Any comment on Optimum Automotive at PJ?

[azam9636]

Last time idrive show my E60 front parking lamp bulb failed.. So, i go to wshop in XXX pj .. Was told that they need to remove the lamp and replace the faulty bulb .. Cost around RM150++, installation around 1 hour ... Go to 2nd workshop ... Was told need to remove front bumper, labour cost for remove bumper RM150, bulb price need to check .. Around RM 80 - 100.. Damn! Call jason and go to Optimum... Hmmmm.. No need to remove lamp, no need to remove bumper ... Just change the bulb .. Cost Rm60 .. No problem until now so far ..

 

[theblackbeast]

I been to Optimum twice. First when I bought my car in 2009. Did complete transmission oil flush and regular service. Bill was close to 1k with labour and tax. I thought was normal, but realized parts price was a little on the high site compared to purchasing directly from BA. Well as someone pointed out most do this ....need to run business. And yes they don't allow us to buy own parts. But what made me stop going there is on my next transmission oil change , this time no flush the price was much higher but price of per bottle of ATF at BA was still the same. I maintain a spreadsheet of all service, parts, price and workshop I visit with mileage for my reference since 2009 with receipts. Although some say paying a premium is ok to maintain a car, but it has to be a little reasonable. No doubt they are honest and good but I have changed to another mechanic who is M series trained in Germany worked for AB before handles special cases and M series only. He allows me to buy my own parts and charge labour accordingly. Also I have another mechanic who even came to rescue me at my home for a miss fire issue and did not charge me anything...told me to get the parts from BA and fixed it for me the next day for a minimal workmanship. Just sharing my 2 cents here....but than again one should feel comfortable with your selected mechanic.

 

[mizhan]

Sometime last year on a Sunday afternoon my E46's engine warning light came on. I called Jason, who then told me to meet him at his shop in an hour for a diagnostic. Repeat, it was Sunday afternoon. So an hour later I saw him unlock his shop to get the diagnostic computer. Long story short, my car just required a reset. My cost was 2 glasses of teh o ais limau at a nearby mamak; the value i received that sunday afternoon, priceless.

I have lost count how many times the Optimum boys came to my house. Most times to jump start either E30, or the occasions when the E46 and E34 had faulty fuel pumps. I also have been busy of late, so they deliver my cars home after carrying out work on them.

Most of the time when I receive my car, it is without the bill. I have to chase Ah Fai for weeks to find our how much I owe them. Sigh.... Most outrageous was that RM7.5k bill for my E34. I had to chase them for 2 months! I still think that was funny... :biggrin:

For all the above, I honestly don't mind paying 10% more for parts or labour although I have never been overcharged at Optimum. As for bringing my own parts, I never had a problem with it. Heck, 80% of parts for my red E30 came directly from Inner Power after I myself place orders. Yes, there is a general rule for 99% of customers of any workshop. However to all car lovers out there, I urge you to make efforts to be in that remaining 1% catagory; for the sky is the limit as far as goodwill value is concerned.

 

[johnj]

You sure it was only teh o ais limau knowing Ah foo....heheheh

 

[mizhan]

eh, not on the open forum lah you :thefinger: