Can anyone recommend a good car mechanic in Taichung?
I am tired of visiting different mechanics and then having them either
A. Misdiagnose the problem.
B. Quote highly inflated prices for unnecessary work.
C. Do half the job that was required.
Classic example: My car was losing large amounts of coolant, no sign of compression loss, exhaust smoke or rad pipe failure. Initially suspected cracked head gasket but no evident symptoms apart from bubbling water in the radiator/ water loss.
Shop A: Your car has no problem.
Shop B: We can lift your head and check the gasket - $10,000 minimum!
Shop C: Bad water pump fixed, $1500 later.
This is not a one-off occurrence and I am seeking help on this one. Any recommendations would be highly welcome. I need consistency!!!
p.s anyone know how to say ‘wheel bearing’ in Chinese? ‘Lun tai zhong jian de dong xi’ is too vague!!
Best I met in Taiwan in 16 years is Sam Kuo, in the beitun area. Phone is 04 2322 0666. His English is good enough to get the job done and he’s about the most honest wrench I’ve met anywhere in the world.
<-- no commercial interest in this business. Opinion formed over 10 years friendship.
I have a great mechanic (In Taichung, even, just north of the overpass on Wenshin 1st Rd, on the corner of the first traffic light.). However, I suspect he isn’t the answer to your problems since: 1. He specializes in expensive cars - mostly Benzes. 2. He is very busy and may not want to deal with foreigners who don’t even know how to say ball bearing properly. and 3. My wife is unlikely to want to go to the trouble of introducing you to her old college pal.
We have had similar problems to you, so don’t feel alone. I could reccomend at least three scooter mechanics, but for some reason scooter mecanics seem a lot more honest on the whole. Seems strange but that’s been my experience at least.
Thanks… The next time I appear as a poor, troublesome non-Chinese speaking foreigner please let me know (again).
Considering any mechanical problem that may occur I would like to be as analytical as possible. I will always look to identify the problem and possible solution to the problem before consulting a mechanic. This includes finding the translation for the part or parts so I can be specific and not a ‘dumb foreigner’ in the eyes of a mechanic. Can you tell me how to say ‘wheel bearing’ in Mandarin? Sorry, it’s not a ‘ball bearing’ and no, my girlfriend and co-workers do not know either.
You pose a good point about not approaching mechanics that specialize in a car brand that is different to my own. Nor would I take my car to a ‘high end’ shop that appeared to be installing xenon lighting or 17" alloys onto a group of 2004 SLK’s.