ICS Automotive Machines in Pittsburgh is the machine shop that would be on the Andy Griffith Show because they provide small-hometown service, reasonable prices and quality work. The work is only done by the two business owners. Engine was a BMW S54 from a 2004 M3.
I called several shops and one told me that he would not touch my engine for $1 million dollars. Another was too busy and a third shop hung up on me. I choose ICS because Bob spent time discussing their work on the phone. I drove almost 2 hours to Pittsburgh and Bob explained their process for 30 minutes and showed me the blown head gasket that caused the low compression in the cylinders.
I explained my budget to Bob. So, he called after he accessed the engine to provide the options and prices for the head, crank, and block but I was not sure about the valve job because of my budget. Therefore, Bob tested the head for leaks and called me back and told me that the head did not currently need a valve job. I decided not to do the valves but changed my mind within 24 hours because I was not sure how long the valve seats would last on a head with 186,000 miles. Bob reduced the price of the valve job by at least 25% from the quoted price.
AFTER I RECEIVED THE ENGINE FROM ICS
I told Bob that the piston rings from online retailers were expensive at $732 - $834. So, I ordered racing pistons with the rings from an online retailer for $823 and Bob told me that I would not be happy with pistons containing 2618 alloy. Therefore, I canceled the online order and Bob ordered the rings for me at only $107. The correct rings for the engine were sent but they did not meet the specs. So, he provided a refund and spent 90 minutes on Hastings's website searching for the correct piston rings. Bob asked his distributor about NPR rings after I told him that I found NPR rings in England. Unfortunately, I had to purchase the rings in Europe because NPR USA does not manufacture the rings.
My bank is an hour and half drive from my location but the bank is close to ICS. So, Bob offered to deposit the check for the piston-rings refund at the bank on his drive home.
Additionally, Bob spent over 2 hours on the phone, at least 2 hours attempting to find piston rings to save me money, and at least 1 - 2 hours replying to my emails for no charge.
I also heard about an instance when Bob drove 45 minutes to help someone after they installed their engine. Bob determined that the issue was the newly rebuilt carburetor from a different company. So, he called a friend who is a carburetor expert who fixed the carburetor for free.
ICS Automotive Machines in Pittsburgh does great and honest machine work at a fair price but I wanted to show that they care about others, will do their best to keep the cost within budget, and go out of their way to help others. read more
