mechanic advice

I've been a speedster owner for over 2 years and I have to admit, its the best choice I have ever made! I ran into a couple of minor problems along the way with the car, but I was able to go to a near by mechanic that is a VW specialist. Anyhow, I took it in recently because the accelerator cable broke, he charged me $240 for the replacement with labor and $170 for front brakes and $200 for a tune up. Am I getting ripped off? Can someone recommend anyone to me that won't take me to the cleaners? I live in Rosemead, CA, which is near Pasadena CA.
Thanks in Advance!

That's quite a bit more that I charge

My accelerator broke this past summer (the season without snow) and I bought new 1/8 cable at a hardware store. About $3.00 and bought 2 cable fasteners about $2.00 and it took me 15 minutes to put if back in. So..... it depends.

Tune up sounds OK, if at least they changed the plugs and oil at the price and the car DOES run better. But I find these cars only need tune ups when they aren't running well. Other than that, change the oil and grease the beam.

$170 for front brakes? What did they do?

Yeah, I was wondering that, too. If they are drum brakes and they turned the drums, then the labor might explain it, but if they're disks then it takes, maybe, 20 minutes a side to change the pads and they'll charge you the entire hour ($85 around here) plus the parts (another $30) plus turning the rotors (another $30) so that's around $150 complete. hmmmmm......

If you don't get a good shop near you from others on this site, then try looking for another place nearby here: http://www.roadhaus.com/shops.php

gn

Thank you everyone for you advice. I really appreciate it. At least now I know a bit more and I can try to bargain with him when i pick up my car. I do hope that he'll budge with the price though. Thanks again, and if anyone knows anyone near me that's reliable and cheap, please forward their info.
Thanks again!
Duke

You're talking maybe $60 in parts if he bought decent parts. So you can see the labor. Easy and fun to learn to do your own maintenace -- and you know what got done. Hopefully he adjusted the valves as part of the tune up. If thery are frequently adjusted you could face a near complete rebuild should one break off and chatter around eating the head and piston. Even a burnt valve is a teardown. There are some good books on air cooled VW maintenance -- including the For Idiots and Dummies series there is the excellent beginners Muir book entitled "How to keep you VW alive".

oops .. said "If thery are" mean't to say "If they aren't" - hate not being able to go back and edit posts on this FORUM!

You can edit within 15 or 20 minutes from the time you post. I do it all the time.

I do a lot of work on Spyders and Speedsters. I'm in Ontario, CA, about 30 miles from you.

Thanks again! i went to pick up the speedster today, but the owner wasn't there so i had no bargaining power nor could i ask for any discounts at all. i paid the full amount $633 and left. he did adjust my valves and he they told me to come back in around 500 miles to readjust the valve again, they said the valves are too tight. anyhow, I will buy the for dummies books and try to learn about it. I really want to learn a bit about the car, even if I don't work on it, but it'll be fun if I do.
Larry, can you give me your number or email your contact info?
Thanks
Duke
dasbcjoker@yahoo.com

I have had some work done by Larry and he is straight up guy.

Duke, I sent you an email

Gordon,
I looked on the website that you put up, unfortunately, there really isn't one near me that's reliable according to that site. anyhow, if anyone know of anyone else near me, please let me know! Thanks!

Duc -

With all things considered (distance, rates, workmanship) your best bet is taking that car to Larry Jowdy. He is a site member which usually ups the reliability factor and always gives you quality work for the right price! At least you'll know you won't be getting ripped-off!!

Peace - Out!

Thank you again everyone for all your tips and advice! Larry, I will be calling you when I need work!
Thanks again!
Duke

Duc,
try , IVT (626)449-5747 located in Pasadena on walnut streat.