VW Westfalia Mechanic in San Francisco?

[hughman]

Hi,

I am biting the bullet. I want a westfalia for windsurfing and I am not an enthusiast/tinkerer. However, I do have a job that provides me some money. Hence I want to buy a westfalia and allocate a few thousand dollars a year for repair knowing that it is inevitable.

Soooo... my plan is to buy a westfalia that has a nice interior and have a mechanic who can tend to it for me.

Any thouhgts on who would be a good mechanic?

Thanks in advance

[syncrodoka]

I have heard lots of good things about Buslab in berkley. I know it isn't the city, but it isn't too far either. Good luck.

[rockfish]

Fred's Garage in Redwood City.
_________________
89 Westy
GW 2.5 5-speed trans

"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
- John Wooden

[madspaniard]

another windsurfer with a westy, welcome to the club!

are you looking for a shop or a mechanic? In the city you can also try City Automotive on Eddy Street, talk to Rolph 415 776 9710

see you in the water!
_________________
1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

[j_dirge]

Rolf at City Automotive
in the heart of the Tenderloin.

Will only work on WBXers and VW diesels.. no Subarus, or other swaps.
_________________
-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.

-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5

[RCB]

I second Freds Garage in Redwood City (about 30 miles South on 101) but if your speaking of San Francisco only, your in luck and in real good hands at City Automotive on Eddy Street in San Francisco.

Just like John and Tom at Freds...Rolf is extremely knowledgable and is about as honest as the day is long.

City Automotive #415-776-9710 466 Eddy Street in San Francisco
Freds Garage in Redwood City California 416"D" Street 650-368-5343.

Freds Garage has been repairing VW's since 1959 and Rolf has been at it for about the same legnth of time.

[funagon]

My humble, biased opinion:

If your primary use is transporting windsurf gear then you might want to consider a carat or 7-passenger van (without the poptop). The carat comes with seating around a central pop-up table. Or you can look for a multivan (poptop but no kitchen inside). Any of these options gives you more room for windsurfing gear and passengers.

I know most people think the Westfalia gear is the coolest thing about the vanagon, but I think the design of the standard van is great even without the extra westy stuff. It's rare that I wish for a full kitchen and cabinets cluttering my seven passenger vanagon. I often fill the van with gear--surfboards, snowboards, camping gear, passengers--and still have room to draw the curtains and sleep in the back. If you go with the regular "hardtop" van you'll have more room inside, more money leftover for upgrades (bigger rims, better tires, upgraded engine, new fuel lines). And the lighter van accelerates better, too.
_________________
1990 GL 7-passenger
2.2 liter WBX

[j_dirge]

And another humble, yet biased opinion..

If you don't like to tinker and if you plan on having your van maintained "professionally", then budget at least $3-5000 for the first yr or so to work out all the 20yr-old vehicle kinks.. And you can spend more if you want!

I am NOT talking about fancy wheels, or brake upogrades or new headlights.. I am talking about exhaust/emissions. Heads. Regular brake service/rebuild, CV, shocks, maybe tires.. It adds up.


If your prospective WBXer has 150k miles on it and its original, then budget another $5-10k for an engine rebuild or swap in the future.

If your prospective Vanagon has a Subaru swap in it.. Be SURE to take it Buslab for a once over!..
While most of these swaps have been done pretty well.. there are also many hack jobs done.. and inheriting a mess like that could mean a REAL unpleasant first time ownership experience.


Soo. Depending on the depth of your wallet.. The real cost in owning one of these vans is not the upfront $8-10k for a moderately well maintained newer Westy or $3-5k for a similarly well maintained hardtop..
The REAL cost is going to be time and money in getting to know the van and making it comfortable/reliable as your daily driver.


LOTS of Westys and Hardtops in the SF area.. There's a dozen or more just in the coulpe dozen blocks around my place.
And you are welcome to come by and check mine out of you want a tour of things to look for in buying a new-to-you van..
But a warning is in order!
The last guy who visited, caught the sickness and plunked down a big chunk o' change on his new-to-him Westy.
(I must admit his mind was already made up.. as much as I tried to scare him.. He just wouldn't hear it.. )

PM me if you're interested in a visit.
I'm in the Outer Sunset and have been haunting the beaches here in Norcal for many many yrs.
_________________
-89 GL Westy, SVX.. finally.

-57 pan f/g buggy with a 67 pancake Type 3 "S"
"Jimi Hendrix owned one. Richard Nixon did not"
-Grand Tour, Season 1, episodes 4 and 5

[binger59]

My vote is for Paul at valley wagen werks in San Rafael. Great shop and a stand up guy.
_________________
Binger

1984 Westy
1986 7 Pass R.I.P. Donor van
2019 Jetta
2014 Passat
2019 Atlas
2006 Passat R.I.P.
1998 Jetta R.I.P.
1984 Vanagon R.I.P.

[juanb]

[rctucker]

Opening this again.. have all the magical old VW mechanics in SF closed leaving the bus lab as the sole proprietor of Vanagon service in the near SF area? Does anyone have any info on current VW mechanics that will diagnose/ work on a Vanagon / syncro for an honest price? I just have a few raddles, chirps and creeks that need investigation (aside from all the regular and lovely creeks, rattles and boings expected from an old vanagon?

[ledogboy]

[vegpedlr]

Valley Wagen Works in San Rafael

Two hours away, Stephan’s Auto Haus in Sacramento.

Roger at Sartorial in Santa Rosa.

Isn’t there still someone on the peninsula?
_________________
1985 Tintop 4 sp GW 2.3 “Connie”
2006 Mk V GTI 2.0 FSI “Penelope”

[Syncronoid]

Peninsula Automotive in Campbell.

[Abscate]

[fxr]

These guys both have their (rather venomous) detractors, but I've found them both very helpful:

Tassi Inc in Colma : https://www.tassiinc.com/

Lavere's in Concord : http://vwandaudionly.com/
_________________
Jim Crowther
1984 1.9l EJ22 Westy Wolfsburg Edition
Vespa GTS 300

[Abscate]

I try not to be a Debbie Downer on this, but since its a 2010 thread revival..

Look how many shops with Vanagon expertise have closed.

In 5 years, if you can't mechanic yourself, no amount of money will help.

Thats one fat stupid guys' opinion
_________________
.ssS!

[j_dirge]

[j_dirge]

[fxr]