Best Norcal tuner shop

Hey guys so I'm moving on from my 335xi onto e92 M3 and wanted to know of all or best tuner shops in the bay area (live in Fremont) I wanted to get some mods done as soon as I buy the car and wanted some opinions on shops in my area.

Do you know what you want to do? Most of it you can find DIY sections on here or ask some forum guys for help. In response to your question I recommend P-Tech in Dublin. Topnotch shop

and there is this thread as well: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=254113

Thanks guys! I'm gonna start with the basics. Pulleys, intake, xpipe, and tune for now. I like my Cars full bolt on after a bit of stock driving.

Most of that is pretty simple and theres DIY for those specific mods your talking about. Either way, enjoy your new ride once you get it.

I'm in Fremont too. I've gotten stuff done or asked for quotes at Trackspec and Alek Shop. Both are considered in some of the best in the bay and are highly recommenced.

I agree that their service is amazing, but their prices are ridiculously high. Trackspec quoted me 6-7 hours of labor at $120/hr just for installing coilovers.

I agree with hayes180 about doing most the stuff yourself, that's what I do. They're also a lot of forum members in the area willing to help out with some things.

///MPower15 wrote

I'm in Fremont too. I've gotten stuff done or asked for quotes at Trackspec and Alek Shop. Both are considered in some of the best in the bay and are highly recommenced.

I agree that their service is amazing, but their prices are ridiculously high. Trackspec quoted me 6-7 hours of labor at $120/hr just for installing coilovers.

I agree with hayes180 about doing most the stuff yourself, that's what I do. They're also a lot of forum members in the area willing to help out with some things.

+1 on members in the area willing to help. Depending on where you're at and what you wanted to do I'd help for a 6 pack! Just a thought!!

I personally go to Werkshop in South SF. I am really close friends with all of them and have had no problems at all. I've referred many friends (that also own different cars) and nothing but good things in terms of labor, prices, and the quality of work done.

I have had other work done at Sonic MS in San Jose as well. Good people and a lot of BMW's there from what I've seen.

Thanks guys for all the love! Now to find that elusive e92 M3

jason.wu wrote

I personally go to Werkshop in South SF. I am really close friends with all of them and have had no problems at all. I've referred many friends (that also own different cars) and nothing but good things in terms of labor, prices, and the quality of work done.

I have had other work done at Sonic MS in San Jose as well. Good people and a lot of BMW's there from what I've seen.

hmm thanks for this info, I'm going to have to check them out as well.

Flying Ace wrote

hmm thanks for this info, I'm going to have to check them out as well.

No problem. If you stop by Werkshop, do let me know. I would like to friend more M3 people as I've done with about 3-4 people from the forums so far. Would love to know more.

jason.wu wrote

No problem. If you stop by Werkshop, do let me know. I would like to friend more M3 people as I've done with about 3-4 people from the forums so far. Would love to know more.

So I researched Werkshop actually. I work in San Bruno and drove down to check them out. I didn't go in, mostly just gauged from the street. My concern is they work on lots of WRXs and such, I don't see any M cars there, which is a concern for me.

BTW, I use to take my car to "The Shop" on the same street for very basic maintenance work (alignment, tire swap, brake fluid flush), but the next level maintenace has me concerned with both "The Shop" and "Werkshop".

I need to get maintenance service done for:
1. spark plug change
2. rear diff flush
3. complete brake replacement

I bring all the OEM parts, and only pay for labor. A local shop (name withheld) quoted me $900 for labor. Does that seem reasonable?

Flying Ace wrote

So I researched Werkshop actually. I work in San Bruno and drove down to check them out. I didn't go in, mostly just gauged from the street. My concern is they work on lots of WRXs and such, I don't see any M cars there, which is a concern for me.

BTW, I use to take my car to "The Shop" on the same street for very basic maintenance work (alignment, tire swap, brake fluid flush), but the next level maintenace has me concerned with both "The Shop" and "Werkshop".

