Bay Area shop woes - after all these yrs?

[Bolos]

Guys,
I recently had an issue with my car going into limp mode and had two error codes easily showing the vacuum brake boost sensor and idle control valve.
I brought it to the only shop servicing my car for the last 5 yrs religiously. Mind this had been coming....

Long story short...they charged me 4 hrs/ $598 to check the codes, clean some "stuff" (according to them) off the infamous vacuum sensor and then said it was fixed. They then told me to come back and replace the sensor if the car went into limp again. I drove the car home and it drove "ok" but still idled hard at stops/turns like I had told them.....

Just for kicks when I got home I checked the cars codes (should be absolutely clear since it just came back from Alekshop....oops sorry for disclosure) and well I'll be damned both codes were still there !!

I emailed (and tried calling but ofcourse he RARELY returns or answers calls) my said shop and owner said something's wrong with my OBDII- cable cause the car is fixed.
Oh come one man why would the car still have these codes??

Well fast forward to later the next day and guess what I got a nice surprise after a hard Friday at work???? Yaaaaay LIMP MODE!!! This time just while turning my car left onto my street.

I didn't even bother to call Alekshop. Which sucks cause I am....no...was a hardcore fan of his shop. This isn't the first time he's done something like this to me....and I don't even have time to write it cause I'm just done. After all these years/$$$$ this is the way he treats his dedicated customer?

So I called Kenny Lew at PeterPan and he had it diagnosed for faulty throttle actuators in less than 1.5 days replaced under emissions warranty. Wow

BTW I forgot to include that my car was at Alekshop for a total of 4 DAYS but was charged for only 5 hours.

did I forget anything?
.

[pooyab]

Damn, at least it got sorted by Peter Pan.
I go to TrackSpec, also in Fremont, for all my work, they seem to be fair/quick and the owner is very detail oriented. Rates are lower than Aleks too.

[roastbeef]

Isn't he the dude that sold some beat to shit BBS FI's to someone?

[Bolos]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Isn't he the dude that sold some beat to shit BBS FI's to someone?

Really?
I'd be interested to hear about it...

[ck-e92]

Ouch! That's really sad to hear, glad it all got worked out in the end though.

I've been seeing more about said shop throughout the forums. Guess it isn't just a fluke anymore.

I got a camera kit from that shop though it hasn't been problematic so far, there are a couple of things to it that I wouldn't recommend to another buyer.

The camera itself points more direct at the floor, rather than plate level and wide. The plastic housing that's supposed to clip into the trunk is much smaller. I guess that's what the bulky double-sided tape is for, but that didn't do much. And, the LEDs that replace the factory plate light is very dim.

I was thinking of using them for preventative rod bearing failure replacement too. So much for that thought.

.ck

[ck-e92]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

Isn't he the dude that sold some beat to shit BBS FI's to someone?

I remember seeing that thread!

.ck

[roastbeef]

yep. i'm convinced this dude is a turd. sold some abused FI's by posting pics from when they were new. see the second thread from when the buyer received the wheels.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...lekshop+bbs+fi

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1273064

and $600 to read codes is absolutely insane.

[Bolos]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

yep. i'm convinced this dude is a turd. sold some abused FI's by posting pics from when they were new. see the second thread from when the buyer received the wheels.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...lekshop+bbs+fi

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1273064

and $600 to read codes is absolutely insane.

I plan on trying to communicate to him to see if I can get a refund for all that money I spent towing my car to Alekshop as well as for the actual $600 charge he gave me for not fixing it.
I guarantee he is going to push back which is ridiculous (cause we know that's the way he is)

[Bolos]

Originally Posted by Bolos

I plan on trying to communicate to him to see if I can get a refund for all that money I spent towing my car to Alekshop as well as for the actual $600 charge he gave me for not fixing it.
I guarantee he is going to push back which is ridiculous (cause we know that's the way he is)

Nope he refused so I'm out of the money.

[Z K]

For most normal repairs and maintenance, you're better off going to a BMW specialist or dealer... they will have seen these issues a lot and know what is wrong.

