Do not take your car to castros!

[LJ851]

Or is it "James Song with the black E30 who was born in 1991" 0 ...?

Probably.



Fixed.

[Dj Buttchug]

Where is OP

[rcsoundn1]

Guess he was run off after he was called out on all his BS and fails. BY OP Good luck with your fan boi scene that you move on to

[Julien]

ugh i've dealt with so many customers like the OP when I was the service writer at a performance shop on the east coast. His "mechanic" is probably some guy who works on cars in his parent's driveway.

[ahrensNW]

I believe this thread has fulfilled it's purpose.

[rcsoundn1]

Not with out an OP response

[obes]

game over

[ZM Blue Devil]

please clean your inbox! I tried to send you a PM but it wouldnt let me.

are you coming for the SoCal Vintage show?

back on topic:

People typically feel this way when they only spend their time reading about how a 24v swap takes a weekend but dont understand exactly whats involved in doing the swap.

link to the ad of the OP selling his car???

We don't use pms, please email us at info@gutenparts.com or give us all 973-821-5330 and Yes heading out to Socal Vintage.

Back on topic... Wait this thread is dead...

[Songj91]

I had Bar legal exhaust done for $700 and the MAIN point is that I paid $1,000 to have the car start. U guys started the car with a starter switch not the key. I didn't think I had to specify that nor did Castros specify he only started it with a switch. I mentioned brakes but decided to do them on my own. It was very sneaky telling me it was started but couldn't be tested because there was no electric fan. Also very sneaky that he failed to mention the car was started with starter switch not the key like I THOUGHT I was paying for. I wouldn't have paid for the labor if they were going to use a starter switch and not the key.

Long story short, I did intend to have brakes etc done but decided to do it myself due to the cost of just the starter and labor.

Attitude changed RIGHT after deciding to do some stuff on my own. Then rushing me out of the shop. And it was 2-3 days that I couldn't make it to the shop to tow the car not 5.

I never had him do work that I couldn't pay for. That's why I decided to do brakes and fan etc myself. I NEVER ONCE asked for ANY free work so once again CASTROS is lying to the bmw community. I asked a few simple questions in response to what he suggested that should be done which he's now claiming I asked him to teach me how to do the swap ha! Once again proves he won't do ANYTHING for you with out lots of $$$$

I made it clear that the main focus was the wiring to have the car start. He then acted surprised when I told him I'll do the brakes, fan and exhaust myself after I SPECIFICALLY stated that we would discuss those tasks after the engine is started. We all have a budget...

And I don't put my mechanics info online without asking him.

I do understand costs due to shopping around to many shops.

I was obviously very upset when I wrote this warning post so there are things I should have left out to keep from confusion.

My MAIN point is, a few months later when I finished everything needed, and went to turn over the car like castros claimed to do, my mechanic and I realized it was a half ass job and it was impossible to start the car with out a starter switch. Something Castros did not mention.

Let's put it this way. If you're not an expert with this swap, they will try to get away with the least work possible hoping you won't notice.

The invoice IS fair if the agreement we had was met. (Starting the car WITH THE KEY) not a damn starter switch. So proving my point that after $1k, the car was started with a switch for 1 min and rushed out.

The invoice doesn't show it all. They treat you unfairly and like they're "too good for you" if u aren't an expert on the swap.

Ps: GSR was MORE THEN willing to finish the swap yet they aren't experts on the wiring part and work with mostly new bmws. Also, I have the correct 24lb injectors in the car running perfect now. And the intake boot was the CORRECT boot but did not fit because of brake master cylinder. I had the dipstick sitting in the car but they rushed on my car so much they failed to even see it in there. I'm also running obd1 manifold which I mentioned yet he didn't listen.

Let's just say they fail to mention many things hoping you won't find out.


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[Songj91]

I had Bar legal exhaust done for $700 and the MAIN point is that I paid $1,000 to have the car start. U guys started the car with a starter switch not the key. I didn't think I had to specify that nor did Castros specify he only started it with a switch. I mentioned brakes but decided to do them on my own. It was very sneaky telling me it was started but couldn't be tested because there was no electric fan. Also very sneaky that he failed to mention the car was started with starter switch not the key like I THOUGHT I was paying for. I wouldn't have paid for the labor if they were going to use a starter switch and not the key.

Long story short, I did intend to have brakes etc done but decided to do it myself due to the cost of just the labor to start it.

Attitude changed RIGHT after deciding to do some stuff on my own. Then rushing me out of the shop. And it was 2-3 days that I couldn't make it to the shop to tow the car not 5.

I never had him do work that I couldn't pay for. That's why I decided to do brakes and fan etc myself. I NEVER ONCE asked for ANY free work so once again CASTROS is lying to the bmw community. I asked a few simple questions in response to what he suggested that should be done which he's now claiming I asked him to teach me how to do the swap ha! Once again proves he won't do ANYTHING for you with out lots of $$$$. They will only touch your car if u got lots of money and plan to do EVERYTHING thru them.

I made it clear that the main focus was the wiring to have the car start. He then acted surprised when I told him I'll do the brakes, fan and exhaust myself after I SPECIFICALLY stated that we would discuss those tasks after the engine is started. We all have a budget...

And I don't put my mechanics info online without asking him.

I do understand costs due to shopping around to many shops.

I was obviously very upset when I wrote this warning post so there are things I should have left out to keep from confusion. And there was no need to bag on that little shop and I apologize for going over the top.

