Porsche specialist in Thousand Oaks CA area? (Zip 91362)

[norske1]

Hi. Just got a 1985 Targa and looking for suggestions for a great independent Porsche shop in Thousand Oaks area. (Hopefully within 10-15 miles of 91360, but open to all suggestions). Many thanks. David

[Noah930]

I'm a fan of TRE. They're over in Van Nuys.

[blucille]

+1 for tre, also TLG in north Hollywood

[norske1]

Thx guys. Will check out both TRE and TLG

[Jay Laifman]

FWIW, I live in Oak Park (right near TO) and I go to Santa Barbara to Schneider ********. Great people - even take me to lunch from time to time, and I prefer just to hang out there for the day. I take my laptop and work in their comfortable office (and they have WiFi).

I was going to someone more local who was having trouble with my CIS - for over a year. I contacted Bosch itself and they referred me to Schneider.

[Flieger]

I use TLG for bigger stuff, or Mike's Foreign Sports for smaller jobs. He's real close (my 911 is in TO)- Hampshire and TO Blvd. Schneider is also great, as is TRE but for a combination of skill, price, and proximity I prefer TLG.

I just heard about a new shop (apparently started by an experienced technician and longtime enthusiast) in Camarillo called MKS Performance. Might want to check that out too.

[kwdnobull]

R2 Racing in Canyon Country (by Valencia / Santa Clarita).
Check them out you won't be disappointed or go anywhere else.

[norske1]

Thx for all your leads guys. Much appreciated. My first step is to eliminate vibration from the front wheels. Prevalent at 60 mph+. Balanced the wheels but still there.

[Jay Laifman]

I went through a number of wheel balances, different places, different machines. I even did an on-car balance. Pretty slick. But nothing worked - even though all the balancers said they were perfect.

Someone said early on, when I was trying to fix it, that I might need new tires. But my tires were not THAT old and had plenty of tread. I finally decided to get new tires. Problem solved.

[porwolf]

Originally Posted by Jay Laifman

I went through a number of wheel balances, different places, different machines. I even did an on-car balance. Pretty slick. But nothing worked - even though all the balancers said they were perfect.

Someone said early on, when I was trying to fix it, that I might need new tires. But my tires were not THAT old and had plenty of tread. I finally decided to get new tires. Problem solved.

I had Porsche tire vibrations on various tires over the years. I all cases they were relatae to the car standing on the tires for along time, like several weeks. Even relatively new tires can cause the problem because they develop flat spots. If the flat spots are not too bad just diving the car at high speeds for about an hour can eliminate the flat spots.

[SoCalSK8r]

I've used MKS in Camarillo once before....minor thing, but Mike over there is a really nice guy.

[AJ's 911]

I would recommend MKS in Camarillo. Mike Schatz is well respected Porsche master mechanic having worked for several dealers before going out on his own. He is also a PCA member of the Santa Barbara region. Really nice guy!

[norske1]

You guys may be correct on the "flat tire syndrome." For the past 5 years this car was owned by a collector who only put 4K miles on it. Kept it at his second home so probably sat for awhile between drives

Taking it to California Tire Co in Newbury Park this weekend (PCA reco) for second opinion on tires. Will let you know what transpires. Also heading to the PCA SB breakfast this weekend and will see if Mike from MKS is there.

Thanks for all the insights. I'm new to Pelican and appreciative of all the help.

[Flieger]

I get my tires at Tire Man on TO Blvd. Pavel there is a nice guy.

I notice significant flat spots on my tires because my car sits for long periods (2-4 weeks normally). But they go away after a few miles on the highway. Mine are the Advan AO48 so a little softer than normal street tires so they probably flat spot easier.

[lateapex911]

Originally Posted by Jay Laifman

I went through a number of wheel balances, different places, different machines. I even did an on-car balance. Pretty slick. But nothing worked - even though all the balancers said they were perfect.

Someone said early on, when I was trying to fix it, that I might need new tires. But my tires were not THAT old and had plenty of tread. I finally decided to get new tires. Problem solved.

Yes, flat spots can be disconcerting. My Hoosiers would flat spot horribly. I instructed a guy in a Ford GT40 who was SURE the lugs were loose and we hit the pits. They work their way out eventually. (Unless the flat spots are from locking them up!)

My 911 also had a very annoying shake/shimmy in the steering. Balancing was useless. The big "hint" was that the problem would come and go in severity based on whether the tires were in sync with each other. Of course, as soon as I hit a curve, they'd go out of sync. Replacing them solved it. Must have been a slipped belt.

You can swap front to rear, and see if that lessens the issue. (At least it will help you narrow the issue down)

The manual 911 steering is very sensitive, and small issues come through loud and clear.

[norske1]

Update on my front end vibration. Took the car to a tire place to balance wheels. Still experienced the same vibration in front.

Yesterday I took the car to Dean at Calif Tire Co in Newbury Park. He took the car out for a test drive with me. We ended up re-balancing all tires (the previous place did a bad job) and he found that the wheel bearings on the front left were a little loose (something he tightened for free). Tires on the car are three years old and are actuallly fine (no flat spots). Car drives PERFECT now. Go to Dean if you have similar problems. He's the owner, attentive and has a '77 930.

Next up...short shift kit, and may go to Mike's Foreign Sports or TLG.

Again, thanks for all the recommendations. The 911 is new territory for me and having a blast!!!

[Embraer]

have you driven with a short shift kit? personal preference, but I think it changes the feel much for the worse.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Embraer

have you driven with a short shift kit? personal preference, but I think it changes the feel much for the worse.

Hmmm? ...I really like the short-shift feel, especially coupled with a spring-centered option like the Wevo. On the track, it's a MUST for me.