Took the car to Speed South after my problems with Munich they did a good job might cost more than Munich but the car made it thru Road Atlanta.

I fried my rotors at RA and am getting them to order a new set, their price is the same as I could get it from a vendor here, so it will be back there this week to get the brakes fixed and get inspected for Phil Wicks.

 

Please keep me posted on how they work out as I plan on using them when my free maintenance runs out this year & it won't be long before I am ready to ditch these rusty Brembo rotors & get new brakes again

 

I'll have it to them when the get the new rotors in they did a good job the first time. I'll keep you informed just remember I though Munich was good till my brake problem.

 

Anyone know anything of Empire Autohaus? I've heard them mentioned twice recently, and I didnt know they existed. They're in Pelham. Check out their web site http://www.empireautohaus.com/index.html I'm keeping them in mind just in case I have issues with either the MINI or the Mini.

 

hmmm never seen Empire Autohaus & I frequently take Yeager Pkwy to get off Hwy 31 in the afternoon traffic. Will have to look next time I go that way.

 

I've searched online for Speed South, and Munich and can't find any info or numbers, A friend wrecked his '02 MINI today leaving Barbers museum, we think something broke and it spun around and jumped over the center divider, rear wheel folded under the car, motor mount broken, side bags deployed, we feel sick for him, he just got the car, and we were so happy and excited for him,
any shop numbers of places experienced with MINI's in the B'ham area appreciated.

 

I can't with a clear conscience recommend Munich Sport & I think Speedsouth is still new to us & we have high hopes for them but anywho here are the numbers...

Munich 205-620-6007
SpeedSouth 205-621-6969

Stephen's Garage also gets high marks from many around here 205-326-4542

 

Neither Speed South or Munich is going to be able to help with the damage you've got, sounds like you need a body shop.

 

No real body damage (spoiler), right rear suspension is crumpled and all folded up under the car, radiator leaking, left motor mount shreared, but we didn't get to take a look underneath,
Thanks for the numbers, I'll pass them and comments along,
Inside of the wheel well at the rear the tire was rubbing, so something broke and allowed the wheel to move back, anyone seen this before ?, scrape marks on pavement show something broke BEFORE curb impact,

 

Just gettting my car back from 280 Paint and Body. they seem to have done a pretty good job with mine, even tho yours is more mechanical than mine was, they did replace struts for me.

 

Still waiting on brake pads to arrive have not driven it in 2 weeks, Volvo wagon is a nice change nice to have an auto trannie.

 

Alan Apel, the owner of Empire is a total perfectionist and I trust him 100%, he was a factory trainer for Alfa & Mercedes, you should stop in and talk to him and take a look at his work, his standards of quality work are way above the norm, We've never discussed MINI's so I don't know if he is experienced with them,

 

Front brakes fixed cost $537.00 got 2 DE on last set of pads. Speed South did good work, going to order a set of blanks for next rotor replacement. Find out if all is well Sunday at Wicks school.

 

The lower control arm? If I were to get a used MINI I'd check the most common replaced parts. The reason why is when the owner trades it or sales it then most likely they'll put the stock parts back on and if in a hurry can accidently not tighten something. If modified.

 

As info. I sent an email to Alan Apel of Empire Autohaus last Thursday asking if he serviced (BMW) MINIs. I explained the in and out-of-warranty service situation in Bham and Alabama. To date, he has not responded to the email, so I assume he is not interested in servicing MINIs. That leaves Stephen's Garage and SpeedSouth as two places reported to be reliable service operations for MINIs. There may be other places. If so, please report on them. And for non-MINI specific needs (tires, oil changes, etc.) there are other local businesses that I'm sure can be used.

 

Update: A reply from Alan Apel of Empire Autohaus in Pelham, regarding MINI service:

"...Yes we do work on Mini's. While our experience is not directly "Mini extensive", I would say it is as good as anyone else locally. We have the benefit of being a new company willing to invest in diagnostic tools and whatever is needed to support a growing customer base. We have extensive British car experience and just as important we have a significant BMW experience.

Let me know how we can be of service and I appreciate your offer for a note on the forum. Please check out our web-site. (link below)

www.empireautohaus.com "


So, we have another alternative for local service.

 

I just sent an email to alan as well -- quoting the nam forum. I hope he responds.

I've heard a lot about speedsouth and also sent them an email -- I'll let you know what they say and let you know about the work they do.

-Jamie