Great thread/forum guys. Gret job moderating Hoorah, keeping the comments on track, calling out the obvious owner reviews, and keeping this on track. To everyone else, I really appreciate the reviews. I am right in Deerfield, and though still using Vista for factory warranty, looking to upgrade a few components and want a longstanding relationship with 1 good shop. I see 2 potentially, and thanks to everyone's comments know the order of the trial. This forum has saved me quite a few $$. You all rock - Thanks!
Would like to add one more shop in South East Florida and particularly for the Miami-Dade County- Flat6Motorworks in Doral, FL.
Great guys (David and Raul) working on many high end cars, including Astons and Ferraris. Most cars they work on are porsche and bmws and they do track work as well. They actually race themselves and participate in track events (thats how I met them) and they know how to treat a car. Avg priced, but great quality and service.
http://www.flat6motorworks.com
5141 NW 79th Street - Unit 3
Doral Fl. 33166
305-499-5003
Ask for Raul or David - tell them George with the black M3 recommended them.
Re: Mike's Bimmer Shop in South Miami, I had my car towed there because I was having cooling system issues. I go by a little after the tow truck to see if I had to sign anything and just talk with them and explain the issue in more detail.
I took him a bottle of BMW coolant and asked that the entire cooling system be flushed while they are in there. Well I get the car back and it still has green coolant. It doesn't even look clean so nothing was flushed, just topped off.
Last edited by hooRAH; 07-28-2009 at 03:44 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
01 330Ci 5spd / 07 Honda Pilot EX-L
Will read/reset SRS codes in South Florida for beer money
Gramley's Auto on Tyrone Blvd. in St. Pete. Family owned and operated, very friendly and professional. Tony, especially, has been very knowledgeable and helpful with some random, little things with my 328iC. Will also provide a ride to home/work (within reason!). Check them out.
Anyone heard of Matheson European Motor Works in Lake Park/Palm Beach Gardens? I have been recommended to them very highly, and it would be the closest indy to me...
Also recommened, although said not to be cheap but does great work, is Ernie Bellows in West Palm on Okeechobee... anyone?
__________________
2003 ZHP 4dr
165,000 miles
Tires: BBS 17" rims
Front: 225/45ZR
Rear: 255/40ZR-17
Answerway.com
Nope, haven't heard of them. I work in Gardens now and would be interested in finding out.
Ha, you're right, there aren't any reviews for Ernie Bellows. Yeah, I've heard of him, but never went to his shop. I saw him at Sebring on the day I got the photo for my sig running an E46 M3. I've heard he does good work, and he gets good reviews on TireRack.
I had a vibration problem I just could not track down, and he was next on my list because he was a BMW guy and supposedly does tires. Ended up figuring it out before I went, so I never took it there.
Hope someone has a review!
Last edited by hooRAH; 08-21-2009 at 01:02 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
01 330Ci 5spd / 07 Honda Pilot EX-L
Will read/reset SRS codes in South Florida for beer money
Due to the compliments I've seen around here and the CFBMW forums, I wanted to add my rep++ for GBR Motorsports in Sanford. Took my E36 M3 in for an alignment today and came out very happy!
GBR Motorsports
3935 St. Johns Pkwy
Sanford, FL.
32771
407.314.7522
Felt compelled to post up here after having such a good experience with John over at M werks down here in South Florida
Needed a complete clutch job after purchasing a 99 M coupe with 137k on the clock. Contacted John over at M werks and not only was he able to take me in on a Friday but he was accomodating enough to work through the weekend to get the car back to me on a Sunday, knowing I needed the car back for Monday morning!
Car came out mint and I'm going back there this weekend to finish the job with a short shifter.
John is a one-man shop so if you plan on getting some work done by him be sure to contact a bit in advance to set up an appt.
Here is his contact info
///M Werks
3200 N Powerline Rd.
Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Any shop in the tampa bay area, please post i need repair.
Just got tires and an alignment at Ernie Bellows in WPB. Good guy, good shop. A little expensive, but not dealer expensive. Did a good job installing tires, doesn't scratch wheels, works on Bimmers and doesn't screw around. Worth the marginal cost increase over anywhere else.
He (understandably) doesn't like being put up against TireRack's prices. Tires cost more through him, but he made up for it by discounting the alignment. Just something to think about.
01 330Ci 5spd / 07 Honda Pilot EX-L
Will read/reset SRS codes in South Florida for beer money
PCI Independent BMW Service
210 Southwest 14th Street
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33315
ph: 954-525-3876
fax: 954-523-4425
http://pcibmw.com/
Very happy with this shop - Paul is a one-man-band for the most part, but he does excellent repair, diagnostic, and maintenance work with a sense towards smart, budget-oriented solutions. My Dad and I have been customers for a little over 5 years.
Edit 9/10/11: This shop is under new ownership as of about a year ago - I think Paul moved to S. Carolina.
EUROTECH German Car Service
659 Nicolet Ave.
Winter Park (Orlando), FL 32789
407-647-4757
http://eurotechgermancarservice.com/
This is definitely a premium shop for those who are very sensitive about the condition of their car. A good dealer-alternative. They carry and work with Dinan components also.
