VeeDubTDI
Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2000
- Location
- Springfield, VA
- TDI
- ‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
Who cares? Marty's is already on the list. It's not like they're trying to get added.
Trusted TDI Mechanics - By State
- Thread starter jwlionking
- Start date
My bad. I didn't realize that shop was already on the list (but how many times have we seen that happen before?).
My apologies to Spacecadet, and welcome to TDIClub!
VeeDubTDI
Wanderluster, Traveler, TDIClub Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2000
- Location
- Springfield, VA
- TDI
- ‘18 Tesla Model 3D+, ‘14 Cadillac ELR, ‘13 Fiat 500e
Please don't shill your own shop in this thread.
This is crap. If I avoided Derek, I wouldn't be able to afford to keep my TDI. Derek is the best TDI mechanic in the valley.
ryanp
Vendor
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2008
- Location
- Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK
- TDI
- Arosa CR - 550hp - 9.7 @ 150mph 1/4 Mile, Citigo 4x4 CR TDi - 340hp, Caddy 2.0 CR 4x4 TDI - 300+hp, Golf Mk2 Van 1.9 TDI - was 290hp, Mk5 Ibiza 2.0 FR TDi - 270hp, BMW 135d - 360hp, BMW 330d - 335hp, BMW 335d - 380hp + a few more ........
No problem, you are entitled to you opinion, but its not crap. I was just stating facts and pointing people in the direction of a topic that highlights how Derek runs his business when he makes mistakes. I think people should be aware of both the good and bad points.
Obviously you have had some good experiences with Derek, I don't doubt that as he wouldn't be in business if everyone was unhappy with his work, but the way I see it, a business' reputation is built on the way it handles things when something goes wrong. I and my customer who used him to install my 6 speed conversion have not had such a good experience, which if you took the time to read everything without your rose tinted glasses, you would empathise with.
Thanks
Ryan
Obviously you have had some good experiences with Derek, I don't doubt that as he wouldn't be in business if everyone was unhappy with his work, but the way I see it, a business' reputation is built on the way it handles things when something goes wrong. I and my customer who used him to install my 6 speed conversion have not had such a good experience, which if you took the time to read everything without your rose tinted glasses, you would empathise with.
Thanks
Ryan
TornadoRed
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2003
- Location
- West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
It would seem to me that conversions are a specialized field, not directly related to either maintenance or repairs.
AARodriguez Corp.
TDIClub Enthusiast, Vendor , w/Business number
Just in case somebody isn't sure about k1 is talking about, I think you will enjoy reading this
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=3375041#post3375041[/URL]
and
http://forums.dubkorps.com/showthread.php?p=133782#post133782
Links have been fixed
Last edited:
TornadoRed
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2003
- Location
- West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
Your links are broken.
BobnOH
not-a-mechanic
the ones in your quotes have ... in them (truncated?), these work
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=3375041#post3375041
http://forums.dubkorps.com/showthread.php?p=133782#post133782
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?p=3375041#post3375041
http://forums.dubkorps.com/showthread.php?p=133782#post133782
abctdi
Top Post Dawg
ABQ, NM shop?
I asked this question locally to no avail, so here goes;
In Abq, NM, there is a shop called Hans Wittler that has been reocommended but not specifically for a timing belt job.
Has anyone had a TB/WP etc. done at HW and if so, how did it go and how much did it cost?
Thanks.
I asked this question locally to no avail, so here goes;
In Abq, NM, there is a shop called Hans Wittler that has been reocommended but not specifically for a timing belt job.
Has anyone had a TB/WP etc. done at HW and if so, how did it go and how much did it cost?
Thanks.
spacecadet31
Member
Thanks. I don't post much. I prefer to just read the threads. Marty was really cool so I figured I would leave a positive comment about his shop.
ymz
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- May 12, 2003
- Location
- Between Toronto & Montreal
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
Closest Guru on my radar would be Oliver Wegener in Baltimore...
http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=16069
Highly recommended...
