Looking For Mechanic in SC

[jim04tdi]

Hello people!

I have returned from my 5 month departure from the club while I was looking for jobs and then moving. I landed here in Sumter, SC.

Does anybody know somebody who can work on these cars with success. I would prefer someone who runs a shop and specializes with these cars (and probably other Euro makes). I would also consider someone doing work on the side.

Usually I have said person perform basic maintenance and while doing so look for any issues. I've avoided some major problems this way that others have fallen victim too.

I have an '04 PD with now 92K. It has been extremely reliable, however if I cannot find a mechanic I will probably sell it. I just cannot afford to be at the mercy of a dealership.

Willing to drive 100 miles one way if need be. Thanks. Reply or email direct at jameskreuser@ftc-i.net

 

[Ron 33]

Welcome to Sumter.
I have a 2000 Jetta TDI, 194,525 miles. Not sure of a good local mechanic. Have not needed one yet. I have heard that Zeiglars in Columbia is good. On Rosewood Drive. You can also do a search for good mechanics, I think there is a thread on that.
I do all my own routine maintenance, be glad to give you a hand.

ark@ftc-i.net

 

[engineerorange]

Hello people!

I have returned from my 5 month departure from the club while I was looking for jobs and then moving. I landed here in Sumter, SC.

Does anybody know somebody who can work on these cars with success. I would prefer someone who runs a shop and specializes with these cars (and probably other Euro makes). I would also consider someone doing work on the side.

Usually I have said person perform basic maintenance and while doing so look for any issues. I've avoided some major problems this way that others have fallen victim too.

I have an '04 PD with now 92K. It has been extremely reliable, however if I cannot find a mechanic I will probably sell it. I just cannot afford to be at the mercy of a dealership.

Willing to drive 100 miles one way if need be. Thanks. Reply or email direct at jameskreuser@ftc-i.net

Not sure of any mechanics in Sumter. Definately stay away from the local dealership, they are clueless. There is a club member near charlotte, check the mechanics by state.

Sumter is definitely a growing place. When you find Dalzell and Wysacky you can consider yourself a local.

 

[mopower]

Zieglers has been around for a long time, I have also heard good things about Hillards in Irmo, but nothing Diesel or TDI specific. I suggest staying away from the dealerships in Columbia too, but the VW dealer on two notch is under new ownership (Snow VW) so I don't have any experience with them since the change. When they were owned by Hancock they were not good. I lay most of the blame on the management for both the dealers, they had/have shady business practices.

I have been working on my own VW's and find I have the least problems that way.

 

[Ron 33]

The new dealer name on Two Notch is Ivory Volkswagen.
Same service crew as Hancock, but the parts guy is new, Phil, he has been helpful.

I agree with mopower, you want problems, let a dealer work on it. You want it done right, DIY.

 

[terrydtdi]

If you ever come toward Charleston , there is a good reasonable shop in Summerville on Main Street -German Auto Repair . I've heard good things about this shop from a few people. I had my daughters gasser golf checked out , didn't show error codes but they said it was just the MAF , they could have come up with other things but didn't .

 

[jim04tdi]

Thanks for the info. I sort of was guessing the local dealer wouldn't be the place to have the car fixed. A co-worker at the Eaton plant gave me a lead on a retired VW mechanic that works out of his garage, or something like that. I'll go test the waters and post feedback.

 

[jim04tdi]

Feedback

Ok, so I took my car to a place a called C&W Auto Repair. Here is the website: http://www.mallplexusa.com/candwautorepair

Owners name is Fred Carnes and his partner is Jim Wall. Both are ASE certified on VW's with many, many years of experience. His prices are fair and he was very honest and open with me. For example. I have 95K on the car and I asked him to check the brakes. (still OEM pads & rotors) He called me and said, they all look fine, lot of pad left, keep running 'em. He traced all my "issues" to a failing radiator fan. My car is back up and running in tip top shape.

I'm giving him a two thumbs up recommendation. A great place to go if you don't have the time or patience to work on the car yourself.

 

[hagar]

Good post. I'm looking for a good TDI mechanic in Columbia myself. The new AAA facility in the Sandhills Center have replaced my air conditioning unit and alternator, and did a good job. The mechanic claims he has many years of VW experience and can handle any diesel job, including timing belt change.

 

[Ron 33]

Good to know, thanks. Looks like a good local shop to go to if needed.

 

[bemoore279]

I just had my timing belt on my car replaced at Ivory VW in Columbia. They seem to know that service is their new priority. Got a free loaner, 07 Jetta with a 2.5 gasser and 6 speed tiptronic which was nice but it sucked fuel. The whole gang from Matt in the service dept, cashiers, receptionist, to the sales guys were very friendly. Talked for a while to a couple of the sales guys about the delivery dates for the new '08 CR cars. All in all a pleasant experience.

So that was the husband speaking before I drove the car apparently because after I drove it and told him about the noises it made, he found that the belly pan wasn't fastened back correctly, there were scratches inside the fender from the motor lift, the intake hose clamp wasn't put back on right and the EGR valve is whistlling. On the 20th, he took it back and now it the afternoon of the 23rd. Not only have we been driving their "suckin up the gas loaner" for the week but they STILL do not have the touch up paint and said the EGR valve is not their issue. I'm pretty unclear on whether they even looked at the other stuff.

