BMW Performance Shops in Northern VA?

[BMW_330ci]

I was hoping somebody on this forum is from the Northern Virginia area...if so do you a shop that carries performance parts for BMW's or a shop that will install parts that I order from online? any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[glloyd]

try currys auto in chantilly and falls church.. the specialize in high performance cars (BMW, porsche, audi), great shop.. they even let you watch them work!

http://www.currysauto.com

G

[BMW_330ci]

try currys auto in chantilly and falls church.. the specialize in high performance cars (BMW, porsche, audi), great shop.. they even let you watch them work!

http://www.currysauto.com

G

What have you had done to your car there? Do they have alot of aftermarket parts to choose from...or could I bring in parts I buy online for them to install?

[glloyd]

i've just had tires put on, but i know they do performance mods like SSK, intakes, etc, give them a call and tell them what you want done, they are very cool.

[IGotId]

I was hoping somebody on this forum is from the Northern Virginia area...if so do you a shop that carries performance parts for BMW's or a shop that will install parts that I order from online? any help will be appreciated. Thanks

try gary at martin motorsport, tell him doc sent you :thumbup:

[KevinJ_2k1_325ci]

Curry's is a high end shop with all the latest equipment including a $150k 4 wheel drive dyno with simulated uphill terrain. This is the place to go if you want the best.

I actually live around the corner from Gary Martin's shop. Gary is a down to earth guy gave me some tips, let me buy parts from his parts truck, drives a 330 decked out with some Electrodyne stuff (Electrodyne ala Racing Dynamics is down the road to). Gary's cool, took me in a ride to show me what his new schrick cams could do. Pretty sweet, acceleration made my 325 with a few mods feel like grandma's car. I posted here once, Gary is a automotive expert advisor to bankrate.com and a few other sites.

Of the two, it's a toss-up. If you want technical expertise with the latest equipment and top end mechanic shop, chose Curry's which is Pat Gosse's favorite place. If you want a local guy that knows his stuff, gives you up front in your face opinions, and is part of the racing circuit, go with Gary. I plan on using Gary for my brakes and general stuff. He did do schrick cams for a few people with a friend who is a BMW master tech and has contacts with all the BMW aftermarket owners.

Both shops have been around for a long time, obviously Curry's is considered one of the East coast's top shops but you pay for it also.

I was hoping somebody on this forum is from the Northern Virginia area...if so do you a shop that carries performance parts for BMW's or a shop that will install parts that I order from online? any help will be appreciated. Thanks

[SikE46]

I am not out to bash any local shops, but few of them impress me. None of them have any parts in stock or performance oriented showrooms and the shops that I have been to, don't want to give advice it seems like, they are like "we can do anything".

[BndrBimmer]

Racing Dynamics (http://www.racdyn-usa.com/) is in Alexandria -- u might wanna check them out. I have never bought anything from them so I dont know the quality.

[TheTICK]

Try autothority

www.autothority.com

[Phat Ham]

Curry's and Gary Martin were the two places I was going to recommend, along with pro-imports in gaithersburg if you're willing to go to maryland.

[simsima325]

my recent experience with Curry's

had my zimmermann x drilled rotors and mintex pads put on at currys.

over the phone, got a quote, twice in fact, at $170 for rotors and pads all around.. i thought, GREAT! made my apointment ASAP.

got there, was told $170 was for fronts only! rears too would be $300 :thumbdwn:

spoke with the manager of their Sterling location, and explained the situation, how i got 2 quotes over the phone for 170, so they cut a deal, and i ended up paying $196 for the labor.

quality was very good, brakes have stopped me, nothing to complain about there.

just beware of the price quoted over the phone!but i guess that can be said for most shops around here anyway.

[TheTICK]

my recent experience with Curry's

had my zimmermann x drilled rotors and mintex pads put on at currys.

over the phone, got a quote, twice in fact, at $170 for rotors and pads all around.. i thought, GREAT! made my apointment ASAP.

got there, was told $170 was for fronts only! rears too would be $300 :thumbdwn:

spoke with the manager of their Sterling location, and explained the situation, how i got 2 quotes over the phone for 170, so they cut a deal, and i ended up paying $196 for the labor.

quality was very good, brakes have stopped me, nothing to complain about there.

just beware of the price quoted over the phone!but i guess that can be said for most shops around here anyway.

I got the exact same quote... only at Midas. On phone dude said $170 rotors/pads... got there dude said $170 was only for front, front and rear would be $300.

[simsima325]

also, re: currys. was at Roadblock tint that same day i dropped my car off. mentioned that it was at currys, and the guy says "OH... good luck!"

:omg:

so i explain i have a BMW, and he says "you will be fine, they have a good BMW guy over there, but for everything else, they have a lot of tech turnover, not reliable guys working on the cars. we stopped dealing with them a couple months ago."

was kinda upset, but things seem to be OK... Currys gave me a follow up call, left on my voicemail. i have to call back, because i think i hear some slight scraping, with no brake pressure applied, and that isnt right, its like the pad and rotor are in slight contact.

[SikE46]

Does anyone else besides Gabe do halos in the area? Just curious to see my options.

[MikeyT]

Yeah, Chris does installs, he's up in MD though. PM me for more info.

[SikE46]

Yeah, Chris does installs, he's up in MD though. PM me for more info.

Do you have halos? Did he do yours?

[MikeyT]

Yes, I have the halos.. actually Abe did mine. But when I did a Bi-Xenon retrofit.. Chris redid them..

[CynicalWry]

I'm chris :) I do tons if elecronic installs in the area. (Mike, you're due in for your trunk install soon :) )