All the best,
Yuri
http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=16069
Highly recommended...
All the best,
Yuri
TornadoRed
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2003
- Location
- West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
Yuri is right -- Oliver has a reputation as one of the top TDI mechanics in the country, and Baltimore is only 50 miles away from Frederick.
It would be foolish not to go to him for any TDI-specific issues, like timing belts, injection system problems, turbo problems, emissions problems, low power, etc.
upfisk
Member
- Joined
- May 7, 2011
- Location
- Prescott, AZ area
- TDI
- '04 Passat wagon, 2011 Golf TDI 4 door, 6 speed manual, 2015 GSW TDI DSG. al
Just purchased a 04 Passat TDI. Can anyone recommend a mechanic in Phoenix, AZ? The listed mechanic on the 1st page of this forum, Independent Automotive Service, only openned in March 2011. So, I don't believe that he is the trusted mechanic
TornadoRed
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2003
- Location
- West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
That shop was mentioned here>>> http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=2783901&postcount=1043 on Dec 4 2009, by jamest who has been a member since 2004.
and mentioned here in October 12 2009 by azbioguy, a veteran member since 2002>>> http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.php?p=2720123&postcount=980
Contact him if you want more information about this shop.
raineydes
New member
Just wanted an a suggestion on who to chose as service provider for a 2004 TDI Jettawagon with what may be an exhaust problem. I am located in MA. I have been using the dealership but now realize that I have made a big mistake! The car hasn't been running right since I first brought it to them in Nov.
ymz
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- May 12, 2003
- Location
- Between Toronto & Montreal
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
Lots of choice in your general vicinity, although I'm not sure about anyone in your immediate neighborhood...
Braintree: Chris Hill runs Kraftwerke Autotechnic http://www.kraftwerke1.com/ http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=16626
Bradford: Jon Hess http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=13061
North Chelmsford: Keith Harley http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=51918
There may be one or two more...
All the best,
Yuri
Braintree: Chris Hill runs Kraftwerke Autotechnic http://www.kraftwerke1.com/ http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=16626
Bradford: Jon Hess http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=13061
North Chelmsford: Keith Harley http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=51918
There may be one or two more...
All the best,
Yuri
rdkern
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- May 21, 2004
- Location
- Humboldt Co CA
- TDI
- Passat 1997 silver (sold after 11 years), Jetta 2000 atlantic blue
If it's just exhaust - that isn't tdi-specific. You should be able to find any good muffler shop with diesel experience.
If you're trying to get the car to work as it should, then I'll agree with Yuri.
hogballvol
Well-known member
Asheville, NC - Landon Grindstaff's (Turbinewhine) son Daniel
828-273-8951
TDI only - all years. He is no-nonsense young guy and knows his stuff. fair price and square dealing. Hard to find his place ~ it's in Alexander just west of Asheville.
828-273-8951
TDI only - all years. He is no-nonsense young guy and knows his stuff. fair price and square dealing. Hard to find his place ~ it's in Alexander just west of Asheville.
Yesterday Mike Hevner (aka "hevster1") did my 40k service (dsg, oil, etc) and also fitted a skid plate under my 2009 JSW. I drove over 80 miles each way to get to his place and it was well worth it!
Mike is very knowledgeable and a great guy! He works out of his garage (in Columbia, NJ) currently and had a stream of friends/clients coming in with questions about their cars - he was always cheerful and willing to help, explain, etc.
I watched him as he worked and was impressed by the ease and sureness with which he kept going - clearly a sign of extensive experience. And he was always willing to answer questions and to explain things.
Quality work done by a honest man with reasonable prices! Thanks Mike!
Mike is very knowledgeable and a great guy! He works out of his garage (in Columbia, NJ) currently and had a stream of friends/clients coming in with questions about their cars - he was always cheerful and willing to help, explain, etc.
I watched him as he worked and was impressed by the ease and sureness with which he kept going - clearly a sign of extensive experience. And he was always willing to answer questions and to explain things.
Quality work done by a honest man with reasonable prices! Thanks Mike!
