Vehicle was overheating because of two leaks and the antifreeze leaking out. Had Vehicle ""01 BMW 330Ci"" towed and was brought to M & B Auto Repair on Monday March 12, 2012. We had already diagnosed the problem and looked it up on the internet knowing it was leaking from the Expansion Tank and another Hose. M & B Auto Repair advertises free inspections and /or estimates. After speaking with the owner Mike Alami in the morning he confirmed the two leaks in the two parts Expansion Tank and the Lower Radiator Hose and/or Heater Core Hose. He gave me a verbal round about price didn't have exact amount of parts or labor until he called the dealer for the parts. He thought the expansion tank would be $75-80 and the Hose $70-80. The labor would be high because they would have to remove the intake manifold and that would be $400-500. He could have the car on Tuesday or Wednesday. I said I needed a exact price I was on a budget and needed only the leaks fixed at this time. If his repair shop did a great job, I would be back for more work. On Monday, March 12, 4:30 pm the owner Mike Alami called stated the vehicle was in extremely poor condition needing a lot of work. He named several parts that need to be fixed and also stated I should have never used stop leak in vehicle. I have never used this product and don't know what it is. We went back and forth over what was wrong with the vehicle and he insisted that I come over immediately and take a look for myself because the stop leak has destroyed the cooling system. I was at work until 5 and didn't have transportation and the repair shop closes at 5. I stated I would call in the morning to discuss further. On Tuesday morning I decided to picked up my vehicle and not have M & B Auto do the repairs. I did not feel comfortable at this point and had not authorized any repairs yet. When I spoke with the owner Mike Alami he told me he would not release the vehicle and I could not pick it up. I had to pay the estimate. I had no estimate and no work had been done on the vehicle yet. Again I said I would be at the auto shop to pick up the car by 5 on Tuesday and he stated he would not give me the vehicle and hung up the phone. I did show up at M & B Auto Repair at 5 pm on Tuesday they were closed and my vehicle was locked inside. On Wednesday March 13, 2012, we had several conversations by phone in the morning and Mike Alami stated he had started the work on the vehicle and I had to pay. He also hung up on me several times. I went to M & B Auto Repair on Wednesday March 13, 2012 twice. The first time Mike Alami was not there and his staff were working on the vehicle, the second time Mike presented the final invoice of $1355.47. I was never given this price and was never told about additional parts or double the amount of labor. I was never given a written estimate. I never approved the work to be completed on my vehicle. He did not want to take a credit card and only took it because we also paid $155 cash. Mike Alami also stated he gave us a $200 Discount which is written on the Invoice. We only paid because this was the only way to get the vehicle released. The total cost of this repair was over $1700.
Two days later...
On March 15, 2012 the car started failing while driving, it was losing power and all the dash lights were coming on flashing alerts.
On March 16, 2012 the car battery was completely drained and the vehicle had to be towed again. Towing cost was $95.
On March 17 and 18, 2012 I had the vehicle diagnosed by a friend who has experience with auto repairs and the alternator was damaged and needed to be replaced. I was able to get this replace on March 18 with help of friends and the additional cost at this point has been $275. There was nothing wrong with my alternator when I brought the vehicle to M&B Auto Repair on Monday, March 12, 2012. The vehicle was brought in for two leaks in the cooling system only.
Don't ever bring your Vehicle to M & B Auto Repair in Jefferson
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