Autobahn Automotive Natick, MA

[edboc]

Autobahn Automotive Service Natick, MA (508) 647-1500 Chip

Has anyone gone to Chip to get work done? He's charging $74/hr. He buys most of the parts straight from Turner, UUC, & AA. Any feedback would be great.

[Chapel]

$74/hr!!!
GOOOD FUCKING LORD!

[DocWyte]

That's a whole lot cheaper than BMW Gallery, they charge $95 and hour.

I've talked to Chip on the phone. He seems knowledgable and pleasant to deal with. They also have loaner cars. His price for a set of bilsteins was outrageous tho, so I wonder what the parts prices are like there in general.

[dieselm3]

chip is great to deal with. he takes the time to talk to you at length so both parties know exactly what work is going to be done. You will be able to find a lot of guys out there that charge less, but he seems to be very knowledgable, experienced, and they only work on bimmers, that for me translates into peace of mind while they are working on my car. prices in general seem to be fair, you could probably do a little better if you hunted online and supplied the parts yourself (I got the impression that he didn't seemed to be too bothered if you supplied your own stuff), however when he did my shocks /struts last year, I learned after the fact the price he charged me on bilsteins was high (I got lazy and didn't bother to shop around before dropping the car off) . he does have loaners as DocWyte mentioned (If you're having more thasn $250 of work done). I have only used him a few times, my experience so far has been very good and I would definitely recommend them.

[Chapel]

jesus...
my guys work for $35/hr or a handle of scotch...

[edboc]

The reason why I'm going to him is because I bought a AA CAI because of their Christmas promotion, and I have no tools and I suck at building things. Just not a hands on person, and suck with instructions.
Anyways, I called Chip up, and he told me that I'd be better off doing a J. Conforti Chip and CAI instead of using a AA CAI. But I guess that's ok, since he's worked with AA CAIs before. Should I be using AA software, or can I be using JC Chip with the AA CAI? I also mentioned that I want to do an oil change with 0W-30 Mobil 1 just because some people have mentioned that it's good for cold starts in the winter time. He didn't seem that enthused about that, and recommends BMW Synthetic 5W-30. But he did say he'll do work on whatever I want on my own car.
When I go to him, I def. want to talk to him about some mods I want to do in the future. It's more convienent to go to Chip instead of Turner in Amesbury. Is Turner usually all booked up? It seems like they usually spend more time working on race cars, and other stuff, and don't have much time for customers such as myself.

[dieselm3]

using 0-30w oil should be fine, I think Chip normally used bmw 5-30, because it is, well bmw recommended. he has put mobile 1 in for me before. as far as the CAI goes, I myself would want to use the cai and software that were provided by the same manufacturer. I plan on getting the J Conforti Euro HFM CAI set up for my '95.

[edboc]

Well it's going to be tough getting AA software when they're all the way in Miami. Chip said he can work with the AA CAI. I still don't know when I'll be getting the AA CAI. It's been a real hastle dealing with their lack of customer service.

[edboc]

Just scheduled an appointment with Chip on Saturday. He's going to install the AA CAI and Shark Inject it.
From what I have read and heard, the CAI should give me about 10 rwhp, and the Shark Inject is good for about 2-3 rwhp. When I told Chip this, he started laughing. He said that the CAI is only good for sound and looks for 2-3 rwhp, and the Shark Injector is good for 20 rwhp. Very contradictory. Maybe he was saying this just to get me to do the Shark Injector with him.

[dieselm3]

wow, based on all of the mod posts I've read over the last couple years, your horsepower estimates on those mods seem to be consistant with other people's results.... cai-10 hp, shark, maybe a couple horsepower. I have heard that if your looking to add horsepower, don't bother with the shark injection.. supposedly it is only good for raising the redline. I'd like to know what Chip is charging for the install, I'm looking to have the Jim Conforti Euro HFM OBD1 ('95) setup done to my car next summer.

Good Luck.

[DocWyte]

dieselm3, you can easily install the euro hfm intake and chip in your driveway in an hour or so. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, I'd be happy to do it for you. Come on down to my house with some beer and a sandwich and I'll call it even.

[edboc]

Chip isn't adding any additional labor time for the Shark Injector. I bought the AA Cold Air Intake on my own, and he said that's going to take 2 hours to do. AA told me that'd take 30 minutes. So, it comes out pretty even at the end, and the Shark Injector shouldn't take much time for a person who's done it before. He says that he "swears" by Jim. Conforti products, and he has never worked with AA Software. On the AA webpage, it says that I would have to mail them my ECU to get the software done.

[dieselm3]

DocWyte, thanks for the offer! I just may take you up on later this year. I would do it now but it would put me in a higher class for BMWCCA Boston Chapter auto-X and I need to get more experience before going crazy with mods.
thanks again.