Good PPI shop in Santa Monica, L.A. or Marina Del Rey area?

[Turnbull]

I am looking for a shop to give me a good PPI on a car up in the Santa Monica, L.A. or Marina Del Rey area. any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks-

[Jack Olsen]

Otto's in Venice.
Redline in Santa Monica.
But if you're willing to take the car to North Hollywood, my personal preference is TRE Motorsports (818) 509 0257.

[Turnbull]

Thank you for your help. I will see if the car's owner will allow the car to go to N. Hollywood. Otherwise, who would you reccomend Otto's or Redline?

Thanks again-

[scottb]

I echo Jack's comments. TRE would be the first choice. Either of the other two can certainly do a PPI as well, but the guys at TRE are the best, hands down!

[Vintage911Racer]

TRE First,

Redline
Ottos

I have no experience with Ottos so that is why they are on the bottom of my list. I am sure they are a great shop though.

[Turnbull]

Thanks guys, I just called TRE and they said it would take about 3 hours to do a thorough PPI and only be $200.00, with less than a days notice. That is a heck of a deal if you consider what could happen if I don't do a PPI and after the three of your recomendations it is a no brainer, as long as it passes my inspection on Sunday.

Thanks-

[Grady Clay]

All these shops are very reputable and competent. What you want is a totally independent and objective analysis. Ask if they have serviced the 911 for the PO. It is worthwhile to have several PPIs with different shops. Yes, it costs more but you better know what you are buying and you get to evaluate the shops. Your first PPI will tell you if you need to continue. These guys will stop spending your PPI money if they find a serious issue up front. Many times you will show up for a PPI and they can give a quick look-over before taking it in. Many times I haven’t spent a dime on a PPI for some cars. If they do that for you, consider a large pizza delivery thank you.

The largest issues are previous crash damage & repair and rust. You didn’t say what model but these guys know what to look for.

Look at the PO’s service records. There is a lot of value to provenance. Every 911 can be traced from the MSO forward and from the PO back. Very worthwhile.

Best,
Grady

[Turnbull]

The car is supposedly an original owner '73. Been to the same mechanic; Matt at German Meister Service in Semi Valley since '75. The car has only been in the rain twice during its entire life. Now for the hard news for this BBS; this is my first Porsche and it's a 914 2.0. My desire is to have a '72 or '73 911 by the time I am 40 and I want to wrench on my own car as much as possible so this is baby steps. I first posted this on the 914 BBS but someone reccomended that I post my request on the 911 BBS saying I might get a little better feedback. They were right.

[scottb]

If the car is in Simi Valley, then TRE is far closer than the other shops. Also, Dave at TRE is big into 914s.

Good luck!

[Turnbull]

The car is in L.A. near the 405 and Wilshire. I agree about TRE; my 3 minute phone call told me a lot about that place. Once I buy one, do any of you have a reccomendation for a shop near my home (Anaheim Hills, Orange)? I will probably need one to stop the bleeding from hitting my head against the wall in my garage on different occasions.

[Grady Clay]

WOW.

That is cool. As tempted as I am to recommend installing a six, keep it absolutely original. Spend your time finding all the original parts, options, sales lit, provenance, and more. A few donor 2.0 cars wouldn’t hurt.

Does it have the forged wheels? What is its service history? If this is an original owner, he will have a copy of the MSO and original sales receipt. All very valuable.

Dave, Tyson and crew at TRE can advise you. It looks like you have a “find.” After some enjoyment, care taking, and additional stuff, you are on your way to a 911. Good for you.

Best,
Grady

[Turnbull]

That is exactly my plan. I want to start by tinkering and immerse myself in reading technical handouts and such. Then graduate into restoring/rebuilding different components. I rode dirtbikes and prerunners in Baja for a decade and just had spinal fusion as a result. Sold the toys and starting over.

The good news of the car is that it is a 2.0, appearence group, original owner. With all records. The owner is spending Sunday with me, going over records and a 3 page pre-PPI, I created from information I have gathered from all of you guys for the last 6 months or so.

The bad news: The guy changed to dual 40's in the mid-ninetys at mechanics suggestion. Re-sprayed the car (original color) and changed to Empi's years ago.

My plan is to take copious notes on Sunday and contact the original mechanic on Monday. Take more notes and schedule the car for a PPI with TRE after that and hand all the information to Dave.

Hopefully it is a diamond and not a CZ.

Thanks for all of your support and best wishes-

[scottb]

I don't know whether Otto's or Redline are 914-savvy, but Dave at TRE sure is. If you can convince the owner to let you take it out there, you'll both have a very clear and accurate picture of whether it's a diamond or CZ. Besides, if the owner has been taking it out to Simi Valley, he shouldn't be opposed to North Hollywood, which is closer. Hopefully he'll "play ball."

Good luck, and let us know how this turns out.

[Turnbull]

It's 15.8 miles door to door. I think the owner will be OK with that. You make a great point, I will provide him with a very accurate picture of his car for free.

[Grady Clay]

Here are some links you should look at:

“Purchase agreement”
the buying process

“Personal Car Specific Manual”
Personal Car Specific Manual

“PPI”
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_prepurchase/911_prepurchase.htm

“VIN Check” with links
quick VIN question...

Best,
Grady

[SandyI]

If you consider that Otto services the 914 POC STS C-stock class winner. And Otto's personal mid-engined monster holds a course record at Streets of Willow. And he won his POC STS Class in 2004. The guy knows a thing or two about 914's. Nothing against TRE, but you might want to give Otto a call before you make the trek into the valley.

[Turnbull]

Grady- Nice job on the agreement. I will definately utilize that. I actually dug up the other three threads and utilized information from all of them on my 3 page "pre-PPI". Thanks for the advice.

Sandy-I was hoping this wouldn't happen...Everyone has their favoritie mechanic. Usually we are closer and more loyal to them than many members of our own families. I respect your opinion and will definately talk to Otto as well.

Thanks everyone

[scottb]

It sounds like you won't go wrong with Otto's or TRE. Let us know what the PPI shows!

[CarreraS2]

'73 914 2.0 is a great car!

Really unfortunate about the carbs, though. That really kills the value, IMO. Take that into account when negotiating.

It wouldn't be hard at all, though, to put the original injection back on. Hopefully they left the computer and wiring in place. If so, it would be really easy. (I think the primitive, but very functional injection system, one of the first of its kind on a production car, is one of the key neat things about the 914/4. It really was a technically advanced car at its time: How many other sports cars had fuel injection, 5 speeds, 4 wheel discs, and mid engine at the time?!?).

If it were a 911, I'd say any of the 3 are good. For a 914, though, I'd go to Otto. He probably has the most experience with street 914 4 cylinders - he works on them every day, and the others probably do not. I've worked with Otto when I had 914s, and I would recommend him for any 914 work. He really knows and specializes in the 914.

Although they are simple cars, and any one of them could do a good job.

[rrpjr]

Yes, Otto is a 914 man par excellence.