J&F Motors

[Zchild]

I was coming home yesterday and in the process of rolling down my drivers side window I heard the sound of a bad regulator. I called J&F and set up an appointment for today. I arrived and after 2.5 hours of work I received a bill for 462.00. The parts were $136.00, the rest was labor at $109.00 per hour. I called my friend at Sports & Imports to see what he would have charged my and I was told that by the book window regulators are 1.2 hours labor, therefore the parts and labor bill at his shop would have been $230.00 at $75.00 per hour. I was trying to support the shops that support our club, however I will not be going back to J&F Motors ever... They've eliminated the club discount on parts and labor and are one of the most expensive shops in the area. Just my two and a half cents worth. Happy Motoring...

[John in VA]

I'm not familiar with Sports & Imports, but it seems the hourly rate most places in the DC Metro area have surpassed $100/hr. Red Line Motors out here in the weeds (Purcellville) was ~$90 last I checked, which I thought was extreme. A Pcar buddy found them to be the most reasonably-priced around!

[Indy Red M3]

It's always easy to come behind with a second opinion/ estimate, without seeing the car/ problem, but for over 30 years I've always found J & F to be fair, honest and to fix the problem if they make a mistake.
Gordon Fletcher and Joe Anderson are hands on owners.
I recommend J & J Motots to people all the time, with no complaints.

Gordon M. Kimpel

[Zchild]

It's always easy to come behind with a second opinion/ estimate, without seeing the car/ problem, but for over 30 years I've always found J & F to be fair, honest and to fix the problem if they make a mistake.
Gordon Fletcher and Joe Anderson are hands on owners.
I recommend J & J Motots to people all the time, with no complaints.

Gordon M. Kimpel

This isn't the first time I've felt burned by J&F Motors, my clutch went out while I was on travel to Hawaii and my wife had my car. I called J&F Motors from Hawaii and told them I needed my car repaired within the week so I could have it back when I got back from Hawaii and they charged me $2422.00 to replace a freakin clutch in a 00 323i. This is the third window regulator they've done for me and the other two cost $360.00 each, this one was $100.00 dollars more expensive. I do all of my expensive repairs at Sports & Imports in Chesapeake, VA because of the labor costs, they just installed my new exhaust and did my schedule II for $572.00 including the cost of $300.00 for the Supersprint exhaust system that someone ordered but didn't want. They did my entire new Eibach suspension system as well as my transmission. My only point is that I think that the folks we support could provide a little better support to our club. Just my two and a half cents worth. Happy Motoring...

[OwnedbyDuncan]

Seems to me that someone should have gotten an estimate first. Your fault for not asking before saying just replace the clutch or the window regulator if you were concerned about price. Second the shop down in Chesapeake labor costs and other costs are significantly less by a wide margin than a shop located in Arlington, VA a couple miles from the Pentagon.

Comparing a shop in Arlington to one in Chesapeake is like comparing Dominion Lager to Budweiser.

And you keep make the same alleged mistake. Not sure how driving 6hrs round trip is saving you money but its your call.

I have always asked the cost of the repair before I agreed to it even after using the same shop for 25 years. Not to argue but just to limit the girlfriend's shoe budget.

I have always found it to be an adavantage to develop a relationship with a firm I spend a significant some of money at be for car repairs, tires, AV equipment or shoes and lingerie for the girlfriend. That way I get the best price but more importantly the best service.

Dave Apker and the collies

[Real M3]

Dave brings up some good points in his reply. My own experience was always good when Bill Brochu still worked there. I first went to J&F in 1984. Now I'm not so comfortable with them. their labor rates are high at $109, but pretty much the standard market rate anymore. Their discontinuance of CCA discounts is disturbing as well as charging an hour's worth of labor for the NCC DE tech inspection. Yes, that's correct, they'll bill you $109 for the DE tech inspection. I am certainly shopping around next time, J&F is no longer my first choice nor recommendation.

Wake up J&F, remember the folks that helped get you where you are today and establish your good reputation with the club!

[Phat Ham]

$109/hour is high for an independent shop. That's pretty close to dealer rates around here. RRT and Gary Martin charge $90/hour and they are both very reputable shops.

[OwnedbyDuncan]

It is a lot cheaper to operate in Gaithersburg and Dulles than in the socialist county of Arlington. However if you want to keep good mechanics you have to pay the going rate. Mechanics at a good shop or BMW dealer usually get half the hourly labor rate.

My shop always does the tech inspection along with other services oil change, brake fluid change etc.

To expect a shop to do it for free isnt reasonable.

Shame NCC doesnt do tech inspections as part of DIY sessions.

Dave Apker

[1996 328ti]

To expect a shop to do it for free isnt reasonable.
My shop does it for free but I usually have it done with other work.

Shame NCC doesnt do tech inspections as part of DIY sessions.
A DIY tech inspection?
Tech inspections are supposed to be performed by a shop.

--

[OwnedbyDuncan]

Steven,

We used to do it at DIY sessions many years ago.

Dave Apker

[David Hicks]

One more dissatisfied J&F customer here. They simply charge too much for the service they provide.