Date: Sat, 10 Apr 2010 12:10:06 -0700
Reply-To: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Vanagon Shop in Santa Monica Area?
In-Reply-To: <6A7D9837-8155-4A98-A449-D726882D1DE8@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Bela's the man! My NEW (from another mechanic) radiator kept overheating,
and the other mechanic kept trying unsuccessfully to fix it. I brought it
to Bela, and he diagnosed it right away as a hairline crack in the reservoir
cap! He replaced the cap and it never leaked again. At the time he zeroed
in on my cracked cap, he also warned me about a new smog requirement in
California, and told me that even though it had already passed 18 mos. prior
when I bought the van, it wouldn't pass then next smog test, which would be
in about 2 or 3 months. I had him take care of that, and it passed right
away!
The only thing about Bela is that he's extremely busy, his shop is jam
packed with VW vans and cars, and I usually have to leave my Westy for a day
or 2, even for minor stuff. He's also in and out for errands or test
drives, but his talented mechanics are always there. However, if you need
to pick up your vehicle and pay for it, Bela has to be there because his
mechanics don't take care of the business end of things. I don't mind any
of these minor inconveniences, because I know I won't be back for the same
problem. Another thing to know in advance is that parking is a little
tough where he has his shop, and in fact, if you don't know the area, it's
tricky to get to his shop because of the layout of the streets. (At least it
was tricky for me because of the route I chose the first time.)
When you say he's "old school," he does use an answering machine, but he
still has an original "dial" phone!
By the way, Greg, where in LA are you from? I'm in North Hollywood - only
about 5 miles from Bela's shop.
Patti
90 Westy Automatic
*************************************
On Thu, Apr 8, 2010 at 8:09 AM, Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@mac.com>wrote:
> Hey Steve,
>
> This guy listed below is in Burbank but according to a couple of friends
> that in Live in L.A and use him like he a guru I would suggest going to him,
> they say he is the best mechanically. Not the cheapest, not the most
> expensive. He only takes cash fyi. But what they say about him is that he is
> very old school. He knows the vehicles in and out. Additionally he will tell
> it you straight, no BS what the issues are and the costs and does not mind
> if you bring him parts for install. Lastly and probably one of the best
> things, is that he fixes what he believes requires fixing and not for the
> sake of just running up his tab. He has a stockpile of some used parts and
> will tell you if something is about to go and when you should come back to
> fix it.
>
> If you use him tell him that Greg Beylerian referred you. He is my best
> friend in L.A., CA.
>
> Bela's Foreign Car Repair
> (818) 842-9464
> 2525 N San Fernando Blvd
> Burbank CA 91504
> United States
>
> On Apr 1, 2010, at 4:27 PM, Steve Williams wrote:
>
> > I would have sworn I saw an email on this list recently that
> > mentioned a Vanagon-knowledgeable shop in the Santa Monica,
> > California, area. But when I searched my archives, I couldn't find it.
> >
> > So, any recommendations?
> >
> > I'll be back in the San Francisco area in a couple of weeks, where I
> > know several good shops.
> >
> > But while I'm here in Venice, I thought I'd visit good local shops
> > and maybe have some minor work addressed.
> >
> > Thanks!
>
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