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Anyone recommend a good BMW mech in NorCal?
Im looking to makie some chages to my 03 325xiT....nothing major...steering wheel switch....seat switch and new wheels.....can anyone recommend a top mechanic/shop in Nor Cal....im in SF!
thanks
| | Reply » Anyone recommend a good BMW mech in NorCal? |
Two that I have used, and can whole-heartedly recommend are:
Bill Arnold, Bill Arnold Repair, 68D Woodland Ave,San Raphael
Ramon LeFrancois, Bavarian Motorsports, 1753 Houret Ct, Milpitas.
I've heard the Pheadrus in SF is good.
| | Reply » Anyone recommend a good BMW mech in NorCal? |
What you are looking for is pretty basic stuff that any capable independent BMW shop should be able to handle. Heck you could (should?) do the seats and wheel yourself. Even something like paddle shifters for a step trans doesn't take anything more than a few basic hand tools. I'd be curious to know what you have in mind as I too own an xit. Mine's an 02 ti silver met, Blk ette w/ silv trim, SP,CWP, HK audio, manual trans, no PP.)
For the complicated stuff:
Pheadrus in SF, mentioned above, is notoriously overpriced, and depending on who you talk to can be good or bad, though I have no direct experience with them. FierySphere's recommendation of Bill Arnold Repair, 68D Woodland Ave,San Rafael is someone I hear good things about up here in Marin. West Bay Bavarian, also in San Rafael, comes highly recommended to me as well.
 My personal suggestion is Bavarian Professionals in Berkeley.
http://www.bavpros.com/about.html
They are perhaps the best independent BMW repair shop in the Bay Area for general repairs, some say among the top five on the west coast. I have had only limited contact with them (all good), but know people well who have long trusted their cars to them. Michael Dennison, the owner, is highly respected in the BMW community and along with having the requisite expertise and experience is a damn nice guy.
| | Reply » Anyone recommend a good BMW mech in NorCal? |
You thin I can really put on the steering wheel myself?.....IM a little sketched as there is an airbag to contend with etc.....unless its totally self contained within the wheel itself?
My issue is I really wanted an xiT silver /blk with SP.PP but had to settle for non SP blk/blk as the deal I found was too good.
So Im trying to convert as much as possible....doing wheels/tires first (watching a couple of ebay auctions), then steering wheel. I also want to put an external hard drive and some new speakers/amp.....oh and a spare tire as I dont have one!
| | Reply » Anyone recommend a good BMW mech in NorCal? |
Steering wheel replacement is a very easy DIY on these cars. Just remember to disconnect the battery to prevent accidental triggering of the airbag. You may not know that the airbag is a self-contained part of the center padded bolster. That means the sport steering wheel requires the sport/M3 style airbag. Sport steering wheels are often dirt cheap ($50-100 is routine), but you'll be lucky to get a previously installed airbag for $400. Most go for $500 or more. (There really isn't a market for your old wheel and airbag.)
You may find some help here: http://www.bimmerdiy.com/e46
Also consider buying the Bently repair manual even if you aren't going to do that much.
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Anyone recommend a good BMW mech in NorCal?