R & D Automotive: Bavarian Rocket Science

R&D Automotive has done great work on my 2003 BMW. Their expertise is obvious based on several services provided on my “vintage” Beemer. They know German cars inside out. Repairs are done promptly and to factory specifications. Rick communicates well and gives options and expert advice. Highly recommended auto service firm for German performance cars. Bill D. Loudonville, NY

NO NOT BRING YOUR CAR HERE! I have an 88 Mercedes. I dropped my car off on 7/17/24 and was told they would be able to get it back to me with a quote by next day. I needed my AC repaired, a clunking noise in the front end repaired, sway bar linkages installed (already purchased from the Mercedes Dealer), a dash bulb light replaced, a leak in my fuel pump, and an oil change. I never received a call the next day so I called but unfortunately Thomas said they weren't able to get the quote done. So I called again the next day, still no quote. I called Monday and Tuesday with the same result. I was finally sent a quote on 7/24/24. The front end noise was diagnosed as ball joins and control arms. They included everything else I needed addressed as well as recommending I repair a leak at my rear differential. It was reasonable for the amount of work so I approved it. I asked when I could expect to get my car back, Thomas told me by the end of the following week (expected 8/2/24 at the latest). I called 7/31/24 to see how everything was going and Thomas said they got the AC repaired they just had to get to the rest but they were still hoping to be done by the end of the week. I called back the next day and they confirmed the car won't be done until the following week. I followed up on Tuesday and they told me they did not finish the work and unfortunately the work wasn't done because he had multiple people out sick but they should be able to get it back to me soon. I decided to go to the shop on 8/9/24 as the work should now be done. Thomas told me again the work wasn't done. I looked over the car which was sitting in the same spot as when I dropped it off and it didn't appear anything had been touched but I was told early next week I should get my car back. 8/13.24 I called again with the same result. 8/16/24 I called and Thomas told me most of the work was done but they ran into some issues but they knew I was frustrated and told me I would be able to pick up my car. They told me I would have to come back for sway bar linkage and to get the tie rods replaced as the front end was still making a clunking noise. I requested they send me a quote and I bring the car back when it was more convenient. I drove the car home and the AC was great. Unfortunately that's where the good news ends. The clunking was no better than when I dropped it off, and the dash light was never replaced. When I got home I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. There was a major oil leak all over the top of the motor. I looked at the oil filler cap and it wasn't even installed correctly which caused an oil to leak from the filler cap all the way from Albany to Saratoga. Frustrated I decided to check to make sure the fuel leak was actually addressed and I noticed there was plastic on my fuel pump which was not there before bringing it to the shop. I brought my car to another shop to get the work done and the shop tells me there is no sway bar link in the rear driver side. They never installed the rear sway bar on the driver side but allowed me to pick up my car. I was told I would have to come back to get them installed but I assumed the original wasn't taken out. I went to R and D on 9/10/24 to talk to them about my issues. I explained the oil filler cap and Thomas agreed that it was unacceptable and ridiculous. He told me the reason they didn't install the new sway bar link was because the old bolt was going to have to be drilled out and will take 5-6 hours. He said there was no way of knowing how much play there was in the tie rods until the ball joints were replaced. I forgot to ask why they charged me for a bulb replacement that was never done. When I asked about the plastic on my fuel pump he was completely dismissive said they didn't do that. I have photos of the fuel pump prior to bringing it to their shop without the plastic. I waited over a month and was charged almost $3000 for unacceptable work. The communication is horrible and the quality of work is horrible. They will make an excuse for any poor work they did. Go somewhere else!

Agl auto Loves R&D automotive 20 stars if I could Rick & Staff are amazing best Porsche techs around and German Autos Dont hesitate call they save you big $$$ compared to a new car dealerships prices. Great Job Guys Agl Auto Ken🏆🏆🏆🏆

2004 645Ci with 100k on the clock, needed a complete checkup with some minor details like a headlight out and a mysterious shut down of power at high rpm’s. Left the car with R&D for 5-6 weeks and when I picked it up the headlight was still out and the RPM problem still existed. Check engine light still on and he presented me with a $3k bill. Car was returned dirty and left outside his shop in a rough neighborhood. Good luck if you use this shop is all I have to say. Zero communication through the process as well.

My S5 broke down outside of Albany, about 200 miles from home. I called R&D and had the car towed there. They were able to diagnose and repair the transmission for far less than I expected. They were also extremely flexible about when I picked the car up, which was a huge help. I got my car back clean and ready to drive.