I need to get maintenance service done for:
1. spark plug change
2. rear diff flush
3. complete brake replacement

I bring all the OEM parts, and only pay for labor. A local shop (name withheld) quoted me $900 for labor. Does that seem reasonable?

There are phases where there would be a lot of JDM cars that come in and then later on, a lot of euro cars that come in. It is weird, but take it for what it's worth haha. Recently, there are a lot of JDM cars that come in so what you see is not a surprise. I can tell you that a lot of M's (E9X and F8X), AMGs, and Audi's come in as well (mostly on the weekends including myself).

In regards to the "next level maintenance" you are referring to, it is not uncommon for the guys to be rebuilding engines and taking apart Porsche turbos (for example) just to get to the spark plugs.

In terms of pricing for labor, it's best to talk to Andy about it. I actually am getting my brakes replaced soon too, but doing only pads this Saturday. A diff flush is still in the works for me as well. If you are free Saturday, stop by and see what's up from there.

Side note: I do not work for them just a FYI. It may seem like I am trying to sell them to you, and maybe I am a little, but I'm sure you know it's best to come in and talk about it in person and get all the information/your questions/concerns answered on the spot.

I also live in Fremont and if I can't do the work myself, I take it to Performance Technic (P-Tech) in Dublin. If I'm gonna pay someone to do it, I'll drive a little ways and take it to the best. I know Alekshop and Trackspec are right by me, but I'd rather take it to P-Tech over those 2 shops any day. I'm sure Alekshop does great work, but he hasn't quite won me over yet (not super friendly)...and I've heard good things about Trackspec, but they're smoking some good sh*t with the price quotes they've given me for some work done. The only problem I see with P-Tech is that they're always booked which can be a hassle sometimes when you're trying to get stuff done last minute.

dj_dub wrote

I also live in Fremont and if I can't do the work myself, I take it to Performance Technic (P-Tech) in Dublin. If I'm gonna pay someone to do it, I'll drive a little ways and take it to the best. I know Alekshop and Trackspec are right by me, but I'd rather take it to P-Tech over those 2 shops any day. I'm sure Alekshop does great work, but he hasn't quite won me over yet (not super friendly)...and I've heard good things about Trackspec, but they're smoking some good sh*t with the price quotes they've given me for some work done. The only problem I see with P-Tech is that they're always booked which can be a hassle sometimes when you're trying to get stuff done last minute.

I'm glad someone else has had the same experience with Trackspec as I've had. People look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them they're insanely overpriced and I don't like going there.

Elite Performance in Burlingame.
Nothing beats their service.

Sorry to the guys that had bad experience with Trackspec. Trackspec been my go to shop for about a year now they did most of the work on my car from maintenance, installation, suspension tuning and rod bearings. As for the pricing it's fair to a lot better than the few shops i called around to get an estimate for. They have great customer service also the staff there are very friendly and helpful.

Performance Technic in my opinion is the best bmw shop in the bay area. They have bmw master techs on staff, perform maintenance, can build crazy world class builds, and race. If your only looking for basic mods, most shops can accommodate, but if you want to do something more specialized and or want a single shop who can take care of all of your needs, they are the shop.

They also host private track days and events and the customer base is very tight.

Another upvote for Performance Technic from me - this is my go-to shop. I commute 60 miles just to see them, and they've kept me ready to go for each track event I go to - what's not to like? Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

I had Alekshop install my exhaust for me, since that was where I picked it up from, and they did a great job, they seemed pretty friendly to me. It's just farther out from where I live.

+1 for P-Tech

Alekshop is literally down the road from my Apt as he installed jb4 for me on my 335xi. Didn't get any bad vibes and priced reasonably. His M3's pretty bad ass too

Bimmer28312 wrote

Alekshop is literally down the road from my Apt as he installed jb4 for me on my 335xi. Didn't get any bad vibes and priced reasonably. His M3's pretty bad ass too

When I called him to get a quote on a coilover install his price was tons better than what I found in Sacramento ...