Best repair shop around Atlanta

[carnut169]

Just curious... who gets your vote, and why?

[Sunroof]

Its a tough one............I have used them all from 944 to 911 work since 1979.

To me, for location and experience with older 911's its Bob Sanderson at Performance. Bob will spend as much time as needed to discuss the problems and diagnosis and has taken an honest interest in the car.

I am not trying to take anything away from others I have used; Reggie at Proformance, Ryland, Howard at European, Robin at Black Forest, etc, etc., as they are all excellent and skilled mechanics, but since I have owned my 73T, Bob gets my vote.

Bob
73.5T

[R22tech]

Jack Lewis (Jack Lewis Enterprises) in Norcross gets my vote. Why? Because his shop is meticulous, his work is meticulous, he charges a fair price (which isn't cheap when you want something done properly without cutting corners!), he is conservative in his approach, but knows when to go the full route example: replaces the entire transmission coupler with new OEM instead of just replacing the worn out bushings, excersizes the brake calipers instead of selling me a caliper rebuild which is still working perfectly after over a year, he educates me about the repairs/maintainance on every visit including having me participate on stuff he thinks I could do in the future or might need to do in a pinch like belt replacement, he checks and advises me of unknown issues that might need attention in the near future and explains how to prolong or identify when I need to get these repairs done, and he is a cool cat in my book! I am sure there are other excellent repair shops around here but I like to stick with what works for me. My service company uses the motto " Good service doesn't cost... it pays!!!", I believe I could say the same for Jack Lewis.

[rcecale]

Since I've only been to see Reggie at Pro-Formance, I can't really speak as the authority. I will say this though, Reggie has always done great work, delivers when he says and charges a fair price. Personally, I see no reason to try anyone else.

Randy

[mm86911]

My own garage!

And, if for some reason it requires tools/knowledge I don't have:

Performance Imports, Black Forest and Jack Lewis . . . all in no particular order or preference. Haven't tried anyone else in Atl.

Jack Lewis did the rebuild on my 915 - best shifting 915 I've driven.

Bob & Peter @ Performance Imports typically do my DE pre-techs, have provided a wealth of knowledge and helped me with parts in a pinch - plus they're always setup at the track during events if you need something (like bleeding brakes when you toaast them in August).

Robin @ Black Forest did the corner balance/align on my car and several others I know - he's been wrenching pcars for over 20 years and his shop is at Road Atlanta - close for me.

Sean, do you need some work done or just polling for popularity?

[carnut169]

Well... I have been going to ProFormance for close to 6 years and Reggie is the mechanic who worked on my Cabriolet since 1990. That said, I feel loyal to Reggie. I send him all of the Porsche work from the auction. I refer other Porsche owners to him. I even offered to do a SSI install clinic at his shop (I would pay for the SSI's, the labor, then invite you guys for a how- to.

Unfortunately, I had an experience that left a bad taste in my mouth recently- the cracked CV boot. I called him before I decided to do the job myself and he quoted me $500 for the repair. I know it is a bunch of nasty work, but also know the total parts cost is around $40, so $460 for labor seems high to me. I also feel like I deserve a deal as I send a ton of business his way!

Lately, I have noticed the front end seems to be "pushing" (a lot of understeer) and there is also a pop that can be heard from the rear pass side every now and then while accelerating. Both of these problems seem to be a result of something I cannot find- no loose bolts, etc. I plan to have it checked before the mountain drive and at the same time I will have it lowered to euro ride height. I would normally take it right to Reggie... but am just not so sure. Opinions?

[R22tech]

Sean, first let me address your price issue. $500.00 sounds high for a $40 part, but if his quote is just an over-the-phone price, then maybe he is just making sure he covers all his bases before you drop the car off. It's much easier and more welcomed for him to say, "hey, I got it fixed up and it was LESS than I anticipated!" On the other hand, maybe that's the going rate for that job and it doesn't matter if it costs the guy $40.00 plus an hours labor, he's going to charge the going rate. I can relate, I do some jobs that are a pain in the a$$ with expensive parts and only make a tiny profit, and then there are others that cost me very little money and very little labor time that I charge a fortune for. All that matters to the service company is WHAT ARE THE OTHER SHOPS GETTING FOR THE SAME JOB, WHAT'S THE BOOK PRICE. I do agree that if you are sending him business he should cut you a deal, have you asked him?

