Matt Coyne @ Kassel Rod Bearing (UPDATE Miss-Installed Sprocket Tore into Oil Pan)

[elbert]

I frankly do not see how this thread fixes anything for you unless your goal is hurt a small business via hurtful commentary.

You should re-read the timeline in the original post. This has been going on since the end of September, and the OP wasn't getting anywhere with Matt until he started this thread.

[Icecream]

To be a devils advocate... I just wonder how much of this is just Matt's inexperience in dealing with crisis management. Its much easier to be perfect when youre running a one man operation. But whole different story when youve got technicians working under you and a company to run. I would dare say this is the first time hes dealing with a mistake in his work as big as this. Add in some other variables like recently opening a company and covid etc and youve got a good recipe for bad decisions. Im not saying he's not f**king up royally right now and responsible, but i also know that his talent was quite valuable to the community for years and worth a redemption. Im just hoping he makes the right decisions as things are still playing out as we speak. Cuz lets face it, we as a community need to retain good shops and talented maintainers

I wouldn't say its an experience thing at all (unless Matt is an 18 year old kid), what's right is right and there really isn't any mystery here. He may not have known about it himself though if he has techs doing the work and they kept it from him, in which case I can't hold that part against him. But if he did know and still kept quiet then bad on him. Curious to see what the resolution is. At the end of the day a full rebuild won't cost much to the shop in the long run over ruining their reputation so I don't see what the holdup is.

[02_lsb]

I’ve dealt with Matt dating back when he wrenched cars in his back yard, then his shop at Total ///M car and now with Kassel. He’s worked on my m3, my e61 and wife’s Toyota. If i had an issue, I either addressed it via phone or in person. I can see how an in person chat may be problematic given the OP’s location may not be near York. Don’t get me wrong: This sounds like a big deal, and it is a big deal but it sounds like he’s attempting to fix the mistake regardless of OP’s or other commentary that likely never had to deal with him directly. OP - if you have an issue, you should considering talking to him directly, I frankly do not see how this thread fixes anything for you unless your goal is hurt a small business via hurtful commentary.

[yhp2009]

Interesting, I didnt know there was insurance for this kind of mistakes for shops. But definitely Matt should have told OP asap about the first mishap.
Also, not likely , but i wonder when exactly Matt found out about the f**k up. I dont know how his shop is run, but if a shady tech can sweep stuff like this under a rug and "correct" the mistake on his own, then it would only come to light after stuff like this happens. Some questions there imo

[DropTopKingM3]

Fresh1179 I go by strictly hearsay. Whenever this tuners name gets mentioned I always here the same opinion. If different groups of people who have no affiliation with each other are saying it then it’s got to have some meaning behind it. A lot of people say “he’ll tune your car right if he likes you or if you’re well known”. I’ve come across a few people like this in person and their attitude is completely standoffish! But I’m sure it’s just a NY thing.

[Fresh1179]

yhp2009 I agree. People make mistakes all the time. However, I think it’s pretty bad that you have an element of intent to deceive, or at least a gross omission of a fact that OP would definitely want to know. You don’t have to be versed in crisis management to be forthright when you make a mistake. I’m not blaming the guy or anything like that, you are probably correct in that he is freaking out and fears shelling out for labor/parts etc. To that extent I feel terrible for the guy, but, I would venture to guess that like 99/100 shops, he carries professional liability insurance for events exactly like this.
DropTopKingM3 —That is ....probably the lamest thing I’ve heard in a good long time. Is it based upon how many followers your car has, or how many followers you personally have haha? Regardless, sounds like a person that would be painful to hang out with.

[DropTopKingM3]

yhp2009 i agree but to a certain extent. I’ve seen a lot of “good shops and talented maintainers” go to complete shit. Some of these guys will come out and develop a good rep and then it gets to their head.

For example, a local tuner here in NY made his appearance in the BMW scene a few years ago and his business grew exponentially. The locals as well as Instagram fed his ego to the point where he now lacks professionalism and has become totally cocky. He will only tune your car the right way if you’re well known in the community or have a certain amount of followers on Instagram.

[yhp2009]

To be a devils advocate... I just wonder how much of this is just Matt's inexperience in dealing with crisis management. Its much easier to be perfect when youre running a one man operation. But whole different story when youve got technicians working under you and a company to run. I would dare say this is the first time hes dealing with a mistake in his work as big as this. Add in some other variables like recently opening a company and covid etc and youve got a good recipe for bad decisions. Im not saying he's not f**king up royally right now and responsible, but i also know that his talent was quite valuable to the community for years and worth a redemption. Im just hoping he makes the right decisions as things are still playing out as we speak. Cuz lets face it, we as a community need to retain good shops and talented maintainers

[bmw m3 s50]

do it yourself

Well using that logical, I guess curing COVID-19, Cancer, and HIV while solving the world’s hunger, poverty, and any other issue should be done by oneself.

Wonder why no one thought about that before now and why these problems still exist.

[mcfreid]

Thanks so much everyone for the sympathy and advice. I've been a member of the community since 2015 and I know that occasional stories like this pop up now and again. I always felt bad for the poster but at the same time figured they were rare enough to not happen to me as long as I went with reputable and recommended mechanics. This has been a learning experience.

Since Wednesday when I replied to Matt that I was not comfortable with his suggestion to just replace the bearings and oil pump, I have not heard from him. To be fair, it is the holidays. Tomorrow, once back to work, I'll be reaching out again to Matt and will update here. I can't see how I will have any sense of comfort or confidence in his workmanship unless he
1) Tares down, hot baths, inspects, (polishes/hones if necessary), and cleans, the entire engine from top to bottom.
2) Takes detailed pictures of each part after the hot bath/clean to show it is free from any defects.
3) Offers a significant warranty on the rebuilt engine, including the payments for periodic oil tests to confirm the engine is operating correctly

That's the plan.

If anyone knows Matt personally or professionally, I could really use your input. Please PM me.

I am also considering handing off the engine rebuild to his business partner at Kassel Performance to complete. But, I'm not sure if I'm better off keeping the ownership of the issue under the same person who caused it.

[Andy2424]

do it yourself

[bmw m3 s50]

Great another e46 m3 shop no longer reliable. WTF why is it so hard to find a shop that can reliably work on these cars without any bullshit.

[Bimmer man]

I wouldn’t have it repaired there. They cut corners and hid issues from you once. I wouldn’t have faith that they would suddenly do it by the book on a job they are not getting paid on.

Really sorry to hear, OP.

[TexaZ3]

The fact that this asshole knew about the issue originally, hoped you would go away, and then reluctantly and indifferently explains next steps solidifies that he ain't worth supporting anytime in the future. You're best bet is probably to let him resolve it without further cost to you, further disruption, getting another party involved, and the impossible battle to claw anything back. But then he can fck right off and create an opportunity for someone else to distinguish themselves.

So much this ^

[TexaZ3]

Matt/Kessel should have never even argued with you about anything. Honestly, they should have just offered to do anything, including new engine if needed, for a screw up like this. Nothing, and I repeat - nothing - damages your reputation for hundreds of potential customers as a thread like this. Despite many, many positive experiences, one dud like this will cost you way more than a few thousand $$ you would pay to never have this testimonial come up on a board like this.