Rant! Unscrupulous business practices.

[Gizmo]

Time and time again I find these so called "mechanics" ripping people off left right and centre, charging customers for parts they didn't replace or fitting old parts and charging new prices.

Case in point, KSINGH's 1999 E46 328i. I just finished doing a few repairs to the gearbox and related items. Kabir was complaining about a noise coming from the gearbox area a few months back and these 'mechanics' apparently replaced the clutch 3 times, refurbished the propshaft, replaced the flywheel and the rubber flex disc. Here is what I found:

Original flex disc still on the car, date stamp 12/1998.

Original BMW flywheel, years of wear.

Clutch, the only thing that has been replaced lately. Cheap thrust bearing was stuffed already...

Gearbox leaking from selector shaft seal, 5th gear and reverse gear selector pins which were also seized.

So called refurbished propshaft, looks untouched to me as it still has the original BMW sticker on it...

Missing cover plate that goes between the engine and gearbox, guess they thought the car didn't need it...

They must have broken/lost or stripped the original bolt for the diff so they fitted a smaller diameter one and put a nut on the end...

Gearbox after a little TLC, new selector shaft seal, 5th gear and reverse gear selector pins refurbished and with new seals. No more wanting 3rd and getting 5th...

The culprit for the noise Kabir was complaining about, a seized pilot bearing...

Kabir will name and shame after he has spoken/shot the guy who ripped him off.:ty:

 

[tcal69]

Unbelievable:nonono:

But great job for finally fixing it upraise:

 

[CamZo]

Gizmo when I read that I thought of something...... We can have weekly episodes of car csi lol and catch these liars! Goodwork though!

 

[Raybimmer]

I helped a guy replace a gearbox in a RWD Fprd Escort yesterday , wow nice and easy . Taking out a e30/e36 six cylinder gearbox is so much more work and you can't hold up the box with one hand !!

If guys do not want to work on bm's why take the work ?
Small things like the guibo bolts with three bolts facing forwards and three facing backwards count . Take a few pics before stripping and you can't go wrong.....we can cheat these days by getting this help :thumbs:

I sometimes mention Gizmo when guys are looking for help on the forum , here is someone with experience who knows what he is doing and obviously is a sucker for the hard work required !!

Gizmo :thumbs:

 

[andrewbuch]

Gizmo how did he describe the noise???

 

[Rolf]

Thank you Gizmo for helping members and shedding light to bad workmanship! :thumbs:

 

[moranor@axis]

good thing i told him to go to you :rollsmile: its rough out there and hard to tell when they messing you around before its too late

 

[Twinz]

Good work Gizmo. That is a shocking rip-off. :thumbs::ty:

 

[Gizmo]

Gizmo how did he describe the noise???

There was a slight metal on metal noise when you push the clutch in.

 

[Bayn46]

It's unfortunate that you have to rely on trust for certain repairs. I had my flywheel replaced recently, by a place that I would deam reliable. However, there is no way for me to figure out if they put a new or 2nd hand flywheel in.

How can you ensure that a good job was done?

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

 

[Gizmo]

I helped a guy replace a gearbox in a RWD Fprd Escort yesterday , wow nice and easy . Taking out a e30/e36 six cylinder gearbox is so much more work and you can't hold up the box with one hand !!

5spd is easy compared to a 6spd or auto box. I used to swap out 6spd boxes while on the floor creep by myself with the car 1/2 metre off the ground on axle stands, that was difficult work!!!

Now I have this transmission jack and a 2 post lift, much easier and saves SO much time!!!

---

It helps alot getting complete exhaust systems off and on the car too.:thumbs:

 

[Yulz9081]

Awesome work Gizmo :thumbs:

Sad how some idiots take advantage of customers who aren't completely clued up mechanically. They deserve to be shot!

 

[Twinz]

Thats a huge T-Jack. Must have cost quite a penny.
Show a pic of your 2Post lift please...
:ty:

 

[Raybimmer]

I cheat.....normally take engine mounts out and this helps a bit when space is scarce .

 

[Prev]

Wish we had someone like Gizmo in Durban.

 

[maximus]

Give Gizmo a bottle of Bells! raise: :bravo:

 

[Philip Foglar]

Awesome work Warren!! There are just too many of these companies out there that get away with murder ripping people off while doing truly horrible work!! Well done for sorting this out!! :thumbs:

 

[MikeR]

:thumbs: keep up the name and shame column.

 

[Theo D]

Good Work Warren :thumbs:
You'll be seeing me again soon :thumbs:

 

[Sabretooth tiger]

Its realy sad that a few people stuff up the reputation of machanics. Its awesome of you pointings these out to us Gizmo.:ty: