Treasured Motorcar Services is a family-owned independent automotive maintenance and restoration facility in the Washington DC-Baltimore, Maryland metro area.
They specialize in British and Italian automobiles and they love Land Rovers.
The family has owned and services models from Series I to the present.
They are equipped with an Autologic diagnostic system so they have dealer level capability when it comes to finding out what's wrong with your Land Rover.
My experience with TMS was the most unfortunate I have ever had with a service provider in any industry. I purchased a Lotus Super 7 replica last October and had a problem getting it into reverse. It is a kit car, and very easy to work on. The drivetrain is a GM LS3 motor paired with a Tremec T56 transmission and the rear end is from a CTS-V. Nothing exotic. The reverse problem was diagnosed by TMS as an internal issue that required pulling the engine and transmission, which ended up being necessary anyway because the clutch needed to be replaced. It took 13.5 hours for them to remove the engine and transmission. Their fix for the reverse problem was to use two hands to force it into gear. Not a fix. For the diagnosis and “repair” of the transmission, I was charged 7 hours of labor. It took me 3 hours to diagnose and fix once I had the car back. To find a coolant leak and tighten a hose clamp, I was charged 2 hours of labor. To assemble the clutch, replace the pilot bearing with a bushing, and replace one sensor on the engine, I was charged 14.5 hours of labor. To put the engine and transmission back in the car, I was charged 24 hours of labor. All told, I was charged 61.5 hours of labor for a job that most shops would charge 10-20 hours of labor for; $8,500 not including parts, $11,000 with parts. Is this possible for a clutch job? I never received a written estimate, only a verbal estimate of 20 hours. I never received an estimate for labor exceeding the original 20-hour verbal estimate. Both are required by PA law. Communication over the almost 4 months my car was in the shop was poor at best, and always had to be initiated by me. No transparency at all about labor costs, and there is no possible way the amount of labor charged was accurate as the services provided should never take a mechanic that long to complete. Three days after I received my car back from TMS, the motor was knocking. I took it back to them and they said it either has to be replaced or rebuilt. This is a motor with less than 1000 miles on it and no track time. What happened while it was in the shop? I have talked with Greg (shop manager) and Allison (owner) about reviewing my invoices. Greg was dismissive and Allison responded with a refund offer of 20 hours labor. All around, it was a very negative experience. BEWARE!
