Anyone in Cleveland or Akron, Ohio??
NE Ohio and NW Pennsylvania is a wasteland for TDI expertise. This is not to say that there are no good mechanics in that area, or no good VW mechanics. But no one has reported about any shop or mechanic who worked to become an expert TDI mechanic/tech.
If you have a TDI-specific issue -- your car needs a new timing belt, it has a turbo-related CEL, there is a problem with the fuel injection system -- then you ought to travel however far you need to go to have an expert diagnose the problem and take care of it.
If your problem is something that could happen to any VW, then find a long-established local shop that specializes in water-cooled VWs; avoid the ones with lots of air-cooled ones on the premises. In fact, even one air-cooled VW should be considered a warning sign.
There are also "German car" repair shops -- they like to work on Benzes, Bimmers, Porsches, and the occasional Audi or VW. But they often charge a lot because they figure anyone who can afford a Porsche or Benz can afford $100-$120/hour for labor; the don't offer a discount to VW owners; and they don't really know VW TDIs. But they usually do good work, if you're in a pinch.
Lastly, there are lots of shops that can work on brakes, changing pads and rotors; suspension parts; starters, alternators, and other electrical components. They may work mainly on Toyotas and Chevys, but they can work on these VW components or systems. Again, look for the long-established shops, run by a master mechanic who has a cadre of long-term employees who know what they are doing.
