Brought car in for annual state inspection and whatever else it might ... read more Brought car in for annual state inspection and whatever else it might need, including an oil and filter change. That turned out to also include replacing the spark plugs and also flushing the power steering fluid, all items that used to be simple but now add up to $700 on my little 335xi. Oh well, with a long inline 6 hiding the two rear cylinders changing the plugs (necessary every 45k miles) is no picnic I'm sure. It's the price of admission for driving these things. I must add though that keeping up with this stuff is absolutely necessary to keep a Bimmer running like, well, a Bimmer. I swear the car feels like it has 50 more HP; it zings up the tach with what is clearly less effort than before and climbs hills with less pedal position, all because of new plugs and an oil change! Or perhaps it's because Steve Snow sprinkles some of that Bimmerworks magic on the car just for taking it there. Whatever, the car runs great and I know I'm taking it to BMW experts without financing some fancy dealership's latest addition. If you drive a Bimmer, and live within 35 miles of this place, you should seriously consider taking it here for service. -Len Dube
DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLE HERE!!!! Suggest reading below before even co... read more DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLE HERE!!!! Suggest reading below before even considering this sorry excuse of an establishment!!!! Dropped car off on Monday 16 Jun 14 to have it looked at for problems with acceleration and possibly something to do with the fuel system (per online research of others with the same type of problem). Explained to secretary at the desk when accelerating the car loses power and sometimes to the point I have to pull over because it wont accelerate which obviously is a danger while driving. Also stated car does not go past 4000 RPM at any time. First call from the secretary she stated "the car was hooked up to the “computer” and the problem was diagnosed as needing an ignition coil". She also stated the car needed new spark plugs and I agreed to have these fixed. She also stated to me that the problem might not be fixed and the other 2 coils might need to be changed as well. After 3 days another returned call and I guess the car was getting worked on at this time she stated since it was apart the plug wires and cap looked to be original and should also be replaced while the car was taken apart so I agreed to that as well. After picking up the car on Friday 20 Jun 14 as soon as I drove out of the parking lot I noticed the car was still not fixed. Went back into the shop and I guess the owner came out to see what was going on with the car. I explained to him the same exact thing I told the secretary when I brought the car in. He proceeded to take it for a test drive. Few minutes later he came back stating “yep there is a problem”. He stated "he was not working tomorrow he would have to get to it on Monday". He said something to the effect he needs to take off some part to have straight air flow to the exhaust to see if there is a problem in there or something like that. I can’t remember the exact part he stated he would take off. He then stated I could take the car home for the weekend so I had the vehicle if need be. After review of the bill I noticed at the very top where the desk clerk typed in check fuel system- 400 rpm wont accelerate gets better and gets worse. Under customer note it says 6 mile road test- ok (so apparently someone test drove the car after it was completed for 6 miles and didn’t see a problem. Funny I noticed it as soon as I pushed on the gas), and possible catalytic converter damage due to engine misfire (WHAT??? Glad nobody explained what this meant to me either). 6/23- Monday 10am- car dropped back off at Zuppos 6/24- Tuesday NO CALLS today. Wife called around 3pm and of course no answer and no returned call 6/25- Wednesday- still no calls. Drove to shop at aprox 11am to find out what was going on with the car. Was told by secretary that “owner” isn’t there that he is out test driving vehicles. Asked on info about the car and she said she knew nothing. Did not want to give me wrong information. Also stated a Kia was there with the same problem. 6/26- Thursday NO CALLS 6/27- Friday- called at 0900 am. Talked to the owner and his first statement to me on the phone was “can you give me a little more background on the car”. Told him to have the car ready I would be there to pick it up in 15 minutes. 2 weeks later… $680 less in my account and a car I need to take to a real car garage to have fixed!!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED PEOPLE!!!!!
I have been going here since about 1962 when John and his brothers lea... read more I have been going here since about 1962 when John and his brothers learned to repair cars from their father. He was very demanding and expected perfection from them. John learned well and always manages to fix my old cars in a proficient and timely manner. He has continued to learn and keep up with new technologies. Like his father he clearly explains what needs to be done and why. He often finds inovative ways to repair my old cars. For example a rear tail light on my 1989 station wagon just needed replacement. Because my tail gate no longer goes down, bolts to hold it in place could only be accessed from the out side by removing paneling. Instead he gained access through a storage compartment. Although I now live in West Chester I continue to go to Shall Martin Garage because of their superior service.
