Trusted TDI Mechanics - By State

[DCdesign]

Look at all the excitement in 101!

First of all I've been a longtime customer of Mike Hevner's(3yrs now). Mike and I have essentially worked through every nut and bolt on my car and I've had nothing but positive experiences. On my car we've done basically every maintenance/refresh and mid level modifications with precision work. My best friend is a mechanic and I KNOW that I wouldn't get the level of service out of him as Mike would. It's truly in his nature to care about the best solutions for our cars. He's not an up-seller or one who goes looking for extras to fix. In my opinion he deserves to stay firmly planted on the list.

I've also had the pleasure of working with Mike during times that he's busy and needs an extra wrench monkey. I was present on the day POWERSTROKE was last at Mike's shop. I witnessed the attempt at a refund and dismissal of his client. To be honest it's more than I would have ever fathomed. POWERSTROKE is a hoverer. I think maybe some of the oversights that Mike may have made during this whole process may be the result of not telling him to sit the hell down in the waiting room. I would not tolerate that. Some of the repairs like the rear main were questionable. I think that if he were at any other shop the mechanic would have told him to pound sand. Instead Mike himself lost wages and time attempting to right the situation multiple times. This guy is just looking for opportunities to yell witch. Anyway my .02¢ as a customer and occasional wrench.

 

[JOEJO'S TDI]

TDI mechanics??

I recently moved to Port Washigton Long Island NY I need a mechanic for my TDI Jetta. Does anyone know/recommend a good TDI mechanic in this area?

 

[fase2000TDI]

I recently moved to Port Washigton Long Island NY I need a mechanic for my TDI Jetta. Does anyone know/recommend a good TDI mechanic in this area?

User TDIJetta99 on the forums / Jason

Great guy, great work.

 

[TornadoRed]

I recently moved to Port Washigton Long Island NY I need a mechanic for my TDI Jetta. Does anyone know/recommend a good TDI mechanic in this area?

There are no TDI gurus on Long Island or in NYC itself. You need to find a local guy to handle the general repairs and maintenance, but then be willing to travel 50-100 miles or more for TDI-specific stuff like timing belt changes, turbo or fuel injection issues, etc.

 

[fase2000TDI]

There are no TDI gurus on Long Island or in NYC itself. You need to find a local guy to handle the general repairs and maintenance, but then be willing to travel 50-100 miles or more for TDI-specific stuff like timing belt changes, turbo or fuel injection issues, etc.

That's dangerous advice.

YOU the owner need to handle general repairs or maintenance.

In the past month, two TDI owners I do service for have been to TWO different local shops.

1.) replaced inner and outer tie rods - did not affix the tie rod boots to the rack - they were just floating around. It took the owner 3 weeks to get it 'fixed" by this shop. They also left the sway bar bushing bolt out. He kept complaining about a clunking to them, and they kept telling him he needed a new sway bar. The bolt was MISSING!

2.) Shop did oil change for a gentleman I normally service. I found the oil filter upside down when investigating low oil pressure. Main bearings 1 & 2 were scored and disfigured. In this case, the owner said "no no, this shop is good. They know what they're doing, I'm sure it's not related to them. I've talked to them, they know their stuff" up until I pulled the cap off the oil filter housing just to see that MAYBE the oil filter was upside down, or missing. Then it was "oh...uhhh... Ok... wow....."



Do your OWN oil changes. Do your OWN service. Keep your car away from the local hack shop. You can do your own basic services on this car. I've taught a number of TDI owners how to do their own basic maintenance. I don't want to change your oil - it's really not worth it for me. I'll do it, but I'd rather have you do it. Taking it to your local monkey - no... no... that's a recipe for disaster. No one will be more attentive to detail to your own maintenance than you - the owner.

It's just an oil change til your main bearings are trashed. Perhaps they ran it dry? Or it was from the upside down filter? I don't know, I wasn't there. But I know the car was fine up until it went to the local monkeys.

