** RMS ...the Truth Please Read - Chrome M3**

[M3NTALM3]

RMS: MARCH 25,2005 7:00pm EASTERN time
The Truth
hello,

My name is Chris Saccoccia, owner of the chrome m3. But I am not really here to talk about me and my car, although I will have to in a minute so if you will please bear with me. I'm speaking as a concerned voice of the performance tuning world, trying to do what I feel is best for everybody else who loves it as much as I do... keep it as professional, as REAL as it should be. My project started about 14 months ago when the car finally went away for winter in early Jan 04. I worked on it vigorously for the next 10 months. My goal was to drive my car to SEMA, in November. I worked through the various set backs and pitfalls that plague everybody who modifies there car, and with only a month until the show, my car was painted, interior/roll cage installed. Even my rims were on. Just finishing touches being done on the multimedia. Great... one problem. NO engine. The engine was some 2500km away in the hands of Osh Minelian, the Director of RMS. I managed to get the car to Osh with just less than 3 weeks to SEMA. Since he had received my engine in early April, 04, Osh surprised me when he said it would be tough, but then reassured that I would be able to drive my car to SEMA with the time we had left. "Just remember to bring the remaining 50% of the money" Osh reminded me.

When I arrived in Los Angeles 3 days before SEMA, I was disappointed to see that although the engine looked prim and proper, it couldn't run. Unfortunately, quite a few necessary parts were missing. (Most were recovered at a local shop that had mishandled them.). Most. However, things like an ECU, a mass air flow sensor, and throttle body vanished into thin air, along might I add a shipment of pedals and shift knobs from Eisenhaus intended to be installed for their SEMA exhibit. Eisenhaus tracked the package through UPS and in fact, it was delivered to RMS and signed by one of there employees. Nothing was ever found ....SEMA was done, but the car needed to be finished. "When I get the parts after SEMA, I’ll need 3 weeks TOPS to have it running properly for ya, buddy! I'll fax a progress report over to your office at the end of next week" Osh said. Wow. And it came, too. The report listed a breakdown of remaining tasks on the car, and a projected date of completion. Dec 23rd. An early January, Friday pick up was agreed upon.

It was Friday the 14th. One week before the intended pick-up date Osh stalled again. He has and continues to make excuse after excuse trying to buy himself more time from waiting on the powder coating guy, to his welder he's used up just about everyone possible, week after week after week. I've heard it all! Someone even e mailed me pictures of my chrome m3, parked outside between other cars like a sardine! It was left outside for almost 2 MONTHS with NOBODY touching it, let alone WORKING on it, even the hood was left up in the pouring rain to expose my engine!

I’m completely fed up, and with the weather starting to change, I want my car back! Concerned, I jumped on a plane Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at approx 10:30 pm Toronto Eastern Standard Time. Upon my arrival in Los Angeles, I headed straight for RMS. Unfortunately I did not have the element of surprise, because I was afraid of arriving at RMS late enough that they would be closed. Osh was informed that I would be there, and had a good 2 hours to make his business look respectable. I was met by smiling faces, and a more importantly an un-finished project car. Osh gave me a ride back to the airport for my 9PM (Central Time) flight back home the same day I arrived. During our time alone, we had a heart to heart. We went through the whole situation, and I was willing to let everything go if I could just get the quality product that I had paid for, in full, long ago. I explained to Osh that I wanted the car to go to Washington DC at the end of this month. He looked me in the eyes and said "sorry you had to come all the way down here to check up, kiddo. Really you didn't have to... but don't worry we will have the car ready for you next Wednesday" (March 20/05).

When I got home it felt like some of the weight had been lifted. I set up the transport company and checked in with RMS everyday up to Wednesday, receiving pleasing reports the whole time. Today is FRIDAY MARCH 25h. The truck my car was SUPPOSED to be on left RMS and went to San Diego with no chrome m3! Osh called me this morning trying desperately to buy him more time. Not to mention he had the shipping company leave and come back to buy himself an extra day assuring the company that I personally would be more than happy to fit the 900 dollar waiting fee!!! I've been hearing the same tired excuses for the past 16+ weeks of the supposed 3 week project.

I've had enough. I blatantly told Osh that the car was leaving his shop, and he had the nerve to threaten me by telling me I would receive a lawyers letter from him absolving him from ALL RESPONSABILITY pertaining to my car because he was not given sufficient time to complete the project!!!! Osh has been given all the time in the world and every dollar asked for since November 2004. Now if you're supposed to be a professional, claiming to be the best in the industry, I should have been driving my car a long time ago.

