>> Why would anyone take a Vanagon to a VW dealer any more? There are no
techs there with experience on the Vanagon platform, they've all retired by
now. There are SO many independents far more versed in care and repair of
the Vanagon all over the country. <<

My '03 EV MV was in the dealer for it's 60K mile service* right after I
first bought it. It's still under warranty BTW. When I got there the
mechanics were punching in and I saw this 60+ year old guy on his way in
with his mechanics outfit. I asked the guy behind the counter if that guy
worked on Vanagons and he said "Yeah, that's my dad, he loves working on
those things.". At the time I was having the rough running problems that
nobdy could solve so I asked if I could bring it in there and if his dad
could bring it back to factory specs, O2 settings, etc.  He said, "Oh, we
don't have an ocilliscope anymore, we can't do that kind of work anyore." -
Sigh.  Occasially I'll drive by there and there will be an old Vanagon in
the repair lot. Who is still bringing their Vanagons to the dealer for
service I'll never know...

Bryan