After 32 years, moving to new shop

[oilhammer]

Big life change for me... after working at my present employer, Car-Doc Automotive, since 1993 (with a brief ~2yr hiatus in the middle '00s), I have decided I must move on. Nearly two years ago, this fantastic company that was founded in 1989 was sold off to a local tire chain. While they said they'd "leave us be", and not change anything, especially the name and thus the deep rooted identity of the shop, that was not to be. They are clearly more interested in pushing a great volume of cheap tires, and not actually servicing vehicles. The actual name change, and measuring the insides of the shop to see just how many tire storage racks they can squeeze in here, is the last straw. I've decided to look for someone else who actually appreciates my love of cars, my passion for my career, and who shares my love of the German brands. So, after the Memorial Day break, I will be moving to Autos of Europe in Manchester. Great staff, and great group of folks who like the things I like, and look to foster an environment of professionalism and appreciation of what they do. And no push to sell cheap tires to everything that rolls in the door. I hope that my long list of clienteles whose cars I have cared for over the years... even decades... will follow me to this new location. It will certainly be a big adjustment, especially for me, but I feel it is for the best. I simply can no longer come to work every day not liking where I am and who I work for. I always quip "I don't have a job, I have fun with a paycheck". And to be honest, that's really what it is for me... I get to do the same thing I did when I was 10: play with cars. Just that now the cars are bigger and expensive. As soon as you take that fun away, resentment sets in, and I'm just not that kind of person. Looking forward to being happy and once again loving what I do.

I look forward to keeping any and all TDIs (as well as any spark-infected VAG products... I don't discriminate ) well cared for at the new place. It is much smaller, so I'm sure scheduling will be even more of a challenge. But the staff there is great, and they are all VAG enthusiasts of some level. I hope everyone is patient with the new change, and any long time regular customers are not too inconvenienced by this.

Expert European Vehicle Service & Repair | Autos of Europe

 

[TurboABA]

That's tough bud.... hope the transition goes smoothly for you.
It's hard to jump ship after you've put so much into a place.... but it is what it is.
Taking a quick look at the website, you may need to start embracing some of the over complicated specimens which IMO you currently dislike to a certain degree based on their "fragile", complex modern systems, etc. I don't ever hear you mention scopes or anything like that, so you may get to also play with more expensive tools at the new place.

Out of curiosity, how do you think the new place (and its clientele) will feel about 25-30 year old oil burners being serviced along side of modern exotics and such? If they are already quite busy with the modern stuff, will they even have any incentive to support that vintage of VAG stuff? I mean, it's a business after all, and there's only so much you can do... but if you're forced to pick between servicing an R8 and something with an ALH in it, from a financial perspective, you'll gravitate towards the R8 for sure. If time & resource allocation isn't a thing, then sure, you'll look after the ALH customer too.

 

[watatrp]

Good luck to you. I will certainly follow your posts and continue to take notes on your advice. When my timing belt is due, I will make an appointment at your new shop and make a mini vacation of the trip.

 

[Windex]

You should open your own shop Brian...

 

[hskrdu]

Brian- Good luck at the new shop! It sounds like you'll be much better off given the circumstances at CarDoc.

P.S. If this is all just a ploy to get me to sell you my ALH Golf, it's not gonna work!

 

[gearheadgrrrl]

Best of luck in the new shop, and being you're only a day's drive from me I'll think of you when my timing belt comes due.

 

[P2B]

Out of curiosity, how do you think the new place (and its clientele) will feel about 25-30 year old oil burners being serviced along side of modern exotics and such?

I'm curious too - but what percentage of @oilhammer's current workload is TDIs, and how many of those are of the VE/PD variety?

 

[oilhammer]

Any more, very few VE and PDs, but certainly still some. Not like it used to be. More CR for sure, although there was some doubt and a dip in them with Dieselgate, but they rebounded quite a bit and the vast majority of them are buyback cars that were resold. Some are still the original owners. But even these cars.... 10 years old or older now.

My current workload:

2014 Audi S5 for an A/C compressor.

2012 Jetta TDI sedan for a DPF and an alternator pulley.

1998 NB TDI for a rear brake rebuild (still has its original old style calipers/cables at 278k miles!) and a wheel bearing.

There are two cars here waiting for new lock cylinders/ignition lock housings, a 2010 Golf and a 2012 Passat.

2009 NB 'vert for a transmission (yes, sometimes even the Aisins fail).

...and there is a smattering of PM and minor stuff on the schedule until I leave, all of it is in the 2010-2020 area.

Just finished up a PM on a 2017 T'reg and 2010 CC this morning.

 

[TurboABA]

I'm curious too - but what percentage of @oilhammer's current workload is TDIs, and how many of those are of the VE/PD variety?

I don't know, and it might be insignificant, etc..... even if it's "modern" CRs that he mostly has as established clients, I would still think there will be a wide range of service costs between an R8 and JSW or whatever "mainstream" vehicle

 

[P2B]

I would still think there will be a wide range of service costs between an R8 and JSW or whatever "mainstream" vehicle

Are you suggesting the hourly rate would vary based on vehicle cost?