I am Spring, Texas near Houston. I put a new crate 1.9L diesel engine in my 2002 New Beetle. I have oil blow out on the oil filler cap. I would like to take it to a trusted mechanic to get everything looked over to make. I had a guy help me with the installation but wanted to make sure everything is as it should be. Is there anyone I can take it too who will give look it over and tell me what needs to be done to it. Not looking for a hand out just an honest mechanic.
TornadoRed
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2003
- Location
- West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
You've already been advised to contact Oliver Wegener aka TDIRacing.
http://forums.tdiclub.com/member.php?u=16069
There is probably no one better within 1000 miles. Why would you not travel 50 miles?
So far so good - I've been taking my wife's 2003 Jetta TDI to this shop for over a year now:
Absolute Automotive
1105 W Chapel Hill St.
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 403-7575
http://www.absoluteautomotive.com/
Absolute Automotive
1105 W Chapel Hill St.
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 403-7575
http://www.absoluteautomotive.com/
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TornadoRed
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2003
- Location
- West Des Moines (formerly St Paul)
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, silver; 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, indigo blue; 2003 Golf GL 5-spd, red (PARTED); 2003 Golf GLS 5-spd, indigo blue (SOLD); 2003 Jetta TDI wagon, Candy White (SOLD)
That's fine -- for routine maintenance and non-TDI-specific issues I suspect they are probably as good as anyone else.
However, the website does not mention TDIs at all. So no one at Absolute Automotive can be identified, as yet, as a trusted TDI mechanic, unless you tell us what TDI-specific work they've performed for you and what the results have been.
2004PassatTDI
Veteran Member
Chicago area.
Damiano Diesel Service
10 S River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016-3435
(847) 635-0109
I was talking to a fellow TDI'er who mentioned that he has his B5.5 serviced by Damiano Diesel Service. He had his timing belts, brakes, CV joints, and oil/fuel changes done there. I had a clicking CV joint, and brought the replacement parts to the shop. I was back on the road in a few hours.
I talked to Pete (the owner) for a while, and found out that he services all things diesel, including marine applications. He uses an older diesel ambulance when he travels to the Chicago harbors. Pete mentioned that one of his customers has a boat powered by a VW diesel out of a car.
http://www.manta.com/cmap/mmgwhrl/damiano-diesel-service
Bottom line, if I can't do the repair, I'll bring my car to these guys.
Ernst
Damiano Diesel Service
10 S River Road
Des Plaines, IL 60016-3435
(847) 635-0109
I was talking to a fellow TDI'er who mentioned that he has his B5.5 serviced by Damiano Diesel Service. He had his timing belts, brakes, CV joints, and oil/fuel changes done there. I had a clicking CV joint, and brought the replacement parts to the shop. I was back on the road in a few hours.
I talked to Pete (the owner) for a while, and found out that he services all things diesel, including marine applications. He uses an older diesel ambulance when he travels to the Chicago harbors. Pete mentioned that one of his customers has a boat powered by a VW diesel out of a car.
http://www.manta.com/cmap/mmgwhrl/damiano-diesel-service
Bottom line, if I can't do the repair, I'll bring my car to these guys.
Ernst
tditom
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2001
- Location
- Jackson, MI
- TDI
- formerly: 2001 Golf GL, '97 Passat (RIP) '98 NB, '05 B5 sedan
Do they perform BSM replacements?
ymz
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- May 12, 2003
- Location
- Between Toronto & Montreal
- TDI
- 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon, 2003 Jetta TDI Wagon
Sounds like another one of those "old-time" VW specialist garages... Many of them can do repairs on the older models, but some of them just work on the newer cars in exactly the same way, often resulting in "mark and pray" timing belt replacements and other less-than-optimal efforts. We'd really like an opinion on their work from someone who's been here long enough to know the proper way to do these more exacting repairs. (Example: I had to let one of these shops know what the proper oil for a 2004 Golf is... they were going to put in Castrol...)
Yuri