Skip Tuning

[C00LIT]

Skip Tuning Review

First I must say I am astonished this garage has 5/5 stars on Google and FB. When you do some real digging within VW Communities such as tdiclub, VWQuebec, VWVortex, montrealracing… you find horror stories…

I knew of some of those reviews and I decided to give the benefit of doubt. (I only saw the bad ones after I started the project)
I was hoping this review could be a positive one and say Skip Tuning is excellent…

Unfortunately for me, the bad reputation did not disappoint.

I wanted a fully equipped MK5 Jetta TDI. I found exactly the car and color I wanted. It was gas, with a blown engine. I figured I can get a skilled mechanic to do the swap, and build it up for a well performing and reliable daily drive.

I can say Skip Tuning did an overall good job on the engine and transmission, however failed miserably when it comes to properly finishing off the project due to lack of communication or care.

Project started off well, the time estimate was originally 1 or 2 weeks (if all goes well and I expected maybe a few months from this answer), but the project lasted about 5 months. Some of those delays were fair, such as a break line unique to MK5 BRM Tdi’s being backordered. However, the entire experience went downhill after picking up the car the first time and paying the man in full.

I was told I would road test it for 1-2 weeks and that the car isn’t finished. The owner had to go away for 1-2 weeks. Make a list and on his return, he will finalize everything.
The car drove, but I felt that it’s wrong to give a car back on which a client put in over 6000$ on parts and labor, without having working door locks.

I made a list, brought it back.
(rattling noise, handbrake, boost gauge air leak, glow plugs, cel light, seat warmer, day lights, rear window defrost, door locks, remote door locks, gas door release, dash cam wire, odb2port, exhaust fumes coming in cabin)
I got the car back a month or so later. The checklist is missing. Half the points were done. Door locks work with the remote, but not the key. Exhaust fumes still leaking under the hood and getting into the cabin, rear view defrost not working and… CEL light resolved, glow plugs still don’t work. (I gave up on some a few requests I wanted such as reverse cam, dash cam wiring and said it’s ok if you don’t do it)

Before I could bring it back, I drained the battery trying to start the car at -20 degrees. So I towed it.

I made an updated check list.
Any call or texts are not answered for a full month. The car was sleeping in front of the place. I dropped by on a Sunday, saw the car unmoved, buried in snow. I dropped by the following Saturday and surprised the owner. I told him I am going away for a month, and I was considering taking the car elsewhere, I was promised that it would be finished by the time I get back.

I come back.
I am told everything is fixed.
I go there, checklist is missing…
I test the door locks with the key, alarm rings, doesn’t open doors. Ok Fine.
I take my car and go on my way. He did fix the Exhaust leak under the hood, the rattling noise behind the dash, changed the boost gauge as requested… did some of the fixes but… Rear view defrost, still not working, glow plugs, don’t appear to be working but hey, it’s not -20 anymore so I’ll have to figure that out later. He said changing the battery fixed it… which is hard to swallow.
I also asked if AC works… it was on the checklist which always vanished so I still don’t know.

I get an alignment done elsewhere and I learn my car is visibly leaking fuel. I take a picture, I text Skip tuning to let him know, I also mentioned other points which were ignored… no response in over a week.

So I have to finish my car elsewhere.

To be fair, the car drives nicely. I also know they have built and sold some solid cars... or so I think. They have potential, but the garage has a lack of structure and care. I understand Skip Tuning might have had problems like a mechanic leaving, landlord issue or other personal complications, but it’s no excuse for poor communication, saying all is done when clearly... it isn't.

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I wrote this review about 2 weeks ago.

Since then, I fixed my fuel leak by removing the Fuel cooler.
And while doing so, I found that the Transmission casing is cracked.
So I have a guy who will take the tranny out and fix it... I was planning on milking away the OEM clutch, but given the tranny is going off, Ill upgrade that too.

I did message Skip Tuning, he tells me... oww ok, Ill fix this when you bring your car for the clutch.
He also told me "It was fine when I gave you the car"

I responded how would you know, you had the car a month and never noticed an obvious fuel leak...
And I also told him given he had the car back 3 times and always gave the car back unfinished... that he should clearly understand why I would no longer trust him for anything...

Fact that I got the car back leaking fuel (1 drop every 2 seconds) is unacceptable.
Fact that when I get that fixed, I find out my transmission is cracked and also leaking, is also unacceptable.
Fact that after getting the car back 3 times, and I always say it's important to fix the rear view defrost... yet still not fixed... also unacceptable.
Fact that I am told the glow plugs are fixed, by simply having changed the battery, once winter is over... is a lie and yes, unacceptable.
Fact that before I went to Brazil for 1 month, he had the car for 1 month, would not respond to my text, would not even touch the car or let me know he doesn't have time for it... that I have to surprise him on a Saturday ...

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Things left to do
AC?
Glow plugs
Rear View Defrost
Key door locks
Reverse camera wiring
Dash Cam wiring
Fuel Leak (resolved)
Rust (this one is on me)
Cracked Tranny
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Specs
2007 MK5 Jetta
TDI BRM Swap

Firad + 15%
PD140 Turbo
3bar map
Stage5 Custom Malone tune

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I asked him to refund me 250$ for the Tranny I paid 500$
Given I paid him 6160$ (Parts and labor)... I think that's quite generous of me.


Avoid this garage like the plague... Clearly, the negative reviews on him are fully accurate.

[chuck norris]

Really sorry for your lost (time, money and energy).
It's becoming hard to find trust worthy shop these days, especially for a project car.

Your review remind me that I will never ever go there, even to get direction if I'm lost.

[C00LIT]

I am good at being stupid, but in the end, it's a lesson learned.
It's lost money in a way, but... I can still say I love my car and look forward to perfectly finishing it

[chuck norris]

If you look for a good place to go in the future, go to Strasse Autowerks.

[C00LIT]

Thanks for the advice. Ill keep them in mind if I ever look for someone new.

I have a guy who I go to for general mechanics, I go to him since he's 19 years old, now 25 with his own shop, working alone 12 hour days 6-7 days a week... But for the swap above, well VW is not his cup of tea. He's a honda specialist with B and K series engines.

For VW, the one I trust is Dominic from VD Autoshop, previously DMF Diesel. They remapped my ECU. So far he's been excellent with me
I originally wanted them for the job, but went to skip as skip had the engine and tranny... didn't want to risk a finger pointing war so decided to have the one selling the parts install them.
According to some research, it does seem skip is capable of making fast cars and good swaps, but clearly he's a mess of a man with no honor and his word is worth shit.