Independent shop recommendations?

[melloh]

I'm in the San Jose, CA area.  I've been to Ray's Ultimate BMW.  Good service and very professional but... almost TOO professional! I'm more used to the old fashioned shop where they take their sweet arse time and would rather chat with you while working on cars than get your car out of there in record time.  If anyone knew the late Tom from Autobahn Rennsport in Los Angeles (was marina del ray, then moved on to Airport), you know what I'm talking about.  He even let me come in on weekends to work on my car in preparation for track days!!! (he wanted me to get bitten by 'the bug')

Cheers,

Henry

1991 318is
1980 320is

PS: If anyone knows what happened to Tom, please contact me!!!!!  Last I heard he was in the hospital with lung cancer.  If he has passed, I (and even my mother) would like to pay our respects.