Good E39 Mechanic in San Diego?

[BrettInLJ]

Can anyone recommend a good independent repair shop in the San Diego Metro area? I want my valve cover gaskets replaced because the smell of the seeping oil cooking is getting annoying. Not $640 annoying though (BMW dealer estimate).

[ts330ci]

Have you tried AJ USA on Miramar Road or Apex on Ronson(?) (across UPS depot). Or Carl Nelson in La Jolla (not sure if he works with E39's, but heard good things with early 2002's and 3's.
My friend goes to both AJ and Apex and has positive ratings for both.

[ts330ci]

Sorry, I reread your question and I don't know any in the SD metro area.
But, I'm looking at Fahren Affairs and there's an ad for Dieter's (619) 234-8106 on 1633 Market Street.
Hope that helps.

[BrettInLJ]

Have you tried AJ USA on Miramar Road or Apex on Ronson(?) (across UPS depot). Or Carl Nelson in La Jolla (not sure if he works with E39's, but heard good things with early 2002's and 3's.
My friend goes to both AJ and Apex and has positive ratings for both.

I have heared about Carl Nelson, so I'll call and ask how much work he does on E39's. If not, I'll also check out AJ and Apex. Does your friend have an E39?

BTW, those locations are fine. I consider that "San Diego Metro" since I live in La Jolla. Thanks for the tips.

[ts330ci]

I have heared about Carl Nelson, so I'll call and ask how much work he does on E39's. If not, I'll also check out AJ and Apex. Does your friend have an E39?

BTW, those locations are fine. I consider that "San Diego Metro" since I live in La Jolla. Thanks for the tips.

No E39. He has an E36 and //M-coupe. I've got E46 but still under the free maint so I haven't gone to any of those shops. But, once of the free maint., I'll probably use AJ since it's less than 10mi from home.
He's very meticulous with his cars so I'm confident either AJ or Apex are very competent.

[BrettInLJ]

No E39. He has an E36 and //M-coupe. I've got E46 but still under the free maint so I haven't gone to any of those shops. But, once of the free maint., I'll probably use AJ since it's less than 10mi from home.
He's very meticulous with his cars so I'm confident either AJ or Apex are very competent.

Thanks for the tips. I ended up going to Carl Nelson and I'm happy I did. He caught a lot of things that were going to give me trouble later and I can tell he's honest and competent. Although most of the cars there are pre-1990, there are several new cars there too.

[BrettInLJ]

I stopped by AJ-USA today because my "Service Engine Soon" light came on (Carl Nelson couldn't read the OBD codes, and suspects that a data cable might not be connected, so I wanted to see if another shop could read the codes).

The service advisor, Brian, says it will be $81 to read the codes and that he couldn't fit me in until Monday or Tuesday. I then asked him about the clutch delay valve removal, and he said he didn't know what that was. To top it off, he says he owns a '97 540i 6-speed.

I said thank you and got out of there as quickly as possible. Didn't look back. I'm going to Escondido to check out All German Auto. On the phone they said they could remove the CDV for $70-$80 and when I get there I bet they will do me a favor and try to read out the codes. I wonder if AJ-USA will ever realize they have lost a potential customer for the next several years just because they wanted a quick $80 for a minute's work. I think I'll stick with Carl Nelson at La Jolla Indpenedent for the non-computer/electrical stuff at least... great guy.

[ts330ci]

I stopped by AJ-USA today because my "Service Engine Soon" light came on (Carl Nelson couldn't read the OBD codes, and suspects that a data cable might not be connected, so I wanted to see if another shop could read the codes).

The service advisor, Brian, says it will be $81 to read the codes and that he couldn't fit me in until Monday or Tuesday. I then asked him about the clutch delay valve removal, and he said he didn't know what that was. To top it off, he says he owns a '97 540i 6-speed.

I said thank you and got out of there as quickly as possible. Didn't look back. I'm going to Escondido to check out All German Auto. On the phone they said they could remove the CDV for $70-$80 and when I get there I bet they will do me a favor and try to read out the codes. I wonder if AJ-USA will ever realize they have lost a potential customer for the next several years just because they wanted a quick $80 for a minute's work. I think I'll stick with Carl Nelson at La Jolla Indpenedent for the non-computer/electrical stuff at least... great guy.

Sorry to hear of your experience. My friend didn't have any bad experiences with AJ. I guess I'll have to try out different shops like your doing before deciding. But I've got more than 2 years left on the free maint. Hope you find a good shop.

[kevinv]

I have 528i sport. The insides of rears tires worn out while the other areas are still
good. Had Alignment check & tires rotation few months ago and they found just a minor misAlign. Now the insides of rears tires worn out.
Can anyone recommend a good independent BMW Align shop in the San Diego?

[barcode9]

[MMMM_ERT]

I've had first rate service at AJ's and will definetely go back. :thumbup:
I don't know why you would run out at the lack of knowledge on the CDV issue. Not everyone is into modding their bimmers...I suspect, we are in the minority. :dunno:

[ketchup]

I have 528i sport. The insides of rears tires worn out while the other areas are still
good. Had Alignment check & tires rotation few months ago and they found just a minor misAlign. Now the insides of rears tires worn out.
Can anyone recommend a good independent BMW Align shop in the San Diego?
www.truelinewheel.com


How did All German Auto work out? Aren't they a junk/salvage yard?

[BrettInLJ]

www.truelinewheel.com


How did All German Auto work out? Aren't they a junk/salvage yard?

Far from it. Maybe you are looking at a business with a similar name. They are on the high-end side of independent shops.

[ketchup]

so how was their service?

[yfzcentral]

I had my alignment done at all german auto. Very very nice place! :thumbup: Nice and cool inside. :D

Did a good job to. Very nice people. Will be going back there for sure.