I created this thread: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=768855

Instead of the dealer, I decided to goto these guys: http://www.funktionauto.com/

To say that I was amazed, impressed, and blown away would be an understatement. Although I wasn't having anything serious done, just topping off my transmission fluid, I was the recepient of a fine service by the gentlemen that work here. I was greeted by a very nice receptionist, he asked me to give him my keys and then told me to go upstairs and relax, enjoy the TV, drinks/coffee, 15 different magazines to choose from, and of course a window of immense proportions glaring down on their workshop, where you can look at the work being done on your and other cars. It was magnificent, very stylish and very contemporary, clean too. Really, you don't expect a mechanic shop to be this lavishly good.

The owner of the place came up to me and talked to me, asked me questions and answered mine, talked to me about the shop and the skillful mechanics, and really made me feel welcomed there.

I had a very good experience here, they kept coming up and informing me about the progress of work on my car. I had to wait for a while but that's just for the car to get a little cold, and all that can be so easily forgiven thanks to the great service and respect they present to their customers. Really, now I want to come here again, but I hope nothing goes wrong though with my car.

When my car was finished the mechanic took it for a ride to see everything was okay, came back and told me everything, answered all my questions and conerns. Everyone there had a very nice attitude and that's great to see, it makes you want to come again.

I was expecting the price to be skyrocketing high, but to my surprise it was less than half of what the dealer had quoted me. I was astonished.

I highly recommend them. I'm very satisfied and impressed.

Walid is doing it up right.
When you have a passion for something, it shows.

A male receptionist? Ghey.

Awesome. What did they charge you for the ATF flush, if I might ask? PM me if you don't want it public.

Good to hear! I plan on checking them out for the first time on their DIY day, Oct. 13.

Awesome. What did they charge you for the ATF flush, if I might ask? PM me if you don't want it public.

I don't think they flushed it, and it isn't recommended to flush it. They charged one hour labour, +oil, +shop tools, +tax, it came out to be about $126, which is a bargain. The dealer said it'd be about two hour labour and quoted me a price of $270 :rolleyes. Which reminds me, I have to cancel my appointment :buttrock.

Good to hear! I plan on checking them out for the first time on their DIY day, Oct. 13.


What is the DIY day?

I don't think they flushed it, and it isn't recommended to flush it. They charged one hour labour, +oil, +shop toops, +tax, it came out to be about $126, which is a bargain. The dealer said it'd be about two hour labour.

You incapable tit, why didn't you do it yourself?

You incapable tit, why didn't you do it yourself?

I don't have time, and many members told me to get it done professionally since it's risky business.

Because it is a pain in the ass to do. Period. Where the amount of time I'd take to do something isn't worth the time or effort to do it, nor is it anything I'd repeat in any future car, I wouldn't do it. Bonoz: If they didn't flush, what DID they do?

Instead of the dealer, I decided to goto these guys: http://www.funktionauto.com/

You're welcome!

You're welcome!

I may have to take my car to you guys! Disregard my crude jokes; they were in jest. :)

You're welcome!

I don't know if he works there, but he is the one to recommend me, so thanks :)

Because it is a pain in the ass to do. Period. Where the amount of time I'd take to do something isn't worth the time or effort to do it, nor is it anything I'd repeat in any future car, I wouldn't do it. Bonoz: If they didn't flush, what DID they do?

They topped it off.

Because, I've heard that flushing the system isn't a good idea as it removes the particles... in fact...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9919256&postcount=8

No, I don't work there. I'm a customer of both RRT and Funktion Auto. I was the one who originally recommended them in the previous thread. Both are excellent shops.

$126 to top off? ouch

Wait, they charged you $126 to top off your transmission lube, and you thought this was a BARGAIN?

I am really confused.

Yeah... that's more like an anal raping without lube. :confused

Yeah, I thought this was a full drain/flush. NM.

Yeah, I thought this was a full drain/flush. NM.

+1

Im guessing this was a full DRAIN..the replace the fluid.

I cant imagine a reputable shop would add a couple of ounces, then charge $126.

Well it was 1 hour labour...

Should I have gotten the flush??? because they wouldn't have changed the filter unless I had the flush done?

What is the DIY day?

You can uses their lifts and services for a day.

http://www.nccbmwcca.org/index.php?diy

Ive done LCAB's and such at these events. Its great

$126 is expensive compared to DIY. But when you don't have the time, and you rely on a professional service center to take care of your car's maintenance, $126 is the best price you will likely find. Unless you know a starving mechanic in PA or WV. So its all relative guys.

Its like going to a restaurant to get steak. You can get steak at home for much less. So why do people bother?

FunKtion gives you personal service whether you drive a Ferrari 360 challenge car, or an 89 Civic hatchback. I've seen it. You get mechanics who don't get paid on commission, and dont rush their work. They also spend a lot of time cleaning a lot of the road grime, checking hoses clamps, connectors, and other neglected areas so you get your car back in much better shape than you gave it. And if they find a problem, they tell you what it will cost, and how long you can go before it needs to be addressed.

