[djm3]

I rarely feel motivated to write about my experiences with car shops let alone dealerships (yeah, I know this was hard to write). However I will have to make an exception since we rarely see positive threads about service experience in m3forum in general.

Kudos goes to John’s shop, R&I Motorsports in Roswell, Georgia. I’ve had a lot of stuff done to my 05 ZCP there over the past year, basically since he started the shop.

This is just off the top of my head since I don’t want to look at the receipts (makes me dizzy to see how much I’ve spent on mods ): JIC Cross coilovers; rear subframe reinforcement; evolve airbox install and subsequent replacement with CSL; Angel Eyes; CPV replacement + O rings later; 3.91 gears; VANOS solenoid replacement and lastly CSL cams that required repeated dyno runs with remote tuning by Sal at evolve. That last bit was quite an experience when evolve went AWOL for a while. More recently he did a sunroof delete and SG CF trunk install.

John has been a pleasure to work with, keeps me updated via email or text or phone (unlike my local dealer but that’s a different thread altogether), and more importantly, provides such a positive atmosphere at his shop. I know he took some flak about the quality of his welds in one thread and I realize he lacks experience and has not performed all possible service or mods on BMWs (even experienced BMW trained master techs do not always know everything about our cars-ask me how I know). BUT he is willing to learn how to do things, is intelligent enough to know when and where to ask for help, and most importantly, wants to do things the right way.

Case in point: when I picked up my M3 in April after the CSL box install, I experienced limp mode for the first time on the 3 hour drive home from Atlanta to Montgomery, with EML, brake and DSC lights coming on. Unfortunately, John was out of town at the time but I was able to restart and the lights went away. I continued to go into limp mode over the past couple of weeks and several codes have popped up on evolve’s reader. After talking to Sal, it was initially thought it was an E6, which Sal said was throttle obstruction. In other words, there may be something blocking the throttle after the last major mod, which was the CSL box install.

My M became unpleasant to drive with limp mode occurring once you pass 4000 RPMs. The trouble codes were cleared using evolve software but would occur again. Also, there were a couple of things that were overlooked when I took the car home – the AC was not recharged and the engine underbody cover was not put on. Granted these were things that should have been on the checklist and I’m not making excuses for the shop but John was not there at the time I picked it up.

So after several exchanges, John agreed to drive down to my house to inspect and possibly reinstall the CSL airbox, hopefully diagnose and fix my issue, and install the underbody cover and recharge the AC. We worked on it last Monday. Reinstalled the CSL box, made sure there was no throttle obstruction and ended up removing the intake flap just in case. Finally replaced all 6 coils for good measure and it turned out coil #3 was bad. No codes were thrown afterwards. A couple of test drives at WOT produced inconsistent stuttering around the 4000 RPM mark, but otherwise it pulled stronger than ever. More importantly, no more limp mode.

I can’t say enough good things about John. He is a good person and will make it right for you. I don’t think many (or any for that matter) service shops will actually go to your house to fix anything, even if it’s their fault, let alone drive 3 hours to get it done.

Big thumbs up to John! Keep it up, man!

[M3_MANN]

Dante, did you replace the evolve box with csl box?

+1 for R&I. I had clutch, FCABs and a few more bushings installed last month.

[djm3]

Yeah I couldn't pass up the opportunity. Do you want the evolve box?

[M3_MANN]

Good for you man! Cant wait to check it out. Evolve does sound louder, but I have a soft spot for the csl box.

[chrischansuthus]

I've known John for 6 months now and agree, he is a good guy and will make sure he treats you right. He bailed one of our club members out of trouble by sending a wrecker to pick up his car on the side of the road. Not too many friends would do that let alone a shop.

[OptionLessM]

+1 to John being a great guy. I'll be going to his place in the future.

[mre]

I see you are making friends, and keeping clients John.....good work, and a positive influence on our profession! Not many people left in our field with integrity and honor.

Kind Regards, Bryan Maloof

[iM3driver]

Hey John! I was the guy that driving along with u on I-24 this morning until exit 134. Lol that was crazy fun. I love your car. Haha.

[iM3driver]

Yeah that was me lol I was looking around on here and found ur Fb site and added u. I will do! too bad u r all the way in Roswell, GA. That's like 5 hours away from where I live.

[djm3]

Is that retroactive?