Local BMW mechanic wanted

[nobee]

Can anyone recommend a good mechanic in the seattle/renton area?

[Lanc3r]

This one is a bit north of you, but they are honest and know BMWs.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&q=performance+motors&near=Lynnwood,+WA&fb=1&view=text&latlng=47807547,-122323256,13011798917999221855

Then there are these guys: http://www.strictlybmw.com/


Tthey are closer and they know BMWs really well, but I have had problems with them.

[nobee]

Thanks for the info! Is strictlybmw cheaper than going to the dealership? What problems did u have with them?

[Lanc3r]

Thanks for the info! Is strictlybmw cheaper than going to the dealership? What problems did u have with them?

Strictly is a lot cheaper than the dealer but they arent cheap. The problems I have had are value related.

I had exhaust work done on my E21 (manifold gaskets, studs they broke, etc). I had to stop on the freeway from taking it home to finish tightening the bolts on my exhaust.

Had some electrical and runnability issues diagnosed on my E30. I had to argue with them a bit about replacing parts they didnt need to. I got my way and this isnt really uncommon with any Independent. They just left a bad taste in my mouth. Didnt return phone calls.

YMMV

[nobee]

ahhh...thanks for the clarification. Just found out the used BMW I just purchased is still under warranty...just barely though...

[Lanc3r]

ahhh...thanks for the clarification. Just found out the used BMW I just purchased is still under warranty...just barely though...

Nice. Make sure you use it for all you can. Also, check the service history. The dealer can provide this. It will tell you problems the car has had and might enlighten you to some things that are still problematic (door trim, window regulators, Ignition coils, control arms, and brakes).

[GP20]

StricklyBMW's has a reputation of doing good work but at the same time ripping people off. Can you blame them? They're miles away from Microsoft and they know they can overcharge people and get away with it. I've heard so many stories about them from local bimmer owners in the last 2 years and combined with my own experiences, that's enough to make me not want to put myself in a situation of having to deal with them.

A while ago I called them and asked them to give me a quote on a coilover install on my Z4. They quoted me $900 plus taxes for the install. Keep in mind that this is install only and does not include corner balancing or alignment. Eastside Bavarian & Carb Connection both quoted me $500. Group 2 Motorsports quoted me $400. Tru-line quoted me $700 but that includes the wheel alignment. Stricktly BMW told me it'd take 8-10 hours for the install. My ass. Maybe 8~10 hours if they take their sweet mother-f'king time. I ended up having my friend install the coilovers for me and he finished the job in about 3 hours.

[Epyon]

Has anyone had any recent experiences with BMW Northwest in Fife? Ten or so years ago I went to have my car serviced there(although I did not purchase it from them) and they took great care of it. While servicing my car, they replaced door panels where the leather came unglued for free. $1500 bucks of parts at no charge because it was not supposed to happen! Btw, it was mainly because of the service department's outstanding reputation why the Mini dealership was placed in Fife. So, when I went to buy my new car, naturally I went to them. Unfortunately, I think something went terribly wrong in their service department after I had the car for about three years or so, and lot of good people left. They remodeled the place and started to charge exuberant fees for every little thing. Just to plug in a computer and run some simple diags, they wanted $250 bucks and two hours to do it. In the past they worked on a more complex issue on my older car and it never took two hours to run diags. I know a few things about computers, I'm not that stupid ;) Anyway, I don't expect freebies worth hundreds of dollars, but I do draw a line between expensive and rip off. Two other relatives of mine that have purchased BMWs from them had similar experiences. Rip-off pricing, poor customer service, somewhat sexist treatment of female customers, and recurring problems that they claimed to have fixed. I'm approaching time for service again and I cringe at the prospect of having to go to them. That's why I'm wondering if anyone has been there recently and could share what their experience has been like. My car is now 7 years old and way past any warranty. If BMW Northwest has changed little in the last 5 years, then I would appreciate a reference somewhere in the vicinity of Tacoma. Otherwise, I will be calling someone in the upper management at BMW North America for advice. I have no problem with that either ;) Thanks in advance.

-Rob

[Lanc3r]

Has anyone had any recent experiences with BMW Northwest in Fife? Ten or so years ago I went to have my car serviced there(although I did not purchase it from them) and they took great care of it. While servicing my car, they replaced door panels where the leather came unglued for free. $1500 bucks of parts at no charge because it was not supposed to happen! Btw, it was mainly because of the service department's outstanding reputation why the Mini dealership was placed in Fife. So, when I went to buy my new car, naturally I went to them. Unfortunately, I think something went terribly wrong in their service department after I had the car for about three years or so, and lot of good people left. They remodeled the place and started to charge exuberant fees for every little thing. Just to plug in a computer and run some simple diags, they wanted $250 bucks and two hours to do it. In the past they worked on a more complex issue on my older car and it never took two hours to run diags. I know a few things about computers, I'm not that stupid ;) Anyway, I don't expect freebies worth hundreds of dollars, but I do draw a line between expensive and rip off. Two other relatives of mine that have purchased BMWs from them had similar experiences. Rip-off pricing, poor customer service, somewhat sexist treatment of female customers, and recurring problems that they claimed to have fixed. I'm approaching time for service again and I cringe at the prospect of having to go to them. That's why I'm wondering if anyone has been there recently and could share what their experience has been like. My car is now 7 years old and way past any warranty. If BMW Northwest has changed little in the last 5 years, then I would appreciate a reference somewhere in the vicinity of Tacoma. Otherwise, I will be calling someone in the upper management at BMW North America for advice. I have no problem with that either ;) Thanks in advance.

-Rob


Dont ever go to BMW NW out of warranty. Their parts dept is pretty good though.

South End I have had good service by Rolf's http://www.rolfsimport.com/

He typically doesnt fix things that dont need it, and pricing is WAY cheaper than the dealer.


Good Luck.

[Epyon]

Thanks Lanc3r. I'll check 'em out.