I am unhappy right now as I wait for a call back from the service manager, Ned. I can definitely say NEVER AGAIN to Ivory VW service (or sales). It's only 1.5 hours north on I-77 to Keffer VW in Charlotte where I always had positive experiencees.

Waiting, waiting, waiting - Ned was talking with other service customers when I called a couple of hours ago so I presume that he is a - still talking to them and since they are in person, they are unhappier than me, b - hasn't received a message to call me, c- is ignoring me or d - is talking with VW North America about the unhappy customer that got tired of waiting for him to call back so called the 800# and wants her car back NOW!

 

[hagar]

Wasn't much impressed by the old Hancock, so I'm not surprised. The guy in the parts department was OK.

Wray replaced my left front window motor, and I had to take it back 3 times because it was either off the track, or was making a whistling noise. And I still have a Vagcom error about that door or window.

The guys at Sandhills AAA seem to know VW's pretty well, I have been happy with their service. A little slow, but thorough. The technician there assured me he has done many timing belts on VW's, including diesels. Just had to take my 2000 there because it statred leaking coolant. Turned out it was some plastic "thingie" where 4 coolant hoses come together, and the gasket started leaking. The plastic around the gasket was totally eroded away, and a new gasket would have failed in short order.

 

[MKIInut]

I mainly do my own work but for recall maintenance I was taking my 04 Jetta Wagon to Wray. They were more concerned about wanting to fix hat they thought were problems instead of just fixing what I took the car in for. They also have lots of issues in the parts department. Letting an experienced parts guy go so the manager could hire his son. He is clueless too. He tried to sell me oil that was not made for my PD engine. How many other ladies get taken advanage of at dealerships?
Ivory VW parts guy (Phillip) is very good and even if you have some older dubbers he is willing to work with you and find you the parts. Prices are reasonable in most cases. I just purchased the new oil for the PD engine and I paid $5.20 a quart were alot of dealers are charging $7 or more.

I'd say if you can find someone not connected with the dealerships who knows the diesel engines take it to them. I need to find someone local who can do an alignment on my MKII as well as the shims in the rear. Everyone we take it to they say it can't be done.

 

[Ron 33]

I've never had my Jetta aligned, but there is an alignment shop on Two Notch that I've taken other cars to. They always seemed to know all about alignments.

 

[pierre]

I am a VW tech and I work in the Mt Plesant area at Low Country VW. I can do side work on Saturdays. Pm. if interested. My rates are reasonable.

 

[mopower]

I've never had my Jetta aligned, but there is an alignment shop on Two Notch that I've taken other cars to. They always seemed to know all about alignments.

Can you post the name of this shop? Alignments have been hit or miss for me. This last time I had an alignment check done at firestone on two notch since the car has a lifetime service plan there and they did so much better than when it was first done there.

 

[Ron 33]

Sorry, the alignment shop on Two Notch is no longer in business. It had been a while since I was there, and I drove past where it had been and it was closed down.

 

[DanG144]

Wheel alignment shop in Newberry, SC

Robert Dehart's Alignment Service, 803-276-7460, Newberry, SC.

I have not taken my VW to him, but everything else he does great work on.
Call him and ask. He will tell you if he is not capable or does not want to fool with it.
He is definitely my go-to guy for bushings, bearings, ball joints, steering and wheel alignments, any thing to do with steering or abnormal wheel wear.

He owns his own shop and has been a specialist for many years.

Dan

 

[vdubdezl]

Hey Jim, I'm a diesel mechanic and we specialize in heavy trucks and equipment here in Sumter at my Dad's shop Rusty's Diesel. I've personally never worked on a VW diesel until I just got my 03 4 months ago. If you need some help with something just let me know and I'll be glad to help you any way I can. Oh, as far as alignment shops go, Rogerson's Front End in Sumter is the best in town. They will take good care of you and do a great job. We always used them for our light truck and personal car stuff. You guys were talking bad about the dealerships, I think that must be contagious cause I know several Ford, Dodge, and Gm dealerships that I wouldn't use.

 

[biodiesnit]

I bought my 03 Jetta from Hancock in March (Ivory now) with 97k miles on it. Their records indicated that the timing belt had not been changed and they replaced it free of charge. I've put another 30k miles since then and no problems. I also took it there to have the sway bar bushings replaced (I had knee surgery and couldn't do the work) and no problmes.

I guess I haven't been bitten yet to shy away from them.

 

[trevzb]

C&W Auto, Dalzell: Seconded

These guys have been great for us...we have a 2000 Beetle TDI, and they've done most of the work since we took it out there on a recommendation. Always straight with us, honest and priced fairly for solid work. They know what they're doing...40 years combined with VW.

They've also done the work on my 1972 Super Beetle and are just as good with those, even if they're not quite as complex.

 

[T_D_I_POWER]

Here'a a good one in Hilton Head, SC

Autowerks-Vw & Audi Parts, Repair & Service
Category: Auto Repair
299 Moss Creek Dr
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
(843) 689-2233

 

[ninedee_golf_tdi]

I frequently travel to Beaufort SC and would be available for jobs not requiring a full shop's worth of stuff.

 

[sccaddy]

JKAutomotive in Summerville is a Vw/Audi shop. Talk with James. There is a show next weekend on Sat at North Charleston VW and a cruise to JK automotive after the show GTG.

 

[DidJettarun]

If you want to help do the work for the cost of lunch come to Chapin...TB, regular service and all of the little tips and tricks with TDIs...If you want to drop it off and pick it up later pm me. I only do side work on TDIs