mattboyd
Well-known member
All,
Infrequent poster here, but I'm looking for advice on someone who regularly works on TDIs). Mine is an 04 Jetta wagon. I bought it from a friend a couple years ago with 209k miles and am just about to hit 300k. When he had it it was meticulously dealer-maintained with Castrol Edge synthetic oil changes every 5k miles and a mostly "if you see something, fix it" approach. Since I've had it, I have done the majority of the maintenance myself including that same Castrol Edge oil change (although I stretch it to 10k miles since it is synthetic). I've replaced one axle and had the CV joints redone on the other, I did the front brakes for the first time in the car's lifetime at 255k miles and did rears for its second time at the same time. I had the dealer replace the cat back exhaust due to bottoming out on the muffler and causing a hole. I just had the steering rack replaced, and other than other normal maintenance (e.g.-fuel, air, and cabin filters) it's been pretty seamless.
Now it is time for a few big jobs:
i) Replace the original clutch
ii) Timing belt (and likely waterpump)
iii) Replace one of the rear calipers and e-brake cables (I might do this myself)
I'm looking for a fairly local mechanic in proximity to Fredericksburg, VA (mid-way between DC and Richmond). It could be an established independent shop or a moonlighting mechanic. I just am looking for someone with experience and a documented good reputation who I would trust more than the dealer network and who would be less expensive than the dealer. I also am looking for someone to look at what might be deferred maintenance that I have missed. Even potential for considering installing a taller 5th gear since we're in doing a clutch.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
-matt
Infrequent poster here, but I'm looking for advice on someone who regularly works on TDIs). Mine is an 04 Jetta wagon. I bought it from a friend a couple years ago with 209k miles and am just about to hit 300k. When he had it it was meticulously dealer-maintained with Castrol Edge synthetic oil changes every 5k miles and a mostly "if you see something, fix it" approach. Since I've had it, I have done the majority of the maintenance myself including that same Castrol Edge oil change (although I stretch it to 10k miles since it is synthetic). I've replaced one axle and had the CV joints redone on the other, I did the front brakes for the first time in the car's lifetime at 255k miles and did rears for its second time at the same time. I had the dealer replace the cat back exhaust due to bottoming out on the muffler and causing a hole. I just had the steering rack replaced, and other than other normal maintenance (e.g.-fuel, air, and cabin filters) it's been pretty seamless.
Now it is time for a few big jobs:
i) Replace the original clutch
ii) Timing belt (and likely waterpump)
iii) Replace one of the rear calipers and e-brake cables (I might do this myself)
I'm looking for a fairly local mechanic in proximity to Fredericksburg, VA (mid-way between DC and Richmond). It could be an established independent shop or a moonlighting mechanic. I just am looking for someone with experience and a documented good reputation who I would trust more than the dealer network and who would be less expensive than the dealer. I also am looking for someone to look at what might be deferred maintenance that I have missed. Even potential for considering installing a taller 5th gear since we're in doing a clutch.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
-matt