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Let Clear the Air here Once and For all

Joined
4 April 2006
Messages
386
Location
Woodbine Md
All:




I recently heard things about me that upset me and prompted this post. In particular, I understand that some people think that I replace parts unnecessarily and are telling owners in the area not to use me for service because of this. I take HUGE issue with that.




As many of you know, I have run a shop in Maryland called Daisy Import Auto Care for quite some time (I opened it in 1993), and have been a member of Prime since 2006. I don't post much but have tried to help people out from time to time, and occasionally post parts for sale. I had an NSX that I restored, after having stripped it down to the last bolt. It was a labor of love for me and I built it back up with a number of Zanardi and type-R parts. Selling it was one of the hardest things I have done but, as many of you know, life sometimes requires that. I have worked on NSXs since 1995




When I evaluate an NSX, I recommend replacing items that are known to fail. Take, for example, the main relay. Some people recommend carrying one around as a spare; I believe you should replace it before it fails and I therefore recommend that. Sometimes, people are surprised with advice like this. This thread is such a case. I stand by my belief, but of course you will make your own decisions. Another example is the thermostat. I believe that thermostats should be replaced when they are more than 10 years old. It is not an expensive part and does not require a lot of work to put in (although I do like to use the Mugen thermostat because it is better than the OE

We also Send Fuel injectors to RC Engineering for cleaning and calibration, you get a before and after sheet with flow rates and condition, most are dripping and spray patterns are bad , remember these are 20 plus year old cars




Prime members have noted that taking an NSX to me can be expensive. For example, this post, although as you will see, that thread is also full of people who support my work. This post is another example, where someone appears to have something against me (and I took issue with it). I continue to believe that these cars deserve top-notch maintenance, and that is what I strive to provide. Parts are not inexpensive but I believe I am fair with my assessments and with what I charge for my time.




I don't claim to be mistake free. But I have worked on NSXs for a long time and I care about them deeply. Every time I see a new NSX in my shop, I want to bring it to its best condition. Many people bring their NSX to me with exactly that in mind, and agree that I provide what they are looking for. I also perform PPIs for potential purchasers, and like to think that I am able to identify many potential issues that others overlook. And for those of you who have something break and want to fix only that, I will do that too. I just won't refrain from telling you what else you should address.




If someone has a specific instance where they think I have done work improperly, I would like to know about it. I find it extraordinarily unfair for you to contact my customers behind my back and tell them that I have unsound practices. Obviously you can recommend other technicians in the area; I think it's good that we have a couple people who are capable of working on NSXs. I stand by my experience, however, which I believe stands above all others.




Please consider how much your comments affect me. I have devoted my life to working on cars and the NSX is very special to me. I have built cars that captured four SCCA national titles, had two undefeated seasons, and set multiple regional and track records. I do little of that work these days but I continue to work on NSXs. I do so with passion and ask that you not undermine that by imposing your own standard of auto care. Mine are high and many of you appreciate that.




Sincerely,

Ben Schaeffer





Here are threads reviewing my work from 2006 until now:









http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/75749-Daisy-Imports



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showt...placement!!!?p=1042399&viewfull=1#post1042399




http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/125857-Big-thanks-goes-out-to-Ben-Daisy



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/140228-Ben-Shafer-Daisy-Imports-rock!



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/149426-Daisy-Auto



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/149426-Daisy-Auto



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/154961-Rebuilding-my-95-with-Ben-at-Daisy-Auto



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/155078-My-91-BB-is-back-thanks-to-Ben-at-Daisy-Auto



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/156495-Thanks-to-Ben-Daisy-Import-Auto-Care!



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showt...ead-1991-NSX?p=1613452&viewfull=1#post1613452



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/158689-Detailed-Feedback-Ben-Daisy-Automotive-(MD)



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showt...redbird92)-Daisy-Import-Auto-Care-Woodbine-MD



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/161014-Big-thumbsup-to-Ben-at-Daisy-Auto



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/167235-Thumbs-up-to-Ben-Daisy-Auto



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/168043-Thanks-Ben-and-Daisy-Auto



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/170030-Big-thanks-to-Ben-at-Daisy-Automotive



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/172827-Daisy-Import-Auto-Care



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/173587-The-Incredible-Ben-from-Daisy-Auto-Imports



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/176661-Daisy-Imports-is-Great



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/176861-Ben-daisy-auto



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/177476-Ben-and-Ian-at-Daisy-Auto-Woodbine-MD



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/183074-Ben-at-Daisy-Auto



http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/showthread.php/184630-Daisy-Import
 
my nsx is being loaded up at daisy auto to come back to me in nc as i write this.i sent it up there for a comprehensive mechanical refresh after reading great things about ben on this forum, and i'm so glad i did.ben exceeded my high expectations in this experience.i appreciate his high standards and attention to detail.i also agree 100% with his approach of recommending the replacement of things that are likely to fail.this is one of the things i was looking for.some of these,like the main relay,are quite cheap to buy and have installed,and can strand you when,not if,they break.ben also helped by recommending against some things that i had thought about doing,saying they were unnecessary or wouldn't work as well as advertised.this,to me ,is the opposite of a mechanic who merely replaces parts.i also know he cleaned up and improved many things on the car without replacing parts.

