Jeff -

Thanks for the lead on BMA.  I'll check them out - i used to work
within 1/2 mile of alameda and victory, I know the area well.  I
guess there are two locations for Interstate Auto Dismantlers - the
one I am looking at is by Lake Elsinore.  Still 1 1/2 hours away
depending on traffic, but that's not so bad.  Even San Diego isn't so
far from L.A. - only 100 miles.  Used to drive it all the time when I
ran a camp down there.  Would come back up here for the weekends.
Course, that was 30 years ago and I was a young pup.

Dan
L.A., CA
'85 Westy Weekender

On Apr 24, 2011, at 11:17 PM, Oxroad wrote:

> Dan--
>
> The only Interstate Auto Dismantlers I know is near San Diego, but
> it looks
> like you said you're in L.A. so maybe there's one up here.
> I don't know where in L.A. you are but maybe this'll be useful.
>
> I've found BMA Auto Parts in Burbank to be a good source for local
> parts.
>
> http://www.bmaparts.com/
>
> They're on Victory Blvd. just south of Alameda Blvd. in Burbank
> (which I
> think technically makes it Glendale-- but it's much closer
> to Burbank town center than to Glendale).
>
> They can get you Bosch, ATE, FAG and other German made parts for
> your bus
> usually in a day or less.
>
> I always specify the name-brand part I want as they are usually
> looking for
> the BEST price for you. But I'd rather
> pay a few more dollars for a brand I know or OEM.
>
> They are NOT the type of part shop that has mechanical knowledge.
> Which is
> to say they can't coach you on the repair or give you advice.
> If you know what mechanical part you need they can get it for you
> in many
> cases.And their prices are good.
>
> I have also had luck with all the mail order vendors mentioned by
> others on
> the list. VanAgain, Bus Depot, GoWesty, Van-Cafe...
>
>
> Good Luck.
> Best,
> Jeff
> 83.5 Westy
> LA,CA
>
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 24, 2011 at 9:51 PM, Daniel Rotblatt
> <d.rotblatt@verizon.net>wrote:
>
>> Bob and others,
>>
>> Thanks for the link to roadhaus - I just went over their list of
>> local mechanics and found some potentially good ones near me.
>> There's also a guy really close to me who, though not a VW
>> specialist, is an excellent mechanic (and a true character).  I do
>> want to bring my Van in to a good mechanic who knows vanagons just to
>> get a safety check, and overview on any mechanical work that needs to
>> be done by someone who knows the idiosyncrasies of an '85 vanagon.
>>
>>
>>  A suggestion: change your mind set, or thinking about your "new"
>>> vehicle. You talk about maintaining it as though it's NOT a 20-
>>> something y/o vehicle that not many current shops will be willing to
>>> work on, and CERTAINLY not any VW dealerships, with only
>>> very rare exceptions. There are, for example, no VW dealerships
>>> in the city I live in that will consider working on, even an oil
>>> change,
>>> for a vanagon.
>>>
>>
>>
>> I hear you all on the dealerships.  My other "classic" (a '66 triumph
>> spitfire) has no dealerships since triumph is defunct, so I'm used to
>> (and prefer) doing it myself.  I didn't really expect VW to want to
>> deal with it, and I've never liked taking cars to dealerships except
>> when on warranty.  Just checkin the possibilities.
>>
>> Thanks again for the responses everyone!
>>
>>
>> Dan
>> L.A., CA
>> '85 Westy Weekender
>>
>> PS - On a side note: I did check the gas lines - most look good, but
>> I will replace since it's obvious they haven't been in the last few
>> years. They are scary - sitting right over the exhaust
>> pipes.... :^O   A little design issue there.  I'm surprised they
>> aren't metal tubes over the engine with a rubber one going to the gas
>> tank to take the vibrations.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Apr 24, 2011, at 8:05 PM, Robert Stevens wrote:
>>
>>
>>>> Go Westy
>>>> BusDepot
>>>> Van Cafe
>>>> Van Again
>>>>
>>>> I live in L.A. so I was wondering if there were any recommendations
>>>> in this area.  I did find one used parts place 1 1/2 miles from me:
>>>>
>>>> Interstate Auto Dismantlers
>>>>
>>>> Last question - does VW still make parts for these cars?  I get the
>>>> impression that they do, though I expect they are expensive.
>>>> Does VW
>>>> still service these cars - once more, I'm willing to do most
>>>> everything myself, but in a pinch could I stop at a VW
>>>> dealership and
>>>> get the thing repaired or get parts?
>>>>
>>>
>>> Has this link been suggested to you yet?
>>> http://www.roadhaus.com/
>>>
>>> Spend a few hours searching all the links at that site, even for
>>> shops
>>> in your area that may be recommended for work on Vanagon's.
>>>
>>> http://www.roadhaus.com/shops_advanced_search_results2.php
>>>
>>> Bob
>>>
>>