Good shop in Raleigh NC area

[CraigH]

I'm looking for a good shop in the Raleigh area of NC for a 1979 911 SC Euro. I am a new owner who is trying to do most stuff myself but hopefully I recognize my limitations. I searched the board and got some hits on European Performance and Millersport. Any strong opinions on either of these or someone else. European Performance is probably a little closer for me.

Thanks for any info.

[Mike Kast]

E.P. has been pretty highly recommended. I go in there to buy small parts that I'm not willing to wait for mail order on. The work I had done by them when I first got my car left a bad taste in my mouth but I think that was due to my generally mistrusting nature. Plus the feel I get from the guys there is that they are cocky know it all's. I was there a few days ago asking about the axle problems that have been talked about on this board lately and was told "The axles haven't changed" I disagreed and the counter man went back to the books and told me I just needed shorter bolts... and added "people will say anything online."
Instead of maybe "oh, I didn't know that"
Whatever!
All in all I think they are a good shop. I have learned quite a bit about the car since then and I think I could have cleaned my fuel distributor instead of replacing it for over $1000.00 but In defense of EP I don't believe too many shops could be bothered with the cleaning business. There is a place called Metric Motors on 401 just south of Raleigh that could also work on the 911. His price is good but I think it depends on what you need done.

For suspension, alignment, corner balancing and tire installs Digital Chassis in Durham. He's pricey but he knows his stuff.
Then there is my local mechanic here in East Chatham County who has a guy working for him now who is an old air cooled fan. He's more of a Bug man but I think that has more to do with his age and income level. He sure knows the Porsche history thoroughly enough and he loves cars. We have had some long conversations about the 911 and bugs and 914 and just about any one of them. I would trust him with some things also. Email me. Maybe we could get together and check out each others cars.
Have you heard about the place in Rocky Mount? http://www.dcautomotive.com/default.htm
I'm dieing to go there.

Any pictures? What color? Welcome to 911dom

[jhelgesen]

Welcome to the party.....

Not familiar with most of the shops in the area since I do most all of my own work, but I think I know who Mike is talking about in east Chat county, must be Joe Wagner. He's a good friend of mine and he did a great job on the alignment of the 912-6 and he does my track safety inspections also. With his help, we got the flywheel seal changed in my 3.0 in about 5 hours. If there was something I needed done on any of my cars that I didn't have time to do myself, I'd take it to Joe.

[Carl Bauer]

Millersport might be a bit far away for you but I would always recommend them. Chuck might take his time but there's definitely no screwing around.

[Mike Kast]

Originally posted by jhelgesen
Welcome to the party.....

912-6 and he does my track safety inspections also. With his help, we got the flywheel seal changed in my 3.0 in about 5 hours. If there was something I needed done on any of my cars that I didn't have time to do myself, I'd take it to Joe.

He mentioned the 912-6
how many 912-6's are there around here anyway. I think your Joe might be the guy! He said your car was waaaaaayyyyyyy fast!

[CraigH]

Thanks for the responses. The car is white, although it may not stay that way in the distant future. I have some pictures although it is definetely somewhat of a project at this point and I dont want to post anything until I have a chance to clean it up. I have been concentrating on getting it roadworthy for a NC inspection (mostly exhaust, lights, etc). I have learned a lot on this board in recent weeks and I sure wish I had discovered it before I bought this car.

I did see the DC Automotive place on the internet. It would likely be pretty interesting to see their place.

I dont have anything specific for a mechanic at this point, but I figure it is a good idea to have a place should (when) something comes up. Does Joe Wagner have a shop (phone #)?

[Mike Kast]

I say we make Joe Wagner our East Coast John Walker. Think he could be drafted? Maybe if we did draft him he could afford a 911
If John and I are talking about the same Joe, he works for Mike Poe who's shop is 1/4 mile north of Hwy64 just inside the Chatham County line. I believe it is Poe's Automotive.
Mike is a good ol Chatham County boy. I never dreamed I'd be mentioning him on the 911 board. His reputation is that he can fix anything but his business revolves around American machines.
I know he loves having Joe around. I was there a week or so ago and Mike started picking on us that we were talking about 2.7's and 3 liters instead of pussy. Then he went on to talk about his air cooled experiences. He said he worked on a lot of Corvairs way back when. He said the only thing wrong with that car was that a$$ hole Ralph Nader. I love the country!
I think he might like having some 911's in his shop.

