I am considering a first road trip in the 2010 IM that I purchased about a year ago. It has an Audi 1.8T engine and AC. Drive would be La Jolla to Albuquerque to Denver to Albuquerque to La Jolla. Have a great mechanic in Encinitas to go over the car before leaving but thought it would be good to have pointers to any good shops along the way in the case there are issues. Thanks in advance for any recommendations.
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In Denver: Castle Rock Imports (south metro area, castlerockimports.net). They are independent shop, know that 1.8T engine in particular, are very fairly priced, and communicate honestly and transparently. They are conveniently located just off of I-25 (easy off, easy on) in Castle Rock, CO. If issues arise elsewhere in the car they should be able to help there also, or at the very least steer you in the right direction.
I have personally done business with them over a period of about 15 years and have nothing but good things to say!
- Brent
Since you'll be in Albuguerque twice, get on Facebook and join this group:
Rt 66 Air Cooled Volkswagens \ Albuquerque Air Alliance VW Club
Ask your question on there and see who they recommend for competent help in New Mexico.
Thanks Gordon and Brent,
This is very helpful. I would also appreciate pointers to a good shops along the span from San Diego to Albuquerque. Ideally in Phoenix and Tucson.
This group is such a great resource.
For Phoenix, I would private message @Cory McCloskey for his recommendations.
If it's anything like the 1.8t in my 2000 VW bug, you probably won't have a need for a mechanic. Mine has been very reliable. (I'm knocking on wood!)
Bill
Foreign Aide in Albuquerque treated us well back when we did the Mega trip. We just needed a speedo cable swapped out which broke up in Taos but they knew we were on a road trip and took us right in. The Beetle Barn in Las Vegas was good too when we needed the oil pressure gauge fixed.
Thanks everyone for the advice and pointers. What a delightful and helpful group.
I had a very similar IM. 2009 with the 2.0L sohc VW/Audi. These engines sit very high. It creates an extreme angle for the CV joints. The joints themselves are fine but these cars eat through CV boots. And if the boots fail and you haven’t noticed your joints will fail. If you are going on a long trip first inspect the CV boots. I had a very long thread a few years back. The solution was off road boots. The parts number is on my thread. I sold my IM but I missed it so much I bought a used 2000. Currently building a Type 4 for it…I think.
BTW if your CV joints fail you will need new custom axles from IM who are no longer in business. I’m sure Henry could make you some.
@550 Phil posted:I had a very similar IM. 2009 with the 2.0L sohc VW/Audi. These engines sit very high. It creates an extreme angle for the CV joints. The joints themselves are fine but these cars eat through CV boots. And if the boots fail and you haven’t noticed your joints will fail. If you are going on a long trip first inspect the CV boots. I had a very long thread a few years back. The solution was off road boots. The parts number is on my thread. I sold my IM but I missed it so much I bought a used 2000. Currently building a Type 4 for it…I think.
BTW if your CV joints fail you will need new custom axles from IM who are no longer in business. I’m sure Henry could make you some.
Why would you need a new axle for a CV joint failure?
@550 Phil I have seen your long thread about CV boots. They only issue I noticed when I inspected the IM before purchase was some leakage. My mechanic didn't think it was an issue then but I will have him take a look before the trip. Thanks.
I’m not really sure. Guy who owned the car before me had to get Henry to send him custom axles with CV joints after the failure. I had the receipts. Maybe it was such a catastrophic failure the axles were damaged. I would have loved to talk to the guy who ordered my car but he had a catastrophic health failure and died. I bought the car from his widow. Even after replacement of axles, CV joints and boots, the boots were all ripped when I bought the car. The guy had Marfans disease and died of acute aortic dissection. Very common for Marfans.
@ProfHollan posted:@550 Phil I have seen your long thread about CV boots. They only issue I noticed when I inspected the IM before purchase was some leakage. My mechanic didn't think it was an issue then but I will have him take a look before the trip. Thanks.
If you are seeing grease on the floor you have a ripped boot.
@550 Phil posted:I’m not really sure. Guy who owned the car before me had to get Henry to send him custom axles with CV joints after the failure. I had the receipts. Maybe it was such a catastrophic failure the axles were damaged. I would have loved to talk to the guy who ordered my car but he had a catastrophic health failure and died. I bought the car from his widow. Even after replacement of axles, CV joints and boots, the boots were all ripped when I bought the car. The guy had Marfans disease and died of acute aortic dissection. Very common for Marfans.
Thanks Phil. I have never seen a CV that wasn’t replaceable, but one never knows.
@30West posted:In Denver: Castle Rock Imports (south metro area, castlerockimports.net). They are independent shop, know that 1.8T engine in particular, are very fairly priced, and communicate honestly and transparently. They are conveniently located just off of I-25 (easy off, easy on) in Castle Rock, CO. If issues arise elsewhere in the car they should be able to help there also, or at the very least steer you in the right direction.
I have personally done business with them over a period of about 15 years and have nothing but good things to say!
- Brent
Total aside, Brent -- my daughter lives in Littleton and I go out 4-6x/yr for "Daddy-dos" and to visit her and her boys.
Perhaps next time we could connect for a cup of coffee or something, assuming it works with your schedule.
@550 Phil posted:If you are seeing grease on the floor you have a ripped boot.
It can come out of the ends if not clamped well.
@Stan Galat I’d love it!
I mean, summer 2024 could shape up to be EPIC: saw the Eagles in concert for the first time (amazing), saw Stevie Nicks in concert for the first time (amazing), Billy Joel (coming this weekend), another anniversary and my wife still hasn’t kicked me to the curb . . . . . . . . . . and now (!!!) the possibility of coffee with the MAN, the LEGEND, the ROCK of the SOC site: Stan Galat !! . . . . . . !!!! 😎
It would be fun. I’ll PM my contact info. Let me know when you are in town!
Dude -- you fly people around the world in a metal tube for a living. I'm a great ape with scarred hands, lots of tools, and a tiny fleet of tiny white vans.
It'd be an honor to have coffee with you.
