The convertible top of my BMW 330Ci is non-operational. The manager told me that initial $105 cost to trouble shoot the problem would apply toward the repair. He called to tell me that they could not find the problem for the $105 of analysis done, and tha that a further $200 would be required to figure out the problem - no guarantee that they would find the problem, and none of the money would apply toward the repaair, which is not what he had told me in the first place. I went and brought my car back. My feeling is that they are not equipped to fix complex problems but want your money anyway. WOuld not talke my car there again. March 2013 read more

Allow me to preface this review by mentioning that I have not had a car worked on by Group One Motorwerks while the car has been in my ownership. This review is based on my experiences with a cars that were previously worked on or had work quoted by Group One, and an experience I had with them via phone. As an FYI, I am an experienced DIY'er with a specialty in W123 chassis Mercedes. I own three. My experience with Group One begins with the purchase of a 1979 300D back in December of 2011. The previous owner, just prior to sale, had Group One do an inspection and perform a bit of work on the car. They diagnosed a symptom of "hard brakes" as the car either needing a new engine driven vacuum pump, or a new brake booster (each quoted at over $500 for replacement). I determined that the vacuum pump was working fine, and the booster was holding vacuum. Instead, I diagnosed further and found out it was a leaking trunk lock vacuum actuator and a few cracked vacuum hose connectors. I fixed that for about $50. My second experience with Group One was about three months later, in early 2012. I was performing some work on one of my cars and was replacing a bad motor mount. I found that someone had previously attempted the same job and stripped the head of one of the upper 6mm allen bolts. I called Group One to see if they could help. The person I spoke with quickly took a tone of annoyance and some condescension, saying "I might be able to help, but I won't have any idea of what I'll need to do until I can get a look at what you've done, and I'll need to charge for the diagnosis".The tone, and suggestion that I had screwed up, and the feeling that I was now going to be stuck at the whim of his "diagnosis" to fix a problem I very clearly diagnosed already was unsettling. I decided to not take it to them and instead finished the job myself a few hours later after visiting Kent's Tools for a handful of helpful bolt removal tools. Fast forward to last week for my most recent experience with Group One. A friend reached out to me for help with his 1982 300TD. He took it to Group One and ask asked them to do a full inspection (with an eye towards road safety) and recommend any work needed. He came away with mixed feelings in his own admittedly novice opinion, so he looked for a second opinion. I gave his car another inspection, and ended up helping him do a bunch of work on it. This experience is the one that pushed me over the edge when it comes to Group One. To begin with, they did some work on his climate control system which was suffering from poor function, particularly in that air only comes out of the defrost vents and the two side vents and won't switch as needed. This is a classic symptom of a vacuum leak or bad vacuum supply to the system. They charged him to diagnose it, and charged him for some "work" they did on the system. However, when I did the inspection I found quite quickly that the main feed line for vacuum to the climate control was plugged off entirely by some previous owner or mechanic, so of course it's not working properly. They did not notice this. Second, they quoted him the following: Replace shift bushings ($160), replace fan clutch ($600), replace transmission mount ($225-$340), replace window switch ($225). This raises the hair on my neck - the shift bushings are $2/ea and with a proper bushing install tool they take a few minutes to replace; the fan clutch is readily available from Behr, a very reputable supplier, for $160 and it took me less than one hour to do the work; the transmission mount would be about $180 for them wholesale, and takes about 20 minutes to replace; and finally, the window switch was only $75 directly from Mercedes and takes five minutes to replace! So I don't know where in the world they came up with these prices. Also, replacing the window switch didn't even fix the problem - there seems to be a wiring issue with the rear window motor - so that would have been even more wasteful to spend that much. Finally, while further inspecting and working on the car, I found that they missed the VERY badly cracked rear brake lines (I could see through to the inner braided hose), the completely ruined drive shaft center bearing rubber carrier, the inky dark power steering fluid and age old filter, a temporary rubber patch on one of his transmission oil cooler hard metal lines, two bad air cleaner mounts, and they didn't bother to fix his badly leaking oil cap and crankcase breather stating that "these old engines just leak". Well, I replaced the oil cap seal and breather assembly and now it doesn't leak! How about that. In the end, I will never take, nor recommend anyone else take, their old Mercedes to Group One for work. Their quotes seem way off, and their diagnosis tends to be questionable and leans towards simply replacing expensive parts rather than finding the root of the problem. read more

