anyone need any work done, let me know. Also, starting to scout shop locations in the Buford/Suwanee area. If anyones has any suggestions, I would like to hear them.

Thanks,
James

Are you offering services and saying that you are getting ready to open a shop?

When are you opening up?

--Mike

yes, I am offering services. There are many board members here that I can provide as references.

My potential business partner and I are in the early stages of the process. I am just starting to look for potential locations, do some market research,etc.

James

Cool,!

I don't need anything right now but it's good to know you'ld be close by.. I'm in lawrenceville so a Suwanne location would be great!

--Mike

james, you'll be my first call if i get into something over my head. i've also recommended you to a couple of others already. thanks for your phone advice back when i was doing my oil pan repair.

James worked on my car last weekend. He did a great job at a great price. Highly recommended :)

Florian

Hey james give me a good quote to work on my 323. Im about to finally order some parts today.

New radiator with rubber mounts and brackets.
(2) Front control arms and new bushings.
and maybe the idle control valve.

You mentioned before $100 for the radiator and ICV.
Thanks.

Dean,

Finally getting the stuff? I remember quoting you $120 for the radiator and ICV, labor only.
For the control arms/bushings install, I think $100 is fair. So $220 total. I am assuming you are using stock type bushings.

BTW, I will not be available Tues-Thu, as I will be out of town for a funeral.

Let me know.

Thanks,
James

James,

I'd like to set up a time to get my exhaust leak fixed. I tried, myself, but it's just not happening.

I believe you quoted $25. Is that correct?

I've got the new bolts and nuts.

Let me know.

Originally posted by atlantaM3
Dean,

Finally getting the stuff? I remember quoting you $120 for the radiator and ICV, labor only.
For the control arms/bushings install, I think $100 is fair. So $220 total. I am assuming you are using stock type bushings.

BTW, I will not be available Tues-Thu, as I will be out of town for a funeral.

Let me know.

Thanks,
James


Ok you were right it was $120. I was just guessing and it was a mnth or more when I first asked you about it. I forgot. I will be using stock bushings. Anything extra I need to buy to replace my control arms besides just bushings? And is my stock 98 323 bushing good? Will an //M bushing be better quality from a 98 M3?

Ron,

Yes, $25. It will need to be late this week/weekend, or next week. As I mentioned, I will be at a funeral, fiances grandfather passed. We will be out of town for 3 days. After we get back, I will get to it as soon as I possibly can.

Thanks,
James

Oh and last question. Is it really neccessary to replace the control arms? Isn't just replacing the bushing sufficient? I did some searches and it looks like most people replace all of it? I cant see why if my control arm isnt bent or damaged. Will a new bushing not fit in the hole correctly? Reason why im doing this is Im tired of my car steering wheel shaking/shuddering at 40mph and below when i start to break slow and down. It still did this when I replaced my brakes and rotors a yr ago as well.


Im buying this from bimmerparts.com
http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/L200034621LEM.JPG

I know i need this for the new control arm
http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/L204034619BOG.JPG

But do I need this as well?
http://img.eautopartscatalog.com/live/L203089190LEM.JPG

Dean,

Well, it depends an the condition of the ball joints, and the type of control arm you are using. An M3 arm, for example, does not have joints that can be replaced separately, you MUST replace the entire arm. On a 323, the arms for that car have replaceable ball joints.
The bushing you are talking about replacing would have to be TOTALLY shot for you to experience the vibration, etc. you mention. Does it appear to be cracked with a visual inspection? When you last had the car aligned did the tech mention anything about bad ball joints or tie rod ends? If these parts are faulty, it would lead to the issue you are experiencing with the car, since there would be excessive play in the parts.
What I would recommend is bringing the car by late this week and let me take a look at it(or take it to someone you trust to be inspected). Reason I say this is that you need to know what is actually wrong before replacing parts. Don't want you to spend money on the wrong parts for the situation.

Let me know what you decide.

Thanks again,
James

I was gonna use factory 323IS parts and maybe use a 96+ m3 bushings since I read they were suppose to be stronger. I had my car aligned a yr ago or more. Butler tire did it. They never mentioned to me if I had a problem or not. My car does have 127K miles on it and I drive it hard. I couldnt even tell you if certain parts are worn or not. But I had this problem for at least 2-3 yrs. I replaced rotors and pads and problem was still there. If you can PM me your phone # or location I can come by whenever. I work downtown and can leave during the day or at my lunch if u wanna look at it so I can order the right parts. Im free all week.

Dean,

Well, I can't look at it until Friday at the earliest. As I mentioned before, I will be out of town at a funeral until that time.

If you can wait until then, I will be more than happy to take a look at it. I will PM my contact info to you.

James

I can wait. I will meet up with u on friday or the weekend if your available. Thanks.

I live in Buford and it would be convienient to have someone nearby.

Am looking for a good touch up person right now to fix some rock chips.

Red,

One of the best places I have seen for that type of work is Southern Colors. They have done my car and several of my friends also. Always high quality work at a great price. They will do a test spot on the car to confirm you are happy with their work.