$126 is expensive compared to DIY. But when you don't have the time, and you rely on a professional service center to take care of your car's maintenance, $126 is the best price you will likely find. Unless you know a starving mechanic in PA or WV. So its all relative guys.

Its like going to a restaurant to get steak. You can get steak at home for much less. So why do people bother?

FunKtion gives you personal service whether you drive a Ferrari 360 challenge car, or an 89 Civic hatchback. I've seen it. You get mechanics who don't get paid on commission, and dont rush their work. They also spend a lot of time cleaning a lot of the road grime, checking hoses clamps, connectors, and other neglected areas so you get your car back in much better shape than you gave it. And if they find a problem, they tell you what it will cost, and how long you can go before it needs to be addressed.

And you get to look at dedicated race cars while you wait. 6 of the 8 cars that were there when I was were track cars.

The person that did my alignment also Autocrosses and had lots of suggestion about what I might want the end result to be. And the owner drives an M coupe, which was sitting out front for me to look over.

Some people don't have the tools or facilities to do thier own DIY, and I am not able to do an alignment, so why not go some place where the price is fair, the techs are good, they share your love of cars and they make you feel special.

OR you could save $40.00 and go to Jiffy lube, where you really get hosed.

Joe

$126 is expensive compared to DIY. But when you don't have the time, and you rely on a professional service center to take care of your car's maintenance, $126 is the best price you will likely find. Unless you know a starving mechanic in PA or WV. So its all relative guys.

Its like going to a restaurant to get steak. You can get steak at home for much less. So why do people bother?

FunKtion gives you personal service whether you drive a Ferrari 360 challenge car, or an 89 Civic hatchback. I've seen it. You get mechanics who don't get paid on commission, and dont rush their work. They also spend a lot of time cleaning a lot of the road grime, checking hoses clamps, connectors, and other neglected areas so you get your car back in much better shape than you gave it. And if they find a problem, they tell you what it will cost, and how long you can go before it needs to be addressed.


Yes they did check the car. When the car was up on the lift, they checked everything else. I was worried about my exhaust clamps being lose, but they checked and said they looked fine. They also checked under the bonnet, and said things looked great. Besides, even if it was just a "top off" I still was happy with their service.

I didn't have the tools as well, to get the job done.

What I don't understand is why you paid that much for them to merely top off the fluid. If you were going to go through all of that, you should have flushed it.

If you have an older transmission with neglected fluid, a complete fluid change is NOT recommended, since you simply dislodge a lot of crud which later clogs up tiny valves and fluid passages. HOWEVER, the BG Trans flush system is completely safe, since it intentionally cleans any varnish and deposits and suspends them in the fluid, then gets flushed out, all 12-18 quarts of it. That service is about $130-150 using BG semi-synthetic trans fluid at many shops that carry the BG transmission flush machine. We do not, but Leehigh Auto Body just up the street from us does.

$126 is expensive compared to DIY. But when you don't have the time, and you rely on a professional service center to take care of your car's maintenance, $126 is the best price you will likely find. Unless you know a starving mechanic in PA or WV. So its all relative guys.

Its like going to a restaurant to get steak. You can get steak at home for much less. So why do people bother?

FunKtion gives you personal service whether you drive a Ferrari 360 challenge car, or an 89 Civic hatchback. I've seen it. You get mechanics who don't get paid on commission, and dont rush their work. They also spend a lot of time cleaning a lot of the road grime, checking hoses clamps, connectors, and other neglected areas so you get your car back in much better shape than you gave it. And if they find a problem, they tell you what it will cost, and how long you can go before it needs to be addressed.

I dunno about you, but $126 still seems very excessive to top off tranny fluid. Jiffy Lube does it for you for $44 ALONG WITH every other fluid AND an oil change AND free top-offs for 3,000 miles.

Not saying Jiffy Lube is the be all, end all or ultimate mechanics (by no means...they are inept in many respects), but the fact of the matter is, $126 is just rapeage.

Again..I bet if he checks his paperwork, they drained and filled.

Regarding the BG Flush..Pat Goss whores that process/product to no END. lol. It must be pretty good.

I dunno about you, but $126 still seems very excessive to top off tranny fluid. Jiffy Lube does it for you for $44 ALONG WITH every other fluid AND an oil change AND free top-offs for 3,000 miles.

Not saying Jiffy Lube is the be all, end all or ultimate mechanics (by no means...they are inept in many respects), but the fact of the matter is, $126 is just rapeage.


Jiffy Lube HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Jiffy Lube HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

I only lets those FOOLS touch one of my vehicles on time , NEVER AGAIN.

Jiffy Lube HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

If you go to Jiffy Lube you should be driving a 1984 Mini Van.

