Mrf engineering delays and issues

[roastbeef]

sounds like a complex job and he has already started doing some work for you. did he crack the first motor that was supposed to be the replacement and find it was no good? then had to source another motor and some parts? a couple months seems reasonable for a job like this with complications...

[Mjlevine]

Originally Posted by DanMpower

Any updates? Did you get your car back on the 27th as promised?

Also, the first quote for $3700, was for the RB job? If so it seems like the prices went way up.

Got the car back the 27th he quoted me for lower originally and then that $3,700 was a mistake I don’t believe that message was originally for me

[Mjlevine]

Originally Posted by Camnyc

Ill play devils advocate, there is always 3 sides to a story. Im not a customer of Malek’s but hes taken my calls and has provided guidance without hesitation.

Does the op live in the area? Why not drive down/up to check on the progress when you didnt hear back. All good shops these days are booked out atleast 3months for any kind of labor intensive work. I bet mrf is booked out 4-6 months. So your car going in for an rb job (knowing that the motor was knocking - kinda sb on your part and you are partially to blame as a result) now needs a replacement motor, you usually move to the back of the line, or you get squeezed in as permitted. And you are working with a perfectionist, so hes going to want to make sure the replacement motor is up to his standards and then perform what ever services necessary. This unfortunately takes time, and Im willing to bet this is why you took your car to him.


I say all of that to say this, go in person and talk to him if the timeline is causing you this much concern.

Good luck with the build.

Sorry for the late reply but I was under the impression that the previous owner had rb’s done and didn’t think it could’ve been a spun bearing I had originally sent him videos of the sound and he said it could need new bearings and sent it up to diagnose the sound I had looked around to find someone somewhat local to the area I’m in San Diego so it’s about 2hrs away and my current work schedule is 12hr days as a chef so I wasn’t able to make it up especially within his hours and I wasn’t made aware of it being a one man shop until much later when I checked a few forum post from a few years ago and how busy he was however after getting the car back the lip is cracked (most likely the tow truck driver but didn’t crack while loading the car from my house), something appears to have spilled on the headlight and etched into it, and the ac is not blowing cold after engine swap so might’ve not filled it all the way

[Mjlevine]

Originally Posted by Camnyc

Ill play devils advocate, there is always 3 sides to a story. Im not a customer of Malek’s but hes taken my calls and has provided guidance without hesitation.

Does the op live in the area? Why not drive down/up to check on the progress when you didnt hear back. All good shops these days are booked out atleast 3months for any kind of labor intensive work. I bet mrf is booked out 4-6 months. So your car going in for an rb job (knowing that the motor was knocking - kinda sb on your part and you are partially to blame as a result) now needs a replacement motor, you usually move to the back of the line, or you get squeezed in as permitted. And you are working with a perfectionist, so hes going to want to make sure the replacement motor is up to his standards and then perform what ever services necessary. This unfortunately takes time, and Im willing to bet this is why you took your car to him.


I say all of that to say this, go in person and talk to him if the timeline is causing you this much concern.

Good luck with the build.

Ac is under warranty and appreciate the post and pov

[Mjlevine]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

sounds like a complex job and he has already started doing some work for you. did he crack the first motor that was supposed to be the replacement and find it was no good? then had to source another motor and some parts? a couple months seems reasonable for a job like this with complications...

I agree with the amount of time it took looking back however my issue was the provided dates that he thought it’d be ready and the lack of replys and text I understand now it’s and one man show and his words at the time were “I I sent the one they sent me back and sourced you a better one for the same money. I wasn’t happy with the one I sourced, it looked a little dirty and my OCD didn’t sit well with it”

[Mjlevine]

Originally Posted by rGTIedge

You guys do know that Lang is just down the street from MRF, right…?

Haven’t heard about them yet barely just found Mrf would be happy to learn more about them

[TNTMYM3]

Most of my top upgrades and maintenance work came out of MRF’s garage. MRF solid aluminum subframe bushings, BE rod bearings, KW 3way suspension, Dinan frt sway bar, ft spherical monoball control arm kit. I would DIY if I was even half as much a perfectionist as Malek but I’m not.

[MPG_LOL]

I've done a fair amount of work with MRF, but nothing as major as an engine swap.
In general, he isn't 'easy' to get in touch with but he does follow up and does as promised.
He is a one man band pretty much as others have said.

It's up to you to determine if the communication is a deal breaker

[SunnyD]

I've just wrapped up my experience with MRF/Malek, and I'll summarize it as being one of the worst experiences I've had with a car and yes, Malek was definitely part of the reason for that. I'm contemplating creating a separate thread to document everything that happened, but for now if anyone is thinking of using MRF and wants one man's experience and opinion, I'm happy to respond via PM and share.

[Mjlevine]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

I've just wrapped up my experience with MRF/Malek, and I'll summarize it as being one of the worst experiences I've had with a car and yes, Malek was definitely part of the reason for that. I'm contemplating creating a separate thread to document everything that happened, but for now if anyone is thinking of using MRF and wants one man's experience and opinion, I'm happy to respond via PM and share.

I’d make a thread if I were you don’t worry about all the people coming at you for making a post I’m sure others have had issues and are willing to share

[rGTIedge]

Originally Posted by SunnyD

I've just wrapped up my experience with MRF/Malek, and I'll summarize it as being one of the worst experiences I've had with a car and yes, Malek was definitely part of the reason for that. I'm contemplating creating a separate thread to document everything that happened, but for now if anyone is thinking of using MRF and wants one man's experience and opinion, I'm happy to respond via PM and share.

I’m interested as well. I was just about to call them to schedule some work. I’m a long time Lang customer, but my guy Darryl just left, so I was looking for a new shop. OC Motorwerks never followed up with me after calling and asking them for a quote twice.

[911r]

Originally Posted by TNTMYM3

Most of my top upgrades and maintenance work came out of MRF’s garage. MRF solid aluminum subframe bushings, BE rod bearings, KW 3way suspension, Dinan frt sway bar, ft spherical monoball control arm kit. I would DIY if I was even half as much a perfectionist as Malek but I’m not.

I’ve seen a lot of people call Malek a “perfectionist” … I would disagree with that. His shop is clean, yes. He has lots of E9x M3 knowledge, yes. Is he a great mechanic? I’m sure.

My car came back from his shop (multiple times) with lose, and missing bolts. I have had multiple friends have similar experiences.

Shit happens. I get it. But from references and comments such as yours, I was expecting perfection—and simply did not get it.

To OP—“Kaiv” (Kevin) / @limited.slip on Instagram is a true perfectionist. Go through his instagram and you’ll see his quality of work. He’s local to San Diego. I highly recommend having him go through your car to see if Malek missed anything / recharge the AC, etc.

[SunnyD]

Originally Posted by 911r

I’ve seen a lot of people call Malek a “perfectionist” … I would disagree with that. His shop is clean, yes. He has lots of E9x M3 knowledge, yes. Is he a great mechanic? I’m sure.

My car came back from his shop (multiple times) with lose, and missing bolts. I have had multiple friends have similar experiences.

Shit happens. I get it. But from references and comments such as yours, I was expecting perfection—and simply did not get it.

To OP—“Kaiv” (Kevin) / @limited.slip on Instagram is a true perfectionist. Go through his instagram and you’ll see his quality of work. He’s local to San Diego. I highly recommend having him go through your car to see if Malek missed anything / recharge the AC, etc.

100% my experience too - I had missing brake wear sensors, hoses that were not put back correctly that led to coolant leaks, etc.

[LOW4LYF]

Southern California is full of great shops, you guys have all the choices.