This month's Letter of the Month will receive an exclusive eurotuner T-shirt for his effort. If you'd like the same, email us at eurotuner@primedia.com or write to: eurotuner Magazine Letters, 6420 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Not Excited Any More
It's funny how you think you've got it all figured out until one day you total your '98 GTI VR6 and end up taking on a Mk2 Jetta conversion. Your mag has always been a great source for technical help and information. I found myself digging through back issues to find exactly what it would take to get the car where I wanted it.
Your engine swap issue convinced me that I should probably leave it to the pros. Luckily, I live fairly close to a reputable VW tuning shop that's done countless VR conversions. I gave them a call and set a date to begin the surgery. Everything was in order until about the third week of the procedure. You see, I was told the entire project would take three to four weeks. Three weeks in, I was heading out of town for work and made the fatal error of telling the shop. I think that set the tone for the rest of the project, which is still underway almost four months later.
Don't get me wrong; I still have a great deal of respect for the work this particular shop does, which is why I've been so patient with them on the phone.
I use the phone because they have my car. My only car. I've been without wheels for four months. I've lost all kinds of weight because I can't get to the grocery store, and I ride my bike to the bank. It's destroying my laziness.
I get really mad at 20min intervals all day long. I'm so pissed off about the whole thing (including the hundreds of dollars wasted on car insurance for the past few months) that I'm not excited any more.
We're talking about a two-door Mk2 Jetta with a VR6 and all the fixings. I have no recourse. I just want my car back. But I want them to do the amazing work I know they're capable of.
At what point do I flip out? Is there even any point trying to involve the law in an issue like this, where there's no written contract? And would I then be considered a turncoat for taking action against a VW tuning shop?
In your next engine swap issue you might want to mention that dealing with a shop on such a big project can be more trouble than it's worth. At this point I could have purchased all the necessary tools and done the work on Sunday afternoons with a stack of eurotuners by my side.Nick RiceCT
Sorry to hear about your troubles. We understand your frustration and share your anger at shops that fail to deliver. It's damaging our industry because your experiences aren't unique, but will be passed on to others who will also be reluctant to have work done.
The law should only be used as a final recourse. It won't encourage them to finish the job properly. Speak to the owner of the shop calmly and ask him for a completion schedule. Ask him if he can honor this. Put polite pressure on them because they're clearly inconveniencing you greatly. Perhaps you should pay them regular visits. Maybe sit in the workshops for hours. Eventually they'll grow sick of your face.
I can see from your email you're being reasonable but these boys are taking the piss. Perhaps if they don't come good soon we'll print their name!
Deficient
I find your publication has writers with a great grasp of the English language but are deficient when it comes to automobiles and the finer European cars.
I have read European Car and eurotuner for years but they are laughable. Here is an example from the 6/06 issue. Regarding the RS6 and its power "The motor generated 425 lb/ft from 1950 to 6000rpm, which was too much for available manual transmissions, so it's equipped with a five-speed Tiptronic."