Aside from that, a CV joint is something that certainly isn't TDI specific, right? But many local hack shops replace the entire axle as opposed to rebooting CV joints or replacing them at this point. It's quicker, easier, and they get to mark up the **** out of a Chinese axle. I really get a bad taste in my mouth when someone shows up having had work done by some local hackshop with inferior quality parts - and I get to clean up the puke.

 

[TornadoRed]

Fase, when I say "find a local guy", I mean that he should find a local shop with experienced mechanics who specialize in VWs or at least in German cars. If at all possible.

In the last town I lived in, the best mechanic I could find had no experience with Volkswagens at all. But he fixed a heater fan problem I had, and he installed an after-market down pipe. And once, when I was in deep trouble with a busted timing belt, he installed a rebuilt cylinder head from Frank Irving AND the timing belt kit. I had to scout around for the timing belt tools, so he didn't have to do a mark-and-pray. And he was still one tooth off on the timing, because there was no mark on the flywheel. But he did the job carefully and he did it almost completely right. (There was a wrong bolt used in the motor mount.)

So, just find the best mechanic you can find to do whatever job that needs doing. And if you need a TDI expert, travel as far as necessary to have your TDI worked on by an expert.

I really get a bad taste in my mouth when someone shows up having had work done by some local hackshop with inferior quality parts - and I get to clean up the puke.

Maybe Hevster was cleaning up problems created by someone at another shop?

 

[POWERSTROKE]

At DCdesign: we're you the guy wih the silver Jetta that was working on the green Jetta And beetle doing the heater core and tb ? You bet I was hanging around at that point. I also spent an entire Saturday standing outside of the garage talking to another customer who was also agitated while waiting to get his rear wheel bearing changed. (my 3rd or 4th visit) waiting for him to pull down the system and recharge it. IThat was the 6th visit back to that place. If you were there when he offered the refund on my 6th visit, you would know he did it under frustration when he was speaking at the top of his lungs when refrigerant was pouring out the high side line. Mike offered a refund when I asked him to call around for the line because I couldn't make 7th 8th and 9th trip up there. While in fact the line didn't have to be replaced, just the schrader valves. (which I also had to point out to him.) to add, you weren't there when we did he rear main. That was leaking all over the belly pan and it was leaking right where the rear main sits on the oil pan. Don't tell me it's questionable, when you weren't even there. I'm talking about the experiences I have had with him in the past year, I'm thrilled that you have had good experience with him. But from your post, you state that you have gone over your car with him, every nut and bolt. Which would make you a "hoverer" as well. I've always used a guru in Maine where I would help when asked to. I've never had this problem before. It looks like Mike got a handful of customers and peor that work for him to put out this fire. I did nothing wrong. My car never leaked before he touched it and the ac should not have taken 7 visits at upwards of 7-8 hours a visit sometimes. If you are one of the people that were there that day, you were one of his mechanics that was standing to be right of him that was just recently hired at the time. So you don't even know the full story.im going to end here because this is really useless. Mike doesn't really inspire confidence when it comes to repairs. I'm not sure what you expect when it comes to his sort of thing. Offering a refund after the buffoon basically made a mess out of my whole ac system is a joke. Remember at that point I lost 5 days of pay(I work on commission) 2 days on top of that on the weekend. You would have told Me to pound sand, and you work for him? Another reason I wouldn't go back. I swear, I've never had this experience with any mechanic ever. I could go in detail of other things I have seen doing while I was there, but it looks as if they released the dogs. Here is the fact of the matter. Mike isn't a TDi expert, they are just one ofthe types of cars he will attempt to fix. Do a user search on his name and you will see he is just an advertisement for himself. Regular gurus in my past experience don't trump up business through the site. I'm done with this nonsense. The club begged for a name and I gave it. Oh and by the way DCDESIGN, I do a lot of my own work if I have the tools to do so, so I know how things go together and come apart. I'm not some ordinary joe that has no clue. You stick up for him but you didn't make 7 trips back and forth for what started out as a compressor. Reread the mistakes he made. I'm done here, I don't want his check as i stated back then, and i surely don't trust him to work on any of my cars. I hope that the several people that have pm'd me about his services come forth and tell their stories as well, but I couldn't blame them if they don't. I feel like inhave to defend myself.I guess the rest of you find it reasonable for parts to be broken, pieces disconnected and multiple trips to be made for a single repair. The club seems to feel that a person on the guru list can make mistake after mistake as long as they back it with a refund. That's the answer to everything. Good luck.
P.S. as for your check. I am a person of integrity. My goal is not and never was to pilfer money out of you. I lost 5 days pay, made (7) 80 mile trips and spent a lot of time doing this. The ac works now, although I took many trips to get to that point. It would not be fair for me to cash a check at this point. I don't know what is fair, as I've never been in this situation.