i've been a practicing attorney for over 32 years,but cars are the thing that i am most interested in.i've been a car guy since i was about 10 years old, when i first subscribed to car and driver.while i am no mechanic,i have a lot of friends who are,and read voraciously about cars,especially on here.the result is that i can tell when someone knows their stuff,and ben's knowledge of the nsx is at the highest level.

ben is one of the top people in the country for working on nsx's,and there is a small and dwindling number who really know how to do it right.i would urge anyone to send their car to ben,and you can have confidence that it will be fixed right,and that nothing will be done that isn't needed.
 
Ben,
I have never met you nor had you worked on my car but ever since I joined Prime, there has been posts of nothing but positive feedback from your clients over the years. People who appreciate how you take care their NSX which says a lot of how you conduct your business over the years. I envision you are one of those rare techs who not only cares about the cars you're working on but also has mad skill set and integrity which is hard to find.

You have a great history of your work demonstrated on Prime and some newer people often mix price with value but they are not the same.

Don't worry about what the bus-people have to say.
 
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Never heard anything but good things about you & my personal experiences with you have been the same!
 
You have not worked on my car, but I appreciated the time you took to walk me through my suspension questions...even though we both knew I was not going send it to you. That tells me a ton about someone's character. So, thanks. Keep it up and if you can document the b-sers, send that over to your NC attorney/client and see what can be done. Kidding. Well, sort of. ;)
 
Ben,

Thank you for all of your help and looking out for others. One public service announcement that I remember from you was on fuel injector O-ring replacement. Sure, not everyone needs to do this depending on years, mileage, climate, etc - but it is definitely something owners should be aware of. It's good preventative maintenance as our cars continue aging.

I've never met Ben, but I knew from his reputation and helpful posts here that he is trustworthy and a true professional. I therefore had no problem shipping him my Time-sert kit so he could use it on a customers NSX without some "core" charge.

Dave
 
I with Ben he is a stand up guy, will go above and beyond whats expected and any NSX leaving his shop is purring like a kitten

just like my shop
 
Ben, you're aces in my book when it comes to NSX knowledge and experience!
 
the mantra of running a small business is always try to make every customer satisfied ,while making a living...that said reality is that some folks will not be satisfied.....in this case do you feel like the bad press was hurting business?
 
Ben did my PPI when I purchased my NSX this year. Went out of his way to get the PPI done at the owner's garage. Told me everything that need to be done. Can't ask for a better guy than him.


Frankie
 
Funny, Ben preaches the way I maintain my car. I'm embarrassed to say how many parts I've replaced because of their age, not from failure. While most would last 20+ years, I don't want to be hundreds of miles away form home and have a failure. Remember guys, not everyone can/will work on these cars and hundreds of miles from your tech, suddenly your relying on Jo Blow to work on your car. BTW, main relay was my first purchase after my car arrived. Not due to failure but form all the threads I read prior to purchasing the car. Better safe than sorry. Cudos Ben.
 
People don't understand that "great doesn't come cheap" and "cheap work aren't always great". I don't mind spending the money as long the work I paid for is done. I remember people always asked me why I always took my M3 to VAC motorsports. They weren't the cheapest around, but they were the best in the business in my area. But when I needed things done the right way, I didn't want any hiccups. If Daisy was closer, I would probably send my car his way as I want things done the right way. I'm sorry that people have some negative feedback towards you, but you can't please the masses. Theres always the few that felt as though they were jipped. I've researched multiple shops on the east coast, and your shop has always came up as one of the best around. I wish your shop the best.
 
If a customer only expects those things being replaced that are broken then it's his attitude and maybe he's wrong in your shop. On the other hand a shop owner has to respect if an owner doesn't want 110%. But I think I understand you. Worst of all are those guys who have an idea but no clue about cars like the one I had to talk out of getting a noname water pump for $50 less off eBay. :D
I would be glad if I had a shop like yours with so many positive feedbacks in my country. Those guys who want 110% seem to get what they pay for. In the lack of such a shop I would trust my car to only DIY satisfies my demanding expectations.
 
cheaper.jpg

Ben,
I utilize a fellow in St. Louis that believes as you do. And this poster says it all. It is always a question for me of "what will make this best and of least hassle in the long run". Batteries every 3-4 years whether or not they are needed. Tires before their time. Etc, etc. Proactive works well. Congrats on your position and on your obviously superior feedback. As a Chief Customer Officer for my company, it is always easier to explain (not always pleasant, as they don't want to hear "I don't want to say I told you so.....but...) something not right, if the customer is given the recommendation and the option to do it right first.
 
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