jglaze

Hello out there - I am T-10 days until my family makes its triumphant return to Alameda, CA. Enough with these New England winters!

When I was last living in the Bay Area, I was still an e30 guy and had a great shop in Berkeley, but now I am looking for recommendations for a reliable independent shop to take care of the 997.

I look forward to year-round driving/tracking and meeting up with some of y'all as well. Thanks!

jamesinger

It might be a little far but I had a really good experience with Darrin at FD Motorsport. He is a cool guy with a small indie shop that has some high quality specialty items and he can do work on both air cooled and water cooled porsches. I like that his shop has a small family vibe to it. It is a little far in Brentwood but I felt it was worth the drive from LA, so dropping down from the East Bay shouldn't be too rough. I have been into cars since 1992 but I only recently got a Porsche. However, whatever kind of car I have, I try to seek out smaller independent family run shops that specialize in one brand. Darrin is definitely that kind of mechanic running that kind of shop.

https://fdmotorsports.net/

gasongasoff

+1 for Darin, although Alameda to Brentwood is a quite a ways out

mfonseca

Did you just have your car detailed at Unique Car Care?

MagnusB

Pacific Power Motorsports in Walnut Creek.

Hella-Buggin'

+1

Eric is a great guy. He's been working on my car for years.

SF911TT

+1 for Pacific Power.

Hella-Buggin'

And let us know when you get here.

swoardrider

Sharkworks
Elephant Racing
BR Racing
Jerry Wood Enterprises
Canepa Motorsports
Suspension Performance


and a million other shops in the Bay Area that specialize in Porsches. Really depends on what kind of service you are looking for. Suspension, mechanical, body, alignment, detailing. Everything shop has its pluses and minuses. Most competent shops can do the basics on a 997 nowadays. They are not rocket science like a an air cooled widow maker was back in the day. . It's when you get into the black art of suspension tuning, alignment, ECU tuning, restoration, that certain shops shine over others. What exactly is the criteria you are looking for?

TheBruce

Welcome. If you want to make a trip across the Richmond bridge S-Car-Go is an excellent shop in San Rafael. Reasonable pricing, great mechanics, and the shop is a man'cave.

Joe Ramos has a post on the RL West Region forum for Bay Area owners. He organizes drives regionally so add your name to it to get on the list.

jglaze

Thanks for all the tips, I'll be sure to check them out and will register on the drives page. I got here last weekend and have been tooling around in the wife's new Chevy Bolt until my cars get here...I'm getting a little antsy to say the least! Should be here in plenty of time for first of the month C&C and (new) EASY meetup in Emeryville.

That was me at Unique in Andover...those guys are fantastic. While we're on the topic, any recommendations for detailers?

TheBruce

Do you have any specifics on this? I was just discussing with some friends but didnt know they had dates/location lined up yet.

jglaze

My understanding is that the new owners are going to carry forward the first Saturday tradition. Seems like their facebook page is the best place for updates, though I suspect there will be a curious group that will show up in front of the shop in a few weeks just to see what happens.

TheBruce

Yea I just looked on their FB page and they say they are continuing first Saturday of every month, so thats great.

Look forward to meeting you when your ride arrives. There are a few 997s over in Marin that are always looking for an excuse to get out and drive. Send me a PM and will add you to the email list.

Hella-Buggin'

What part of the East Bay are you in? I'm in the Orinda / Lafayette area.
I'll give you some drive ideas.