Edward

Hi all!

Exciting news, but need your help. I'm seriously considering picking up a 74 911, and I'd appreciate it if anyone can steer me into a good, knowledgable shop for a good PPI. The 74 is a new animal to me (I only know what I've read; no hands-on knowledge), plus it's got a 3.0 conversion so I need to make sure the shop really knows its stuff.

The owner says he and the PO (who was a friend of his) had the car serviced at Don Jackson in Phoenix. Anyone know it? Or can anyone recommend a good shop in the Phoenix/Scottsdale/Tempe area? Thanks, all ...really appreciate it!

Edward

Gary Perry

I have had both of my 911s serviced at Don Jackson and had my PPI done there for the first car. Don and his sons do a good job, will put on parts you buy and bring in and have been around for almost 30 years. One of the things that a lot of people don't know about Don is that he was a mechanic for the Shelby American race teams in the 60s.

Edward

Thanks, Gary. I appreciate the input! My only concern, and not sure if it's really a valid concern, is that the car was serviced by Don Jackson and I'd like to avoid any potiential conflict of interest. But if they are as good as you say they are, that should be a postive for me, and that their honesty/integrity will show in their PPI.
...so hard to be objective in these things, especially when you like the car.

Edward

2ndof2

I was referred to Stuttgart SW but in my efforts to find out why a CEL light went on for the car I was considering buying, I was told by one of the guys there that they reset the light not taking account of why it went off. I know the seller has another car there at the shop, a '73 911, but I was really surprised that they would just reset the light and not let the owner know why it went on. The car in question was a '96. Several people on this site said they had used Stuttgart with some success although one person had bad feedback (did a search on this). I'd just be a little careful about their attention to detail but they were easy to talk with and seemed like very nice people. Not so sure I'd be comfortable with their level of experience with 993s based upon the CEL light feedback they gave me. They (Joe) said they didn't think a CEL showing a secondary air injection code 1411 (which is what it was) had anything to do with valve guide wear. I was surprised to hear them say that based upon what I've read here. Another person had mentioned a shop called Beck's out that way. Good luck either way!

2ndof2

Oh yeh, my point is it looks like they do work on the older 911's....

kkim

https://rennlist.com/forums/993-forum/104987-ppi-in-az.html

Good luck!!

jz993

I would agree that a conflict of interest is not a valid concern in the case of Don Jackson. I don't know him personally, but I have met his son DJ. He didn't seem to think the whole CEL issue was a big hairy deal, either. You reset the code, go directly to the smog station, pass, and get on with your life. Done it time and again. Leads me to think the CEL thing is as overblown as the Y2k computer meltdown scenario.
As for his father, if Don lied to prospective buyers to help customers sell their cars, he wouldn't have the reputation he enjoys. I don't think he would do it, nor would Frank Beck or Jack Doverspike at SSW. The P-car community is small, and people do talk to each other.
I'm not surprised that there is conflict bet. what Joe told 2ndof2 and what's read on the Internet. Consensus is a rare commodity in any technical field. In my experience, the more tech. demanding and detail oriented you are, the less likely you will be satisfied. You can be as **** as you want if you're the one doing the job, but it's just about impossible to motivate someone else to care as much as you.
SSW is the shop I use, basically for geog. convenience. I agree that it can be difficult to pin them down on details/explanations, but they are competent. I'd say that they have a more laid back attitude there, appealing to customers that appreciate the shop saving them $ where possible, not pushing for expensive repairs that **** (and sufficiently well-heeled $$$) owners might demand. Jack once let me borrow a lift on a Sat. afternoon so I could detail underneath my car.
I've never seen a shop with so many friendly techs. that aren't bothered by you asking them questions, and I'm pushin' 50.
I bought my car thru Frank Beck, and have no regrets. Any of these metro PHX shops can be trusted to do a PPI. Just my .02

Edward

Excellent info, guys...I really appreciate the feedback!

Interesting that my research had pointed me to two alternatives to Don Jackson: Beck's and Stuttgart SW. Funny that they were both mentioned in this thread! I think I'll stick with DJackson as he (they ?) are already familiar with the car. Thanks to all for your valuable insight and input. I'll post if I'm successful on my mission.


Edward