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Sun Nov 29, 2020 10:57 am

Can anyone please refer an experience and reputable mechanic in Los Angeles area. Someone who truly has worked on Vanagons.

Sun Nov 29, 2020 11:14 am

There's a couple listed out that way on vanalert.com:

Westdale Auto Repair
6535 San Fernando Rd. Ste B
Glendale, CA
818-241-6629

Bela"s Foreign Car Repair
2525 N. San Fernando Blvd
Burbank, CA
818-842-9464

You might want to look up their reviews.

Dan

Sun Nov 29, 2020 1:13 pm

You might have more luck stopping by one of the vw club meets close to you to get help.

Sun Nov 29, 2020 1:25 pm

If you're in the South Bay area try Auto Meister (Manhattan Beach) - Randy has been working on Vanagons for close to 40 years.

Sun Nov 29, 2020 2:41 pm

Eskandrm wrote: Can anyone please refer an experience and reputable mechanic in Los Angeles area. Someone who truly has worked on Vanagons.

I use Quality Automotive in Whittier. Might not be close to you, but they REALLY know Vanagons there. Owners are Jerry (has an '86 Westy with a Subaru engine) and brother Carlos (has a bay window bus). Jerry Jr has two Vanagons. All the work I don[t do myself, I take there.

https://www.qualityautowhittier.com/

For smaller work that doesn't need a lift or a press or other shop facilities, I do mobile Vanagon service and work at my home also. DM me if you're interested.

Jim Davis

Sun Nov 29, 2020 4:16 pm

What kind of work are you looking to get done? We have a pretty helpful group here in Los Angeles called the Vangelenos.

Sun Nov 29, 2020 7:35 pm

TNT auto
3940 E 10th St, Long Beach, CA 90804

They work on vanagon and vans. Really good work.

Sun Nov 29, 2020 7:52 pm

Eskandrm wrote: Can anyone please refer an experience and reputable mechanic in Los Angeles area. Someone who truly has worked on Vanagons.
Air cooled or Water cooled Vanagon’s? :wink: looking in your gallery I suspect, water cooled. I posted this for future readers. Some mechanics might specialize in one or the other. Sometimes both.

Mon Nov 13, 2023 2:39 pm

Does anyone have any updated LA shops that they can recommend? Primarily looking for a PPI.

Any recent testimonials for:

Westdale Auto Repair
6535 San Fernando Rd. Ste B
Glendale, CA
818-241-6629

Wed Feb 28, 2024 5:22 pm

There have been 4 or 5 topics started in the last six years looking for good mechanics in the Los Angeles Area; there seems to be a trend. In West LA in particular, many classic VW specialists have aged out or thrown in the towel after struggling to secure permits to operate in the local jurisdictions: Westside Independent (South Santa Monica), Foreign Autohaus (Culver City), and Bela's Foreign Car Repair (Burbank) just to state a few.

William (Bill) Benoit moved down from Mar Vista down to Inglewood several years ago and is now being pushed out from his spot. He's struggling to find a permanent location. If anybody knows a location for sale or rent, give him a call.

I saw two vanagons on lifts in EPS Automotive Service in Santa Monica when I drove by a month ago. However, I have only heard cautious verbal reviews about them. I stopped in and the technicians were capable, but certainly not Vanagon specialists. Maybe with time they will become specialized.

I have seen vanagons and Eurovans outside of Star Autosport off of Sepulveda Blvd north of Olympic but I have never heard of any good or bad reviews of the shop. They don't advertise themselves as VW specialists.

I used A&E German Car Service to replace my clutch. They charged a pretty penny for that job (recently increased hourly rate from $150 to $240). I talked them down to $1,900 for the job. Chris was very kind about it, but the techs left my transmission ground and reverse light switch unattached. I guess that's what I get for negotiating. I found out several days later. I don't think I'll go back to them.

That leaves us with having to head out to Ventura, East LA, Auto-meister in Manhattan Beach, or Maxed Performance in Huntington Beach.

Auto-meister in Manhattan Beach has earned the trust of many, but is a bit of a trek away from the Santa Monica area given how bad traffic builds in the area.

I would love to make Maxed Performance my go-to shop, but it's just too far away.

Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:09 pm

I’m in Downey area and I’m mobile. Not what you’d call a guru, but either i can help or i can network with those much more skilled then i am.

Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:39 pm

Synergy Solutions wrote: I’m in Downey area and I’m mobile. Not what you’d call a guru, but either i can help or i can network with those much more skilled then i am.

I’ll second this.

Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:51 pm

Third it.

Stuart’s a good guy, too.

When we barrel-rolled our van missing a deer in 2018, Stuart showed up at the body shop we were stuck at. Didn’t know us, he just read my thread and came for support.

Maybe better yet, he found the van we’re watching Good Will Hunting in right now. The irony.

We have not forgotten. Thanks again.

Wed Feb 28, 2024 11:19 pm

I have tried a lot of the ones mentioned, I have lots of horror stories. I hear good things about Auto-meister but there is usually a long waiting list, and of course the west-side tax! Bill Benoit is capable, and I like him..westside tax too tho. Bella...he was nice but clueless on some basic vanagon stuff...also his shop is like hoarder land....although so was Bills kinda.

My favorite as of the past 5 years or so has been United Auto on Lankershim in N. Hollywood / Burbank area. It's a father and son operation and they are honest, fair and very reasonable. They mostly do bugs, and vanagons...lots of cool cars.

Thu Feb 29, 2024 4:39 am

Quote: hear good things about Auto-meister but there is usually a long waiting list,

And there you have it…