Reliable VW service place close to DS?

[serious-noir.livejournal.com]

Anyone know of/use a reliable VW mechanic/shop near Davis (or if you know of a great place, then anywhere).
I have been using ABJ but they have really gone downhill.

Comments

[gandalfgreyhame.livejournal.com]

What makes you say ABJ has gone downhill lately? I was about to take my car (not a VW) there :/

[serious-noir.livejournal.com]

I've been going there for 10+ years. The last 3-4 times I've brought my car in for various types of work, I've had to bring it back numerous times because they didn't get it right (stuff like brakes dragging after a brake job, engine running rough after a tune up etc.). There was also stuff missing from my car after the last time I brought it in.

I kept going there because it is walking distance from where I work and general inertia. Al is a character but I don't trust their work any longer.

I do know other people who go there (Saabs) and seem satisfied.

[whitefire.livejournal.com]

Colonial in Medford has done well by me, but it's a dealership so they are going to charge dealership prices.

[cos]

I use Metric Systems near Central & Inman. When I got my VW and asked around, several people said it was the best VW place in the area. So far, I've been happy, but it's only been about a year and I haven't had any major repairs to judge them by.

[howlymcghee.livejournal.com]

I use Chris's garage on Highland. Ironically, the guy who actually does the work is named John, but aside from that, they seem above board. I actually just had my car there last week, and they did a great job at a more than reasonable price. John himself has a VW (the same one I have), so he is pretty familiar with the sorts of issues they have, the parts they need, and ways to fix parts without having to completely dismantle and replace them--which is super useful once you have high mileage on your car, and it no longer makes sense to spend more than the car is worth on repairs.

[inahandbasket]

I swear by Arco Tire and Body in Teele Sq., they've never done wrong by me.

Metric Systems

[springhill02143.livejournal.com]

I second this. After a string of bad VW repair places, I happily brought my 1988 VW Golf to Metric Systems for many minor and major repairs during the last three years of its life. I was always happy with the service and Stephen was honest enough to tell me when it was time for a new car.
It's on the CT2 and 85 buses and not far from the Red Line, walkable to Union Square too.

[frotz.livejournal.com]

I'm another 10+ year customer, and while I've also had issues from time to time I keep going back. (For some reason it seems to go in cycles; a couple of bad incidents and then years of no trouble.)

The one thing I really like is that if they screw something up they'll cop to it and make it right. In a business with a lot of BS floating around that really stands out.

Thanks for posting this, though; always good to know what options are out there. (I kinda wonder what's going to happen to the place if/when Al retires.)

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

My bet would be Mike or the head mechanic (I don't recall his name) would buy it. But my bigger concern would be that the property gets developed due to the new Green Line stop going in across the street. More "luxury" condos.

Hillside Auto

[artguychris.livejournal.com]

It's up on Broadway across from the DPW, so not super convenient to Davis, but I've been going to them for years and they've stood by their work.
781-395-9679
http://www.hillsideauto.com/

I went to them after a bad experience at First Foreign Auto in Arlington. They said the engine had lost compression and wanted $1500 for major engine work. Hillside replaced the fouled spark plugs and it ran great.

[avacon.livejournal.com]

I'll third that. I've been using Metric Systems for the past nine years or so (ever since my car came out of warranty) and I've only ever had good experiences with them. Metric Systems is within walking distance of Kendall Square. They're very honest and know what they're doing.