HELP! Am I being ripped off by this company in CA?

[DCBryan]

Guys and Gals:

Recently I found out that my engine has had little or no work on it even after being at:

Bavarian Engine Exchange,
3698 Omec Circle
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742

(www.bavengine.com)for almost three (3) months, going on four (4).

Despite weekly calls I don't think they have even cracked the crate I shipped my engine on.

I am now getting calls on, "We need payment".

In which I reply, "Is my engine done and ready to be shipped back?"

They are responding that they need payment before they even begin work!

Is this the proper way to conduct business? Or am I just ignorant on engine rebuilding/payment procedures?

They seem quite inflexible and after two calls to the owner, Brice Eagle, CEO, I am getting return calls from the Operations manager, Nelson who seems to be a nice enough guy and has offered me the option of half payment to begin work.

Tommorrow, they are going to fax me a bill for $6,000.00+ dollars for a rebuilt M70 engine since my 1991 BMW 850i had an overheating problem and supposedly had cracked heads.

I checked with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and they have no unresolved complaints. I consulted with my attorney and he said to at least get a fully, descriptive invoice from them that includes all work and services to be performed.

QUESTIONS:

1) Have any of you had any positive AND ESPECIALLY negative experience with Bavarian Engine Exchange?
2) Is this proper procedure for engine rebuild shops?
3) Should I pay first so they can begin work?
4) Or should I have my motor shipped elsewhere?
5) Am I doing the right thing?
6) Is ther anything you can think of to help me resolve this issue?

Since there seems to be a misfeasance or even malfeaseance issue at hand, I am pretty upset that almost four (4) months later, they are not ready to ship back my engine as their services and sales literature on their website state (nice 5 year warranty).

Any advice would be much appreciated and I look forward to your responses.

Sincerely,

Chris Bryan
Little Rock, Arkansas
501-952-3632
dcbryan1@aol.com

[Godwin]

They seem to be a reputable company.. search around the archives..

On ebay they were listing for rebuilt V12s for 5400 odd bucks.

[peak]

Be very careful. I bought an e30 M3 that had a Bavarian Engine Exchange engine in it. The previous owner had all of the receipts (over $8k just for the engine). The "rebuilt" engine had been installed about 5k miles before I bought it. After driving it for about 2k miles it developed a coolant leak. After pulling the head, I found a very small tear in the head gasket where someone had put a screwdriver in one of the coolant passages to move it over. After examining the head, it appeared to have some used valves and new valves. Some of the valves had pitting. They were not bad, but, you could clearly tell the difference between the new and used valves.

The engine runs very well and strong, but, the previous owner did not get what he paid for according to the receipts. And, the head gasket tear makes me wonder about the quality of the technician.

Damon in STL

[Scotttie]

I'd send it somewhere else.......these guys are so-so and get alot of their stuff from wrecking yards.
Send it to Kormann, La Jolla or Fahey if you have $$$$$$, If I was treated like you were I would not send BEE and single cent and I would get my motor out of there ASAP!

[Cacatfish]

[rklosinski]

I would think they would use parts from a junkyard, since they are owned by one! This business is basically in a area or town that has mostly junkyards.

[Kevin Brown]

Was back in 2003. I bought a rebuilt "performance" S52 engine from them. Long story, but 5 weeks later, no sign of engine. Excuse was one of their guys quit and they didn't have anyone to assemble engine.

They eventually refunded my $5,500 but it took some threat of legal action on my part.

After all of this, one of their employees began to slam me on Roadfly (He's still posting on these boards by the way.)

I would stay far far away from Bav Engine Exchange.

I ended up buying from
Vines Autoand had a very positive experience from them. They do a good job communicating delivery timing and allowed me to borrow some special tools at no charge.

[m5james]

I had a fairly long experience waiting for my motor to get rebuilt also (3-4 months), but in the end I am more than happy. I got the "Performance Option" done, which after racing a 540i 6spd with performance exhaust, I was able to walk away from more than once! My problem now is no one has software that coordinates with the internal mods (cams, P&P, etc) so custom is my only option to get back the bottom end power that I now lack. Would I buy again, other than turn around...the motor was spotless, I ran it just like I was supposed to for break-in (VERY IMPORTANT), and the motor is STRONG!.....sure I would. Now I gotta see how the warranty works for my waterpump that has a slight leak on the impellar shaft, otherwise everything has been good.

[Chad,N.C]

I was about to purchase a motor from these guys, but after the stories of ridiculous waiting and bs excuses I think I will spend my five grand else where.