I know some of you have been asking for good shops around the Boston area, so here's a quick review of Autobahn.

I went to Autobahn in Lexington out of convenience, since Landshark and BPG aren't real convenient to my work. I was in there for suspension work - needed two front struts, some bushings, some sway bar end links, etc.

Now before I start complaining, let me just say that Autobahn did call me and tell me prior to starting their work that they'd be putting in Bilstein struts. Whether or not they told me they'd be putting in Bilstein TOURINGs, I honestly don't know. I may have just assumed that for the price they were going to be putting in Bilstein Sports. So I said go ahead with the work at a whopping total of 1600 bucks.

I get the car back, satisfied with the work. I look over the invoice, 180 dollars a piece for Bilstein Touring struts. For those of you that don't know, these are the low-end Bilsteins - they can be had for 85 dollars from Bav Auto (which we all know is certainly not the cheapest of the cheap). Now I understand that shops need to make a profit (cause the 89 bucks an hour labor isn't enough) but this seemed like a little much.

So I thought maybe there was a mistake, maybe they charged me OEM or something. I called the next day and apparently there was no mistake, this is what they charge, and they refused to come down. End of story, loss of customer.

The kicker is, I was quoted by Landshark about two months ago, 699 for FOUR Bilstein SPORTS, with Eibach Springs. At Autobahn I paid 360 for two Bilstein TOURINGS, no springs.

So I obviously do not recommend Autobahn in Lexington (or Natick), and I won't be going back. There are definitely better shops in the area.

My mom bought a 2003 325xi sport from them in early december and they didn't want to go down $200 on the already high $27,000 price for straightening of all four wheels.

Neither I, nor she, will ever return there.
Sorry to hear of your troubles.

I like Landshark but they are a bit far from me... ever try Albright's Mighty Motors in Somerville?

oh man... my ix is there now, has been about 3 weeks (i also said it wasnt a RUSH job) for a fuel management relay. im getting really ansy to get it back, but not for the bill. supposivly (sp) their doing the final drive to make sure its running well tomorrow.. we'll see, i'll let you know.

:(

They sure lubed your chassis tb0ne. What else did you get done? That is a pretty hefty quote for some bushings and front end struts! I guess if they did the rear trailing arm bushings the quote would make more sense...

Anyway, I guess what we can take away from this is to always get a quote and to verify what parts they'll be installing. I think most customers that walk in want to preserve the stock ride and damping, so that's probably why they installed the Tourings.

Fred

most shops always charge LIST PRICE to the customer. When i worked at pepboys for there commercial business they would call us and ask the price on struts at "there cost" which is considerably chaeper than the jobber price for the diy customers. Then after we tell them there price ($56.85ea) they would ask for list price which would be located right next to the jobber price on our invoice screen which is normally double the cost or more(131.89ea).

thats why its good to have your local go to guy that works for beer. he never charges you list and gives you massive amunts of discounts per every six pack you bring him.:lol:

oh and the money figures i used are only for example and dont represent real prices.

I just don't like being lied to - they tried to tell me that they paid 111 dollars a piece for the Bilstein Tourings. You're telling me I can get a part for almost 30 dollars cheaper from a retailer than a shop can get from a jobber? I guess Landshark must have to super-duper connection to be able to offer me all four corners with sports and springs for 699 then. Come on I'm not THAT retarded. Then they tried to tell me that they pay 150 a piece for the Bilstein Sports. Hard to believe you're paying only 40 bucks more for Bilstein Sports over Tourings. "Oh but we gave you a free alignment". I guess it wasn't free then was it.

I don't like being fed BS - I'm not rich, and I value my money just as much as anyone else. I also understand the need for a business to pull a profit. It's unfortunate that they probably do enough business to be able to throw away customers like that.

Well, I hope next time you make it to Landshark. These guys are great...and I have been using them for a year now. They know their customers on a first name basis and have rock bottom pricing...at least half of what area shops charge.

Finding a shop you can trust is very tough. I've been lucky enough to find a place that has done great work, is trustworthy, doesn't treat me like crap, has no problems using parts that I supply, and has reasonable labor rates. Unfortunately it's an hour drive to the shop, but I'll happily drive up to NH to avoid be shafted.

:(

They sure lubed your chassis tb0ne. What else did you get done? That is a pretty hefty quote for some bushings and front end struts! I guess if they did the rear trailing arm bushings the quote would make more sense...

Fred

Yes RTAB's were done. 4 hours for RTAB's is ridiculous, but I do realize that's what most shops will get. My main issue was the cost of the struts.

cliff notes: Car was broke, Autobahn fixed it, no complaints

I just got my car back from Autobahn in Lexington, and I have to admit im happy with the result and service. I had a problem where the car would misfire, and eventually you could just see raw gas and white smoke pouring out of the rear. i had it at a shop where i take my a4 here in nh, where we changed the ecu and tried a few other things to fix this, but to no avail. it would spuratically (sp?) happen, even when it drove fine for weeks at a time beforehand.
so i was in the boston area with it visiting my boyfriend (ya im a girl), who happens to live in lexington, when it happened yet again. so we called AAA, had it brought to Autobahn, and they diagnosed the problem as the fuel management relay, which had never been replaced. They kept me up to date with what was happening with the car, the price is what i was expecting, and i really have no complaints. the car is running great, absolutely no complaints.

cliff notes: Car was broke, Autobahn fixed it, no complaints

I just got my car back from Autobahn in Lexington, and I have to admit im happy with the result and service. I had a problem where the car would misfire, and eventually you could just see raw gas and white smoke pouring out of the rear. i had it at a shop where i take my a4 here in nh, where we changed the ecu and tried a few other things to fix this, but to no avail. it would spuratically (sp?) happen, even when it drove fine for weeks at a time beforehand.
so i was in the boston area with it visiting my boyfriend (ya im a girl), who happens to live in lexington, when it happened yet again. so we called AAA, had it brought to Autobahn, and they diagnosed the problem as the fuel management relay, which had never been replaced. They kept me up to date with what was happening with the car, the price is what i was expecting, and i really have no complaints. the car is running great, absolutely no complaints.

Glad you had a decent experience. Just out of curiousity, how much did they charge you and how many hours labor?

Glad you had a decent experience. Just out of curiousity, how much did they charge you and how many hours labor?
i dont have the slip here but the total was around 250ish including labor and parts. i know they did alot of diagnostic time with the car and im sure that wasnt free.

Considering they charge 90 bucks an hour for labor, that doesn't sound too bad