Expert Car Care
1990 Howell Branch Rd
Winter Park (Orlando), FL 32792
407-677-5001
http://www.expertcarcaregtx.com/
For an all-makes-and-models shop, I'm very happy with the quality of the mechanical work they do and their general honesty, cost-effectiveness, and customer service. They're connected to Tire Rack which works well for my tire purchases. Also, any students in the Orlando area will appreciate their student discounts.
Last edited by farisM3A4; 09-10-2011 at 08:40 PM.
1998 M3 4-door automatic -- 2006 Ninja ZX-6R (636) -- 1999.5 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro 5-spd
Tell him whomever is driving his car needs to stop giving me point-bys into the wall. haha, jk. Last time I was out at homestead I saw the PCI car, and whomever was driving would come right up to the wall on the right side to allow a pass, then give the point by on the right side. Confused the heck out of me
Name of the shop is Bello Motorsports. Don't know the number but should be easy to find on google. Yeah, they have no problem doing custom alignment specs. I went with a little more negative camber on my car, but nothing crazy.
Last edited by hooRAH; 01-07-2010 at 05:05 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
01 330Ci 5spd / 07 Honda Pilot EX-L
Will read/reset SRS codes in South Florida for beer money
I don't think its the same car - the car I always see at the track is a black E30 (doesn't appear to be an M3) that has the while and blue PCI decals all over it. I'm in HPDE 2, so whoever goes out in it is a noob like me, so I'm guessing theres more than one person that drives the car. Also, he's rather slow in the straights, so I doubt its an M3.
I'm sure the car is still a blast to drive. Every time I go out, I start thinking more and more about running an E30 or E36 instead of my daily driver.
01 330Ci 5spd / 07 Honda Pilot EX-L
Will read/reset SRS codes in South Florida for beer money
I used to go to redline, it was always a mess, but they knew their stuff and they were fairly priced. In the last few years they have made a lot of changes and have gotten very expensive. I now go to German Autos, just down the street from Redline. Never had a problem, very decent prices (OEM) and Peter knows his stuff. He speaks both English and Spanish.
No tires or alignments.
This is the first time I've ever posted a recommendation for an auto shop. Mainly because so many of them are garbage and treat there customers like if they are doing them a favor.
This is not the case with:
Autobahn Performance
698 NE 45th Street
Oakland Park, FL 33334
954-771-5181
www.autobahnperf.com
Specializes in BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, VW, Volvo, Saab and other makes too
As soon as I drove up to their location I was greeted by 2 very friendly gentlemen..Jason Athanas (owner) and Bob Lefler. There were a few Mercedez and BMWs in their bay at the time.
I had a problem with my heatshield and some codes that needed to be read. Jason the owner himself put my car on a lift and took care of the problem during MY LUNCH HOUR......he then read my codes and gave me a print out on the spot! Their prices are excellent. I am extremely satisfied with the work done and how I was treated. Without any hesitation I will recommend this shop.
Finally a BMW shop that could be trusted.
You guys have done a great job for South Florida shops, but I need a recommendation for someone in the Leesburg to Ocala area. Apparently I need front ball joints, belt pulley and tensioner assembly, and power steering hose replacement for starters. This is for a 2000 2.8 Z3. Would appreciate your input. JD
When I lived in WPB, I used Ernie's shop exclusively, unless he couldn't do it and even then he would recommend someone who worked out great. I've been living in DC for over 2 years now and haven't found 'the' shop to go to that I'm comfortable with. So much so that I even waited to get my alignment/corner balance done at Ernie's while I was down visiting for the Sebring 12 Hour. I highly recommend his shop.
FLORIDIANS!
I'm moving to the Ft Lauderdale area for the summer and usually do all my own auto work. I don't need a mechanic, but the place I'm moving to doesn't have anywhere to do maintenance, and bringing all my own tools.
Not much engine work. Mainly just bolt-ons, brakes, suspension.
Any suggestions on a place to work on your own vehicle?
Thanks & see you guys soon...
BBFJR
Hey, has anybody heard anything about Art Ryan Motor Werks:
Art Ryan Motor Werks. 3501 Tyrone Boulevard North, St. Petersburg
The guy who is selling the car I want normally takes it here to get it serviced, he is prolly going to take it here for the PPI too. Is it a reputable shop? Does anybody have any experience with them?
Thanks
Joshua
I read some bad reviews about Motor Werks in St. Petersburg, can anybody recommend a good (honest) shop that could do a PPI for me in Tampa?
Thanks
Gold Wing Motors, BMW and Mercedes specialists, they do Porsche and VW too. Ok, they're German car specialists, rofl
$85 an hour, 20% mark-up on dealer parts. Very often they have the lowest price around, but since they're using expensive dealer parts coupled with a 20% mark-up, it can get expensive. You are not allowed to bring your own parts. They also do not allow aftermarket, they only deal with OEM.
However, depending on what you need, they can be the cheapest place around. All of their techs are extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommended if you're doing OEM stuff, but if you're looking to save money, might be cheaper to buy the part online and bring it to Active.
They are on 24th street just off the Palmetto.
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