On New Year's eve, I had my car towed to Gruppe-S. Again. I was greeted with a "What the f- is this?" Mike wasn't happy it took six months to blow up a stage one.

I knew the shop was booked solid for the month of January and the first two weeks of February before Mike told me. I recently called the shop for an appointment. In the first week of the new year, the engine was out of the chasis and into the machine shop. I needed parts Gruppe-S did not have in stock. Mike grabbed a few parts from his personal STi build-up from home. "There's no way I'm going to build my STi if you keep bringing this car here. So I'm putting the parts to use."

In week two of Project:Rebuild, I had my turbo shipped back to Deadbolt for inspect and rebuild, they promised to have it back to me by the end of the week. The engine was ready by week five. Still no turbo. "I stuck a regular WRX turbo in her for you so you can break the motor in." Once again, Mike steps up to the plate.

Week seven rolls in, so does the Deadbolt turbo. After better inspection, we discover it was the wrong turbo. At the end of week seven, knowing I booked a weekend appointment with EQ Tuning, I was squeezed in on Friday at closing.

Mike has walked me thru the process and has updated me via phone calls with the status changes. He has made a few suggestions on upgrades. Something I never felt pressured to say yes to anything and I did not leave feeling ripped off.

Gruppe-S maybe the closest thing to Super Autobach (a one stop shop) in Nor Cal. The big plus is Mike really knows his stuff. Even with my constant challanges, I've got Mike to say "this is a first" or "I've never seen anything like this", then the car comes back drivable. Other tuners, enthusiasts, and shops refer to him for advice. Cats from LA, Humbolt, Washington state, bring their Subarus in for custom tunes and builds. I guess 50 million Elvis fans can't be wrong.

Downsides to Gruppe-S: with both rebuilds, my car has left with a few parts lighter; turbo heat shield, turbo heat shield bracket, up pipe heat shield cover, hood props unattached... and their waiting room suck. No cable, nonoperative vending machines, out dated magazines, and it smells like exhaust. I'm almost willing to donate my PS2.

So in the end, thank you Mike and the boys at Gruppe-S for squeezing me in twice, the shop's turbo, your crank, rods, and bearings.

PS, keep another stage one on the side for me.

 

*i hope you are not talking about Super Autobachs in Stanton, Ca.(So.CaL), because they are the most over rated shop here. they suck, the service sucks(does not know anything but the basic crap), and their prices are way too high. i do give them credit for providing, air fresheners, racing videos and JDM GT cars on display. other than that they suck!

anyways, i'm one of those cats from so.cal that had work done by gruppe-s. i bought a JDM 6 speed and a brembo GT brake kit installed there. i am more than pleased. there were some issues with the whole tranny thing but Mike went out his way to make sure timing was on point to get me back to so.cal on time.

BTW i do agree about the waiting room lackin' on some stuff but atleast they have a waiting area.

 

ok monday were cleaning up the lobby


-daniel

 

Super Autobacs = JDM Pepboys

Not in the same league as Gruppe-S TIA. We're aiming to compliment them here, BTW. =)

 

+12371928379123 for gruppe-s... They turned my horribly tuned car with a weak motor into a beast!!! They are currently building me a motor as we speak!! Mike goes out of his way all the time to make sure the costumer is happy, and he does NOT bull**** you at all... If something is junk, he tells you... If he doesn't think he can do it... he will tell you and not bull**** you..

Awesome shop!!!


I also agree on the lobby LOL!!

 

+1 for Gruppe-S.

Once I am ready for a 2.5L build these are the guys I am calling.

 

good review

 

Good review dude. I went there last friday and they are kewl. +1 to them

 

+1 for the guys @ Gruppe-S

...but hey whats the S stand for?

 

i've always wondered why and how they came up with the name Gruppe-S.

 

I won't take my car anywhere else! Mike definately knows what he is doing! +1 Gruppe-S

 

gruppe-r sounds too ricey, and gruppe-t means no N/A, so gruppe-s it is

 

+1 for mike, great guy. I'll be there when im gonna step up to a 2.5L buildup

 

gruppe is german for group so its technically group-s which was an experimental rally class in the early 90's but the cars being so fast and courses so difficult some drivers were killed and there were many accidents so before the class even had a season it was banned. so gruppe-s is kinda the super crazy-forbidden class of rally.
ps
gary at gruppe-s told me this at my interview
+1 to gruppe-s

 

Someone correct me if i'm wrong, but those were Group B cars. And dont correct me on this, but they were ****ing BAD ***. I'm guessing the S stands for Subaru???