valve cover repair taking 3+ weeks does this sound right?

[rezilient]

Hey all. I usually do all maintenance/repairs on my cars myself (mostly because I have trust issues and I’m frugal) but I got a Carmax warranty for my M4 when I bought it 2 years ago and it’s still well within that warranty period. So when I noticed my valve cover leaking i took it to an authorized Carmax repair shop and they have had it for over 3 weeks now.

The delay isn’t the major concern, since it was over the holidays and I expected this to take some time but the latest reason for the delay makes me nervous. The service advisor said they didn’t have a “static mat” so they had to order one to do the valve cover and spark plugs. So I was like what is that some special part but no she just means an anti static mat to stand on when doing the job… I’m thinking okay either they should probably already have that or why are they just realizing this now?

Now I’m imagining all the other things that they might have screwed up once I finally get her back. Would you be worried or am i just being paranoid?

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by rezilient

Hey all. I usually do all maintenance/repairs on my cars myself (mostly because I have trust issues and I’m frugal) but I got a Carmax warranty for my M4 when I bought it 2 years ago and it’s still well within that warranty period. So when I noticed my valve cover leaking i took it to an authorized Carmax repair shop and they have had it for over 3 weeks now.

The delay isn’t the major concern, since it was over the holidays and I expected this to take some time but the latest reason for the delay makes me nervous. The service advisor said they didn’t have a “static mat” so they had to order one to do the valve cover and spark plugs. So I was like what is that some special part but no she just means an anti static mat to stand on when doing the job… I’m thinking okay either they should probably already have that or why are they just realizing this now?

Now I’m imagining all the other things that they might have screwed up once I finally get her back. Would you be worried or am i just being paranoid?

What is a carmax authorized repair shop? I thought with a carmax warranty you could take it to the dealership?

[rezilient]

Originally Posted by N1rve

What is a carmax authorized repair shop? I thought with a carmax warranty you could take it to the dealership?

You can take it to other shops as well if they are authorized (it’s through Repairpal). Didn’t take it to the dealership since I didn’t want to deal with any questions about the aftermarket modifications (like suspension and jb4 tune). This shop said the mods wouldn’t be an issue with them.

[BzsBimmer]

Lol at the need for an anti static mat.
I’d be worried especially since you can buy anti-stat mats online from Grainger etc next day.

[spidy512]

whoa.

3 weeks? My indy did it in 6 hours. I dropped it off at 9AM, they called me at 5PM to let me know it was ready to be picked up.

Now, I am with you in that over the holidays things get busy. But 3 weeks busy? Were they closed for a week or something?

I am also with you in that I would be pretty nervous. These VC's are not hard to do, BUT there is an order of operations that needs to be followed. I would def stop in and have a chat with them. Maybe ask to look at the car. If they say no, flag.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

josh

[Thelof]

That is way too long. The problem is that you are not a priority since Carmax is probably lowballing them on the repairs.

[RickFLM4]

Hopefully they haven’t been test driving it for 20.5 days.

[rezilient]

Still waiting. It wasn’t ready today and I couldn’t get away from work to check on it.

Originally Posted by RickFLM4

Hopefully they haven’t been test driving it for 20.5 days.

My anxiety just went up, thanks.

Originally Posted by Thelof

That is way too long. The problem is that you are not a priority since Carmax is probably lowballing them on the repairs.

I think they are getting like $2k for this very simple job but I guess that makes sense.

[IVM3]

For future reference, you can go to any shop that accepts the maxcare warranty. Most BMW dealerships and independent shops will accept it because it generally pays fairly well and is fair. Next time, if you don't want to go to the dealership, I would recommend finding a local German shop that specializes in BMWs and take it there, assuming they accept maxcare.

[ENDL3SS]

This job should only take a day even if you DIY.

[Tangent]

The only valid reason for this to take this long is they can't get the part. When I replaced my valve cover last year it took over a month to get one but you'd think they'd tell you that vs the BS about a static mat...

[reprod]

It could also be that the tech that would do this job may have been on vacation.