 

[NickbNJ]

I have used Mike many times over the last probably 2 years with 2 different TDI's. He's done TB changes, AC fix/compressor replacement (both cars), heater cores and a multitude of other items. My car is actually there now getting a tune and injectors. I've only ever had the highest regard for his work and professionalism. I will continue to use him and not even think twice about it. I found Mike using this site and am grateful for it. I recommend keeping Mike on the trusted mechanics list. I hope that future customers will not hesitate to use Mike and give him a chance to show why so many people recommend him and keep coming back to him.

 

[JOEJO'S TDI]

Thanks Fase2000tdi. Problem is I am unable to do any work my self on my car due to many things but mainly it will violate my lease with my landlord!
I reallly am not sure how to find a local guy as TornadoRed suggested either, if they are not recommended to me by someone I trust hence the reason I posted the question to this forum. I don't know anyone here yet least of a to be able to trust their advise!
So, if you or anyone can indeed recommend someone in my area of Port Washington I would be most appreciative!

 

[POWERSTROKE]

Try tdijetta99 in port jervis.

 

[K5ING]

Time out for a moment. After slogging through all of the latest "he said/she said" stuff on here, I see the need to create a separate section on here for recommended TDI mechanics and shops. Too many shops are being recommended or knocked down based on just a couple of reports, good or bad. We also have to keep in mind that satisfied customers don't normally post on the internet, only the dissatisfied ones. Look at how many "I'd like to buy a TDI but I keep seeing all this scary stuff online" kind of posts we see here.

How about the powers-that-be create a separate section to replace this lone thread. Subdivide it by state or region, with a thread for each shop/mechanic on the list. Make the first post include contact information and an open-ended poll. Maybe 1-5 ranging from "I love this guy", to "I'll never let him touch my car again", with a "he did a good job, but I don't think I'll go back" somewhere in the middle. Limit the responses to people who have actually done business there and not based on a friend's, or friend-of-a-friend type of thing. The poll would also show how many of us go to that particular mechanic. It would be like look at reviews for a widget on Amazon. I would give more credence to a 200 review 4 star rating, than a 4 review 5 star one.

By using the poll method, people will still be able to leave comments about their visit, but dissatisfied can still leave a "no" vote without having to worry about getting into a discussion like the above, or worry about their own reputation on here by dissing an otherwise well thought of guru, even if it was deserved (not a comment on the current discussion).

Yes, I know it sounds like lots of work, but I can't imagine a newbie coming in here and trying to look through 2,100 posts trying to find out about a mechanic's reputation that may or may not still be valid. I also think it would be easier to maintain a list like this and keep it current. I'll try to set up an example in the testing area, so keep an eye on there to see what I'm talking about. I'll be glad to do it myself if Fred wants to give me magic forum powers, or otherwise help in any way I can.

 

[POWERSTROKE]

I am just going to close this conversation by saying that I made a mistake by continuing to go back to mike Hevner after he couldn't complete the job successfully after the first or second try. I had to repeatedly go back to address shoddy workmanship that could have been avoided if the work was done correctly the first time. I do admit that my mistake was trying my patience for 7 visits when it should have been completed correctly in 1, 2 or 3 visits max. I would also like to add that the list is more or less a yellow pages listing, where a couple people comment over the Internet, which gives mechanics the ability to get in the trusted mechanics list. Meeting people face to face is the only way to determine the type of person he really is and the type of work he can perform. *First hand experience will always trump Internet blatherings. Owners of our cars are best advised to go to people by word of mouth and direct relationships rather than this "phone book" we have listed here. In ending, it looks like damage control has set in and many people have been contacted to say what an excellent mechanic he is. That's fine. I can strongly recommend HermTdi in Maine as one of the best mechanics I've used in my lifetime. He's thorough, does the job right and explains things along the way. I fully recommend his services. Im done arguing about this. Hevster1 is a sloppy mechanic that is not really a VW guy.

