Best Socal Tuning Shops (Top 3)

[shrimpp5]

Being in Orange County, European Auto Source was the closest shop I was able to find to my home through the forums. Not familiar with the BMW community since I came from a Japanese car, I had my reservations but figured everybody's suggestion on the forums couldn't do me wrong. Boy, am I glad to have met the EAS staff. Tom, Steve, Sam, Henry, and Robert always welcomes me and are very helpful even when I need to drop by last minute. Even after experiencing many other shops in the past, I don't care to take my M3 to any other shop than EAS to get work done. I've gotten everything done here and the work has always been top notch, with amazing customer service to top it off.

European Auto Source, the best in Orange County. If people are travelling from everywhere in the state to visit these guys, there must be a damn good reason.

1. eas
2. EAS
3. European Auto Source.

[dj_dub]

Originally Posted by redEYEjedi

Wow now that is commitment. Do you save up a huge pile of parts and bring them all down to install at once?

Pretty much, or just buy everything from them and have them install it since they can pretty much get anything I want. Saves me time and money. I'm scheduled to get an Akra Exhaust, Mastermind X-Pipe, Pulleys, ESS Tune, and OEM Electronic Performance Steering Wheel installed early next month...I can't freakin wait!! See you soon EAS!

[redEYEjedi]

I definitely feel I missed out on visiting EAS when I was in a meeting next door..

[Orange fever]

1). Southbay Autohaus in Hawthorne
2). EAS
3). Too many to list Lol

[redEYEjedi]

Sounds like M3post has spoken. EAS and MRF??

Would love to see if we could get a meet setup at each of these awesome vendors so other members can learn about these guys..

[Hujan]

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned about Malek and MRF is the way he prioritizes honesty over a sale. For example, I called him asking about the M Performance Exhaust. While I was on the phone with him, he checked (1) the classifieds here on M3Post, (2) Turner, and (3) Tischer, and told me that Tischer had it for cheaper than he (Malek) could get it for me and encouraged me to go with Tischer.* That's honesty and going above and beyond for a prospective customer.

Similarly, when I called him to ask about what changes I needed to make to my brakes to make them track-worthy, he said that one option was just to go with SS lines, fluid, and pads, but that, no matter what, I should drive the car stock a couple of times before making any changes.

Bottom line is that the dude prioritizes customer satisfaction and honest advice over making a sale. That is all too rare in today's world and is EXACTLY what you want in your mechanic and aftermarket-parts retailer. The guy is almost too good to be true.

*For the record, I've had iND do the same thing for me.

[M3ANMACHINE]

GSR Autosport in Lake Forest is LEGIT! I take my car to them for just about everything now! Justin, Michael and the guys do great work and always help you out when needed. Highly recommended!

So My list would contain the following:

1. GSR Autosport

2. Platteforme A.G.

3. EAS

[redEYEjedi]

So how about paint/body shops? Any good suggestions for that? Unfortunately the majority of mentioned shops don't do paint and body work.

[Orange fever]

Best in the business
http://www.candccollision.com/

Originally Posted by redEYEjedi

So how about paint/body shops? Any good suggestions for that? Unfortunately the majority of mentioned shops don't do paint and body work.

[USCTrojanMan29]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

GSR Autosport in Lake Forest is LEGIT! I take my car to them for just about everything now! Justin, Michael and the guys do great work and always help you out when needed. Highly recommended!

+1...they service my GT3. Great guys to deal with.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by USCTrojanMan29

+1...they service my GT3. Great guys to deal with.

Please tell me that that's your black 996 GT3 that I've seen in there a couple times in the past few weeks!!! It's so epic

[USCTrojanMan29]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

Please tell me that that's your black 996 GT3 that I've seen in there a couple times in the past few weeks!!! It's so epic

No, I wish. I have a white 997 GT3. It was there on Wednesday getting a set of new NT01s and a brake fluid flush in preparation for Buttonwillow this weekend. I'll drop it off Monday morning so they can change out the tranny and diff fluids.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by USCTrojanMan29

No, I wish. I have a white 997 GT3. It was there on Wednesday getting a set of new NT01s and a brake fluid flush in preparation for Buttonwillow this weekend. I'll drop it off Monday morning so they can change out the tranny and diff fluids.

Oh gotcha, very cool!

[klrgoten]

I've only had minor work done to my M4 but EAS has been great for even the little things. No complaints.

[X5M_Midwest]

Sorry to bump a post but what's the best bodyshop that does custom work in s.cal

[JEllis]

I had a great experience with West Coast Specialties in San Diego. They are the local Ferrari and Porsche body shop but do some custom stuff including my CF boot lid and Varis wing installation.

[redEYEjedi]

I think Strassesport in Irwindale should be added to this list.

Ivan's definitely a great BMW specialist and actually works on the cars himself!