[williecoyote]

Hey Craig,
Fwiw, the one time that my car wouldn't start, I was in Raleigh. It was a saturday, and the only place open was E.P. They were kind of cocky, but they did replace my dme relay, and I was on my way.
Will

[billwagnon]

EP did my PPI and worked with my crazy drive-down-from-St.Louis-get-the-car-and-run schedule.

No complaints from me.

[Cold Deck]

You might want to call Tom at Triangle Imports. They did the work for my (new to me) car for 8 years for the PO and it is in great shape. They seem to understand the approach to maintenance on these cars and are easy to work with.

[jhelgesen]

Originally posted by Mike Kast
I say we make Joe Wagner our East Coast John Walker. Think he could be drafted? Maybe if we did draft him he could afford a 911
If John and I are talking about the same Joe, he works for Mike Poe who's shop is 1/4 mile north of Hwy64 just inside the Chatham County line. I believe it is Poe's Automotive.
Mike is a good ol Chatham County boy.

Yep Mike, thats Joe, works at Mikes place, great guys.

If Joe told you about the headaches with the hotrod type 4 he's building, we should be able to talk him into a 911 in no time. I know he had the bug for one after he drove the -6.

We'll make a road trip to DC Auto sometime, but bring your checkbook, you'll see something you need.

[jhelgesen]

Originally posted by CraigH
Thanks for the responses. The car is white, although it may not stay that way in the distant future. I have some pictures although it is definetely somewhat of a project at this point and I dont want to post anything until I have a chance to clean it up. I have been concentrating on getting it roadworthy for a NC inspection (mostly exhaust, lights, etc). I have learned a lot on this board in recent weeks and I sure wish I had discovered it before I bought this car.

I did see the DC Automotive place on the internet. It would likely be pretty interesting to see their place.

I dont have anything specific for a mechanic at this point, but I figure it is a good idea to have a place should (when) something comes up. Does Joe Wagner have a shop (phone #)?

Craig, if there is something specific you need help with, let us know, we're suckers for weekend 911 work around here. Drop a motor, paint a car, you name it, we're working on it.

[walt]

Both European and Miller have good reputations. I have used European once and was satisfied with the work, I have not used Millersport. These would be my choices for work on a 911.

[orange911]

Any of you NC folks know where I can find an E in NC - I am in raleigh also.

Olin

[Mike Kast]

Hey Olin,
You might want to try putting a wanted add in the classified section. If you haven't already...

[911fan77]

Anyone happen to have the number there so I can talk to Joe? Would like to give him some business.

Thanks,
Dean

[jmshepard]

My 80 SC (225,000+ miles on the engine) is currently undergoing a rebuild at European Performance on Hillsborough St. The engine had no issues before it went in, I wanted to prevent a more costly rebuild in the future. Tolga, the front man seems to be very willing to go the extra mile for customer service. I have not heard any negative comments about Jim the mechanic. Hopefully in the next few weeks I can report on the success of their work.

[jhelgesen]

Dean, call Joe @ 919 362 6591, let him know what you got and what you need.

[TopsailBeach]

I admit to being highly biased, due to exposure to consisently high levels of integrity, workmanship, and quality service. I use Triangle Import on Capital Boulevard. Tom and Dean are incredible! I'm the second owner of my 911, and they serviced the car from the time it left the dealership. When I bought it, they provided me with missing service records, additional information, and a great deal on the few issues needing to be sorted. They also have helped sort out some of the difficult issues with my son's 944. They know Porsche cars.

Also, two trips to DC Automotive during Christmas vacation. It's like a grocery store for Porsche parts!! Grab a cart and fill it up--everything is cleaned, organized, and the prices are great. Well worth the trip just to walk through two acres of parts and rollers.

[911fan77]

Thanks guys. I might give each one a call and see what they can do for me. TI is closer and EP is on the way to work but I've heard good things about Joe. Thanks for the info!

Dean