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Fri Jun 28, 2024 9:16 am

We are moving to the Washington coast in July. Any good shops to recommend for service?

Fri Jun 28, 2024 9:29 am

Sorry, we've got our quota of califorians, not accepting anymore....

Ehh, coast? Maybe a better idea of a location? City/town/county?

Fri Jun 28, 2024 9:49 am

Yes, where (what city/area) are you moving to?

Fri Jun 28, 2024 10:25 am

Pete Lea's in Olympia takes care of my van.

https://www.peteleas.com

Fri Jun 28, 2024 12:36 pm

I can't recommend anyone out at the coast, but Eion Monigold at Eion's Automotive in Seattle is the best vanagon mechanic around. Great guy, really smart, and he knows vanagons inside and out. You can't do better than Eion.

Sat Jun 29, 2024 7:02 am

Seattle WA.
Shoreline Auto clinic. Yori. (206) 518-2586, 16268 5th Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155, USA

His shop is just a tad north of Seattle.

Sat Jun 29, 2024 9:10 am

New home is in Ocean Shores. Looks like a trip into the city may be required for maintenance. Thanks for the recommendations!

Sat Jun 29, 2024 9:40 am

Yori is the most honest car repair guy I've ever met /used. If you go please let him know I sent you. 👍

Sat Jun 29, 2024 1:58 pm

Christopher/T3 techniques lives there. Ask him.

Sat Jun 29, 2024 6:48 pm

do.dah wrote: Christopher/T3 techniques lives there. Ask him.
Yes, I have done business with him. Thanks for the reminder!

Sun Jun 30, 2024 7:34 am

Plenty of great shops around that area, for me it would be PeaceVans in Seattle hands down.

Sun Jun 30, 2024 11:06 am

From Ocean Shores you're best option for minor work would be to scout out a shop in Hoquiam or Aberdeen.
Otherwise SmallCar is in Tacoma (about 104 miles) or the shops mentioned in Seattle (about 150 miles).

P.S. Welcome to the rain and fog, it's not known as gray harbor for nothing!
(my brother lived there for 12 years as a forester)
((edit; Yes I know it was named for Captain Robert Gray by Vancouver, but takes on the color and sobriquet))

Mon Jul 01, 2024 7:52 am

Older, not wiser wrote: I can't recommend anyone out at the coast, but Eion Monigold at Eion's Automotive in Seattle is the best vanagon mechanic around. Great guy, really smart, and he knows vanagons inside and out. You can't do better than Eion.

I agree. Eion is a sharp, friendly Vanagon/VW expert. Eion took over the business from his dad 10 - 15 years ago. My van has been in Eion's shop 10x or so over the past 10 years and every experience has been good. Work has ranged from basic maintenance to transmission rebuilds and a Bostig install (he may have done more Bostig installs than anyone on the planet). The transmission rebuild was complicated because the first rebuilder (outsourced) screwed it up but Eion fully warrantied the work and sent it to a reputable rebuilder to be done correctly.

Harley/Peacevans is also a good choice. I've had two "get-to-know-you" services there and was completely satisfied. Their business model is different from Eion's: much greater volume, pioneered the Metris camper conversions, production camper upgrades, etc. They did stop servicing Vanagons awhile back due to capacity constraints but opened up Vanagon service again last fall. Peacevans is a place I go to every year or so to sit in the office, ask about the latest and soak up the vibes.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=785781

Expect (from both shops):
- Long lead times, 4 weeks or more. Plan ahead and schedule spa visits for your van. Depending on the scope of the work, plan on leaving the van for a week or more which may require two trips to Seattle.
- Premium hourly rates and quotes that unapologetically prioritize work that completes the job v. getting the van running until the next breakdown.
- Friendly, cheerful people who love keeping Vanagons running.
- Tight parking, some traffic congestion getting to the shops.

Given all that, there's got to be a shop between Ocean Shores and Seattle that'll provide good service and be more convenient. Corwyn's Olympia recommendation seems like gold. Maybe PM Zeitgeist for more Olympia knowledge.

Enjoy the PNW coast. It's one of the most beautiful places on the planet (if you like cool summers, mild winters, lot's of grey and wind punctuated with terrific blue skies).

Mon Jul 01, 2024 8:09 am

Great intel there! We are enthusiastic about the move and the location!

Mon Jul 01, 2024 8:16 am

https://www.peteleas.com/

Pete inherited the business from his Dad. When the building was destroyed in a fire, two years ago, there was a GoFundMe by his customers which reached $20k. He's been my mechanic for 15 years.

Mon Jul 01, 2024 9:29 am

jimf909 wrote:
Enjoy the PNW coast. It's one of the most beautiful places on the planet (if you like cool summers, mild winters, lot's of grey and wind punctuated with terrific blue skies).

Ocean Shores has a few microclimates. The bayside (east) is generally warmer and drier. Also, it's one of those places where a 60° day can feel like a 75° day. And 80° day is a roaster, especially if there's no breeze.

Current forecast:

Tue Jul 02, 2024 7:58 am

Thanks, Christopher. Our new home is literally on the golf course. Expected to be over the century mark here in Northern CA this week. Looking forward to those cooler summer temps in a couple of weeks!

Sat Jul 06, 2024 5:28 pm

How do people feel about Han's VW in West Seattle? Been there a few times in the air cooled days. I see a ton of Vanagons there, but that may be a bad thing...?

Sat Jul 06, 2024 9:59 pm

scottychop wrote: How do people feel about Han's VW in West Seattle? Been there a few times in the air cooled days. I see a ton of Vanagons there, but that may be a bad thing...?

I would love to know this to!

Sat Jul 06, 2024 10:38 pm

do.dah wrote: scottychop wrote: How do people feel about Han's VW in West Seattle? Been there a few times in the air cooled days. I see a ton of Vanagons there, but that may be a bad thing...?

I would love to know this to!

Me too!

Hans provided darn good service to me 20+ years ago. I had mixed results from his son 10-15 years ago but he was just taking over the biz and was learning. Frankly, I thought they had closed but it looks like they're still in business? Here's hoping they're doing great work!

Goodness, Hans VW and Swedish Automotive a few blocks away on SW 35th were places where you could take an oddball car and have it fixed by an oddball oracle who knew how to fix mysterious oddball problems.