[MLB]

I just bought my 968, and have been researching and asking around about nearby mechanics. To my surprise, I found out about two places I have not personally used yet, but the first,

Accumoto in Waunakee, WI, comes highly recommended by a fellow racing and repair shop in Chicago (VFC engineering). Both these shops apparently live and breathe the 944 line, and also race them. This will be the place I take my 968 first, because Ive been told the lead mechanic has lots of experience with and passion for the 968.



A friend and neighbor who owns an 1989 911 also recommended another independent shop,

Lee's Automotive in Madison. My friend said Lee was not the 'typical Porsche mechanic' and that he was cost conscious, with considered opinions and advice that helped him maintain his car well without spending a fortune. This place seems to be the sole proprietorship of Lee Grunewald. I met him at his shop, and he was quite friendly and forthcoming with helpful information, even over the phone. Decades of repair expertise, older 911s in particular.



I will expand this post with additional information after I have work done at these respective shops.

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[MLB]

My car will have been in Lee's shop for a month, by the end of this week, when I expect to get it back. This is my first round of maintenance, and will be almost $3k. Lee has been meticulous and observant, and has cleaned things well too in the areas he's working on.

I would like to ask what's reasonable to expect for repair records? He is a sole proprietorship, with hand-written docs so far. Considering the detail on other records passed on by <acronym title='previous owner'><acronym title='previous owner'>PO</acronym></acronym> (part nos, etc) I'm expecting the same here, but I might have to press for that. I think it's important, anyone else?

Do you want/expect to get potentially still-usable parts back?



BTW, anyone else noticed cracks/bulges on bottom of coolant reservoir? Looks like I should replace it too ($150!)

Thanks

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[flash]

http://www.968forums.com/topic/12980-rad...reservoir/

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[Rap]

Did I understand he was the car's previous mechanic? If so I would imagine you should be able to convince him for those records so you have a history moving forward. At worse, paper costs. Course some may say I'm a dreamer!

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[MLB]

Previous mechanic(s) were in Chicago. Fresh start here in Madison.

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[MLB]

Okay....! Finally got my car back today! Drove around a bit before I had to go home. Cold outside but was a sunny day and no snow on the roads.

Anyway, back on topic: only good things to say about Lee and his one-man shop. Got good documented records, and he took good care of my car. Cleaned things well as he went along too. All new belts and tensioners, all fluids, and some other stuff on this round. Got to test the powered cab top while in his warm shop; worked great.

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[MLB]

Regarding Accumoto shop, they seem to be a project of a racing enthusiast at Accu-Form, and the Porsche shop is inside the same building as the AccuForm company. I took my car there a couple weeks ago to let the mechanic Doug look it over, and to get estimates for repairs we agreed were needed. He was clearly knowledgeable about the front engine cars and quickly spotted a number of the things I know the car needs, including clutch and probably flywheel. But their shop mostly serves air-cooled 911 racers from around the country. Despite promising the estimates the next day, its been over two weeks with no word, so they don't seem to be very interested in working on street cars. Too bad, because I had hoped to build a working relationship with a shop that knows 944s and 968s well...

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