My MAIN point is, a few months later when I finished everything needed, and went to turn over the car like castros claimed to do, my mechanic and I realized it was a half ass job and it was impossible to start the car with out a starter switch. Something Castros did not mention.

Let's put it this way. If you're not an expert with this swap, they will try to get away with the least work possible hoping you won't notice.

The invoice IS fair if the agreement we had was met. (Starting the car WITH THE KEY) not a damn starter switch. So proving my point that after $1k, the car was started with a switch for 1 min and rushed out.

The invoice doesn't show it all. They treat you unfairly and like they're "too good for you" if u aren't an expert on the swap and have a budget.

Ps: GSR was MORE THEN willing to finish the swap yet they aren't experts on the wiring part and work with mostly new bmws. Also, I had the correct 24lb injectors in the car & it's running perfect now. And the intake boot was the CORRECT boot but the bummer world boot was too big and did not fit because of brake master cylinder. I had the dipstick sitting in the car but they rushed on my car so much they failed to even see it in there. I'm also running obd1 manifold which I mentioned yet he didn't listen.

Let's just say they fail to mention many things hoping you won't find out.

Once again, I did mention unnecessary things because of how cheated I felt but the truth is, I wasted my money there and did NOT get what I brought the car in for.


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[Songj91]

The best part is that I def had enough funds to finish the car there but like most people, I like to find better deals to try and save money.

But after how poorly I was treated and and quickly they wanted to rush me out, I didn't want to spend another dime there.

So once again, I understand castros defense that he has "bigger mouths to feed" and I respect that.
I don't respect the lies. And all I wanted was to prove my point that if u don't have a HUGE budget, they won't give u any respect or time.


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[DELPHINtimecapsule]

I take both my e30's to Chris and have for a while. The shop is not close to me and it's a pain in the ass. I live in west Hollywood and have plenty of options, but I schlep out to That "ghetto" shop. I've talked to Chris about doing an S52 swap and he's let me know how much it will cost to do it RIGHT, which is the only way he will do it. It's a lot of money. I will probably do it at some point and will use Castro.

[castros]

I wasn't or ever tried to leave anything out, if you had all the funds to complete the car, I strongly believe you would have done everything in one shot but per our conversations, you obviously didn't have the funds to complete the car. Like I stated in my original post, I have a set labor rate, those that wish and have the means to afford that are more than welcome, but if I have people coming to the shop trying to get the best deal, low ball me on cost, while I have others willing to pay my asking price, how could I chose that over the other? You leave out everything that works in your favor, I simply am not afraid of telling the whole truth! I'll be more than happy to answer any question or have a reply for every post, but if much rather invest that time in something more productive. The OP is just upset that I didn't cater to his financial state and help him finish his car which was far from complete as I mentioned earlier. I have never cheated anyone from anything, my reputation is everything, and trust me I would not risk that for $1000 or $5000, it's what keeps my doors open. Look at the invoice, I did not alter or modify it in any way, before receiving payment I emailed it to the OP, and not once did he ever question it. If you looked at the invoice, you will see that about $400ish of the total amount is for miscellaneous items that should have been done in the process of swapping the car, thus showing his car was long ways away from being completed, and not only did I try and work with the OP, I still didn't charge him storage, which wasn't one two or three days, he failed to mention that those two or three days where weekends and I was stuck with his car for more than just a few days. So if anyone wants any question answered fire away because I stand behind all my work and aren't ashamed of being the "little ghetto shop" that is Castro Motorsport! And last but not least, if you don't like my prices, I'm sorry I can't work on you cars for free, but you are in no way shape or form obligated to have us work on your cars, those of you who are my customers, I thank you for your business, and give you the piece if mind that if anything we do doesn't come out the way you want, I'll still be at the same location willingly trying to fix any situation.

[Songj91]

I did have the funds but hated your attitude and the way you treat customers that don't spend THOUSANDS. The cars is complete and going to paint and body next week. There are things I am confident with doing myself to the car or finding a better deal then yours. I asked for estimates because I was being lazy to do it myself and I wanted it done quick. After getting estimates from you for the brakes, fan and exhaust etc, I decide I could do it myself and find cheaper place to do my exhaust wether it took longer or not. But you took it as if I asked YOU to do it then bailed on you. All I did was ask for estimates. Once I told you I was doing the rest elsewhere your mood and even face expression changed. That's when you started to miss treat me and became very short with me as if u didn't want to help me with ANYTHING. Not even the smallest questions.

Once again you're avoiding the fact that the $1000 invoice WOULD HAVE BEEN FAIR if you didn't lie to me and told me it started only with a starter switch instead of the key. Maybe the car was a "wreck" but instead of taking on the challenge and getting the motor to start properly, you half assed it and rushed me out because I wasn't spending a fortune with u.

I think my points been proven and yes once again I said things I shouldn't have like "ghetto shop" and "tiny place" out of anger and I apologize. Small shop or not, many people that their e30s there so u must be doing SOMETHING right.

But I don't apologize for making it known that your shops only for big jobs and people with thousands. And the fact that ur very sneaky if you're not an expert on theses swaps.
I could have had an idiot out of their grandmas garage start her with a starter switch.

The MAIN reason i spent A LOT OF MONEY to tow my car from the OC to LA is to get the motor started RIGHT like I thought a reputable shop like yours would do. But boy was I wrong.


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[castros]

Whatever floated your boat James, say what you may, people know of me for a certain reason. I definitely don't need customers such as yourself, because I'd much rather put all this effort in helping those who want my help.