They are located off 85 at Jimmy Carter, basically behind the Gwinnett Varsity.

Southern Colors
1756 Wilwat Dr, Norcross, GA 30093
Phone: (770) 416-0041

Best of luck,
James

Thanks much - I'll check them out.

I get a constant clunking from my driver's side front wheel when i'm driving at low speeds (5mph or so) would you be able to look at it this weekend and tell me whats wrong with it?

do you do any body work? If so ive backed into something and my bumper is f ed. Im so pissed. Thanks if you do, but do you also know some other places i can get it looked at that wont be outrageously priced?

thanks alot

Kyle

Originally posted by Ali
I get a constant clunking from my driver's side front wheel when i'm driving at low speeds (5mph or so) would you be able to look at it this weekend and tell me whats wrong with it?

I got something like that when driving over uneven pavement. It proved to be swaybars endlinks. I got them replaced and noise was gone.

Florian

Originally posted by fpa1974
I got something like that when driving over uneven pavement. It proved to be swaybars endlinks. I got them replaced and noise was gone.

Florian

i think that may be it, my cars driven hard. how much $$ if you don't mind me asking...

Ali,

Sounds like sway bar endlinks. Looking at ~$100 in parts.

Good call Florian.

James

Kyle,

Not doing body work at this time, not enough room. Unfortunately I can't recommend anyone, as I have not had the need for body work since coming to GA a few years ago.

James

could you take a look at it for me? how much labor?

James,

I could use some help when you have time. I have had an issue with the car that I think is suspension related. One of the tires is showing signs of cupping. I am about to put new tires on my car and would like this issue resolved so I don't ruin any new tires. Give me a call anytime. 404.310.3377

The dealer denied anything was wrong (of course while it was under warranty) and an independent BMW mechanic misdiagnosed the problem. Said it was rotors. I replaced them and the problem did not go away.

Thanks!

Greg

Originally posted by Ali
could you take a look at it for me? how much labor?

Ali,

Something like that, I can tell you if they are bad in 10 minutes, so no charge for that. To replace them, I guess $30 for both sides.

James

Jamie,

Two things...

1) I'd like to set up a time, maybe Wednesday (if not, then next week), to get my exhaust leak taken care of. Let me know.

2) I sold an M3 exhaust to a guy a while back. I was going to install it myself, but time constraints on both of our ends have made it damn near impossible to get this done. When I'm available, he's not. When he's available, I'm not. When we're both available, it rains... and so on.

So, how much would you charge for an exhaust install -- he has all the parts. I'll just knock that off the price of what I sold it to him for.

Let me know.

Thanks,
Ron

Ron,

Lets aim for early next week, as I already have a car to deal with tomorrow. Mond or Tues would be best, as it is the final week before the wedding, so I am planning on the end of the week being full of last minute disasters.......
As far as price, how does $50 total sound for both your car and the install on his?

James

Monday would be great. I'll get with the other guy and finalize details, then get back to you.

I really appreciate the help.

Monday works for me and him.

Where do we come to and what time (bear in mind, both of us work until around 6pm)?

Yes... please fix Aaron's exhaust leak. It sounds like he's got a Civic fart can on there when he gets on it!





:evil2

Originally posted by Def
Yes... please fix Aaron's exhaust leak. It sounds like he's got a Civic fart can on there when he gets on it!





:evil2

That's not what you said when no one else was around. :devillook

"Damn, Ron. Thanks for making my decision of exhausts that much harder."

-and-

"I must admit, your car pulls harder than I thought it would."

OWNED!

would you be able to look at my car sometime this coming weekend? Also, where are you located?
thanks

Ron,

I am in near P'tree Ind and Pleasant Hill. I will PM the address and phone number.
Lets say 7 pm on Monday.

BTW, are you sure the seals onyour exh are ok?

James

Ali,

I am in the Duluth area. Unfortunately I can't look at it this weekend. I am going to be in Savannah for the race this weekend, leaving Thur.
I can make some time early next week. In fact, if you want to come by on Monday night also, I can check them out, shouldn't take long. Tues will work too. I will pm the addres to you.

James

Originally posted by atlantaM3
Ron,

I am in near P'tree Ind and Pleasant Hill. I will PM the address and phone number.
Lets say 7 pm on Monday.

BTW, are you sure the seals onyour exh are ok?

James

I think that the one fiber ring might be cracked. I'll go ahead and get a replacement one. I already have the new nuts/bolts.

i think i'll probably show up monday, aaron when are u going to be there? I just have to get mine checked but if its messed up i'll be coming back soon to have em changed.
thanks

I'll be there 'round 7pm. You?

hmm, I might go up there then too.

James,

Would like to set an appointment with you to review some previous work done on my AC. Supposedly the low-side was fixed by a guy in Lithonia, but doesn't seem like he did a good job. Is this something in your repitoire?

If so, pls let me know, and PM a good date/time/location/phone/ and estimate!

Many thanks,
-Chris