Yea thats what I believe too. I know for a fact they have had a recent change in ownership.
I've read the whole thread and still can't choose where to take my M3 for sevice.
reading all these bad experiances makes me scared !!
Thanks Sachin528 !
sunbusters seems to be closed...
phone # don;t work.
Any reputable place for repairing stone chips??
I have like 4,529 stone chips on my jet black.. and was thinking about using Langka..
But rather have the pros do this kinda work.
Are you looking for some touch up work?
The "body shop" my family has used for years (10+) is Al's Auto Body.
2617 S. 31rst St.
Milwaukee
414-645-1665
David is the owner and "tech"
He does excellent work and is inexpensive. The shop look like a hole in a wall, but the work is excellent.
(I have to stop by an make an appointment to have David get rid of the scratches on my car. )
In response to requests for pics / info about detailing, here's the skinny on the place called Tender Car:
They're on KK (Kinnickinnic Ave.), just north of Lincoln Ave. Website is tendercar.com. I don't know who did the actual work, but they have a number of different service packages available, from basic washing to full interior/exterior detailing. The package I got was the "Black Tie," which goes for $199.
I've managed to get only a couple of decent pics so far -- the interior shots are somewhat blurry, and the exterior shots were in slightly wet and overcast conditions so I didn't get many that actually turned out okay. (Plus I need to get all of the dings and dents out before I really go to town with the camera.) But anyway...
Shot 1 -- note the bird lurking dangerously above
Shot 2 -- don't mind the rear bumper cover, it was scratchy and dull when I got the car. Detailing can't really do anything for it.
And a couple of blurry shots of the interior:
I know, these pics don't show all that much. I hope to have some better ones up soon. Everything looks much, much better in person.
Stopped in at Alpine Imports today and talked to Corrina (Denis' daughter) to see what the official story is.
Right now the shop is open as usual and Corrina and her husband are running the place. There are a couple parties interested in buying the shop but have not committed yet. They plan to stay open in the meantime.
I spent most of my money on cars and beer... The rest I pretty much wasted.
We had talked about this @ the last board meeting. One of the board members had his E30 track car @ Urban and they did brakes on his car.
I forgot what all they did (pads/rotors/rebuild caliper) but they charged $400 for one set.
Straight flat rate. Does not matter how long it actually takes them, they are going by what the computer predicts the job should take.
Yeah ive had nothing but bad experiences with little car shop.... Didnt know about it turning into urban though.
But as for alpine they are great.
But i would recommend everyone just getting to know thier car a little and trying to do it on thier own... It seems like service around SE WI is really spotty.
Current: 1988 325is m20b25
2004 GSX-R 600
1978 yamaha rd400
1975 yamaha rd350B
Sold: 2004 GSXR 600
Sold: 05 honda 600rr
Sold: 87 E30 325Is With T3 Turbo/intercooler
Sold: 96 1.9l Z3
Sold: 97 318ti with s50 swap
sold: 95 m3
Sold: 89 Garret Turbo'd e30
+1, i do everything myself on my car. The only time i took it to a shop was to get a rear wheel bearing done on my e36, from what i read it was a 3 hr job,needed special tools and i just didnt have the time. So i took it to k&r in waukesha,mechanic working on it lost his two front teeth changing the wheel bearing. Either im lucky, or that was my cars way of telling me it doesnt like to be touched by anyone but me.
If anyone ever needs to use a car lift, ive got on in my shop lmk and we can work something out.
1997 328ic1999 528i
The Acci-Dent guys don't do paint work. They only do paintless dent removal.
Acci-Dent shares shop space with a new outfit called Bender Body Repair. They specialize in light body repair. I had them repair the license plate screw holes in my bumper and repaint it. They did a good job for much less money than anyone else wanted. Their number is (414) 351-0585, ask for Nate.
I spent most of my money on cars and beer... The rest I pretty much wasted.
anyone know a machine shop that can rebuild a head?
Bead blast, surface, port polish, angle grind and fit valves, assemble...ect?
Current: 1988 325is m20b25
2004 GSX-R 600
1978 yamaha rd400
1975 yamaha rd350B
Sold: 2004 GSXR 600
Sold: 05 honda 600rr
Sold: 87 E30 325Is With T3 Turbo/intercooler
Sold: 96 1.9l Z3
Sold: 97 318ti with s50 swap
sold: 95 m3
Sold: 89 Garret Turbo'd e30
This is a long shot - many years ago, I went over to Kilpatricks in Waukesha (tour of their place) - IDK if they can do any engine or are specialized?
On another note, based on what I heard about a recent experience with Urban, and my recent visit (albeit not service work related), there is no way I'd trust them with my ride. (I have seen some garages of my friends - their garage is better than Urban/LCS)
EDIT: I should qualify my statement - Even if I did not know anything about Urban/LCS, I would not take my car there. Place looks to run down to do quality work, esp at the going labor rate.
I was just over there last week and spoke with him for quite a while. Give him a few weeks to clean the place up. He's got alot of stuff on order that should up the visual appeal fo the place.
For a place who's labor rate is lower than a dealership, there's alot of complianing about it here. Is their quality of work not up to par or something?
I had the Little Car Shop (at the time) do a helicoil fix for me. Did it without pulling the head, and only cost me about 400. It's still holding up very well....with many track days and autox's....with speeds well over 100mph. Seems to me they did (do) something alright there. Though they might not have the most appealing looking shop, the work seems to be just fine to me.
Mods ~ Ones that make me fast enough, handle like a dream, stop me on a dime.....and all while still looking good.
**FOR SALE:**
E36 Stock Parts - BEST OFFER TAKES IT!!
I cannot say from personal experience. Based on the people that posted their experiences, I would not take my car there. I know most of the people posting in this thread, so I trust their judgement and believe their experiences.
If that makes sense.
Like I said though, I know a few independant Import/Honda garages. They too charge less than the dealer, but their set up appears so much more professional.
FWIW, based on what Slow323Ci told me, it is not really to surprising to find that independant shops charge less than the dealership charge. Dealership rates are insane for BMWs. Well Concours at least.
Holy crap... thats rediculous... A nick or a scratch i can deal with but if my car jacked my teeth id take a baseball bat to it.
That being said... When you talk about your shop are you referring to that automotive shop called Tom's auto i think? In Okauchee?
Ps: also you should come to the councours BMW show on June 14th i think Bring your 2002 Its gonna be cool
Current: 1988 325is m20b25
2004 GSX-R 600
1978 yamaha rd400
1975 yamaha rd350B
Sold: 2004 GSXR 600
Sold: 05 honda 600rr
Sold: 87 E30 325Is With T3 Turbo/intercooler
Sold: 96 1.9l Z3
Sold: 97 318ti with s50 swap
sold: 95 m3
Sold: 89 Garret Turbo'd e30
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