All that said, if you feel uncomfortable with him, you know who I recommend. I believe Jack is a suspension guru as well, but I have not had any suspension work done. Get busy on that repair...don't want to be taking videos of Porsches going off the mountain .

p.s. Whoever you use, have them take a peek at your clutch. Ever since our last drive and we spoke/tested clutch pedal effort in our cars I've been bothered by the difference. I had mine checked and it was given a clean bill of health, I mentioned the difference to the tech. and he said the early G50 cars had something up with the clutches and your could be symptomatic of a problem. It's funny actually, I really like the hard effort your cars' clutch exhibits....feels strong and solid compared to mine...I asked the tech if he could make mine feel stronger like that....he said the low effort was a sign of a healthy clutch and I shouldn't mess with it-go figure!

[Sunroof]

Very interesting responses from everyone; however, loyalties seem to come from personal experiences. I have had problems along the way with all the mechanics I have used over the years one time or other, so I hold no one high on pedestals. I never used Jack Lewis, Doug but I have been in his shop for that concours class last year and was impressed with everything I saw.

All or many of the mechanics mentioned thus far are mostly direct from Brumos or Ellis where they received factory training and started for the most part with the early models. They were all later kept alive in the 80's by the infamous 2.7!! Lease we forget Howard at European, Beale Hardy, Franz Blam (master engine rebuilder), Jim Hobbs shop, European in Roswell, Galen Bridges, etc, etc. to add to our list.

I recently heard that their is a guy in Cumming who works out of his garage, is very reasonalbe and crackerjack. Anyone know him?

Regarding CV's.......................I learned with my 944 that CV Source will take your half shaft, rebuild the CV's in a state of the art facility in Norcross and get them back to you for a $100-$125 with lifetime warranty. I visited the place and its VERY IMPRESSIVE. I have had four axles removed and replaced (944 and 911) with excellent results. They are easy to remove yourself and they normally can turnaround the work in a day or two.

It does not pay to take them in to a local Porsche shop for a rebuild when you can get the new boot, machined CV components (inner and outer) and cleaned up shaft and splines for an outstanding price. Just wanted to pass that on..............

Bob

[jester911]

Hey guys,
I am definitely following this thread. I have only had my car for less than two years. I did go to reggies and got an oil change right after I bought the car. I really wasn't to impressed with him.
I was brand new to porsche ownership and had alot of questions and he acted as though he really didn't have time for it. Maybe he was busy but that really put me off.
I went to rylands and those guys treated me much better and answered any questions I had. By the way , I had cv boots done there and it was pretty close to $500. The job is pretty labor intensive and atlanta porsche wrenches are higher than other areas it seems. I guess because they can.
Anyway I have some more service I am going to have done soon and I haven't decided.
I wasn't unhappy with rylands but I am thinking of trying someone else so I am following this thread closely.

[dsockel]

Ah yes, the infamous guy in Cumming, who is a top flight mechanic at a name shop by day and only asks for beer and pizza at night when he works out of his garage.

Please let us know who he is. Until otherwise, I think he might just be an urban myth or better yet akin to the Loch Ness Monster...only seen by pelican heads after sipping one too many scotches at midnight while web surfing.

[jester911]

I was referring to other parts of the country being cheaper ,not anywhere around here. Just reading posts from other areas people are talking about valve adjustments for 250 bucks. Atlanta wrenches going rate is about 400. Since I gave up scotch about 10 years ago I don't have sightings like that any longer

[carnut169]

I really do not want to slam anyone- I like Reggie, I just wish he shared the loyality I thought I was showing. If we want to start slamming anyone- I know of people who have had bad experiences with "Automobile Atlanta"- but they mostly work on 914s & 356s.

[hilandscott]

My first impression of Performance Imports today was not a good one, as the shop was not run well: long, long waits with no explanation (1.5hrs for one guy dropping in for a fuel filter change and 3 hours for my PPI they knew was coming), a bit disorganzed for P-car standards, and truly lousy customer service. Since I was not the customer in this case paying for the PPI I guess mgmt. just didn't care to exert any effort. If I was a big spender I'm sure the treatment would be different. There were some very expensive cars in for service.

