PNW Shops You Trust Your Car With

[thedeal]

I was Thinking of compiling a library of reliable shops here in the PNW area. Anything from paint/bodywork, interior, engine work/machining, exhaust, suspension, etc. Just a well rounded database for us North Westerners to turn to. Possible Sticky?

Lets rate them with the 0-5 star method. Quality, professionalism, reliability, timeliness, and price put shops higher in ranking. Pictures of the work would be a plus too. Comments and Criticism as well. Addresses and/or phone numbers would be helpful as well.

I have no shops I trust as of now, but hopefully with everyone compiling to this list I and everyone else will know where to go!

[leland21]

not near you but


Albany Wheel and Exhaust.
They do a great job and are fairly inexpensive. They do mostly show car exhausts and have complete restores rolling around the shop as well. I would give them a four just cause you don't walk away going "that customer service was amazing" but quality and price is a five.

J&J Werkstead is also a great general mechanic specializing in German cars. I haven't gone their for much but my buddy swears by them for his Bug and Karmaghia.

[Beastolizer]

West Werks here in Redmond for sure. They have done some work on my car and I was very pleased with it! Matt and Francis run a good business.

Not to mention, Luke tags along down there as well.

I'm sure anyone in the area can vouch for them.

[Trucidatio]

Bellingham area I trust three different places.

Harmony automotive- Mainly from what I have heard about them.

Northwest European Autowerks-
I have had my car in there several times.
They have always had the work done quickly and at reasonable price.
They also usually have some really cool BMW stuff for sale

And my friend brandon Certified BMW mechanic who has OCD.
He as perfectionist.
He has his own private shop.

[nando]

NW European is the only place in Bellingham I'll go. I've also known the owner for quite a while which helps. ;)

I will forever hate Harmony. They will probably do OK work, but they've given me poor service in the past and even refused to work on my car once.

I quote, when asking about putting in new subframe bushings way back when: "nobody replaces those. we have the tool but I don't want to look for it".

okay...

[Lance Racing]

Nando, you probably know this, but as a general comment, everyone realize that some shops that used to work on E30s are graduating to the newer BMW models. To the point of not being interested in E30 clients. The E30 community have a reputation for being cheap you know.

Not sure if that is the case with Harmony. Anyway, the newer models mean bigger tickets and owners with more money to afford the repairs.

Good E30 work is going to come from mom and pop shops. Or more accuratly "dude" shops like WestWerks. Hope you are reading this Matt.

[JMil86]

I can tell you one thing, DONT go to Kevork's Autocare on SW Park way, in Portland. My family and I had been going through them for years and years, with LOTS of money spent there, I took my car in there a few years back, to fix a sputtering problem that I couldn't figure out. He takes my car, charges me $350, for a new Throttle Position Sensor, the problem isn't fixed, and he won't refund my money or fix the problem for free. Pretty ridiculous if you ask me.

[nando]

Nando, you probably know this, but as a general comment, everyone realize that some shops that used to work on E30s are graduating to the newer BMW models. To the point of not being interested in E30 clients. The E30 community have a reputation for being cheap you know.

Not sure if that is the case with Harmony. Anyway, the newer models mean bigger tickets and owners with more money to afford the repairs.

Good E30 work is going to come from mom and pop shops. Or more accuratly "dude" shops like WestWerks. Hope you are reading this Matt.

yeah but this was like 10 years ago.. the E36 wasn't even that old at the time. I could understand now, and of course I'd expect them to be even more useless on an E30 now than they were back then. Ron Ager on the other hand will work on anything and is basically an old car nut.

[Quadrajet]

I was up at Harmony a few weeks ago and the place is littered with E30's during the day, I am assuming they were the Tech's daily's. I have to agree the $ isn't in E30's.

[Mafiaracers]

Joseph at Munich Motorworks in Gresham does amazing work. He specializes in bmw, but more specifically e30's. He participates in a lot of track days, both as a driver and instructor, has a few track cars of his own. Great guy to work with. 503-757-6054.

Brian or Tony at M&B Cylinder Heads. You won't find a shop with higher end engine machining equipment. All new Sunnen touch-screen digital diamond boring/honing mill and line honer in one...multi angle valve and seat machine, full rotating assembly balancer....all sunnen, all new....all fantastic! Brian (owner) knows his shit, too. He's been building some pro-3 engines lately...he's savvy on the bmw stuff. Their prices are probably the lowest in town as well, considering the equipment they're using. Check them out! 503-286-1725

Russel Nyberg at Racetech Motorsports. He builds top of the line cages, braces, custom *insert item here.* The quality is absolutely top notch. Prices are better than anyone around as well. 503-839-8071

Racetech and M&B share a warehouse so, if you go to one, you've found the other.

ME! I co-own (with my dad) the Maaco in North Portland. I can't make you guys believe me in words...I am fully aware of what Maaco is "known for," however my shop is fully committed to quality and we'd love to earn your business! 503-281-3312

[Erik]

West Werks here in Redmond for sure. They have done some work on my car and I was very pleased with it! Matt and Francis run a good business.

Not to mention, Luke tags along down there as well.

I'm sure anyone in the area can vouch for them.

^ This. Exactly as he put it.