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Transmission 7

Stadium 3

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Jeries A.

Peoria, IL

05/02/2023

Price gouging and lack of expertise

Beware of these sharks who claim to be experts in import cars, but do not have the expertise to diagnose. My daughter took her BMW 535xi 2008 for a transmission fault message diagnosis (limp mode). They sent us their diagnosis report showing the need to have the transmission oil pan and oil replaced for $1,400, with the possibility of having to replace the transmission if the problem is not solved. I, the parent living in Illinois, called and discussed the matter with Jim, who said they have to go through this first step of replacing the oil pan and oil; I hesitantly agreed, as I am far away and did not wish to have the car towed to Illinois to my mechanic who specializes in European cars. And my daughter needed the car, and so I approved the job for $1400. Then, I watched the YouTube on the replacement of the oil pan and oil, and I was shocked how straightforward and small a job this was, about 11/2 hour max; $100 oil and $150 oil pan. So I dropped my jaw knowing that I just approved a $1,400 job. I called my mechanic, and he told me it was a $500 job. So, I figured I needed an unbiased party and got two other estimates, and also researched national cost for this job, which turned out to be $400-$600. This was a far cry from $1,400 Stadium Auto quoted me. Being busy at work, and my daughter graduating in 10 days, I figured I will stick with my decision and let Stadium auto finish the job. They got back with me and reported that the transmission oil pan did not show any metal shavings, which meant that the transmission mechanical parts are intact. However, they said they still got the same diagnostic code, which meant something else is causing the problem, and that they had to send the diagnostic code to SOMEONE somewhere to figure out what was wrong with the transmission ( I thought they were the experts as they boast, and they just charged me $1,400, and their guess did not pan out). Fast forward, they got back with me saying they WERE TOLD that there is a valve inside the transmission that they needed to check for malfunction; guess what! they asked for an additional $900 to drain the transmission oil, remove the oil pan and check the valve! Now maybe I am wrong, but would you not think that they should have checked the valve once they had the oil pan off the first time!!! Now they want another $900, and there is no guarantee that the valve is the faulty component. They figured I am stuck and under their mercy being in Illinois, and my daughter without a car in Ann Arbor, and so another chance to make another quick $900 on top of the highway robbery of $1400 for a $500 job. And they told me if it were not the valve then a new transmission for $10K, and a used one would not do!!!! contrary to every other mechanic's opinion. When I refused to take their bait for $900, Jim, the soft spoken cool guy, said he will prepare my bill, and it will ~$1,200!! Wow he actually gave me a $200 discount. This is like someone stealing your wallet full of cash and goodies, and giving you back $200 out of sympathy. I read a few reviews on you Jim, and yes you are not only sharks, but also without experience or knowhow. When my daughter went to pick up the car, they would not let her test it thinking she might drive off without paying!! Wow...that says a lot. Jim: we are not like you; we do not steal peoples' hard earned money, and of course this money she paid you today was not all hard earned by you; half of it was stolen. Remember Jim, you tried to steer me into replacing the transmission for $10K from the get go before knowing what the problem was. And you jumped into looking for a transmission. Does that not give you away!!
You know that it does not cost more than $5K for transmission replacement, and yes you can install a used good condition one, but $10K sounds a lot better to you. Good luck, and now we know. I am having my car towed to my hometown and repaired by people who are not greedy sharks like you.

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