Bobby Rahal BMW in South Hills, PA -- Review

[Hornung418]

This past September, I went in for my free Subframe Inspection at the aforementioned dealership and everything worked out in the end, but not without some frugality on my part...

I was (and currently, still am) experiencing the famous 'Clunk' under transfer of load. I had mentioned before they took it back that I had a clunk, and that I would like some further guidance on where to look. So upon returning from the work bay, quickly after sitting in the waiting room, I asked the Head Mechanic if he could show me what exactly they did. I was under the impression they had to drop the exhaust, so when they came back so quickly I wanted to make sure that they just didn't give it a once over.

They pulled it back into the bay and put it up on the lift. I was allowed to give it a visual inspection with them and they told me to check the driveshaft-guibo and center mount bearing, insuring me that they didn't find any play in the four rear sub-frame bushings and the three differential bushings. So after messing around under the car trying to pinpoint the clunk they lowered it and I began to walk into the lobby to get my paper work. I'm almost to the door and I just hear this terrible screeching noise. I turn around expecting the worst and sure enough, there's my car sitting on something with the rear wheels in mid air.

I immediately felt that something terrible had been damaged and that my vacation to Erie, PA would be set back a few hours. Turns out the only damage that occurred was inflicted to the aft-most exhaust-support bracket. Everything was taken care of and the situation was clearly explained. When the car was being driven back off the lift, it had been lowered a bit too much and my car was forced to ride up on the sliding jack, bending the support bracket.

I'll never forget how disappointed the Head Mechanic was.
"Your free inspection ended up costing me money!"

I'll definitely be back. I've bought a windshield washer fluid pump from them before and I think they have a Performance CAI chillin on the parts counter display...

http://www.bobbyrahalbmw.com/index.htm

[Oli77]

You leave me dangling like that and we still don't know where that clunk is coming from?

I too have the clunk mobile on changing torque. I personally think its the read diff bushing for me. Someday I'll find out too.

[billschusteriv]

My father has nothing but rave reviews for the Bobby Rahal Honda dealer in Mechanicsburg, PA. Apparently a line of well managed dealerships with a focus on customer service.

Looking forward to hearing more (or less - hehe) about the clunk.

[Johnmadd]

Bobby Rahal is in indy car racing if anybody doesn't know.

[Hornung418]

Clunk spawns from the rear diff bushing. Jim (ZSP-Mafia) has tackled it as a DIY. I will have to wait to get the kit this summer, but it's on the to-do list. I need a torque wrench rated for 120+ lb/ft...and a lift...so when I meet those criteria I will be sure to get a good picture of the 'death clunk.'

Brian328i, a Canadian, completed the job in 16 hours with out a break, in the freezing cold and rain.

[MrMaico]

Bobby Rahal is in indy car racing if anybody doesn't know.

As well as (partnered with David Letterman) running two BMW M3's in ALMS racing.....