 

[kjclow]

Time out for a moment. After slogging through all of the latest "he said/she said" stuff on here, I see the need to create a separate section on here for recommended TDI mechanics and shops. Too many shops are being recommended or knocked down based on just a couple of reports, good or bad. We also have to keep in mind that satisfied customers don't normally post on the internet, only the dissatisfied ones. Look at how many "I'd like to buy a TDI but I keep seeing all this scary stuff online" kind of posts we see here.

How about the powers-that-be create a separate section to replace this lone thread. Subdivide it by state or region, with a thread for each shop/mechanic on the list. Make the first post include contact information and an open-ended poll. Maybe 1-5 ranging from "I love this guy", to "I'll never let him touch my car again", with a "he did a good job, but I don't think I'll go back" somewhere in the middle. Limit the responses to people who have actually done business there and not based on a friend's, or friend-of-a-friend type of thing. The poll would also show how many of us go to that particular mechanic. It would be like look at reviews for a widget on Amazon. I would give more credence to a 200 review 4 star rating, than a 4 review 5 star one.

By using the poll method, people will still be able to leave comments about their visit, but dissatisfied can still leave a "no" vote without having to worry about getting into a discussion like the above, or worry about their own reputation on here by dissing an otherwise well thought of guru.

Yes, I know it sounds like lots of work, but I can't imagine a newbie coming in here and trying to look through 2,100 posts trying to find out about a mechanic's reputation that may or may not still be valid. I also think it would be easier to maintain a list like this and keep it current. I'll try to set up an example in the testing area, so keep an eye on there to see what I'm talking about. I'll be glad to do it myself if Fred wants to give me magic forum powers, or otherwise help in any way I can.

Excellent idea! It may start out "simple" and with good proper management it can remain a useful tool. I think that the poll at the top of each section would be most beneficial.

 

[K5ING]

Excellent idea! It may start out "simple" and with good proper management it can remain a useful tool. I think that the poll at the top of each section would be most beneficial.

Thanks.. As I said in the testing post, I think that additions to that list should be done by the moderator as opposed to letting any Tom, Dick or Harry add themselves. I think that would make the list unmanageable. If I were doing it, I would start with the existing list, then lock this thread and make a site-wide announcement asking all members who have had personal experience with anyone on the list to vote and and comment if desired in the new area. Like you said, keep it simple and it shouldn't be that hard to set up, although it may be time consuming at first. New additions would be submitted to the mod and if he/they don't smell something fishy, they would be added to the list.

BTW, I made a slight edit in my other post to the part about "dissing an otherwise good mechanic" to reflect that I was not commenting on the previous discussion.

 

[kjclow]

Just to clarify, any mechanic additions wuold be done through the mods?

It could also be a slight source of revenue for the site to have mechanics pay a nominal fee if they are trying to list themselves.

 

[POWERSTROKE]

I've already suggested your exact idea K5ing and was told it couldn't be done.

 

[K5ING]

Just to clarify, any mechanic additions wuold be done through the mods?

It could also be a slight source of revenue for the site to have mechanics pay a nominal fee if they are trying to list themselves.

I thought about that, but didn't want to give the impression of a "pay for play" situation. A donation wouldn't hurt though.

Powerstroke: Did they say it couldn't be done, or did no one want to commit themselves to the time and effort to do it or didn't want to hand over administrative powers to someone who would (which is understandable)?