Jiffy Lube HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Jiffy Lube HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Jiffy Lube HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

I only lets those FOOLS touch one of my vehicles on time , NEVER AGAIN.

Jiffy Lube HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

If you go to Jiffy Lube you should be driving a 1984 Mini Van.

Jiffy Lube HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I normally wouldn't take it there, but I was sitting in HORRIBLE Fairfax traffic (typical) at 6:58, two minutes before the Lube closes, and I thought, "hey, my car needs an oil change anyway, why not take it there and at the same time, not have to sit in this shit?"

So I did, and I am pretty happy with what they did. I think it helps that I literally stood there the whole time watching. One of the guys, an old Vietnamese dude, really made me nervous with his apparent lack of competence.

I normally wouldn't take it there, but I was sitting in HORRIBLE Fairfax traffic (typical) at 6:58, two minutes before the Lube closes, and I thought, "hey, my car needs an oil change anyway, why not take it there and at the same time, not have to sit in this shit?"

So I did, and I am pretty happy with what they did. I think it helps that I literally stood there the whole time watching. One of the guys, an old Vietnamese dude, really made me nervous with his apparent lack of competence.

I took my mother's car at jiffy lube, and they were mistreating it like nothing. The oil sticks, they take them out, and they push them back in so hard that they bend and skew. What is up with that? No care for my care, I don't take it there. It's for people who don't care about their cars.

If you have an older transmission with neglected fluid, a complete fluid change is NOT recommended, since you simply dislodge a lot of crud which later clogs up tiny valves and fluid passages. HOWEVER, the BG Trans flush system is completely safe, since it intentionally cleans any varnish and deposits and suspends them in the fluid, then gets flushed out, all 12-18 quarts of it. That service is about $130-150 using BG semi-synthetic trans fluid at many shops that carry the BG transmission flush machine. We do not, but Leehigh Auto Body just up the street from us does.

Can you tell me more about the BG Trans flush??? is it more of a flush than the "complete flush"?

And when should I have that done on my car? if I should at all..

My car has 85k on the clock.

What would happen if I don't flush it? BMW do say it's a lifetime fluid.

What I don't understand is why you paid that much for them to merely top off the fluid. If you were going to go through all of that, you should have flushed it.

I don't know if you know the whole deal with ATF, I'm sure you do but it's not just something you "add" you have to have special tools, temperature guages, etc. to propperly do the job. And it wasn't something I wanted to do on my own and several people from the board told me to get someone professional do it because it's a bit risky to do it by yourself. Besides, I had just gotten done doing my cooling system and I wanted to get the car checked out just for peace of mind.

$126 may seem a lot, but the service they provided I'm not regretting my decision to go there. It was a great shop, with a great bunch of people.

That's not what I meant. I would pay to have it done too, its a PITA. I'm saying if you were going through all of that trouble, I don't know why the hell you had them just "top it off" rather than flush the system and replace with all new fluid.

Because of JamesM3M5 said and a post I referred to earlier, that a complete flush maybe a bad idea for your transmission.

I did not know about the other type of flush, that's why I just asked him about it. I didn't want to take another risk with my car.

I presume they use a better detergent than typically found in ATF, and it dislodges/dissolves deposits and leaves it suspended in the fluid. Basically "washes" the passages in the transmission (there are a LOT of passages and valves in a slushbox). Then you have to flush the dirty/old fluid out and replace it with new. The BG machine (and others) have a tube that sucks only fresh fluid into the transmission's oil pump, while the old drains out into the catch pan at the same time. Once it's all clean, you have completely removed all the old fluid and deposits and you're left with clean, varnish-free transmission guts and all new fluid. The old fluid is then sent to recycling. AAMCO advertises the "Power Purge", which is basically the same as the BG flush.

Typical trans fluid changes only change the filter about 3-4 quarts of ATF when the transmission actually has about 12-18 quarts in the valve body, torque converter, etc. If the transmission fluid is very dirty and hasn't been changed in a long time, then changing just a few quarts may dislodge deposits and cause more harm than good. Doing a complete flush is the only way to truly clean the guts out and prevent future problems.

And BMW's idea of "lifetime" is totally different from yours or mine. We recommend fluid changes for the differential, manual transmission, and auto transmission at Inspection 2 service, but that's ultimately up to the customer whether they want to do that.

I have my car at 85k, when should I worry about the trans fluid, differential, etc.?

I have my car at 85k, when should I worry about the trans fluid, differential, etc.?

Realizing this is antecdotal..but my brothers daily driver..a 1993 325i with 210k or 215k on the clock is an auto. He has NEVER touched any fluids in that thing except oil every 10 to 15k and some coolant. (I say "some" because he's changed the waterpump before, but I KNOW he didnt do a full flush). Same brake fluid since 1993. (Im cringing just typing all of this).

But guess what? That thing STILL runs strong and solid.

Not saying I recommend his "service" (or lack of) intervals.

But..it is what it is.