I REALLY need a good cheap/reasonable VW Mechanic near Alexandria/Eastern Suburbs

[kendog]

I REALLY need a good cheap/reasonable VW Mechanic near Alexandria/Eastern Suburbs/Surry Hills/Newtown Sydney NSW ??

I have been using a mate in the past, but the only workshop he has access to is down in 'the shire', and only on weekends, so it is a pain in the arse, especially with no access to good parts etc on the weekends. And I have to wait a week or 2 just to get something checked, then order the parts & go back again another weekend to get it done.

So I need to find a regular mechanic my work (Alexandria) or near me (currently Waverley/Bondi Junction), that I can get a good relationship going with, that doesn't charge the earth, doesn't do work I don't need, and isn't rude talking to me and make out I don't know anything. I give a LOT of smiles and respect where it's due and to anyone who bothers to help me out, but I'm over rude mechanics and extortionists.

I'm considering 'VW Village', some of their quotes seem quite reasonable, but others expensive. I'd love to hear some real world experiences of them, they seem like they want to take over a bit, without my input, and I'm not sure how much they 'add-on' to parts prices etc.

Anyone help with some mechanic references??

PS - My current car is a VW Golf, 2000, MK4, 1.6L (AKL), 5 SP Man. And I need to get a noise (appeared after drive shaft split/repair) seen to asap, possibly wheel bearing. Do pedders check/repair this stuff? I can also get the parts cheap myself from HSY etc. ($77 wheel bearing kit).

Major thanks in advance to ANY feedback, good or bad will help me!! After Just spending approx $1700 on major-ish service and split drive shaft repairs, I really can't afford to be ripped off on this one!

---------- Post added at 10:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:00 PM ----------

Bump, b-b-bump.....

---------- Post added 17-05-2012 at 12:46 PM ---------- Previous post was 16-05-2012 at 10:51 PM ----------

C'mon.. Anyone? No-one used VW Village? What about UltraTune? VW $tealership in Mascot? Any help with VW Mechanics in the City's South at all?

[VR6man]

I understand you frustration.
I'm also in the eastern suburbs and travel down the M5 to Camden GTI, it's worth the trip.
Great customer service, he has loan cars and very knowledgeable. I can guarantee you that you will never ever get ripped off.
Can't comment on anyone in the area, only way is to try one and hope for the best.
Personally I would pick VW Village over a dealership though, can't offer you a reason only a gut feeling.

Good luck buddy

[ozgti]

Really???

[kendog]

Yep, confirmed about the wheel bearing. So, I took it to 2 places yesterday in Alexandria to try out, both took it for a drive and confirmed passenger side wheel bearing. I took it to Roseberry Steering and UltraTune Alexandria.

Both had very similar prices, of around $250 for one side + parts. I ended up going with UltraTune as their whole operation made me feel confident of leaving my car there. Clean, neat workshop, clear, well spoken, happy people, a very neat Audi TT customer rocking up there, said he'd get the parts from where I would've, and how much he'd add on. He'll also call me if the first one seems easy/cheap & I choose if I want to do the drivers side one.

It all seemed very honest and helpful. Fingers crossed, see how it goes...