DSM shop professionalism

[Jon Lane]

2G original owner looking to restore and rebuild. Question based on experience: Do you really have to leave the DSM world to get professionalism from a shop? And yes, I'm thinking of top DSM brand shops.

 

[pma1123]

Doesn't mean it doesn't exist; I am not familiar with a go-to DSM shop you can just drop one of these cars off and pick it up restored in 2026. There are definitely people who specialize in different areas of them.

We've witnessed many "DSM shops" behave in many different ways over the years, even in the golden years of abundant parts and steady business we would see unforgettable dealings occur. The average guy trying to pay his bills on just DSM repair work now; I feel sorry for that dude!

Also; I'm cheap and generally I am not paying for labor I can do, so thats where I'm coming from. Maybe I'm just totally blind to the options.

I would venture a guess that even independent mechanic shops would charge over $120/hr to get involved in resurrecting a neglected car back to running. If you have a few things holding the car back from running and didn't want to pursue DIY....this might be your safest and fastest option to start a conversation finding a trustworthy local place to work with.

 

[Justin DuBois]

2G original owner looking to restore and rebuild. Question based on experience: Do you really have to leave the DSM world to get professionalism from a shop? And yes, I'm thinking of top DSM brand shops.

I never expected to find one shop to restore my DSM. The amount of work a DSM (or any vintage vehicle) needs to be "restored" is staggering. The only way I was able to get it to where I wanted it, was to do everything I can do myself, myself - and reach out to specialist for the big three - Suspension/Chassis - Paint/Appearance - Engine/Transmission. Somewhere in there is interior and electronics - and depending on what skills you bring to the project changes who you reach out to, to finish.

 

[Jon Lane]

Note that I said shops, plural.

Original owner '98 Tsi in very good original condition for 200k miles. Different engine, only 2500 miles. Refreshed 5spd trans, three times. So the need is rather simple: Since neither the engine or trans were dealt with right, now the engine has to go back to a competent engine shop, while the trans yet to be determined. Haven't even talked about or to a paint and body man, which doesn't have to be a DSM specialist anyway.

So far three top, brand name, promoted, known benchmark DSM engine and trans shops have all failed to so much as communicate. All advertise the world, none listen to a damn thing. Complete customer indifference.

Plenty of available budget. Competent owner. Complete build lists and records. Ready to go. Shop is free to quote.

None so much as bother to shut up and listen to the client. The original question was somewhat rhetorical.

 

[pma1123]

Thanks for confirming that being a DIY'er is still the way forward with these cars!!

 

[Justin DuBois]

Note that I said shops, plural.

Original owner '98 Tsi in very good original condition for 200k miles. Different engine, only 2500 miles. Refreshed 5spd trans, three times. So the need is rather simple: Since neither the engine or trans were dealt with right, now the engine has to go back to a competent engine shop, while the trans yet to be determined. Haven't even talked about or to a paint and body man, which doesn't have to be a DSM specialist anyway.

So far three top, brand name, promoted, known benchmark DSM engine and trans shops have all failed to so much as communicate. All advertise the world, none listen to a damn thing. Complete customer indifference.

Plenty of available budget. Competent owner. Complete build lists and records. Ready to go. Shop is free to quote.

None so much as bother to shut up and listen to the client. The original question was somewhat rhetorical.

Welcome to "having money is not enough"

I don't know which shops you are referring to - but it really helps to have a real in-person relationship with a shop principal - Restoration for pay is a thankless business, and a DSM is not a money making proposition - sofa king hard - to get parts and it takes a master fabricator to deal with the kind of BS problems we enjoy with a DSM.

I hope you are successful at getting the support you need. We want more of these cars on the road!