AutoScandia in Herndon Virginia

[leeclanual]

Anyone have experience with AutoScandia in Herndon? I have a 2014 Porsche and looking at alternatives to the gouging at the dealership. Any inputs, regardless of make, model, would be appreciated.

[ruffyz]

I've had decent experiences with my 98 Volvo. By buddy said they did an honest job on his BMW and his Volvo 240. I called about my 996, but I ended up taking it to another shop.

[BlackTalon]

No direct experience here, but I understand they hired a seasoned Porsche technician a year or two ago.

[TurnerJ]

Been there once or twice, seems like a relatively above average shop for relatively above average rates.

[leeclanual]

New tech is named Wolfgang... from what I've heard he is the only Porsche trained tech on staff... and you schedule directly with him by name. Was quoted $280 for Oil Service Maintenance at AutoScandia... in comparison Tyson's Porsche charges $450, IMA $370 and Intersport $390... so they are definitely the cheapest but are they good? I'll report back...

[BlackTalon]

Hmmmm, how 'good' do you need to be to change oil?

[John Clay]

I suck at it. But that just screws up my garage floor, not the car.

[Goggles Paesano]

Hmmmm, how 'good' do you need to be to change oil?
That all depends on if your screwdrivers are for, or not for hammerin'

[Vicegrip]

Depends on the change too. Right oil, right filter and other related bits and proper methods?

[Hunter]

Open old filter?

[vranko]

I used them 20 or so years ago when I lived in Reston. Had a V70 wagon. I was always pleased with their service but that was a looooong time ago!

[Dandelion]

A coworker's kid called them "Autoscamdia" - mainly due to prices. The coworker was not car savvy though.

ed

[Richard Curtis]

New tech is named Wolfgang... from what I've heard he is the only Porsche trained tech on staff... and you schedule directly with him by name. Was quoted $280 for Oil Service Maintenance at AutoScandia... in comparison Tyson's Porsche charges $450, IMA $370 and Intersport $390... so they are definitely the cheapest but are they good? I'll report back...

Yikes!!! With an air-cooled '93 that takes about 10 liters of 15w-50 synthetic ($105) and a Mahle oil filter ($12), it only takes me about an hour. Wondering what else you get for that $250-$325??? I get it that they are markups and labor charges, but ....

[trytryagain]

Well, you know...they inspect stuff...top off window washer fluid, reset service reminders.

[Dr K]

I agree with Richard. First of all, what model 2014 Porsche. And second, what are they doing for $400 for an oil change?? Ben's WRX was like $70 at Subaru dealer with full synthetic (fewer quarts but still...and after that price I did the next one myself for $35 worth of synthetic, good filter, and washer).

[leeclanual]

Update: I made an appointment to drop off my 2014 Panamera for Oil Change Service and tried to drop it off today... what a joke this place is. Parking lot is packed full of cars... so if you want door dings have at it. Go to the reception door after double parking and an employee comes out and says "if you need service or have an appointment today you'll have to come back because we are having troubles opening our service area door... if you leave it then maybe get your car back tomorrow." Seriously? Granted they were $100 cheaper then Porsche of Tysons and I was willing to give them a shot... but you don't get treated poorly at the dealership... I'm willing to pay the extra $100+ cost for "service" at the time of my appointment. If this place is trying to get Porsche clients they need to up their ante a lot... Cannot recommend this shop at this time.

[cmartin]

Sounds like you made the choice that works best for you.

It sounds like I should raise my oil change prices.

[N0tt0N]

Well there's service and then there's Service

[leeclanual]

Well there's service and then there's Service (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBbPwXAL790)

Now where might this shop be located ? :lol:

[cmartin]

Dont worry, I hear the parking lot is full.

[leeclanual]

Sounds like you made the choice that works best for you.

It sounds like I should raise my oil change prices.

I was willing to give them a chance... but never made it into the front door. Like most consumers I weigh the cost, type of customer service, and actual quality of service provided when making a decision on who to use... if the company provides good service and backs it up with fair pricing theyll generally be a successful business. If your place provides what I describe above you could raise your rates... just have to back it up.

[ruffyz]

I was willing to give them a chance... but never made it into the front door. Like most consumers I weigh the cost, type of customer service, and actual quality of service provided when making a decision on who to use... if the company provides good service and backs it up with fair pricing theyll generally be a successful business. If your place provides what I describe above you could raise your rates... just have to back it up.