I would rather have it done right than done fast. Hope this works out well OP.

[RickFLM4]

I don’t think there is any valid reason to hold the car this long. If they needed a part or someone is on vacation they should have scheduled it for when they could do the work, not take the car and hold it for 3+ weeks.

[icegrill]

Bro!! This is not leading up to be a positive outcome.

[rezilient]

Finally picked up the car yesterday. Thankfully they didn’t drive it into a wall or explode it or anything. But unfortunately had to pay an extra $200+ in unexpected charges (was only supposed to pay the CarMax warranty deductible). For example there was $94 for the engine oil, and then $169 for gapping the spark plugs (they agreed to install new plugs that I purchased since it would be easy during the valve cover job, but I guess gapping them was too much to ask).

After fighting with them a little bit about those extra charges, I popped the hood and confirmed everything looks buttoned up and valve cover looks new, so good sign. I started her up and was presented with a “Chassis function restricted, drive moderately” error message. Went straight back inside, mechanic says it probably just due to lifting the car, drive it around a bit and it should clear.

Reluctantly left the shop and the error message has not gone away. Tried clearing the error with BimmerLink, no joy. It comes right back.

Going to spend some time tomorrow to see what it might be, assuming dynamic suspension related maybe some wiring harness loose.

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by rezilient

I started her up and was presented with a “Chassis function restricted, drive moderately” error message. Went straight back inside, mechanic says it probably just due to lifting the car, drive it around a bit and it should clear.

Straight BS to get you to leave. Next time tell him, "No you go drive it around a bit and get it to clear."

[BzsBimmer]

I’ve had that error as well after removing wheels and it being lifted for a while.
Mine reset on its own after a short drive.. and I mean short.

[Dabeamerking]

Originally Posted by rezilient

Finally picked up the car yesterday. Thankfully they didn’t drive it into a wall or explode it or anything. But unfortunately had to pay an extra $200+ in unexpected charges (was only supposed to pay the CarMax warranty deductible). For example there was $94 for the engine oil, and then $169 for gapping the spark plugs (they agreed to install new plugs that I purchased since it would be easy during the valve cover job, but I guess gapping them was too much to ask).

After fighting with them a little bit about those extra charges, I popped the hood and confirmed everything looks buttoned up and valve cover looks new, so good sign. I started her up and was presented with a “Chassis function restricted, drive moderately” error message. Went straight back inside, mechanic says it probably just due to lifting the car, drive it around a bit and it should clear.

Reluctantly left the shop and the error message has not gone away. Tried clearing the error with BimmerLink, no joy. It comes right back.

Going to spend some time tomorrow to see what it might be, assuming dynamic suspension related maybe some wiring harness loose.

Any codes now?

[rezilient]

Sorry forgot to circle back here to update yall last weekend. Ran a BimmerLink scan again to see what codes were stored and it was the attached error that guided me to check the EDC wiring harness above the driver side strut.

Opened up the rubber grommet thing and the wiring harness was not connected fully. Plugged it firmly, reset codes and voila - no more error after a week of driving.

What kind of shop finishes a job, knows there are errors thrown, and doesn’t bother checking if everything is buttoned up?

Anyway for the interwebs, if anyone is researching mechanic shops in the Roswell / Alpharetta area do NOT use these guys (also left a very honest review for them wherever i could):

Crabapple Automotive
Roswell / Alpharetta
Georgia, 30004

Thanks all.

[MineralWhiteF80]

as a long time resident of Roswell/Alpharetta Ga area, I am wondering why you chose "Crabapple Automotive" to do your work. That is not a great place to be taking a BMW M4.

Here are 4 google street view pics of Crabapple Automotive and three other good independent BMW shops within 2 to 10 miles of that place. Notice the types of cars in the parking lots. It is usually a good indication of what they work on the most and level of service they provide.

Glad you got out without any major issues!

[BzsBimmer]

^ hindsight is 20/20 lol
Glad it wasn’t too big of an issue to figure out. I’d still be pretty upset though.

[Groganrocket]

Wonder if they even changed your oil. Lol