About Us
Owner, Inventor, & Technical Advisor since 1977
Jim C. Rowe
All through school, I was labeled the “dumb” kid—the one who failed classes. But socially, I was well liked. In my senior year, I decided to change that. I signed up for hard college prep classes like trigonometry, calculus, analytic geometry, and physics—and ended up on the honor roll. That changed the direction of my life. It got me into Northwest Missouri State University, where I started out in pre-engineering, but ended up switching to industrial arts while working 40+ hours a week to pay for my degree. As a sideline, I enjoyed souping up the engines for my 2-stroke 250cc Suzuki & 305 Honda motorcycles, and even swapped a souped up Corvair engine in my VW bug. After college, I worked as the engine & transmission builder at every shop I worked at with a passion for building high performance engines and rarely had a failure.
In 1977, I opened Metric Mechanic—the first independent foreign car repair shop in Kansas City to specialize in BMWs A few years later, I started autocrossing and invented the MM Ultimate Transmission. By the mid ‘80s we were doing a lot of flow testing on M10 & M30 heads to develop the 155hp MM 2200 & 260hp 3500 Sport engines that featured 20% lighter forged pistons to extend engine life. We sold our transmissions and engines nationally through BMWCCA’s Roundel magazine, that I was writing technically for at the time. In 1988, I patented Surface Turbulence that’s been used on all our engines since. I co-authored a book called “BMW FUEL INJECTION” the enlightened approach. 10,000 were sold. In ‘93 Mary (my wife of 51 years) and I published Metric Mechanic’s BMW Performance Catalog & Manual. 20,000 copies were sent out and set up our customer base.
In 1999, MM moved to Richland, Missouri - a small town in the Ozarks. When I hit retirement age 66, I found myself surrounded by a staff made up of 5 local individuals that were skilled, creative, perfectionists that inspired me to take on new challenges with a passion. I love to brag about them; they keep me young. So, I developed the MM Adjustable Limited Slip Differential. At 74, I took on my biggest challenge by teaming up with Tyler to design & engineer a “state of the art” X Strutted billet piston and Titanium rod, all CNC machined by Tyler in house. After two years, we were successful. I then spent over a year perfecting the technical writing for Metric Mechanic’s new website with Tori (a seasonal employee). I hope you get enlightened and enjoy the read.
Specializes in: CNC Operation, CAD Drawing, & Engine Building since 2013
Tyler Davis
I’ve been a gear head for as long as I can remember. During my high school career, I attended vocational school for automotive training. After vocational school, I began working with Courtney McKoy, who had worked for MM at the time, servicing BMW’s. After learning more about Metric Mechanic, I decided to take the leap and join the team. It was my first job out of high school and I began by completing small tasks around the shop wherever the guys needed help. After being with Metric Mechanic since 2013 and 17 years in the automotive industry combined, I have worked my way up to CNC Production. I have acquired a wealth of knowledge running CNC machines since 2020. To put what I do in simpler terms, I figure out the least complicated way to manufacture a complex 3 dimensional shape. This is what I love about MM - I am able to challenge and push myself to continually develop more complicated and complex products. “You don’t know what you don’t know”.
"Tyler is a self-taught and innovative thinker. He decided to learn how to CAD draw, and did it watching YouTube videos. 13 hours later, he had CAD drawn a piston. He took on 3D printing - mastering that in no time. Then, decided to take on CNC machining. One thing that sets Tyler apart is that he doesn't have any preconceived notions of what a machinist should be. His mind was totally open and adaptable because he was self-taught. Because of this, we were able to work together to create the MM X Strutted Billet Piston & MM R&D Titanium H+ Beam Rod - this is huge for a company of just 6 employees." - Jim C. Rowe
Specializes in: Ultimate Transmissions & Engines since 2016
Taren Stenson
I’ve been with MM since 2016. My main job is building transmissions—some of them pretty rare and tricky. I’m also involved in the engine rebuild process, boring and honing engine blocks to just the right specs.
What’s cool about working here is that everyone pitches in wherever they’re needed. Nobody just sticks to one thing. Whether it’s disassembling, grading cores, or whatever else needs done, we all do our part to keep things running smooth.
I’m a pretty quiet, humble guy who doesn’t like being in the spotlight. I just focus on doing my job right and making sure the details are spot on because that’s what matters.
"Before Taren took over building Ultimate Transmissions, I had been building them for the last 25 years and was getting burned out at retirement age. I feel as if he is the only person in the world that can rebuild a Getrag 420 and a ZF S5-31, especially as quick and accurately as he does. He also bores and hones all blocks and sets up bearing clearances with incredible precision in bore straightness and clearances. Taren is a great employee. When it comes down to getting stuff done, he goes above and beyond. He is always willing to step up and do whatever it takes to ensure MM succeeds." - Jim C. Rowe
Speiclizies in: Differentials, heads, & Tig Welding since 2003
Teddy Rowe
Before learning the alphabet, I knew every European and Asian car that came through the family shop. My appreciation for BMWs began when I was 12 years old and my father taught me how to drive. Yes, it was a 2002. I’ve been influenced by both parents, art from my mother and technical from my father. Working for MM on and off as I grew up, I also studied marketing and art, only to quit college in 2002 and move to Houston, TX for automotive technician courses at UTI. By the time I graduated in 2003, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do and who I wanted to work with – the Metric Mechanic team.
"Teddy, my son, has been with MM since 2003. He builds MM Variable and Adjustable Limited Slip Differentials, machine ports & builds heads, and TIG welds all damaged aluminum with precision. Teddy is a cautious perfectionist - his work speaks for itself with minimal comebacks and his artistic side showing through, making jobs look brand new. Teddy has a big heart and treats everyone with kindness. One of his best attributes is that he is an outgoing, socially diverse person." - Jim C. Rowe
Office Manager since 2017
Christina Stenson
My introduction to Metric Mechanic was through another valued employee who is like family, Tyler Davis. Tyler recommended that I join the MM team when Mary Rowe was ready to change gears after she had been managing the office since the very beginning. Before I started working at MM at 18 years of age, I had no experience with business management or book keeping. 10 years later, with the help of Mary Rowe and many others, my skills and experience have grown tremendously. I now manage invoices, keep records, manage shipping, handle all finances, help in customer relations with non-technical support, and oversee employee management. I love the family-like atmosphere and I love that everyone at MM welcomes my littles, who were able to stay at work with me for their first years of life and still able to visit as frequently as we wish, with open arms and big smiles. Everyone at MM looks out for each other and shows each other gratitude and support. Working for MM has been such a blessing for my family. Being here through so many changes and so much growth has been the ultimate experience.
"Christina is smart, good with customers, and is the master link between the customer and the technician. She guides the work flow with a "Work in Progress" form as well as managing the financials. She is a pleasant person to work with." - Jim C. Rowe