Seeking good shop in San Luis Obispo or Ventura, CA

[thhaar]

Do you have a trusted mechanic in the San Luis Obispo area? I'm hoping to purchase a 535is that has some needs. I'm not looking for a cheap shop and am willing to pay for quality mechanical work.

If not SLO, how about SoCal, near Ventura?

FWIW, I live on the East Coast and don't know which shops, if any, know E28s out there.

Thank you,

Thomas

[vinceg101]

Sorry, I don't know any shop personally in SLO or anywhere in the Central Coast for that matter. I'm sue someone here can chime in.

Is it you intention to repair then drive it back to CT or are you relocating here to the west coast?
Reason I ask, is that while I am positive there are qualified shops in SLO and Ventura, they are kind of far apart from each; you would probably be better off looking in Santa Barbara vs. Ventura. Otherwise, why not just ship the car as is to CT and find someone local to you?

[thhaar]

I have family in Ventura, but the car is in SLO. I might have the car shipped here, where I have a good mechanic. Right now, I'm exploring the option of having my college-age car-nut son drive the car cross-country as a summer adventure, so I want the car gone over thoroughly enough to make sure all fluids are fresh, brakes work, and stuff like that.

[topher800]

Probably Rizzoli's. That's who I'd use in Morro Bay to get it done right. There is one SLO also. I think there was a German auto mechanic in SLO also.

Rizzoli's isn't BMW specific or anything. But they'll use OEM parts and "do it right". And I don't see you really listing anything requiring inside knowledge. I spend 2-4 weeks on Morro Bay every other year or so, and we drive from Colorado. So my knowledge is limited.

[thhaar]

I appreciate the info!

[LarryM]

You might want to check out a shop in Santa Barbara called Granny's Garage. I've been told Kurt Kimball there is a highly respected tech for older bimmers.

[thhaar]

Thank you.

[doug]

I used https://www.germanautoslo.com/ to do an inspection on a e39 540i I was selling. They seemed competent. They were also willing to do the timing chain guides, and supposedly had some experience with the job, though I ended up doing it myself.

[thhaar]

I appreciate your recommendation.

Thomas

[Roberto]

Shift n’ Gears garage in Paso Robles has great reviews. I asked the guy for a quote to replace the trans in my 4runner and he was very professional. Didnt end up going that route but could be a good option.

Its been a dream of mine to drive an e28 cross country. I actually moved out here from PA a year ago (no e28 though). I hope everything works out!!

[thhaar]

Thank you, also, for that info. The car is now in Ventura, where my brother is taking it to his mechanic. Sorry, don't know the name of that place at the moment.