Angry, and at the end of my rope, I had the transport company confiscate my car from RMS' shop and it's now heading down to Washington Dc. NOT running after they’ve had my engine since April 04, and the rest of the car November, 04. There is no excuse for this situation... not even one that Osh can think up. There has been no wrong doing on my part, accept in trusting my last 14 months of work in the hands of an incapable establishment. This is the kind of hassle 31000 USD bought me, from RMS.

Actions will be taken to reprimand this situation, and I'm here speaking to you to let everybody know exactly what kind of people they will be dealing with if they decide to entrust their hard earned money, and beloved machinery to the likes of RMS and Osh Minelian. Oh and for all you hardcore Mini enthusiasts out there.... don't be fooled by RMS' Mini performance program headed up under the name " Gintani Mini Works " New name. Same " professionals ".
Here is a link to there BBB rating. No surprises here, I wish I would have seen/known all this before I sent my engine down there

http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Bu...D=13066934&sm=



Sincerely,


Chris Saccoccia
If anybody wishes to contact me, feel free to email me at ckris_s@hotmail.com i'll be more than happy to answer any questions or go into more detail about my unsavory situation. If you wish to contact RMS, considering Osh is always ready to come up with some kind of excuse. Lets see him try to explain this one. 818 778 6106.

Please take a second and sign this petition against RMS. If you don't want to do it for me, do it for other BMW/Mini enthusiasts. Your helping out your community here, the more signatures we get, the better. Thanks..
http://www.petitiononline.com/RMS/petition.html

[M3NTALM3]

Nice huh.. Thanks RMS!!

[2Fast2Foney]

Thats ridiculous..those are some con artists is what there proffesion should be! although i must say thats quite the car..leaving your hood up in the rain is just flat out terrible..

[Dado]

I have had it with RMS and AA. I was treated very similar with AA and had problems with the car after I got it back as well. This just brings me back horrible memories and makes me furious. I will keep your car safe in my garage and we will talk next week about this in person. This fucking blows. I know how you feel because I was fucked just like you were and would like to help so see you next week.

I will make this a sticky as well.

Signed the petition #13

[328er]

Good luck with everything chris i signed it and all ,but i think DADO might have somthin under his sleeve. If he doesnt get it running i will be dissapointed

[UltimateOne]

Incredible story with the "usual" RMS crap that some people still don't know about. This has been going on for years and yet the community still buys there systems or has them work on there cars?@## Its mind boggling.

Good Luck man.

[swoop]

damn dude my heart goes out to you. With all the bmw techs in this forum and friends that are on the coast, you'll be in better hands than any shop can put you in.

BTW does anyone know of any good shops, or connections in the Mass. and NC area.. I'm moving in about 8 months and I am curious.

[bmxdan388]

sorry to hear about the troubles you have had. i signed the petition......#31

[nickmpower]

i dont want to sound like an ass but....

WE TOLD YOU SO

it was dump to mess with a company that u knew had a very bad reputation

[hammerfang]

damn man that really sucks, hope u have a good lawyer so u can possibly get ur money back, but what r u planning on doing for the motor?

[Magnus]

Fucking vultures.

This is totally the norm as I always hear with regard to
RMS and AA alike! It is very unfortunate to hear that
nothing ever changes except for the employee they
choose to blame/take the heat for this week.

There are a small percentage that are happy with the work
that has been performed at RMS. These people either;
live close by, are their premiere clients that could sue
them for everything they fucking own, are part of the
propaganda and profit from it, are owed something and
would rather promote them in hopes that their support
would get their vehicle completed.

When are "all" of you bad boys going to learn that your silence
is directly responsible for the continued lack of accountability
with these flawed businesses. I think at some point someone
needs to sue them. If you're willing to spend $5 - 50k on
upgrading your car, you owe it to your community to hold them
to it when it goes wrong. I'd rather you attempt to receive a
full refund or even a profit then to let them buy you off with a
small free (not free after law of depreciating value) tidings to
keep this reality off the net. You always regret it later.

I'd be willing to invest $100 into the lawyers fee if people are
realistically willing to go to court and seek full reimbursement
and a apology without a gag order. I bet a lot of $10 and $20
could make this a reality. Support your fellow members!

Now I can't wait until they start with their legal threats. It's
always the assholes that know how to silence you rather then
simply perform the job they were hired to do.

[325Idriver]

All man that sucks, Signer #43

[Dado]

Originally Posted by Magnus

I'd be willing to invest $100 into the lawyers fee if people are
realistically willing to go to court and seek full reimbursement
and a apology without a gag order. I bet a lot of $10 and $20
could make this a reality. Support your fellow members!

I am in, I have had enough already.

[325Idriver]

I'll put in, I just had a Lawsuit against a dealer.

[Cackknack]

#50