Mid Coast Performance RIPOFF!! - GTcarz - Automotive forums for cars & trucks.

10-11-2008 | 02:05 PM

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Mid Coast Performance RIPOFF!!

This started on Jan. 2008. I had talked to the owners son Kurt Borton of MCP (Mid Coast Performance) in Jan. 08 about installing a new Ford Crate Motor in my 1993 Mustang .I had Purchased the engine directly from Ford and had it shipped to MCP.They agreed to install the engine for a base price of $600. Kurt said there would be additional cost to do this. I listed some of the things I new to be extra,such as installing a new fuel pump,installing a new alternator that has 3 different wires that had to be wired.They assured me it was no big deal and they hads done it before.I had them remove the brackets for 3 accesories.The power steering pump, the alternator and the A/c compressor bracket so they could be shipped out for Powdercoating along with the Intake manifold which would be taken off the engine anyway (there would be no extra charges).I paid them $200 for the powdercoating job, which was fine.I stopped in several times in the next 2-3 weeks to look at my car and take pictures.Things seemed to be good to this point.I also brought them a new clutch to be installed which they said is no big deal and really wouldnt cost extra since the old one would come out anyway and the new one would just go back on inplace of the old.I also brought them a new Mass air meter which takes a few minutes to relpace. I had them also replace 2 small heater hoses that, very easy to get to while engine is out. I also had them install a new Clutch cable, Clutch adjuster kit and firewall adj., Fuel pressure regulator,and fuel gauge. about $1000 in parts. On Fri.2/ /08 I went in to see my car and they advised me they had a problem with the car. They took me into the shop and said they could get the car to run but it only had 1" of vac. at idle and it was back firing. They said they didnt know what was wrong that they had work Thurs. and Friday trying to figure it out. Gene ensured me it was nothing they had done, that the engine had a bent valve or something wrong internally. I asked Kurt, did you check the timing? Did you check the for vacuum leaks the intake? He said they pulled the intake off 3 times to see if it was that but its not. They said they checked everything. Why didnt they call me on Thurs. or Ford racing where I bought the engine. Why waste 2 days looking with out contacting me? So I called afreind who is a Mechanic and works on Mustang engines. He asked me if they did a compression check which would tell you if you had a bad valve. I said no. He asked me if they check several other things (they never mentioned that they check the things he said to check. I asked if he would mind coming over to just look to see anything obvious. He said sure. Sat. 2/? /08 He came to the shop and started looking when we were questioned what we were doing? I said wjust looking to see if we could see anything that did look right. My freind got a little snippy with questions and Gene told us to leave his shop. I shouldnt have brought him in. But when the main Mechanic tells me he isnt sure whats going on with my car I have serious concern with what they are doing. I talked to several Mechs and they said they should have done a compression check to insure what they thought might be the problem. Its a simple check istead of wasting 2 days on what they were doing. I also wanted to note that Sat. Morning when I came into the shop first without the Mech. Kurt asked If I had thought of anything new they could check. So at this point I didnt think they would be too upset if I brought in outside help.I went back in the shop and told Gene I was sorry that I did that and that I told my freind that it was not a good thing that he got a little short with the owner. Gene told me no one will be allowed in the shop from this point on. But we left what I thought was under good terms.Sunday evening I recieved an email form Kurt stating That I had 2 options.1 was to pay my invoice off and let them continue working,the other was to pay it and take my car and leave. They sent me an invoice for $3847.42.With $1023.18 for parts So $2824.24 for Labor and my car wasnt running right to this point.I was shocked to say the least. On the Mon. following I called Ford Racing. They said its a common problems with shops to have this problem, it was because they were using the wrong intake gasket. Which would cause they exact symptoms they were experiecing.I emailed MCP to let them know about this. I asked them what intake gasket set they used and they said they were not sure because it came in a gasket set. I told them Ford said to use a Fel-Pro 1262s-3 Gasket. No work was done on my car as of thurs of the same week Kurt said. So I went in Fri with my dad to install the hood and get my car out of there. This ended with the owner yelling and running toward my dad saying "WHO ARE YOU".I stood up and said thats my dad. He told my dad to leave the shop. all my dad asked was "Whos the customer here?" I said that was a stupid thing to do and that I wanted to pay for my car and leave with it. Gene said "No you cant have your car. I said I will pay and take my car he sadi Cash only!!No check and credit card.He stated I signed a payper stating that.I said show me he did so I said I 'll be back Sat. with cash and get my car.I ended up getting a new Invoice for over $4500. Which I argued that was crazy they said I owed for Axles at $300 plus $25 shipping. I said I wouldnt pay that,that I was given a quote of $180 for the axles and that all I would pay. They said since I was coming into pay for the car tomorrow they would give me axles for no charge. What?? OK, thats weird. So the new Invoice was for $4276.33. Due the way the owner acted to me and my Dad I called St. Peters police and asked for an escort while I was at the shop to pick up my car on Sat. 2/ /08. One of the officers said they new of the shop and problems with them. He had to escort a man just a few weeks ago due to being overcharged $500. he additional cost thrown on my new invoice will tell you something about them. They charged me $120 for disposing of my 5 ouarts of oil and many other lame charges just to drive my bill up. They were very ignorant to my wife and me in front of the Police officers.I asked to hear my car they said "no",not until I paid.I said I want to see my car first. They said No not until I paid. After I paid they shoved my car out into the street. I had it towed to a shop with AAA.I have talked to Pundmann Ford and I gave the invoice on my car and they said they cant see anymore than 19.5 hrs of labor for this project. The shop was at 33hrs of labor and my car didnt even run. I cant even tall you all the lies they have said and I have my son and my dad as witness.I have 1 other quote and 2 more coming. Northwest auto will be sending me one. They were absolutely shocked at they way they charge me for a very simple engine swap with minor items that needed to be changed. They told me no more that $1500 for this job. Pundmann Ford was at $2000 labor with the car running. This shop got me for almost $3000 in labor and they didnt get it running. I feel really ripped off. They lied to me several times. I can t tell you what a nightmare this has been for my wife and I. I have all the emails for almost everything stated. I would like to get some of my money back for this. They build race cars for people all over the country. LET PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THESE GUYS. I have talked to so many people who say they were ripped off by them.

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