Date: Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:17:56 -0700
Reply-To: Oxroad <oxroad@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Oxroad <oxroad@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Buying a Van - Parts in L.A.
In-Reply-To: <670F19E1-6EC7-49AA-A50D-DACBA3C486A0@verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Dan--
The only Interstate Auto Dismantlers I know is near San Diego, but it looks
like you said you're in L.A. so maybe there's one up here.
I don't know where in L.A. you are but maybe this'll be useful.
I've found BMA Auto Parts in Burbank to be a good source for local parts.
http://www.bmaparts.com/
They're on Victory Blvd. just south of Alameda Blvd. in Burbank (which I
think technically makes it Glendale-- but it's much closer
to Burbank town center than to Glendale).
They can get you Bosch, ATE, FAG and other German made parts for your bus
usually in a day or less.
I always specify the name-brand part I want as they are usually looking for
the BEST price for you. But I'd rather
pay a few more dollars for a brand I know or OEM.
They are NOT the type of part shop that has mechanical knowledge. Which is
to say they can't coach you on the repair or give you advice.
If you know what mechanical part you need they can get it for you in many
cases.And their prices are good.
I have also had luck with all the mail order vendors mentioned by others on
the list. VanAgain, Bus Depot, GoWesty, Van-Cafe...
Good Luck.
Best,
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA
On Sun, Apr 24, 2011 at 9:51 PM, Daniel Rotblatt <d.rotblatt@verizon.net>wrote:
> Bob and others,
>
> Thanks for the link to roadhaus - I just went over their list of
> local mechanics and found some potentially good ones near me.
> There's also a guy really close to me who, though not a VW
> specialist, is an excellent mechanic (and a true character). I do
> want to bring my Van in to a good mechanic who knows vanagons just to
> get a safety check, and overview on any mechanical work that needs to
> be done by someone who knows the idiosyncrasies of an '85 vanagon.
>
>
> A suggestion: change your mind set, or thinking about your "new"
>> vehicle. You talk about maintaining it as though it's NOT a 20-
>> something y/o vehicle that not many current shops will be willing to
>> work on, and CERTAINLY not any VW dealerships, with only
>> very rare exceptions. There are, for example, no VW dealerships
>> in the city I live in that will consider working on, even an oil
>> change,
>> for a vanagon.
>>
>
>
> I hear you all on the dealerships. My other "classic" (a '66 triumph
> spitfire) has no dealerships since triumph is defunct, so I'm used to
> (and prefer) doing it myself. I didn't really expect VW to want to
> deal with it, and I've never liked taking cars to dealerships except
> when on warranty. Just checkin the possibilities.
>
> Thanks again for the responses everyone!
>
>
> Dan
> L.A., CA
> '85 Westy Weekender
>
> PS - On a side note: I did check the gas lines - most look good, but
> I will replace since it's obvious they haven't been in the last few
> years. They are scary - sitting right over the exhaust
> pipes.... :^O A little design issue there. I'm surprised they
> aren't metal tubes over the engine with a rubber one going to the gas
> tank to take the vibrations.
>
>
>
> On Apr 24, 2011, at 8:05 PM, Robert Stevens wrote:
>
>
>>> Go Westy
>>> BusDepot
>>> Van Cafe
>>> Van Again
>>>
>>> I live in L.A. so I was wondering if there were any recommendations
>>> in this area. I did find one used parts place 1 1/2 miles from me:
>>>
>>> Interstate Auto Dismantlers
>>>
>>> Last question - does VW still make parts for these cars? I get the
>>> impression that they do, though I expect they are expensive. Does VW
>>> still service these cars - once more, I'm willing to do most
>>> everything myself, but in a pinch could I stop at a VW dealership and
>>> get the thing repaired or get parts?
>>>
>>
>> Has this link been suggested to you yet?
>> http://www.roadhaus.com/
>>
>> Spend a few hours searching all the links at that site, even for shops
>> in your area that may be recommended for work on Vanagon's.
>>
>> http://www.roadhaus.com/shops_advanced_search_results2.php
>>
>> Bob
>>
>
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