Alexshop is known for mods and parts they sell. I wouldn't go to them unless I'm buying bolt on stuff. They don't repair M3s day in and out.

[AriuSen]

you were going all these years to a guy that asks my friend who doesnt even have a shop for DIY hahaha
pathetic how marketing fools us hard.

[Bolos]

Originally Posted by Z K

For most normal repairs and maintenance, you're better off going to a BMW specialist or dealer... they will have seen these issues a lot and know what is wrong.

Alexshop is known for mods and parts they sell. I wouldn't go to them unless I'm buying bolt on stuff. They don't repair M3s day in and out.

Any shop recommendations?
Sonic MS
Performance Technic

[mikester_E60]

Id file a small claims or threaten to report to bbb

[spiderspider]

Originally Posted by Bolos

Any shop recommendations?
Sonic MS
Performance Technic

Performance Autowerk in Dublin. Evan is a very good diagnostician.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by Bolos

Any shop recommendations?
Sonic MS
Performance Technic

Honestly, I've only been to the dealer (Peter Pan BMW) for major repairs so far which were covered under new car warranty. I usually DIY normal maintenance stuff and performance shops for a few mods.

I've heard good things about Performance Technic but turn around is slow because they have a ton of cars they work on and their own project/race cars.

A friend recommended Bavarian Motorsport for BMW repairs. They are based in Milpitas.

I've been to Sonic MS. They installed my KW suspension. Their BMW tech is very good. He pointed out that my front subframe was slightly shifted to one side so they had to adjust the ride height slightly differently on one side to make it even. The wheel alignment was spot on as well. I don't know about repairs and diagnosis, but they know suspension work.

[nholmes]

Elite Performance on the Peninsula
Performance Technic and TrackSpec in the East Bay
Edge Motorworks in the South Bay

[Kobaiyashi]

Phaedrus in the city. They are BMW experts, quite reasonable (especially compared to a dealer), friendly, and professional. https://www.phaedrusmd.com/

I also use Ken Cornwall in Danville/San Ramon. He's not a BMW expert, but a legit mechanic and great guy. I like him cause I can get the parts cheap and have him install them (i.e. throttle actuators). My experience has been that most shops won't do that because they make $$$ off the parts and don't want to incur liability should the part be defective.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by Bolos

Any shop recommendations?
Sonic MS
Performance Technic

Different shops do different things. Its important to find shops that meet your needs.

At this point in e9x ownership, we are all out of warranty and generally all long term owners. Shops that do bolt ons for new under warranty cars generally do not do or specialize in maintenance.

I go to performance technic because they have several bmw factory trained staff and can meet all maintenance needs as well as track prep and build to the edge of your imagination.

[romemmy]

Wow, I had a similar experience with him, although in my case he sold me a paperweight.. Out MUCH more money though.. I'm still stewing over it.. I'm still likely to pursue my case.

[SLC Steve]

I also give the nod to Performance Technic: https://www.performancetechnic.com/ They performed the PPI when purchasing my car from a forum member here. They have extensive experience with the S65 and do everything from maintenance to street builds to full out track builds. Highly recommended.

EDIT: Look what happens when someone resurrects a thread nearly a year dead. Note to future self: read the date of the first post.

[romemmy]

Originally Posted by SLC Steve

I also give the nod to Performance Technic: https://www.performancetechnic.com/ They performed the PPI when purchasing my car from a forum member here. They have extensive experience with the S65 and do everything from maintenance to street builds to full out track builds. Highly recommended.

EDIT: Look what happens when someone resurrects a thread nearly a year dead. Note to future self: read the date of the first post.

I knew when the thread was started. Just made no sense to start a new one about this. When warning about a vendor (this thread was originally about the bad vendor - not recommending other vendors) I think it makes more sense to keep one thread going than to have scattered threads about it.

Thanks!

S.

[-BEASTMW-]

Originally Posted by Z K

A friend recommended Bavarian Motorsport for BMW repairs. They are based in Milpitas.

Started going here recently. They've done a good job so far, on a brake fluid flush and then full inspection and oil change. Seem to be good peeps and good prices.