Looking for a good mechanic

Hello all! This is my first post and I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Benjamin Peterson and I recently purchased a 1993 348. I'm fairly new to the online Ferrari community and have so many questions. My 348 is due for service and I'm looking for a reputable shop to work on my car. I've considered using Ferrari of Atlanta, but I was wondering if there were any good shops in the Charleston area or any places I should avoid? I understand there are two different shops in around Charleston and I'm looking for feedback on which is better.
Thanks Everyone!

BP

 

Ben,

Congratulations on the purchase! There is only one mechanic that touches my 360 and that is Karl Troy at European Road and Racing. (843)747-1342

I won't say anything about any other shops in the area except that I would HIGHLY recommend you call the number above.

Curt

 

Agree 100%. Call Karl and you won't be disappointed.

 

+ 1

We can hook you up with a wealth manager too that can show you how to save some $ at said mechanic!!

 

Another Vote for Karl @ European ROAD & RACING.

 

Hello Mate and welcome to the wonderful world of Ferrari. I would like to recommend my good friend Karl at European Road and Race in Charleston, SC. Since I am a major customer and sponsor, be sure to mention the Hedges client discount and get $900 off of your next service. You will also recieve a coupon for a free portfolio analysis while you wait. Cheers!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Wow, thanks for the replies everyone! I didn't expect input so soon. Sounds like Karl is the way to go.

Are these guys any good?
European Motorsports and Imports
www.emi-sc.com

BP

 

Ummm, no votes for them that I see above. Karl @ European Road and Race is a straight shooting, honest hard working individual, nuff said.

 

ABSOLUTELY STAY AWAY FROM EUROPEAN MOTORSPORTS AND IMPORTS!!!!!

Shady business practices, numerous lawsuits and loan scams are just the start. There are several threads throughout FChat highlighting in greater detail some of the horror stories.

Perhaps others will chime in with their own personal story but I sent my 355 up to EMI and it took 5 months to finish the major and I had water pump belt snap within 24 hours of being returned to me. Pretty embarrassing being stranded on the Savannah Highway. I was so furious. I had also just had my car detailed prior to service and it was returned to me as if it had been sitting under a pollen filled tree for years and there were grease finger prints all over the car.

The owners of EMI are also big fans of asking clients for money with a ponzi scheme promising higher returns. I was asked to "donate" $40,000 and guaranteed a return of $60,000 within 60 days. (I wonder if the folks at EMI and Kev Hedges have a partnership?)

Take everyone's advice and avoid some of the mistakes some of us have made.

Stick with Karl, he won't steer you wrong.

 

One more vote for Karl Troy, well worth your extra miles

 

Well, I was trying to be a little less outspoken, but , WHAT HE SAID!

 

I'm starting to see general theme here. Looks like I'll be putting a call into European Road and Racing. Thanks for the input everyone!

Just out of curiosity, if EMI is so bad, how do they continue to stay in business?

 

It is a very small world in the exotic car community. We know plenty, trust me/us on that, and you can lead a horse to water...but you know the rest of the story. Maybe some more folks will chime in now on past experiences with EMI. Karl rules-end of story.

 

Bat Signal to NOLA. Bat Signal to NOLA

 

Welcome to the brotherhood! I fired mine up in Anderson Saturday night. Did you hear it?

 

Karl Troy is by far the best mechanic (and driver), even though he just had a birthday and is really old and feeble now........but I think he still knows how to handle a wrench. It's best if you speak really loudly to him so he can hear ya...........Eh?!

 

Karl and his team at ERR have been caring for my cars for 14 years now. That kind of longevity of relationship comes from consistently good service (both customer and mechanical) and good value.

Note that I said value and not price - they are not the same. Many here have gone elsewhere to save a few bucks and been burned. Karl is by no means expensive for his expertise, but there's always someone out there willing to do the job a little cheaper. But I've never heard it done better.

Can't say enough good things about European Road & Racing.

 

Congrats on the car! These cars are the best.

Karl just finished working on my '89 Mondial T. He did an absolutely outstanding job!

Karl Troy for sure!!

 

Karl Troy at European Road and Racing is the only guy to go to, as far as I am concerned. I have heard NOTHING good about EMI...everything I have heard has already been mentioned here.

CG brought up a good point...price and value are different. But you get them both with Karl...great service and a more than fair price, which equates to excellent value. He will go above and beyond to make sure you are happy...I mean with servicing cars I think the local Ford dealer charges more per hour.

 

Ben, welcome to the Ferrari world and Fchat which are both loaded with wonderful individuals and enthusiasts.
Thank you all for the encouraging words. I'm far from being the best mechanic (there are some real gurus out there, way better than me) but it's comments like the ones above that make me strive each day to be the best I can.

Karl

 

+1

 

This is a far greater compliment than it would appear. Since Tom is being affably humble, I can tell you that he is also an extremely talented and experienced Ferrari technician.

Since mechanics are like contractors, wherein they usually start sentences about each other with "Well, that's not the way _I_ would have done it..." you can understand why such a concise recommendation carries significant weight...

 

Charles, Tom is one of the gurus I was referring to. He and I communicate often and are eager to help one another if the need arises.

Karl

 

Dammit!!!

I've had work done there before on my F355. Never heard any horror stories, never had a problem with the service, except once when it took me 6 weeks to get my F355 back for an engine out service. But NOW I try calling them because they were supposed to be restoring my Porsche 356B for me; no answer. I called Chris Felber's cell numbers; no answer. I looked up his number in the white pages; no answer. I've noticed he's deactivated his facebook account as well.

Does ANYONE have a lead on this guy??? 2 months ago I was there, saw my car with the engine removed because they were supposed to be doing a rebuild. Chris wasn't there, but the lady there gave me his **new** cell number. He answered and said the parts were at "the machine shop" and that the build would be done 3 weeks from that point. Now.... well you know the deal.

I've found some legal documents against his father from 2010. I'm going to call the law office on these documents in hopes of learning something.

--Nick

 

+1