 

[POWERSTROKE]

The poll could only be voted on once per customer. I guess multiple visits to tHe same mechanic with different results could be problematic

 

[K5ING]

The poll could only be voted on once per customer. I guess multiple visits to tHe same mechanic with different results could be problematic

Not really...you wouldn't be voting on each visit, only on whether you recommend that mechanic to others. Multiple visits can be in the comment section. The only problem would be if something changed, as you said, and you decided that you no longer recommend that person, however that can also be noted in the comment section unless the mod has the power to change the poll votes to reflect the change of opinion. No method is perfect, but it's better than a 2,000 post thread.

 

[kjclow]

I guess that it could be limited to no one being able to list themselves as a trusted mechanic. The listing would have to be initiated by the customer. Another reason for having to have the mods approve the first listing.

 

[vwman2]

I just started going to Mike's shop in May with my '03 TDI and I will definitely be taking my other '10 TDI. Mike has always been honest and upfront with repairs; I believe he should stay on the list of trusted mechanics! I cannot comlpain of any bad repairs, and he has done 5 different repairs on my wagon so far. As for his demeanor, he has always been friendly, respectful and honest. It's nice to have a guru so close to home.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Thread locked until after TDIFest. Good grief.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

It certainly has been an interesting week in the Trusted TDI Mechanics thread. I just went through all of the posts from the last few days and I feel that it's my place to add some commentary and clear some things up from a management perspective.

First off, I did indeed ask POWERSTROKE to reveal the source of his poor experience. After numerous complaints about both the Trusted Mechanics "system," for lack of a better term, AND complaints about an anonymous vendor who did poor work, I felt that this was the only way to get everything out in the open. It is important for good and bad experiences to be made public so that other members can make educated evaluations based on information and research. That right there is the entire premise of the Trusted TDI Mechanics "system."

The posts of the past few days have gone waaaay beyond that - in a bad way. This whole hevster1 vs POWERSTROKE thing has turned into a personal vendetta. It is clear that Frank doesn't want to stop until the forum administration "does something" to hevster. From my research, POWERSTROKES complaints are the only ones about hevster and don't warrant a reduction in his current standing on the forums. This postion will be reevaluated if more information is posted publicly from other users. The information that POWERSTROKE has provided is valuable and will surely be used by users in the future when determining who to take their cars to.

This is a lesson that you all need to do RESEARCH before making a decision on who should work on your cars. Don't make a blind leap of faith based on a pin on a map.

That said, I'm reopening this thread and doing some minor cleanup. Users are welcome and encouraged to post reviews, but PERSONAL VENDETTAS will not be tolerated AT ALL.

hevster1 and POWERSTROKE have both shared their sides of the story to the extent they see fit. I will be reaching out to hevster1 for more details and I may or may not post more information based on those findings. This is a user-moderated list and my only job here is to make sure that things stay clean and civil.

Thread reopened!

PS: Frank, I think you should accept your refund and move on. Here's hoping that you can find a mechanic who you enjoy working with in the future.

 

[tditom]

...In the current setup, mechanics are added to the list based on positive reviews. Mechanics are removed from the list based on negative reviews. If you refuse to post a negative review, your guy will remain on the list!...

...
VeeDubTdi, what is the procedure for making changes to the list?

...First off, I did indeed ask POWERSTROKE to reveal the source of his poor experience. After numerous complaints about both the Trusted Mechanics "system," for lack of a better term, AND complaints about an anonymous vendor who did poor work, I felt that this was the only way to get everything out in the open. It is important for good and bad experiences to be made public so that other members can make educated evaluations based on information and research. That right there is the entire premise of the Trusted TDI Mechanics "system."

... From my research, POWERSTROKES complaints are the only ones about hevster and don't warrant a reduction in his current standing on the forums. This postion will be reevaluated if more information is posted publicly from other users. The information that POWERSTROKE has provided is valuable and will surely be used by users in the future when determining who to take their cars to.
....

Lawson-
Thanks for your post. I suggest that you establish the process for getting on the list AND being removed from it make it clear in post #1 of this thread.

Hevster1 has had several recommendations on this thread, and only one documented dissatisfied customer. However, the customer did list several individual issues in his own thread that were pretty significant. Its debatable if each individual experience should count against the rating or if the report was biased by the customer's dissatisfaction, but the incidents were numerous. The point is there may be as many complaints against hevster as there are recommendations here. Clearing up the process for inclusion or removal of mechanics on the list would be helpful to all IMO.