My guess is that their reputation in Atlanta has more to do with helpful, capable mechanics (I made the most of my time by chatting with a few) and open arms for deep pockets/regular customers.

Jack Lewis hasn't received a cent from me yet but has been very helpful and friendly for my questions in the past. Lucily he's a bunch closer to me on the North side of town.

My 2 cents

[Sunroof]

Stop me if I get off on a tangent!
No, I am not going to slam anyone here either, but I have owned four Porsches in this town since the 70's and I have been to many shops. It depends on who does your work. Some of the big guys like Bob Sanderson, Ryland, Franz and even Reggie use other in-shop mechanics so often they may not be engaged in directly working on your car. Some are even independent contractors. Either way they all have reputations to protect and are all in competition with one another. In my experience with several, they have a tendency to slam the other guy!!!!

The best suggestion is to get out a pad of paper, call 4, 5 or more and get an estimate over the phone. You will be surprised what you will get!! Prices vary despite the use of book rated times.

I agree that some shops or owners that were discussed thus far are indifferent and are tough to get to engage in conversation beyond the repair. If they told you all the secrets and methods, you would do the work yourself!! So, where some are congenial others may have a tougher ethic they follow. Lets face it, we all try to get as much info as we can from our mechanics, don't we?

All are qualified to perform just about everything that needs to be done to these cars, but for me right now, its an issue of location of the shop and cost.

I tried last year to get Atlant P-car owners to share mechanical experience so we can all learn and benefit while saving $$$$$.
Collectively, dozens of owners have performed varying tasks all the way to engine rebuilds, while others may have ventured only as far as changing plugs or oil.

Perhaps we should reconsider this...........what say yee?

Bob

[carnut169]

I tried last year to get Atlant P-car owners to share mechanical experience so we can all learn and benefit while saving $$$$$.

Isn't that what we are doing here? There was also a guy recently who said he needed to rebuild his motor and a bunch of people offered to help him (he did not take us up on it). The only reason I am even considering taking it to a shop again is b/c my problem is not evident.... in fact, it may just be in my head.... but suspension issues and brisk mountain driving do not go well together. I would be happy to assist any local Porsche owner with a repair that I have experience with. I am enough of a freak that I consider wrenching fun! Seriously, the Atlanta area P car owners (at least those that frequent this BBS) are as nice and as helpfull as they come.

[Sunroof]

Hey Sean.........
Do you Solo I your Formula Continental? I may have come acorss you a few years ago when I was soloing a Formula 440 at the old stadium parking lot. Great car, the Continental.

Ditto on the help......believe me when it comes time to replacethe clutch or perform something major, I will put up a large HELP neon sign.

Last year Marc "Rattlesnake" came by and helped me with installing a new ignition switch. It was a tough job, but Marc was super and I need to return the favor someday. I would be happy to lend anyone a hand.

Bob
73.5T

[schulr]

My vote goes to Jack Lewis. While I have not used any other wrench, his shop is exceptional and his experience in racing and involvement with HRS is what sets him apart. I am sure there are others that are very good, but I prefer to stay with what works best.

Bob

[EEES]

Chris Swanson in Cumming. He is actually further north now....up at like exit 320. He did very good work. He did the timing belts on my 944 turbo for dirt cheap. I just supplied the parts. He will underestimate the cost of the repairs but it is only because once he gets in there, he is a perfectionist, and he wants everything to be done right. He is very reasonable.

[mark_d_mcguire]

Wow, I think this is the oldest thread I have ever seen revived.

[Sunroof]

Thats right!
R22, our social chairman who got a bunch of us together for a mountain ride has moved on to the BMW world as probably several others since then. No one knows where Bob Sanderson is and his old shop off Peachtree Industrial is run by someone else. I know Ryland, Jack, Howard and Reggie are still around and Hans over at Superior ******** off Holcomb Bridge has emerged the last year or two. It would be beneficial to regenerate the list of Greater Atlanta Porsche shops.

As to whom ever stepped up to take over R22's spot as "social chairman", well that has yet to happen. Keep in mind that the "Avenue" Car Show get together is next sunday June 7th, which is always a great gathering of Porsches.

Bob
73.5T