Return-Path: Received: from GS252.SP.CS.CMU.EDU by ux4.sp.cs.cmu.edu id aa26007; 16 Dec 97 2:17 EST Received: from [127.0.0.1] by gs252.sp.cs.cmu.edu id aa24498; 16 Dec 97 2:17 EST Sender: whd@gs252.sp.cs.cmu.edu Message-ID: <34962AFE.1CFBAE39@cs.cmu.edu> Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 02:17:18 -0500 From: Huadong Wu Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.03 (X11; I; SunOS 4.1.4 sun4m) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: bovik@cs.cmu.edu CC: whd@cs.cmu.edu, bobk@paulsvw.com Subject: car repairing: Baum Blvd Tire Center, Paul's VW, Bruno's, & Speedy Muffler, etc. Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Harry, The following is my recommendation from some experiences. Please add it to the data base, so that more people in our community can benefit from it. Thanks! --Huadong -------------------------------------- I brought my VW Jetta car to Speedy (5525 Penn Ave, near Negley) to do state inspection in May, they charged me $340.29 (even after $40 coupon of promotion) for replacing the rear discs and shoes. As I complained about the high price, the manager explained that it is due to the expensive Germany parts, but, afterwards I knew from the discarded packing boxes that the parts are actually US made ordinary parts. The price is fair or not I am not quite sure, but I am definitely sure that the Speedy was not honest on that. The worse thing is that they scraped the anti-rust protection coat of ~1" dim and hurted one of the parking brake cable while lifting the car. When winter comes, the parking brake stickes from time to time in very cold weather, I brought the car to Paul's VW and Import Service (they moved from 2033 Saw Mill Run Blvd (Rt 51) to 2600 Library Rd (Rt 88), #884-8866). They checked and didn't find anything wrong, suspecting that one of the calipers is bad and suggested me check out which one stickes when it happens again. They are very friendly and didn't charge me for the checking. They estimated about $220 for changing a caliper. When things happened again, I checked it out and concluded that it is the rear left brake which causes the trouble. I brougt it to the Bruno's (518 Mellon St., #361-1750), it seemed that they didn't listen to me about the problem. Afterwards, as they didn't find out the true source of the problem, they suggested me to chance both calipers -- the estimated price is $500. (BTW, they charged me $5 for adjusting brakes, I cann't understand what they have done on it, so guess that the $5 is just for checking). Then I decided to try the Baum Tire Center (245 N. Neville St., #683-1999 actually on Centre Ave near Giante Eagle). Their mechanic Paul, checked and concluded that it is the spinned cable which causes the problem. If he is right (I guess he is, as I know he was really careful when checking it), then it is due to Speedy's careless work whick hurted the cable several monthes ago. Paul also really adjusted the brake system and didn't charge me a penny! So according to my experience, from the best to the worset: Baum Bvld Tire Center Paul's VW and import Service Bruno's Speedy Muffler (BTW, I also had some experience with the Lou's Auto Service & Sales just cross the Giante Eagle on Centre Ave, and Gulf Garage which is very near, also on Centre Ave. My impression is that they are a little bit more expensive than Bruno's but without any noticeably better service).