Now that this subject evolves into parts quality I really have
to ask a question here.

I once was in a repair shop where I always saw Mecedes, Lexus,
Honda, Toyota, etc. there. I figured it must be a good one to
have many high end cars coming for service. But I saw something
that was troubling to me. There was a side room about 200 sq ft
full of engine oil and possibly other fluid as well. The boxes
piled up at least 5 ft tall. I saw words like 10w - 30 or 10w -40
on the boxes. So I guessed that they were engine oil.

But I could not recognize the brand name on the box. It was a
brand name that I have never heard of or ever seen before. I could
not believe it was a good brand name. I believe it is the oil
this repair shop uses when they change oil for customers. This
includes all Mercedes S class 500 series sedans that I constantly
saw there.

The shop refused the job to replace the timing belt for my Passat
V6 last year. After discovering the oil they use I won't go near
the shop any more.

My question is what kind of oil do repair shop normally use? Is it
common for them to use such unknown brand name of oil?

David

--- On Wed, 3/18/09, Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU> wrote:

> From: Allan Streib <streib@CS.INDIANA.EDU>
> Subject: Re: Front Bumper-Bent From The Factory?
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 3:35 PM
> Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
> writes:
>
> > I'm wondering if has to do with the classic fight
> over using OE parts,
> > or aftermarket new parts of lower quality.  Some
> insurance companies
> > won't pay for the better parts.  Some body shops
> even put on the
> > aftermarket cheaper parts and bill the insurance
> company for the
> > better parts.
>
> It may vary state-by-state, I'm not sure, but here they
> have to use OE
> parts if you want them.  They will ENCOURAGE you you use
> aftermarket and
> say that they will guarantee the repair, but it's your
> right to specify
> OE.
>
> Allan
> --
> 1991 Vanagon GL