TheSamba.com :: View topic - Recommended VW mechanic in Los Angeles Harbor/South Bay area

Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:47 am

Who has given you the best service in the Los Angeles Harbor/South Bay area?

I'm thinking mainly of regular maintance, with the occasional repair/replacement task. Later, I will probably need my 1500 SP upgraded to a 1641 DP.

Any suggestions/experience for a good shop?

Thanks,
ccvogel

Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:44 pm

Here's a couple that I've dealt with......

John Randolph @ POWERHAUS
1938 Del Amo Blvd.
Torrance Ca, 90501
310-328-2746

Steve @ Serrano's
310-533-8273
in Torrance off of Sepulveda & Mariposa

Carlos' Independant VW
128 S. Pacific Ave.
San Pedro Ca, 90731
310-547-0647

So. Bay Folkscraft
Mike Cornell
22857 Arlington Ave
Torrance Ca, 90501
310-325-2466

Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:20 am

67jumex wrote: Here's a couple that I've dealt with......

John Randolph @ POWERHAUS
1938 Del Amo Blvd.
Torrance Ca, 90501
310-328-2746

Steve @ Serrano's
310-533-8273
in Torrance off of Sepulveda & Mariposa

Carlos' Independant VW
128 S. Pacific Ave.
San Pedro Ca, 90731
310-547-0647

So. Bay Folkscraft
Mike Cornell
22857 Arlington Ave
Torrance Ca, 90501
310-325-2466

All of these shops are very convenient for me. Thanks.

Do any of them stand out from the others for responsiveness, customer service, excellence of work, etc?

ccvogel

Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:44 pm

Steve @ Serrano's knows his shit, but he's reeeeeaaaaaalllllllyy busy.
John from Powerhaus is excellent, very good work.

BTW Check out our website www.dsskvwclub.com

Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:19 am

67jumex wrote: Steve @ Serrano's knows his shit, but he's reeeeeaaaaaalllllllyy busy.
John from Powerhaus is excellent, very good work.

BTW Check out our website www.dsskvwclub.com

Just got my car back from John at Powerhaus. Excellent work, honest appraisals, rapid turnaround. Thanks for the recommendation!!!

Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:08 pm

Great, I forgot to tell you to mention my name.
What exactly did you do to the car?
Glad I could help.

Fri Dec 29, 2006 6:36 pm

67jumex wrote: Great, I forgot to tell you to mention my name.
What exactly did you do to the car?
Glad I could help.

I was having problems getting the brakes to adjust properly, and the pedal was squishy. John correctly diagnosed the problem as a bad master cylinder [there was no evidence of leakage, so he was speculating based on bad experiences with Brazilian master cylinders]. He replaced it with a German part, bled the brakes, adjusted them, and Presto! The brakes pedal is firm and up top, just like it should be.

Also, he found that the gas tank was rusted and beginning to leak around the drain tube. Since I had not planned on having the tank replaced, he gave me a deep discount on his labor so that I could afford to have it done now rather than have to bring it back.

And finally, I had him install a locking shift base. Unfortunately, he found that the shifter bushing was missing, so the shifter wouldn't work properly once the lock was in. Again, since I hadn't planned on the work being done, he gave me a large discount on his labor to replace the bushing [it requires removal of the entire shift rod out the front of the car].

In all cases, he thoroughly discussed my options before proceeding, and respected my choices. What more could I ask?

Thanks again,
ccvogel