good VW mechanic in Austin?

[thirdman]

I have HORRIBLE luck with mechanics... I always seem to get the shysters or brain-damaged morons that end up overcharging me wildly or doing more damage than good.

That being said, can anyone recommend a good VW mechanic in Austin, TX?

TIA!
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1983 Rustfalia
1984 Wolftsturd
1985 Vanagon GL

[jarad]

for a vanagon, i would suggest AustinVeeDub. Talk to Darryl. he comes off as a jerk sometimes, but he actually is a decent guy. i used to work there so i know them pretty well
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1987 Sunroof Syncro
1987 Syncro Adventurewagen

[deprivation]

I dunno. Darryl told me that Vanagon engines can't be rebuilt because parts aren't available anymore, which is total bullshit. He also said you can't align the rear on a Vanagon, which is also total bullshit. In fact, Darryl seems to know absolutely nothing about Vanagons.

But worse, when I first got my Vanagon - before I knew how to do anything - VeeDub charged me a crapload of money for work and parts that were never installed. I wouldn't trust him to bury a dead dog.

They do have a great used parts department, though, and the dude that runs it is awesome as are the guys that work for him.

That leaves Kenny Hill in South Austin. I've used them for a few things (a/c and alignment) and every single repair they have done needed to be redone by me later on. Total waste of money and Kenny is a massive jerk. They also left my van on the street overnight with THE DOORS OPEN!! I was driving by the shop late at night after a party and found the van just sitting there wide open!

I'll be honest with you, I just don't think there are any good Vanagon mechanics in Austin.

PM me and maybe I can help you. What do you need to have done?
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1986 Westy 2WD auto a.k.a. "The Old Girl"
www.kittenfart.com

[Terry Kay]

<<<I wouldn't trust him to bury a dead dog.>>>

Boy--this IS pretty serious---
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T.K.

[jarad]

deprivation, i worked with glenn in the back. i've probably met you before. As for working on vanagons, there's not too many people out there who will do it anymore. you could try Vintage Wizard 512 303 4193. or if your in S austin, pm me and i'll give you a hand.
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1987 Sunroof Syncro
1987 Syncro Adventurewagen

[deprivation]

[STAN!MAL]

I had a good expierence dealing with Glenn at Austinveedub.
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AUTOWORKS
600 N.WAUKEGAN RD. #130
NORTHBROOK IL., 60062
847-498-5050

[thirdman]

dang, over a million people in the metro area, and not one decent vw mechanic? That bites.
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1983 Rustfalia
1984 Wolftsturd
1985 Vanagon GL

[jarad]

like i said. pm me.... i might be able to help. not too many people here in town like to mess with the vanagons anymore.
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1987 Sunroof Syncro
1987 Syncro Adventurewagen

[thirdman]

I don't have any outstanding issues right now, but I was just trying to find someone who could do maintenance-y things when the time comes without screwing something up.

My old E30 suffered mightily at the hands of "normal" mechanics until I found a cheap/somewhat reliable bmw mechanic. For $60/hour, you'd think they would try a little harder...
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1983 Rustfalia
1984 Wolftsturd
1985 Vanagon GL

[t_man]

It's 2 years later, any updates on Austin mechanics?

I was using Underground VW on N Burnet. The owner/shut-in, Toby, knows a ton about water cooled vans (I always assumed Veedub was for air coolers). Unfortunately, I think Toby has been minimized there - he is certifiably insane and the place is a complete mess. I was there once in a rain storm and there was an inch of water on the floor of the office with a PC running underneath the desk. Total dump but great work, advice and only $85/hr. Unfortunately, last trip wasn't so good.

I had some new CV boots installed - found grease everywhere inside and my wallet also took a big hit. And to top it off, they had a break in and everyone unfortunate enough to leave their van at the shop, felt the 'tweakers' wrath. The entire contents of my westy were spewed about the inside. My tool bag - gone. My interior LED lights - gone. My windshield wiper torqued. Who knows what else is missing but the whiskey bottle and vodka in the fridge were untouched (odd, no?).

Fortunately, the mechanics left my van unlocked. The one locked van needs all new glass -all the way around. Ok shit happens, I understand that but they weren't going to tell me about it. When I picked it up, things looked off, but they didn't mention the break in until after I asked why my stuff was tossed all over the interior. Every cabinet and cubby was empy. Then, I notice the grease all over both seats, the steering wheel, and the parking brake. They blamed the tweaker, but I don't know why he'd be a greasy tweaker. They offer no apology or money back - It wasn't 'in' their garage - just behind their locked gate with barb wire??

The whole thing sounds funny. Long story long, I need a new mechanic!
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-tgc
'90 Westy Automatic

[porterbrown]

[porterbrown]

T_Man, do you drive a white westy? I saw one with tinted windows pulling out of Underground a few days ago. Looked almost identical to mine.
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'90 Westfalia GL Automatic

[t_man]

Thanks for the Crabtree info Porterbrown. And my westy is white, so that was probably me. I probably looked very pissed!
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-tgc
'90 Westy Automatic

[porterbrown]

[deprivation]

[srmpf]

anyone knows a place in Austin that I can trust for wheel alignments on a Westy? everything else I try to do by myself - I have a diesel - no electronics

[t_man]

It's been my daily driver since we moved to Austin ~6 months ago for a job at the Pickle (UT). I can't say I've seen your white westy - I've only seen a hardtop synco, and a gold westy running around N Austin.
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-tgc
'90 Westy Automatic

[bhamham]

Wow, it's been a long time since I live in Austin but things haven't changed much.

Used to take my 88 Vanagon to Boer on Burnet Rd - I guess they're no longer.

Had my ordeal wih Toby at Underground too - what a joke! And Kenny Hill - can't believe they're still around.

I guess SXSW is gearing up and probably lovely & warm in Austin right now - March was the best time of year there.

[doonboggle]

Just moved here from Nevada and need a reputable GURU shop to service our 2 VW units ... 81 pickup and 06 TDI. Live on east side of Austin and prefer to stay in that sector ... east of I-35 'battle ground' for senior driving.
TIA