We had just moved to Sioux Falls – looking for an auto shop to do oil/filter changes / tire rotations – the usual suspects. J&M had just started to move in and renovate their shop on 41st Street ( 909 W 41st St. – 605-860-5412 ) – I was doing my usual Gary’s gun shop / Great Plains Pawn Shop thing (talk about location-between a pawn shop and a gun shop!) and I noticed the activity. I stopped and talked to the owner about an oil / filter change – he said he wasn’t quite ready yet – the place was a total shambles – but give him a couple weeks to gut the old out and start getting the new in place.
I wish now I had taken some before pics – the remodel / upgrade came out sweet!
Fast forward to now – my old ’17 beater of a Titan was due it’s 40k TLC and a set of tires as well. So I set an appointment and took my old beastie in. Two real pleasant surprises – the actual OEM tires ( matching size / brand / and tread pattern ) were still current production ( Generals ) and when everything was set up – I said I was going to call a cab – surprise number two – the nice young man behind the counter pushed a button on his computer and said your “Free!” ( my favorite price! ) LYFT ride will be here in 5 minutes – and it was! And when they called to say it was done? A LYFT ride showed up to go and get my beastie . . .
What was done to the beastie . . .
Synthetic oil change – lube / oil / filter –
Cabin air filter replacement –
( a real POS to get to! )
Engine air filter replacement –
Replace battery –
( was going to replace it when we moved up here – but – basically forgot – DOH! )
BG Fuel / Air Induction service –
( I have never noticed any improvement with that service – BUT – when I was told that B&G Products had their finger in that pie? Here – take my money – B&G Products is some incredible stuff! – and yes a noticeably smoother power flow from a dead stop )
Mount and balance 4 tires and alignment check –
( no charge for what ended up being a 4 wheel alignment – the tech worked hard on it – ended right up against factory specs – remember when this stuff is mass produced – be it automobiles / industrial machinery / etc everything is set up on a plus/minus basis – so that parts all go together to a factory spec – I hate to say it but basically stick it together and get it out the door . . . the tech got it oh so close to factory – to get the last nudge into factory specs they would have had to the replace eccentric bolts in the suspension then redo the alignment – it ended up close enough enough that it really is not worth the time and money – at some future point it will be done but not now . . . – – and what is this eccentric bolt you speak of?? Go here and start down the rabbit hole if you wish – dealt with them for years in food processing machinery )
Bottom Line? – Without the slightest reservation completely recommend them for your auto service needs – I am quite sure you can find a less expensive place – however – so many times a so called “good buy” is simply a “get by” – straight up front – the only thing keeping your feet from walking down the street? That’s right – your car! And folks – there is money to be lost being late to work – or screwing up a job interview – because of issues with your car – family shindig in Brookings- or whatever – get in the car and go! – don’t worry about it. Take care of your car and it will take care of you. And the better your car is maintained the longer it will work for you and the more value it will retain if you decide to trade it off on a new/used one.
Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!
Guns, Fun, Food and More 