. Lynns A/C in Downey Ca.

Sat Jul 05, 2014 9:35 pm

Hans at Utah Imports. He has helped a lot of Syncro Solstice people out when they have had problems with their vans.

Sat Jul 05, 2014 9:56 pm

Peter and crew at Van Cafe. We all owe them a huge kudos.

Perhaps lessor known in Santa Cruz as far as Vanagons go, but R&D Performance. Rick is a 100% stand up guy and I think Mathias might have been born in the VW factory in Germany. I have NEVER left there feeling like I didn't get more than my money's worth.

Sun Jul 06, 2014 5:47 pm

Westy-Werks in in San Luis Obispo stepped up to the plate when Go-Westy stopped working on customers car leaving me hanging. Excellent Team!

Sun Jul 06, 2014 5:59 pm

I do about 90% of my own work but when I'm in need of help or need that special tool (or next day transmission delivery) Alaric In Fairfax, VA has always been there when I needed him. Thanks! :D

Sun Jul 06, 2014 7:36 pm

With the intent of not incriminating my mechanic, this one goes out to the guy in Kansas City who always passes my van's bi-yearly inspection in >10 minutes with little fuss :wink:

Sun Jul 06, 2014 7:46 pm

X 1M for Stephan!

There are similar "Great Mechanics" threads on other forums that get plugged into a map. Anyone know how to do this? Otherwise these threads get very long and are almost impossible to reference. Of course, there is always Vanagon Rescue Squad. Regardless, it's always refreshing to read a rave vs. a rant.

Sun Jul 06, 2014 8:30 pm

I'd like to take a moment to express my deep appreciation for my own mechanical abilities and the care, precision and attention to detail that I use when fixing my own vehicles. I'd even like to express my appreciation for some challenging events earlier in my life that inspired me to learn to work on my own vehicles, purchase the tools and develop the skills required so that no one else does any work on any of my vehicles, ever. I'd also like to express my deep appreciation for my ipod and the local library which provides me with free audiobooks that make the time working on my vehicles remarkably enjoyable and have taken away even the last vestiges of any angst related to the effort and time involved in doing the work.

Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:15 am

Vancouver Transmission in Surrey does really good work at very reasonable prices and, while not being a 'specialty shop', they actually like Vanagons!

Peter and staff at Van Cafe have always been generous with long distance help and getting to meet Stephan and see Stephan's Autohaus was one of the highlights of our recent trip to California. ;)

Mon Jul 07, 2014 10:17 am

ThankYouJerry wrote: Otherwise these threads get very long and are almost impossible to reference.

If you're running Windows you can press Control + F, type your target into the Search window and it will instantly scan the page for you.

Mon Jul 07, 2014 1:04 pm

Ben did my conversion and tonnes more!!!

So kudos to Ben of Benplace