Bummer in Boston

Wrecked944 · 03-03-2004, 09:27 AM

I just called Herb Chambers Porsche in Boston to schedule pickup of my 944 (which has been getting maintenance done while the 911C4 masterfully handles the ice and snow) and they told me that my favorite service manager, Justin, has left the company. BUMMER !! The guy was great. He was a genuine enthusiast who gave special attention to owners of older cars. So I am sooo sad. They would not give me any info on where he went or why he left. So now I've got to find a new place to take my cars. I may try the new Herb Chambers service manager with something simple like replacing windshield wiper blades just to see if he can find the windshield without charging me $1000 per blade. But prior experience with dealerships makes me unenthusiastic.

So are there any good shops where I can take my cars without getting royally hosed? Any (gulp) good dealerships in Sothern New England? My experience with indy shops around here has been decidedly mixed. So I fear the future looks grim.

MonkeyBoy · 03-03-2004, 10:16 AM

Stay away from the dealers and head over to European Performance Engineering www.epe.com

Dave Ploss · 03-04-2004, 03:44 AM

I second the EPE recommendation. They did the alignment and corner balance on my car and were great. Cost was...reasonable.

I hate to admit it here....but they also did my valve adjustment last year. I'm just a bit nervous about doing it myself, yet. Jerry did a great job. They are prompt and have things done right on time.

Dave

Damomma · 03-04-2004, 05:11 AM

A bit far for you but Autobahn Performance in Peabody is excellent, speak to Rick.

David Goodman · 03-04-2004, 05:37 AM

I have used both Autobahn Performance and EPE and they are both great.

If you want to go the dealer route, whatever you do DON'T go to Clair. Unless you like having things done twice (every single time) because it was f'ed up the first time.

deanp · 03-04-2004, 05:57 AM

Call Paul Toci at Auto Technica in Sterling. He is right off Rt. 12 so he is not far from you at all. I have had several discussions with him since I bought my 911 in October of last year. He has been working on Porsches for about 30 years. I think it is at least worth a call and stopping in to see how you feel about him. I don't think he does any advertising and all of his business is word of mouth. I don't have the number handy so I'll post it later.

deanp · 03-04-2004, 06:00 AM

Phone is 978-422-8071. He is a one man shop and will routinely have the answering machine on when working and will call you back the same day.

Argeo · 03-04-2004, 06:58 AM

Randolph Racing in Stoughton. He is honest and reasonable. Last time I went over the summer he was $60 an hour.

The Framingham guys are also good but not sure about their prices.

Good luck,

David

emcon5 · emcon5's Garage

Find out where he went.

HarryD · 03-04-2004, 08:00 AM

Janus,

Did you look on the local PCA Web page for what Indy shops they recommend? I know my club as 4 top notch recommendations, so for me, it was as simple as visiting each one and selecting hte one closest to my house.

BTW, I went to school in Worcester. Interesting place.

Chris Lovell · 03-04-2004, 08:43 AM

I think Rene Prepretit in Framingham is just a great person and an excellent tech. (508) 875-8911 wins@rensport.com
I second Jerry as well. Excellent person whose shop does superb work.

Chris Lovell · 03-04-2004, 08:45 AM

I'm also interested in where Justin landed. Maybe New England got to him and he's with John Walker now.

lomotpk · 03-04-2004, 11:53 AM

Kevin at Randolph Racing.
He's a little um 'direct' at times, but quite honestly you start to appreciate it after awhile. Especially when the car runs like a rocket.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-04-2004, 12:03 PM

I second Rene at Rensport in Framingham, he is great with 911s, fair and honest, but I don't think he takes new watercooled cars.

smross · 03-04-2004, 12:15 PM

I just stopped at Rene's place and he's booked until June! He did say to call in April in case he had cancellations.

jpachard · 03-04-2004, 12:19 PM

smross, What do you need done? I have started doing some work. I'm in Beverly.

Cheers, James

smross · 03-04-2004, 12:27 PM

I just purchased an SC and I was going to have some simple maintenance done. I'm outside Worcester so Beverly's a bit of a hike.

Bailey · Bailey's Garage

Kevin at Randolph Racing. He's turning my 930 into a great track car. Can't wait for it to be done.

Wrecked944 · 02:52 PM

Wow !! Thanks for all of the advice. This BBS rules. I was going to try Rene long ago but also ran into the scheduling problem. In fact, that is my main reason for going to the dealer. My cars are drivers and I use them a lot. So I can't wait until June or April or whatever. Justin usually got me in and out in less than a week with a discounted rental car to boot. Sweet !! So I am very sad. I did call Paul Tosi years ago and he told me he was too busy to take on new business - which was darned righteous of him since his honesty effectively cost him money. I also spoke to Kevin at Randolph and he is...um...abrupt. I am unfamiliar with EPE. Also, the 944 is a bit of a problem. Everybody is a 911 guru and nobody specializes in 944s. Sniff...sniff...944's need love too...

As for where Justin went, I asked the guy at Herb Chambers and got the standard line: "We don't know." Grrr...

HarryD: Which school did you attend? There are like a zillion colleges around here.

Wrecked944 · 03-04-2004, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris Lovell
I'm also interested in where Justin landed. Maybe New England got to him and he's with John Walker now.

Did you have a black carrera coupe serviced at Herb Chambers last Fall? If so, I may have seen you car...something about a scratched hood or windshield?