[techietaichi]

So just a few weeks ago I got a pair of new OEM struts, a couple thrust-arm bushings changed out and lowered my ride with H&R Sport Springs. Nothing major in any sense of the word, especially compared to many of the guys here on these boards, so why even post a thread then? Well, I'll tell you. THE SERVICE. These days, and I know many of you will agree, service ain't like it used to be. "IT SUCKS!", sums it up best and I'm talking in general terms, not just things BMW. But, when it came to Turner in Amesbury and their Service Mgr. Marco Schaffer and his crew, I was thoroughly impressed.

When I'd initially gone to see them, Marco and I volleyed e-mails for at least a week, but he always answered and was quite happy to do so. I kind of figured I was pushing his limits of patience, because I can be pretty anal, but like I said, he kept on firing back. After that, I took a drive there to set up an appointment even though I could've done it over the phone. Well, I finally met Marco and drilled him again about what the best route was for me in regard to dropping my car. I already had Bilstein's for the front and rear as well as Eibach Sportlines, but decided to hang those up after talking to him for about 20 minutes. It's kind of hard to challenge a guy that helps build race cars and lives, breathes and shits BMW. So, I took my Bilsteins back to Bavarian and sold my Sportlines and gave Turner the dough instead.

They took my car in at 10am the following week and got it back to me that same day at 4 and man, what a change! From factory ride height of a 3-4 finger spread to maybe 1? I love it. Anyways I took it home, but for the next like 5-6 days before I went on vacation, I knew something was wrong. It felt way too "squishy". I'd hit the most slightest of dips and I'd either get a scrape or "bang!" off the front end. Goes without saying that while I was away on vaca, I thought about that crap, so I shot Marco an email to set things up for him and his guys to look at it soon as I got back. Well, a couple days after I'd gotten home I was back at Turner and he set one of his guys to the task of evaluating the problem, so we went for a spin. "No doubt, we need to take a look at that", was the response I got from the tech.

Well they got it on a lift and checked things out, came up with a solution and squared it away. Turns out it was my error, not theirs. Had I purchased a 225/35 19 instead of a 235/35, the travel on the shock wouldn't have been an issue. I was hitting the topside of the liner, so they modified a pair of bump stops to minimize said shock travel and "Voila'!" done. Because this took over an hour and because it was no fault of their own, I figured I'd be dropping some coin, but they didn't ask for a red cent. They just wanted me to have a nice ride of which I'm happy to report feels damn close to factory again. Marco and his crew take pride in their work and like all bad asses are quite modest about their skills. Their service is top shelf and their pricing beat out another indie bimmer shop I go to, not to mention the stealerships. Yep, soon as I get the bodywork done on my car, I'll definitely be back in to see Turner for that remap I've been "jonesing" for.

If anyone lives in the area, but haven't yet selected who's paws will touch your baby, give Marco and his gang a holler. You won't be disappointed!

[makisupa]

This was my plan when I get my car dropped. Glad I got a name of someone to talk to up there. Thanks for the info my man.

[mrbillytalent]

Awesome write up. In this day and age customer service like that can make or break a business.

[b-man]

Awesome write up. Definitely be going to Turner when it's time for a drop

[eforty6_m3]

Excellent write-up, indeed. Turner is the shit...can't go wrong!

[wahooooman]

I too had service done by turner was in and out with a loaner, and prompt phone calls with updates. I highly recommend turner for most applications if not all.

[Tim603]

Nice write up man, great review. Great customer service is priceless these days

[BJK1903]

Thanks for the review.

One question tho, what made you give up on the Bilsteins/Eibachs? I bought everything brand new going that route with 235/35 and 265/30's.


So I guess I made a bad choice?

[techietaichi]

Originally Posted by BJK1903

Thanks for the review.

One question tho, what made you give up on the Bilsteins/Eibachs? I bought everything brand new going that route with 235/35 and 265/30's.


So I guess I made a bad choice?

No, you didn't make a bad choice. But here's the rub according to Marco. First, he's had experiences with this combo and said for the E90 chassis it was hit or miss, but mostly miss. For some reason it never worked out as well as H&R Sports combined with stock suspension. It's not that Turner wouldn't install them, but if you have problems, they don't warranty them and so you're basically ass out. I returned/sold those two items, like you have, the Bilstein's and the Eibach's and that just about paid for all the work I needed done(I also had to change out a pair of bushings and threw in a strut brace). I can attest that the H&R springs coupled with the stock shocks are fine and ride well. I just hope that the guys you visit to do the work are as good and professional as Marco and his gang.

[BJK1903]

Thanks for the reply.

I have a E92 so I hope the rubbing thing doesn't apply to me and still going with (have to) the Eibach - Bilstein setup.

[techietaichi]

Originally Posted by BJK1903

Thanks for the reply.

I have a E92 so I hope the rubbing thing doesn't apply to me and still going with (have to) the Eibach - Bilstein setup.

Hey that's totally cool, but if you do get rubbing on the topside of the fender/wheel well liner, have those guys check the shock travel and if excessive, all they need to do is to modify another pair of shock bump stops to alleviate the problem. That's what the Turner guys did for me and my baby's the ballz again! Good luck man.

[brakthru]

Originally Posted by techietaichi

No, you didn't make a bad choice. But here's the rub according to Marco. First, he's had experiences with this combo and said for the E90 chassis it was hit or miss, but mostly miss. For some reason it never worked out as well as H&R Sports combined with stock suspension. It's not that Turner wouldn't install them, but if you have problems, they don't warranty them and so you're basically ass out. I returned/sold those two items, like you have, the Bilstein's and the Eibach's and that just about paid for all the work I needed done(I also had to change out a pair of bushings and threw in a strut brace). I can attest that the H&R springs coupled with the stock shocks are fine and ride well. I just hope that the guys you visit to do the work are as good and professional as Marco and his gang.

Hey did you notice any improvement with the strut brace?

[techietaichi]

Originally Posted by brakthru

Hey did you notice any improvement with the strut brace?

It's definitely a bit stiffer up front than it was, but then again my car's seven years old, so that goes without saying. I'm actually kicking around changing out the Stock stabilizers/anti-roll bars to H&R's as well.