Hi All,

Just wondering if anyone knew of a good reasonably priced 1971 Beetle mechanic in Brisbane?

I used to take my car to Phoenix Engineering but had a bad experience with the new owner after Erwin sold it.

I recall there used to be one around the Everton Park area but I cant find them. Anyone got any other good mechanics realtively central Brisbane?

Thanlks

not too many vw mechanics around now .....most mechanics want to plug cars into a computer and keep their hands clean....

close to everton park would be custom vee dub in stafford......28 hayward st in behind stafford city shopping centre

Petes been swinging spanners their for a lot of years now....lots of knowledge

Roger @ southside vw repair tho he is closing shop to retire soon.
Cheers, Carl.

Or Andre, Scorpio Motors, he used to be Everton Park but I believe he is still operating in the area, maybe Mitchelton...

Thanks guys.

Scorpio motors is the one I had heard of. Someone who also owned a VW beetle came up to me and gave me Scorpio's card when I was at a servo about 5-10 years ago. I never bothered keeping it because I was happy with Phoenix Engineering.

To take the topic a little off track (I might start another thread) I was hoping to get my beetle to get a smoother ride. I tend to find myself borrowing my flatmates car when taking longer drives as cars less than 20 years old are a much smoother ride (more so on freeways).

What sort of things should I ask to be replaced/upgraded to get a better drive on freeways. Obviously shocks would be one thing. Muffler to get a little bit less volume. Are there any other upgrades? I know it will never be the same as a newer car but I would hope it can come 70% of the way there.

Depends what you mean as 'not smooth'.

Does it wonder? rattle? clunk? clutch shudder? shifter sloppy? Brakes spongey?

I suppose its the rattle and noise mainly.

It feels safe and the brakes are good. Maybe the steering wheel has a slight wobble. Nowhere near as bad as it used to be 15 years ago when it would get some speed wobbles at 80km/h on the freeway. I think the shocks or something found resonance at that speed and the steering wheel (not steering) would wobble back and forth. It used to freak out passengers

I suppose I should take it on a freeway test drive before I take it in so I know what I am talking about.

Look I think in reality I have been just spoilt by newer cars. The beetle is the only car I have ever owned. Been in the family for its entire life 40+ years and I have no need desire to get another car.

Topline in the USA should be able to give you the bits you need to solve the issues

You mean something like this?
http://toplineparts.com/lower-your/super-low-kit-71-73.html 

I am a car illiterate so dont know too much about the addons and what they do. I would prefer not to have to alter the beetle radically though. This doesnt seem to radical however.

If your not already coming,.. bring it down to Action day on Sunday and have a chat with a few people.

Look out for a certain blue bug with crappy black wheels^^^^^,.. the owner of it knows a thing or two.

I'd suspect you need bushings & the brass idler insert wouldn't hurt, unless you want to go lower, struts aren't necessary, inserts would help though

Unfortunately wont be able to make the Action Day.

I'll take her into Andre and hopefully he can give me some ideas. Will mention the brass idler insert too.

I'm thinking it'll be a few things I need done. Its been a while since the Beetle has been tended to by someone who knows what they are doing.

Custom VeeDub in Stafford are still about too.

Take it to Pedders for the $14 multi point check first.

For that it'll tell you if the shox are OK and any and all worn balljoints and bushes will be found.

I used it for the wifes Corolla and saved meself $1500 in labour

It's at Scorpion now and turns out it needs a lot of work. I gave him a big list of things I have noticed over the years.

Looking at $3000 - $4000 for engine rebuild, clutch plate, brakes, suspension and a host of other things.

I was prepared to spend up to $3500 but since this beetle has been in the family for about the same length of time as me I couldn't let it go. After this service it should be good for another 40+ years hopefully.

Funny thing is its only insured for about $3000

At what point is it stupid to repair a 1971 super beetle?

I had it repainted (exteriors and interior only) about 10 years ago so its relatively rust free. It was also reupholstered at the same time. I think it was for about $2500 from some guy at/near redcliffe. Is he still doing bugs?

Why don't you up your insurance to factor in the extra value? I change my agreed value every year if I have put more money and time into my L Bug. Seems silly to insure a car for 3k if you need 8k to put you back at the same point if anything were to happen to it.

I agree. When I rolled my bug about 2 years ago, it was only insured for $6,000 which didn't quite cover the repairs. Shannons paid me out, and I put in the rest of the money to have it repaired.

The panel shop said that as is is a classic and I don't intend to sell it, I should insure it for the cost to repair it, not the amount I would get if I sold it. I talked to Shannons about this after it was repaired & I was re-insuring it, and they agreed, so now it is insured for more than twice what it was before.

I take your point guys about upping the insurance and I will look into doing that for sure.

I suppose the main point of the question was how much is too much to spend on your bug? I know in my case its a sentimental issue so money is no object (to a point) but at what point does it start to be stupid

Now that I have done this I am thinking of getting updated seats now. Hopefully I havent fallen down a rabbit hole here and start spending more and more updgraing my car?

how much should you spend on it.

If its a hobby, as much as you feel is enough and can afford
if its for a daily driver, sell it and buy a newer car

If its both, well thats up to you......