Central Motor Sales

I found the car I was looking for at Central Motors online. The car clearly needed work done, but we agreed on a fair price. I was told that they would do the work only after I committed to buying it online. The car clearly needed work done, but we agreed on a fair price. I was told that they would do the work only after I committed to buying it. They had the work done on the vehicle--- new front axles, front brakes, control arm bushings, etc. - all front end work. Within 5 miles the oil light comes on. I brought it to my own, highly trusted mechanic (Arborway Auto in Jamaica Plain - these guys are great!)... they inform me that I have a "major oil leak." This leak is directly under the engine, dead in the front end of the car. How could their mechanic miss this while spending all this time there, in the front end of the car? I got to look at the leak while it was on the lift at my mechanics - oil was everywhere. I called Central Motors and they said bring it back. I did, left it with them, took the commuter rail back to Boston. A few days later I get the car back-- originally I was told "there is no leak, he just did a bad job cleaning up after working on it." Then I'm told "it was a loose screw on the manifold." 2 weeks go by, I return to my mechanic, they confirm it is still leaking. I bring it back to CMS. This time they take the car to a BMW dealer in Rhode Island and have the work done. Turns out it was a leaking oil pan gasket. Not a huge repair in the end, but the process was ridiculous. In short - CMS buys vehicles at auction (like most car dealers), does the minimal amount of work on them necessary and sends you on your way. Would I recommend them or not? Not sure. If you are looking for a specific vehicle and they have it, then you decide. But I would strongly recommend you take it to your own mechanic - preferably before you buy - and see what they say. CMS outsources all of their mechanical work and clearly the guy doing it is sub par at best. Or he is great, informed them of the leak, and they chose not to fix it due to the increased expense. I was told at the beginning that their mechanic had "carte blanche" to do what was needed. Either way there is a major gap in quality control. I was also called "dude" and "man" way more often then my name or even "Sir." Not a huge gripe, but given the xx that I had to go through and the expense of my mechanic as well as 3 or 4 commuter rail rides it started to get on my nerves. I will also note that aside from the major oil leak the car also had a handful of smaller issues - door trim coming off, a loose radiator guard, missing undercarriage skid plate, and a useless windshield wiper. As another aside, I've had the car about a year now and am looking to sell it because the quality just isn't there like it should be. Not a reflection per se on CMS at all, maybe I just got a slightly thrashed BMW... More