 

[oilhammer]

I'll be doing the same things I've been doing, on mostly the same cars. When I went and visited the new shop the first time, they had a later model Beetle getting an engine (EA888.... not a shocker), an Audi S3 cabriolet getting some service, and while I was there, an NMS Passat (a gasser) got dropped off for a driveability problem.

The yesterday afternoon when I stopped in, an Audi Q3 was being dropped off by a tow truck, and another NMS Passat was there for something.

So I'll be right at home, and if they should need a hand with something (like an R8) I will help any way I can.

 

[TurboABA]

Are you suggesting the hourly rate would vary based on vehicle cost?

No, I'm suggesting that as a biz, the owner might want to prioritize high dollar services over much cheaper ones as they have a direct correlation to profits, etc.

If my work gets a $475k and a $25k RFQ for the same available time slot & resources, we will choose the higher value job as it will translate to higher earnings.

 

[P2B]

If my work gets a $475k and a $25k RFQ for the same available time slot & resources, we will choose the higher value job as it will translate to higher earnings.

Surely the 475k job will require considerably more time & resources?

 

[Rob Mayercik]

Sorry to hear you had to make the change, but it sounds like you're going to be better off for it.

Good luck at the new shop!

 

[TurboABA]

Surely the 475k job will require considerably more time & resources?

More time yes, but you still have the same available resources...

 

[Bob S.]

It is no fun having to work in a place & environment that is not enjoyable. Congratulations on the move & best wishes at the new location. Thank you for all you do and information you share with TDI owners.

 

[Johhny04]

Good luck on the move. I hope they are flexible and allow you time to continue to post on the club.

 

[Mountain TDI]

Good luck, and thanks for all the great advice you've provided over the years.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Brian, congratulations for making the move. Fun with a paycheck is a great way to go, if you can manage it. I'll be interested to see if you get to experience routine maintenance on any Ferraris.

 

[oilhammer]

There are four of them there now, but they're all down in the lower level (it is a two-story shop), in the "specialty" area...

One is a later model coupe of some type (has a tiny back seat) for some PM, then a 2004 convertible (Modena?) that has a broken power top because the assist springs lose their mojo and are supposed to be "enhanced" with cut up bungee cords... seriously, nothing like a factory authorized mod for your $175k Italian sports car using pieces obtained at Home Depot. Ferrari discontinued the broken piece, only sell the whole top, which is now NLA, and the only used one they can find is in Europe, and it is $46k... I'm not sure if that includes shipping or not, LOL. So, they are going to try and remake that piece.

Then there are a pair of old 308s that are getting ready for some major work. I don't know which version they are, but they are the Pininfarina styled ones (like Magnum P.I. drove...).

They also have down there:

Early sixties Jaguar coupe
Renault Alpine
Mercedes SL (107 convertible)
Two Porsche 911s, an early one maybe a '70, and one from the early '80s.
A super low mileage Porsche 944, that had some shoddy body work at one time.
Porsche 944 turbo

...and the owner's super rare '88 BMW 325ix that he purchased new when he was a tech at BMW, with over 300k miles on it.

It's certainly a neat place with lots of neat things happening.

 

[jmodge]

Hey Brian, good to hear you're making a positive change. You seem to be made of the right stuff, I can't see you not making the best of it. Congratulations, not everyone is mentally strong enough to do that.

 

[Nuje]

Congratulations and kudos on having the cajones to make the move. Any change is hard, even if it's for the better, and lots of people shy away from that.
Glad you're able to recognize that you weren't having fun, and that you had the ability / opportunity to move to something that allows you to continue "playing" with cars.

All the best!

 

[xccoach4ever]

Good luck to you Brian. Get the Autos of Europe website updated to include VW service. I will set up an appointment at the new place when I need a timing belt. Hope the job change is a fantastic experience.

 

[ATLSilverTDI]

Congratulations and good luck on your new ventures

 

[DizelDvica]

Congratulations on the new job! For us that enjoy reading your posts, I am sure new adventure will bring many more interesting articles...
All the best....

 

[Lug_Nut]

.... they said they'd "leave us be", and not change anything, especially the name and thus the deep rooted identity of the shop, that was not to be.

I know that story.... The "merger of equals" at the time of sale quickly became an assimilation.

 

[JDSwan87]

I know that story.... The "merger of equals" at the time of sale quickly became an assimilation.

FCA -> Stellantis?

 

[d24tdi]

Good to hear it, sounds like a change for the better and lucky for the folks who use that shop that they'll have the benefit of your expertise. A loss for the place you are leaving. Congrats!

 

[2004LB7]

You should open your own shop Brian...

I second this

 

[oilhammer]

People that say that, really honestly have no idea the cost. I tried, years ago. Just couldn't get the maths to math, and the money wasn't coming in fast enough. My boys were alive then, and my wife was unable to work to care for them, so it was a bit (OK, a LOT) tighter then.

If I had ~$150k liquid cash today, I could probably do it. But it would have to be a gift, because I won't live long enough to pay that back while still earning an income. At this point, it's best for everyone to just work for someone else. Insurance is expensive. Equipment is VERY expensive. Employees are expensive. And I cannot do it on my own, I'd need to have someone else with me.... even just dealing with the phone, customers, suppliers, etc.