Family Auto Care in Owings

[Momoney89]

Wanted to relay my experience so others will not have to go through the same thing. Took my bmw there the other day. Owner was nice enough and it was my first time there. He called said I needed a new thermostat. Car only has about 58,000 miles on it and is two years old, but so be it. Asked him to replace the thermostat and change the oil and check the brakes. He reported back that he replaced the thermostat and changed the oil, no problem with the brakes, but said the brake fluid was dirty. Heres the kicker, my wife goes to pick the car up and the bill is over $600.00! I took it here so I would not be ripped off by a dealer. Guess that was not the right decision. Does anyone out there who might be a mechanic on bmw's know what this should have cost. On top of it all after telling me the brake fluid was dirty, he didn't change it out?? Here is the deceitful part, I stop to have my car
washed Saturday and when I go to put something the trunk, I noticed that he had removed my tag plates, front and back (the ones that normally has the dealers name on it where you purchase the car) and replaced them with his own promoting Family auto care. What a slimy thing to do without my permission. I will never return there.

 

[Rael]

Wanted to relay my experience so others will not have to go through the same thing. Took my bmw there the other day. Owner was nice enough and it was my first time there. He called said I needed a new thermostat. Car only has about 58,000 miles on it and is two years old, but so be it. Asked him to replace the thermostat and change the oil and check the brakes. He reported back that he replaced the thermostat and changed the oil, no problem with the brakes, but said the brake fluid was dirty. Heres the kicker, my wife goes to pick the car up and the bill is over $600.00! I took it here so I would not be ripped off by a dealer. Guess that was not the right decision. Does anyone out there who might be a mechanic on bmw's know what this should have cost. On top of it all after telling me the brake fluid was dirty, he didn't change it out?? Here is the deceitful part, I stop to have my car
washed Saturday and when I go to put something the trunk, I noticed that he had removed my tag plates, front and back (the ones that normally has the dealers name on it where you purchase the car) and replaced them with his own promoting Family auto care. What a slimy thing to do without my permission. I will never return there.

BMW = Big Money Waster.

Though that does sound high. To lessen the shock when I'm about to get any work done on mine, I check out the repairpal site first. It doesn't change how much mechanics charge, just sort of softens the blow a little.

Repair Pal

 

[Otter]

I noticed that he had removed my tag plates, front and back (the ones that normally has the dealers name on it where you purchase the car) and replaced them with his own promoting Family auto care.

Send them a bill for 600 for the advertising space they bought on your car.

 

[dave1959]

What work did he do for $600 ????? Hard to comment without all the info..
( sorry.. I did not read far enough)
.
What year and model BMW..
.
as for the licence plate thing.... very bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I to would be pi$$ed..

 

[RoseRed]

Didn't you ask for an estimate?

 

[Momoney89]

What work did he do for $600 ????? Hard to comment without all the info..
.
as for the licence plate thing.... very bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I to would be pi$$ed..

Yeah I am P*****!!! Going there today and throwing them on his desk. Of course he probably already disposed of mine. What a jerk!

 

[Cowgirl]

The tag thing would make me mad. I hate when people sneak in that advertising.


But didn't you get an estimate on what the work would cost? If not, it's kinda hard to blame anyone but yourself.

 

[Momoney89]

Didn't you ask for an estimate?

Of course, the estimate was 300 to 400. Charged me $95 for an oil change. The dealer only charges 75.00! Valvoline in PF only charges $55. I just thought because I was short on time and taking a long trip that I would have him do it. Whats so tough about loosening one nut, letting the oil drain, throwing a new filter on it and filling it back up?? Maybe his mechanic charged me labor for putting the new plate frames on!!!

 

[Momoney89]

What work did he do for $600 ????? Hard to comment without all the info..
( sorry.. I did not read far enough)
.
What year and model BMW..
.
as for the licence plate thing.... very bad !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I to would be pi$$ed..

2008 BMW 328i

He replaced the thermostat and changed the oil. The invoice said he rotated the tires, checked belts and hoses.

 

[Cowgirl]

Of course, the estimate was 300 to 400. Charged me $95 for an oil change. The dealer only charges 75.00! Valvoline in PF only charges $55. I just thought because I was short on time and taking a long trip that I would have him do it. Whats so tough about loosening one nut, letting the oil drain, throwing a new filter on it and filling it back up?? Maybe his mechanic charged me labor for putting the new plate frames on!!!

I thought they could only charge 10% over the estimate? And if you're #####ing about how simple changing oil is, why don't you do it yourself?

 

[Momoney89]

Send them a bill for 600 for the advertising space they bought on your car.

Great idea!

 

[RoseRed]

Of course, the estimate was 300 to 400. Charged me $95 for an oil change. The dealer only charges 75.00! Valvoline in PF only charges $55. I just thought because I was short on time and taking a long trip that I would have him do it. Whats so tough about loosening one nut, letting the oil drain, throwing a new filter on it and filling it back up?? Maybe his mechanic charged me labor for putting the new plate frames on!!!

Why didn't you dispute it?

 

[Momoney89]

I thought they could only charge 10% over the estimate? And if you're #####ing about how simple changing oil is, why don't you do it yourself?

Cowgal, no need to have your a** on your shoulders this early in the morning. I was leaving for a trip the next day, otherwise I would have taken it to valvoline. I don't have ramps at home and don't want to deal with having to take used oil to the dump. Thanks for your concern.

 

[dave1959]

Did some quick research and based on a 2007 BMW 335i...
Thermosat, and oil change I can come up with about $500-550..
So $600 does'nt sound that high...

 

[Momoney89]

Why didn't you dispute it?

My wife picked the car up because I had to work late. I still may talk with him about the costs, because it seems out of line with the work that was done.

 

[RoseRed]

My wife picked the car up because I had to work late. I still may talk with him about the costs, because it seems out of line with the work that was done.

Your wife doesn't sound very assertive.

 

[Momoney89]

Did some quick research and based on a 2007 BMW 335i...
Thermosat, and oil change I can come up with about $500-550..
So $600 does'nt sound that high...

Thanks Dave. Makes me feel somewhat better. Of course I still have an issue with the plates, but thats a different complaint.

 

[Momoney89]

Your wife sound very assertive.

You must have a very bad morning going on

 

[Cowgirl]

Cowgal, no need to have your a** on your shoulders this early in the morning. I was leaving for a trip the next day, otherwise I would have taken it to valvoline. I don't have ramps at home and don't want to deal with having to take used oil to the dump. Thanks for your concern.

I don't have my ass on my shoulders. I am just a little confused because you're main problem is the high prices. Most people find out prices ahead of time (like don't biatch about the high cost of an oil change because you could have found that out ahead of time and if you're so outraged at the price don't bring it there). If he went over his quoted price then I would definitely dispute it.

 

[RoseRed]

You must have a very bad morning going on

Not at all. I didn't pay $600.00 for an oil change. :shrug: