To: Harry.Bovik@K.GP.CS.CMU.EDU
Subject: Bruno's recommendation
Keywords: repair
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 94 09:32:01 EST
Message-ID: <5335.764346721@G.GP.CS.CMU.EDU>
From: James_Daniel_Morrow@G.GP.CS.CMU.EDU

Harry,

This is yet another recommendation for Bruno's garage.  Our 88 Maxda
MX-6 was coming up on 60K miles, and we needed to get it checked out.
This is a mileage where many things might need servicing and so is
rather an open opportunity for a mechanic to take advantage of you.
We took it to Bruno's along with the list of items the owner's manual
said to check.  They charged us $120 including updating our inspection
and *didn't* replace the timing belt (~$150) because they weren't sure
we wanted it done (this appeared on the this we gave them).  They also
told us the rear brakes were getting low, but still had $5K miles on
them or so.  What a change to have mechanics who hold back rather than
"over-repair."  One of the reasons they didn't change the timing belt
was they wanted to suggest changing the water pump at the same time
since the labor is the majority of the cost and is nearly the same for
the two repairs.  I've decided to have the work done when we replace
the rear brake pads.

We also took the car to them a few months later
when the battery abruptly died; since it was only 2 years old or so,
I was concerned there might be a problem in the electrical system.
They replaced the battery and found nothing wrong with the electrical
system.  Subsequent conversations with others indicated that many
batteries die abruptly after 2 years.

In short, Bruno's has been very competent and honest in my dealings
with them.  I highly recommend them.

	-- Dan