Kip Motor reviews

1549657858

Joshua Cooper

google

2

I recently brought my 1967 Triumph GT6 to Kip Motors to have some work done due to it having sat for too long. I wanted to have it gone through to make sure it was safe to drive as well, since I do most of the work myself and wanted to take the opportunity to have it gone through by a specialist and make sure things were working as they should be. I told them that I had a budget of $3500 and that anything more than that we would need to talk about. They ended up flushing the fuel system, replacing the fuel pump, and rebuilding the carburetors, which needed to be done. They recommended that we flush the clutch and brake lines as well, since I used regular DOT 3 fluid and not the magic British fluid. Fair enough. Partway through the service I received a bill for about $2000, which covered the fuel system, fuel pump and carburetor rebuild. Then they continued and determined that the clutch needed to be flushed and two of the brake wheel cylinders needed to be replaced. After that I picked it up, and received another bill for $3500. No one had ever called to verify that the $2000 overage was okay. I was shocked at the bill, but paid it immediately, and picked the car up. We drove it home, and my thought was that this was a lot more than expected, but at least the work was done, and done properly by a specialist. When we got home, it died while trying to back into the garage and couldn't be restarted. Two days later, I got it started on choke using gas pedal, but when the gas was lifted the car died. I drove it a bit hoping that it was just cold, but it didn't improve. Suddenly the car started making a screaming noise that went away each time the clutch was pressed. I called Kip, and the diagnosis was that the clutch (which they had just worked on and flushed) may be sticking, and should be replaced. Okay. . . those parts weren't replaced, so I couldn't really hold it against them. I would have expected them to find that out while checking out the system, but maybe not. The next day, I noticed a long trail of brake fluid in the garage. I thought it was oil, but while doing some of the other maintenance they suggested (replacing the hub adapters, which led me to discover that the rear knock-off nuts were damaged when Kip's shop removed them to replace the wheel cylinders, apparently with a hammer rather than the wooden knockoff wrench that sits in the back of the car.) I discovered the leak stopped behind the wheel and was coming from one of the new wheel cylinders they had just replaced, which ruined the paint on the axle behind it. Again I called Kip. "Top off the fluid and bring it back, and wheel get it swapped out." I'm not comfortable driving a 60 year old car with failing brakes not knowing how fast the brake fluid is leaking. I'm also not going to pay another $200 in towing to swap out a $15 wheel cylinder 'at no charge'. I emailed Kip to let him know that I would rather pay the $15 and replace the wheel cylinder myself rather than risk the drive over town or pay for a tow, and about the fact that, as of now, I was charged more than $2000 more that I didn't approve to find that I'm having to redo all of the work that the specialist performed on the clutch and brake system. That work, between parts and labor amounted to $1442.15 to replace two wheel cylinders, flush and bleed the brakes, and flush the clutch, which evidently takes a specialist a billed 13 hours to do. I said I realize that a bad experience doesn't equate to a bad shop, but I'm not sure what to do. His response back "I'm sorry you spent more than you hoped on your car, but most of the work was repairing things that you had done improperly. . . knowing what parts to order, recognizing the wrong parts and installing them properly requires a higher level of skill". This is obviously true, since apparently not even they could do it properly in 13 hours. We'll see when the parts get here how long it takes an unskilled amateur. I point out that the car worked fine for years before it was parked.

1515852629

Lisa Jones

google

We are sorry that you are not completely satisfied. Although the mechanical restoration cost more than our recommended budget, you were not asked to pay for the overage. The accessories and cosmetics repairs you desired were not part of the original scope of work agreed upon. You made the decision to pick up the vehicle before our road testing had been completed and it was probably not the best decision to drive the car all the way home on a very cold day in pouring rain.

1515956319

1

I took my 1968 Thunderbird here for restoration. Among the numerous promises that were total lies, the car would be "inspection ready" in about 5 months. In addition to inspection ready, there were other repairs to be made which included replacing all rubber bushings and seals, a new exhaust system and the a/c repaired. The estimated cost was to be between $20,000 and $25,000. When in August, the car was supposed to be finished, Kip stated that it was ready to test drive, however at that time he also informed us of the balance, and he had exceeded the $25,000 mark. It was at that time we were told that the job was billed as time and materials. After voicing our concerns about the cost overruns and lack of communication regarding such, he told us that another $1000 would complete the job, and that would include the new exhaust system. Imaging our surprise when we were told the car was ready the Friday before Christmas, and he had billed another $10,000. Ten thousand, not one thousand. He told us he would accept $1200, but no, the exhaust was not done. At that point, we decided to cut our losses, get the car home and be done with Kip. The car has numerous problems that we were told were fixed. For example, transmission leak, power steering pump leak, windshield leak, gas line leak, radiator leak, lights not working, a/c not working, etc. I could go on and on. And no, the car will not pass inspection. He took 4 months longer than promised and billed $5000 more and still did not complete the initial work he was contracted to do. Unless you have unlimited funds and do not care about quality work, do not stop here. No matter what he tells you, it will not be the truth.

1604545759

David Smittle (Dave)

google

You're so welcome. Thank you. Keep us in mind next time as we have more spares for your MG Magnette.

1625608076

5

Found a radiator hose for a 1958 MG ZB Magnette, thanks!

1587144352

Charles Jones

google

5

Helpful, friendly folks who treat you like family. They offer quality parts most of which won't be found EOM. Prices reflect this scarcity, but the finished product will make a good looking Metropolitan. They graciously fitted a top I got on eBay and which I quickly found myself in over my head. (Your hometown trim shop probably has never heard of these 65 year old cars-- mine hadn't.). They also corrected two mistakes I had made and didn't suggest I take up crochet instead of mechanics.

1485702389

Umeka Wade

google

5

Hes great restoring old German cars and parts