This is the complaint that I just filed with the Better Business Bureau: Bart Lind, owner, did not repair the orig issue: temp gauge erratic and overheating, then he wanted to charge another $100 to diagnose the same issue. On 11/20, I brought my 2005 BMW 330i (approx. 130k miles) to Group One, a specialty repair shop for BMWs. Problem: temp gauge erratic and overheating. Bart Lind, owner, suggested a diagnostic for $100 that could be applied to the repairs so I left the vehicle at his shop. He called later to tell me that I needed a new fan clutch and that I had the wrong coolant. He would have the repair done that day for $571.77. I gave him the approval to do the repair. Around 5PM, I picked up the car. Within 30 minutes of driving home, the temp gauge was still 3/4 hot and climbing. I called the very next day. After some discussion, Bart said that it is probably a head gasket issue (very expensive - at least $2,000 to $3000 repair) and suggested a second diagnostic for another $100. He also thought it might need a compression test to see if there was any water in the engine but insisted that he would have to charge me for a second diagnostic. I become very suspicious. He was supposed to have already done a diagnostic for the same issue; in other words, the issue was not resolved with the fan clutch and coolant. After extensive research online, I thought that maybe the water pump or thermostat might be the problem; they were original parts and had never been changed out. He dismissed any idea that it could be anything else. I decided to get a second opinion. On 11/29, I had Tucson BMW dealership do a diagnostic for the very same issue. They recommended to start with replacing the thermostat for $550.11. I called Bart and asked for a price on replacing the thermostat. He again insisted that was not the problem and would need to charge me $100 for a second diagnostic, and he would call me back with a cost. I never heard from him. On the same day, I had Tucson Auto Repair replace the thermostat in the amount of $248.23. As of today, 12/12, the temp gauge is perfect and the car is not overheating. Yesterday, my boyfriend stopped by Group One to talk with Bart. He gave Bart the opportunity to make this issue right i.e. partial refund for the labor, or the $100 diagnostic and/or simply to acknowledge the issue. Bart offered nothing. Bart offered nothing and not only lost our business but I will tell anyone that will listen about our experience. read more

I've always had great service from Bart and his crew. They complete repairs quickly, and with close attention to detail. Prices are well below dealer cost, but with much more personalized service. I no longer own a German car, but would certainly not hesitate to recommend Group One to a friend. read more

Best in town, as far as I'm concerned. I've been taking my Mercedes to Group One since I purchased it in 2009. They came highly recommended to me by a friend who is a BMW aficionado. The service has always been fantastic, and I find the pricing to be reasonable. As far as the negative review goes, I have never experienced anything like that. In fact, when I took my car in for a routine service, they noticed that the new brakes they'd put on my car a month before were quite noisy and replaced them for me without me even asking. I would suggest that Debbie L. either meant to review another shop, or works for another shop in town. Long story short, Group One has always done a wonderful job with my car, and I would highly recommend them to anyone. read more

I have a 2008 Smart Car (with its Mercedes engine), which I have taken to Group One Motorwerks 3 times. With each visit to this amazing establishment, I drive away more impressed than the time before. Ms. Polly Parry is concomitantly personable and professional. She is very knowledgeable about the maintenance insurance of her clients, and works tirelessly to assure that what "can" be covered...IS covered. She sat patiently with me and reviewed what my insurance will cover in the future; unraveling the mechanical/legal vernacular. We discovered together, that the insurance I purchased had minimal value for what the price paid...but I will continue to bring my car here, regardless. Bart Lind is an excellent mechanic/diagnostician, and even went above and beyond to bring back what Polly describes as my little blue Smart car's pristine condition. Excellent service, proficient work and kind hearts....that is what you will find at Group One Motorwerks!! I highly recommend them. JoAnne Ellis read more

Group One was recommended by a friend. At first the service was excellent. Then the work became sloppy and I honestly believe they started making up things wrong with my BMW to make money. I had the breaks replaced and also the rotors. A few days later there was a terrible vibration. I took it back and was told the rotors were warped, but since it was under warranty they would replace them. The vibration continued. I took it back in and was told it was the thrust arms. They quoted me an ungodly price to replace these. I took my car to another mechanic and was told the vibration was because the rotors were warped. I told him they were just replaced, but to also check out the thrust arms.I was told it didn't appear that the rotors had been recently replaced, and there was NOTHING wrong with the thrust arms. Right then I knew I had been ripped off. If Group One suggests any major work to be done to your BMW ... get a second opinion. read more