Between this and your double post in another thread it sounds like you have an ax to grind.

Maybe a shop that specializes in well used Volvo's just isn't for you, it doesn't mean the shop is bad. Just different shops for different folks.

[BlackTalon]

Yeah, it would be hard to argue that AutoScandia is not a successful shop. Issues like the OP ran into are the types of things that reflect how most indy shops are less expensive because they spend less on overhead costs.

If there door was broken every day that would be one thing, but if it just happened to be bad timing it's mainly just a bummer.

I am surprised about the tight parking comment though, as most dealerships I have been to have very tight parking.

[N0tt0N]

Nobody goes there (to AutoScandia) anymore - it's too crowded!

- Yogi Berra

[leeclanual]

No axe to grind... just poor first hand experience. Full lot might be one of two things... lots of business because they are just that good OR it's taking awhile to fix them. Granted they are known for Volvos but they are advertising how great they are with Porsches...

Bottom line, my original post was trying to find a local independent Porsche shop that did Great work at fair prices... AutoScandia targeted Porsche owners because they wanted to expand clientele in that market share... I'm just saying they failed for me... would not use or recommend regardless if the door issue was a one off... its about how it was handled.

[BlackTalon]

unfortunately the question about if they do great work on Porsches at fair prices is still unanswered.

On a side note, take a look at some of the car storage at EuroPros. Those guys are the absolute top body/ paint guys in the region for Porsches, but good chance someone's prized Porsche may not be kept in climate-controlled environs 24/7. in the end, it's each potential client's call on how they value/ weigh items that are incidental to the actual quality/ price of the desired work. And this is by no means limited to Porsche shops, or even the car repair world -- it applies to all types of repair companies.

The nice thing about my '87 911 is it easily fits in narrow parking spaces. My wife's SUV, not so much. Same shop could be an issue for one vehicle, and not even a blip on the radar screen for the other.

[Noah]

A 991 oil change takes half an hour and is about as complicated as operating a dishwasher. A lot of drama in this thread about something that can be done in your own garage in the same amount of time it takes to complain on the internet.

[leeclanual]

A 991 oil change takes half an hour and is about as complicated as operating a dishwasher. A lot of drama in this thread about something that can be done in your own garage in the same amount of time it takes to complain on the internet.

I still accomplish all the recommended maintenance on my Boxster when it went out of warranty years ago. My Panamera is fairly new and has the 6 year extended Porsche warranty... figured less chance of Porsche pushing back on a claim if maintenance was done by a certified mechanic rather than by me.

[ausgeflippt951]

I just stumbled across this but figured I'd chime in on Autoscandia's behalf. First and foremost, they are a Volvo and BMW shop. I can't comment on their Porsche know-how but that's not their focus.

A little background: given that I do all the work on my family's fleet, I tend to be extremely anal retentive about having a shop do work for me. Back in college, I did all the work because I lacked the finances. Now, it's a lack of trust that anyone will do as good a job as I.

Well, in my old age and maturity ( :lol: ) I have come to appreciate the value of having a good shop you can trust. When Anisa and I lived in NoVA, that was our shop for our BMWs.


I found these guys when I was looking for somewhere to take the cars for VA state inspection. When I was there, I had a chance to chat at length with their lead BMW mechanic. Not only was he willing to talk shop with me (extremely rare nowadays...try it), but I could quickly see he knew his stuff. The entire crew there has been extremely friendly, personable. Despite only occasionally taking our cars there, they seemed to always know who I was.

I've never had to take my car back for rework, and on a couple occasions they talked me out of certain work because it just wasn't necessary. I always appreciate when a shop seems more interested in ensuring your car stays on the road than getting a few extra bucks.


One additionally nice service is their free shuttle (a 90's Volvo station wagon that has like 400k on the odometer) that will pick you up and drop you off if you ever need to leave your car there. One time, I couldn't take the car to their shop so they came to my house (in the shuttle) and had an extra mechanic drive it back to their shop. They really do try and make it look like they care.



I can't speak to how knowledgeable they are w.r.t. Porsches, so I won't comment.





Oh and I will agree with you that their parking lot is ALWAYS full. There's more parking around back.



Perhaps you just need a shop with more pomp and circumstance. That's fine; sorry to hear their Keurig wasn't as nice as POT's espresso machine.