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Date:         Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:36:54 -0700
Reply-To:     Daniel Rotblatt <d.rotblatt@VERIZON.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Daniel Rotblatt <d.rotblatt@VERIZON.NET>
Subject:      Re: Buying a Van - Parts in L.A.
Comments: To: Oxroad <oxroad@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BANLkTi=cngSZCPLbJG5ndPETnQLwQ9+Z_g@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Jeff -

Thanks for the lead on BMA. I'll check them out - i used to work within 1/2 mile of alameda and victory, I know the area well. I guess there are two locations for Interstate Auto Dismantlers - the one I am looking at is by Lake Elsinore. Still 1 1/2 hours away depending on traffic, but that's not so bad. Even San Diego isn't so far from L.A. - only 100 miles. Used to drive it all the time when I ran a camp down there. Would come back up here for the weekends. Course, that was 30 years ago and I was a young pup.

Dan L.A., CA '85 Westy Weekender

On Apr 24, 2011, at 11:17 PM, Oxroad wrote:

> 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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