Comments needed on shops (Central-South Indiana)

BMWDavid · 08-30-2009, 10:35 AM

I'm looking for a shop to do work on my '89 3.2. Can anyone give me feedback on Farmers Automotive in Greenfield Indiana? How about Foreign Performance in Evansville Indiana?

My '89 3.2 coupe is in extraordinary good condition. But it is in need of a thorough service (valve adjustment check, spark plugs, brake/clutch fluid, trans-axle oil, etc.) along with some minor repair/replacement/adjustment of a few items.

I've put this off for quite a while because I was hesitant to entrust my car to anyone. But now its gotta get done. I even missed driving my 3.2 at a local PCA road trip due to service needs.

Thanks for any input!

David

Flat6pac · 08-30-2009, 11:15 AM

Farmers has been around for a long time and I ve run across them and customers several times over many years and never heard a complaint.

Bruce

175K911 · 08-30-2009, 01:49 PM

If you feel like a road trip to Chicago, Doug Hillman at VFC Engineering on the north side of the city is very proficient with our cars. He did the trans overhaul and regeared it for me. There are a number of us who entrust our cars (several SC's and Carreras, 996TT, 450hp 951, 500hp VW R32, Cayman S, several M3's, GT2s and GT3s) to Doug. Small shop, Doug is the owner and the one who works on the high end stuff, his wife Robin funs the shop. He also has an 18 wheeler that he uses to haul some of our cars to the distant tracks like Barber, VIR, Glen, Daytona etc.

BMWDavid · 08-31-2009, 11:22 AM

VFC sounds like a great shop but its a little further than I'd like to go. If anyone else wants to chime in with suggestions please feel free. There are not many shops within a 100 mile radius of Vincennes Indiana.

Although come to think about it there is a small shop in Lawrenceville Illinois. A guy by the name of Thomas Tipsword owns and runs this shop. Anyone here know anything about him?

Thanks!

David

copbait73 · copbait73's Garage

For an air-cooled 911, Bob Farmer is your best option. Don't be surprised if he tries to talk you into a HP upgrade, he really likes doing this type of work.

rphillips · rphillips's Garage

I use Jim Weinfurt, his shop is All Road Motorsports in Bloomington, he's great. He seems to always go above and beyond the expected and his rates are very reasonable. Of course, I'm in Bloomington so that makes it easy.

BMWDavid · 09-01-2009, 05:07 AM

I live about 50 miles from Bloomington. I'm not aware of Jim's shop-All Road Motorsports. I need to check them out as its certainly closer for me.

Thanks,

David

trj911 · trj911's Garage

Bob Farmer is very knowledgable and has been working on Porsches for years. His shop is at his house / farm on the east side of Indy. He is well know in the local racing community and does good work.

BMWDavid · 09-01-2009, 07:20 AM

I did take a look at Bob Farmers web page. Pretty impressive. I get the feeling that this is a guy fully immersed in all things Porsche.

Even though he is about 120 miles from my home I think this is the place to take my 3.2 Carrera.

I will be making up my list of what I know needs done on my car then I call him to see what his schedule looks like. Wish I had a pick up and a car trailer. As it is someone will need to follow me in a separate car.

David

SpeedracerIndy · 09-01-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copbait73

For an air-cooled 911, Bob Farmer is your best option. Don't be surprised if he tries to talk you into a HP upgrade, he really likes doing this type of work.

Agreed on both points. After spending an hour there a month ago, he nearly had me talked into a $7,000 engine upgrade.

There's also Euro Motorwerks in Carmel, but they're pricey.

Farmer does very good work and is fair on price.