Great SoCal "M" resource!

[mtrhed]

Big "Thumbs Up" to Kevin(Kaiv on M3Forums)!

It was once again time for a valve adjustment/Vanos inspection. PM'd Kaiv and received a very prompt reply and set an appointment for the next day. Kevin was cool enough to swing by my place at the arranged time and got right to it. Very professional, knowledgeable and personable! This is the second time he has done the valves on my car and 25k of hard miles after the first time he did them, all were still in spec. He also did a thorough visual and "wobble test" of the Vanos exhaust hub tabs and intake hub. All good for now! I usually do most of my own work, but really respect his experience with this engine. I was going to attempt a Vanos overhaul on my own down the road but he quoted me a price that will be hard to pass up when the time comes.

Can't say enough good things about the guy and the services he offers to the enthusiast community in SoCal!

[XMetal]

Kevin did my valve adjustments/hubs check along with all the fluids earlier this year as well. A very good mechanic. He's very proficient at it that make it appeared as though he can do the adjustments with his eyes closed. He explained everything to me while he was performing the service, which makes me comfortable enough to try to attempt to perform the adjustment myself, should I choose to. But why would I when Kevin's around? We are very lucky to have him in our area. Awesome services and very reasonable price.

I think I see your Alpine roadster (picture in Kevin's thread on M3Forums)? Mine's the Imola coupe in that tread.

[itdnwiwbp]

Thanks for the tip, guys! Where is Kevin located? I may have to travel to him when the time comes in a few thousand miles.

Edit: And how did you find him? I'm assuming there are other threads singing his praises or advertising his services and experience?

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by itdnwiwbp

Thanks for the tip, guys! Where is Kevin located? I may have to travel to him when the time comes in a few thousand miles.

Edit: And how did you find him? I'm assuming there are other threads singing his praises or advertising his services and experience?

Kevin is located in San Diego...practically in your backyard. You can go to him or he can come to you (for a small "gas money" fee). He was on this forum for a tiny bit, but I don't think he hangs out here any more. Sign up on M3forums and ping him over there. Here's his long-running list of happy customers if you're skeptical => http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=352554

[itdnwiwbp]

Thanks, Ken! Not necessarily skeptical. I just like to know who's touching my car. I feel the same way about any Indie shop.

[mtrhed]

Hey Guys!

I HATE letting anyone work on my cars, let alone come by my place to do it!!! But, Kevin is the shit! There is a 50+, maybe 70+ page thread on the M3Forum praising his skills, character, and work ethic that I read all the way through and only found one guy with a gripe. Turns out his gripe was really baseless and he was kind of trying treat Kevin like a servant instead of a great guy providing a valued service to community for some extra cash. Based on that thread I gave him a call and couldn't be happier with his work. Not just because of the price/value but because I could tell right away he knew his stuff and was a cool fellow enthusiast. I believe he calls San Diego home and if you arrange it you can bring your car to him or arrange something else but I wouldn't hesitate to use his services. I wish all transactions were as enjoyable. He should be on Angie's List!

[mtrhed]

Originally Posted by XMetal

Kevin did my valve adjustments/hubs check along with all the fluids earlier this year as well. A very good mechanic. He's very proficient at it that make it appeared as though he can do the adjustments with his eyes closed. He explained everything to me while he was performing the service, which makes me comfortable enough to try to attempt to perform the adjustment myself, should I choose to. But why would I when Kevin's around? We are very lucky to have him in our area. Awesome services and very reasonable price.

I think I see your Alpine roadster (picture in Kevin's thread on M3Forums)? Mine's the Imola coupe in that tread.

Hi XMetal!
Yep, that's my Roadie! I gotta go check that thread and thank him for coming by and check out your car!

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by mtrhed

Hi XMetal!
Yep, that's my Roadie! I gotta go check that thread and thank him for coming by and check out your car!

hehe...my car looked sad in that thread since it's on jackstands

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by itdnwiwbp

Thanks, Ken! Not necessarily skeptical. I just like to know who's touching my car. I feel the same way about any Indie shop.

Rest assured, It could not be in better hands with Kevin. Actually, I trust him more than a couple of indies that I used.

[itdnwiwbp]

Everything about this sounds great. Being able to be there, learning how to do it and saving some money at the same time. Don't need a valve adjustment for a few thousand miles but I'm definitely gonna hit Kevin up to help me with my headers whenever I get around to mailing them to Nitroplate.

[Yvette]

man I need to go to california this summer to reach him.

[i2ichal2dZ4M]

+1 for Kev! He did my valve adjustment Saturday while I kicked backed and drank some beers lol. Seeing how detailed/OCD Kevin is ill let him work on my car without and hesitation. Plus if I were to ever attempt to adjust my own valves, I would have nightmares about dropping a shim ... lol

[mtrhed]

Cool!

He must have been doing your car before he came over and did mine! I was having coffee with a wee bit o the irish and chatting with him about his e36 m3/s54 swap. Perfect saturday afternoon at home! Great sunday morning drive knowing my s54 wasn't going to grenade any time soon.... Also loving my AST/Swift/Vorschlag coilovers. I'm in my happy place!

[i2ichal2dZ4M]

Originally Posted by mtrhed

Cool!

He must have been doing your car before he came over and did mine! I was having coffee with a wee bit o the irish and chatting with him about his e36 m3/s54 swap. Perfect saturday afternoon at home! Great sunday morning drive knowing my s54 wasn't going to grenade any time soon.... Also loving my AST/Swift/Vorschlag coilovers. I'm in my happy place!

sounds about right! he did two cars at my house from 10-3 or so. The sigh of relief when valve cover comes off any the tabs are not broken is aweomse!

[Walkurie]

Much appreciated! Will keep him in mind for future work. Have heard of him but have now saved his info.