Ferrari Mailing List: Re: NFC: Need VW mechanic in Phoenix

[LtWacko (ltwacko]

Every car has quirks.  We always say, "insert car" always does that or that's a 
common failure for "insert car".  From an over-the-phone diagnosis with my 
mother, it sounded like the alternator.  Considering the mileage, it was a 
possibility.  Unfortunately, modern cars are "linked".  If everything works, 
modern cars are great.  If one thing is wrong, the problem could be simple or a 
symptom of a greater problem.  Was my mother's car problem caused by a corroded 
ground cable common with the salt belt origin of her car?  Could it simply be a 
voltage regulator or a set of brushes?  Are they replaceable or easily 
serviced?  Was it only the alternator?  There is something also to be said 
about using factory parts.  Being a VW, there is plenty of crap aftermarket 
available.  I do prefer OE parts like serpentine belts.  A tech who is familiar 
with the car you own always has an advantage over the service-any-make guy.  
When speaking with the service manager, I asked him to check oth
 er areas of the car since I have become somewhat familiar with VW's when I 
helped worked on fellow racer's cars in my early years behind the wheel.  He 
did notice some points I had concerns with and others that I did not know 
about.  This is why I was asking for someone who knows of an independent 
familiar with later model VW's.  I could have easily sent my mother to an 
independent to replace what I thought might have been only the alternator, but 
I didn't want to get a call a few days later from my mother needing a tow 
because the lack of charging was a symptom rather than the root cause.  I felt 
comfortable with the dealer performing the service and a "once over", I just 
didn't like the price.  It worried me to death that she was stranded late night 
on the side of the highway.

I went ahead and had the dealer replace the alternator, belt and ground cable 
that they discovered was bad.  The Beetle is her only car and I didn't want to 
waste time looking for an independent.  The $100 or $200 that I would save is 
not worth the two days it would probably take to find someone I'm comfortable 
with.  She also needs the car to get to work.  I had to rent a car for two days 
on travelocity to get her by on Sunday and the day it spent in the dealer.  The 
dealer also gave her a list of stuff that needs attention.  This is why I am 
looking for a complete independent.

AGAIN, does anyone know of a good independent that is fairly priced in the 
Phoenix area that can perform the "complete" factory recommended scheduled 
service?  Not just this one time but someone she can always call on.  Who do 
local SCCA'ers trust?  What can I say?  I love my mom and I want to make sure 
she is taken care of since she is no longer within easy reach of my help.  Just 
my credit card!  Amazingly, I find MB's and BMW's easier to work on than 
"quirkey" VW's.  

Rodney
Possibly shopping for a new car for mom....  ouch!


In a message dated 01/16/07 19:15:52 Central Standard Time, pbennett [at] 
macnet.com writes:
Around Portland, OR there is franchise Alternator shops which do nothing else 
but $100 rebuild installs. 
My MB cost $125 but that's complete with 1 yr warranty.   
AAA Alternators are also in Phoenix...602 272-1965 Van Buren Ave 


>Hey gang, Mom moved to Phoenix from Chicago.  It was easy maintaining her car 
>in Chicago since I was around and a cousin's husband is a factory VW Master 
>Tech and instructor (family rate!!!).  Of course, soon as she moves away, the 
>alternator left her stranded.  Being a Saturday night and stranded on the 
>highway, I just told her get it to the dealer and fixed.  The couple of extra 
>hundred I would have saved with an unknown independent was not worth it for 
>me.  I was paying for a rent a car too!  The tow was pricey making more money 
>pouring out of my wallet...  Now I talked to the service writer who was very 
>accommodating.  It's now time for the major service (timing belt etc.)  I am 
>not willing to pay dealer prices, so I am looking for a qualified independent. 
> I know many of you are cheap but also expect quality work.  Who do you guys 
>know in Phoenix that could help a poor guy out that still looks out for his 
>mother?  (Did the pathetic plea help...  LOL)  The car is a 2000 
 V