When Hevster responds with his version for each of the issues we could then have a more complete perspective. IMO it is key that we hold our mechanics & vendors (as well as their customers!) accountable.

(If you think this post inflames things, then please remove as you see fit. I'm only trying to help)

thanks

 

[turbocharged798]

I really don't want to get in the middle of this fight, but I think I really need to post my opinion and experiences.

I have met Mike in person and he has done a few small things for me ie: alignment. I have no complaints with any work he has done and it was all spot on. It's pretty easy to tell when a mechanic is bad and just wants to make a buck and good when they are really trying to do their job correctly.To me Mike and his crew tries hard to do things right and keep a good reputation.

I have NOT met Powerstroke in person, but by his posts he definitely has an agenda against Mike. If you want make one or two or even three posts stating exactly you do not recommend XX mechanic, fine, but the fact he makes DOZENS of posts in multiple threads leaves a real sour taste in my mouth. Its just not cool or necessary.

Am I saying Mike is fully in the right? No, we all have bad days and its really easy to leave lug nuts loose or break off a screw. Heck, I have done it with my own car. The fact he offered a FULL REFUND says a lot. How many mechanics would actually do that? By doing that Mike has effectively fired powerstroke as a customer and I can't blame him for that one.

The fact that powerstroke expects to have Mike pulled off the list because just he had a bad experience is not cool. Unless we get a few more people complaining about the same thing Mike is staying for now and I am sure the mods agree.

 

[jasonTDI]

When Hevster responds with his version for each of the issues we could then have a more complete perspective. IMO it is key that we hold our mechanics & vendors (as well as their customers!) accountable.

(If you think this post inflames things, then please remove as you see fit. I'm only trying to help)

thanks

Attrition for sins? Lets hear yours too. Sheesh. Get off it already. Everyone makes mistakes. EVERY shop has to deal with clients at some point or another they wish never came in the door.

 

[tditom]

Attrition for sins? Lets hear yours too. Sheesh. Get off it already. Everyone makes mistakes. EVERY shop has to deal with clients at some point or another they wish never came in the door.

Mine are too many to list here . We all mess up and need to make good on it.

Read the full account and litany of mistakes alleged by POWERSTROKE on multiple visits. As presented, would you recommend that experience to anyone? hevster1 implies that he has a version of the story that differs from the one already given. That's good because the only one we have makes him look pretty bad and we all hope one of our recommended mechanics can't be that bad. We are not talking about one mistake or bad day- there are multiple issues that should be addressed.

We have a high standard around here. Your reputation, jason, is well earned from what I've read, and I'd not hesitate to send someone your way (and have in the past) based only on what I've read on tdiclub. I'd feel awful if I recommended a shop to someone and they went through what POWERSTROKE reported. So let's just have all the facts out there if there are more than what we already have so we can make good recommendations to people. That's what this list is all about.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Can we drop it already or what?

 

[turbocharged798]

Mine are too many to list here . We all mess up and need to make good on it.

Read the full account and litany of mistakes alleged by POWERSTROKE on multiple visits. As presented, would you recommend that experience to anyone? hevster1 implies that he has a version of the story that differs from the one already given. That's good because the only one we have makes him look pretty bad and we all hope one of our recommended mechanics can't be that bad. We are not talking about one mistake or bad day- there are multiple issues that should be addressed.

We have a high standard around here. Your reputation, jason, is well earned from what I've read, and I'd not hesitate to send someone your way (and have in the past) based only on what I've read on tdiclub. I'd feel awful if I recommended a shop to someone and they went through what POWERSTROKE reported. So let's just have all the facts out there if there are more than what we already have so we can make good recommendations to people. That's what this list is all about.

Multiple issues from the same person does not equal multiple complaints.

tditom, I amsorry if its been posted already, but have you had any direct experiences with Mike? If not, I think you need to stay out of the situation.

 

[jasonTDI]

That's where I was headed. Thanks Lawson.