Good mechanic in the (East) Bay Area?
10-19-06, 10:58 AM
#1
Lead Lap
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Good mechanic in the (East) Bay Area?
Hi, there!
I was wondering in any of you Bay Area Lexus owners/drivers do your maintenance work outside the dealership and if such is the case, if you could recommend a trustworthy shop/mechanic in the East Bay (preferably Richmond/Hercules) with decent rates?
I recently stopped going to the dealership for service: some of it (like oil, differential and ATF drain and fill) I will be doing on my own, but some (like the upcoming timing belt/any other belts/water pump/alternator/starter/brake lines/coolant flush/suspension components, etc. I would like to delegate to a place I trust. Some of these things are not that transparent (what's preventing a shop from charging you and not doing the work or installing cheaper parts?).
For example, a Lexus dealer quoted me ~$800 to change brake pads, front and rear. I bought the OEM pads for $150 and had them installed (with rotor resurfacing) for $200 in a Big O Tire in San Pablo. This place seems trustworthy (they also repaired a tire for me to my satisfaction, unlike another shop that told me that the tire could not be repaired and then tried to sell me a set of 4 tires), but I am not sure if they are experienced with engine work, since most of what they do are tires and brakes and may be some suspension.
Any useful information much appreciated.
I was wondering in any of you Bay Area Lexus owners/drivers do your maintenance work outside the dealership and if such is the case, if you could recommend a trustworthy shop/mechanic in the East Bay (preferably Richmond/Hercules) with decent rates?
I recently stopped going to the dealership for service: some of it (like oil, differential and ATF drain and fill) I will be doing on my own, but some (like the upcoming timing belt/any other belts/water pump/alternator/starter/brake lines/coolant flush/suspension components, etc. I would like to delegate to a place I trust. Some of these things are not that transparent (what's preventing a shop from charging you and not doing the work or installing cheaper parts?).
For example, a Lexus dealer quoted me ~$800 to change brake pads, front and rear. I bought the OEM pads for $150 and had them installed (with rotor resurfacing) for $200 in a Big O Tire in San Pablo. This place seems trustworthy (they also repaired a tire for me to my satisfaction, unlike another shop that told me that the tire could not be repaired and then tried to sell me a set of 4 tires), but I am not sure if they are experienced with engine work, since most of what they do are tires and brakes and may be some suspension.
Any useful information much appreciated.
10-22-06, 10:06 AM
#2
Lexus Champion
Hi, there!
I was wondering in any of you Bay Area Lexus owners/drivers do your maintenance work outside the dealership and if such is the case, if you could recommend a trustworthy shop/mechanic in the East Bay (preferably Richmond/Hercules) with decent rates?
I recently stopped going to the dealership for service: some of it (like oil, differential and ATF drain and fill) I will be doing on my own, but some (like the upcoming timing belt/any other belts/water pump/alternator/starter/brake lines/coolant flush/suspension components, etc. I would like to delegate to a place I trust. Some of these things are not that transparent (what's preventing a shop from charging you and not doing the work or installing cheaper parts?).
For example, a Lexus dealer quoted me ~$800 to change brake pads, front and rear. I bought the OEM pads for $150 and had them installed (with rotor resurfacing) for $200 in a Big O Tire in San Pablo. This place seems trustworthy (they also repaired a tire for me to my satisfaction, unlike another shop that told me that the tire could not be repaired and then tried to sell me a set of 4 tires), but I am not sure if they are experienced with engine work, since most of what they do are tires and brakes and may be some suspension.
Any useful information much appreciated.
I was wondering in any of you Bay Area Lexus owners/drivers do your maintenance work outside the dealership and if such is the case, if you could recommend a trustworthy shop/mechanic in the East Bay (preferably Richmond/Hercules) with decent rates?
I recently stopped going to the dealership for service: some of it (like oil, differential and ATF drain and fill) I will be doing on my own, but some (like the upcoming timing belt/any other belts/water pump/alternator/starter/brake lines/coolant flush/suspension components, etc. I would like to delegate to a place I trust. Some of these things are not that transparent (what's preventing a shop from charging you and not doing the work or installing cheaper parts?).
For example, a Lexus dealer quoted me ~$800 to change brake pads, front and rear. I bought the OEM pads for $150 and had them installed (with rotor resurfacing) for $200 in a Big O Tire in San Pablo. This place seems trustworthy (they also repaired a tire for me to my satisfaction, unlike another shop that told me that the tire could not be repaired and then tried to sell me a set of 4 tires), but I am not sure if they are experienced with engine work, since most of what they do are tires and brakes and may be some suspension.
Any useful information much appreciated.
10-23-06, 06:06 PM
#3
Lead Lap
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There isn't any reputable shops in the East Bay - most of those places are pretty shady and they do install a good bit of Kragen parts - since some of them can't afford accounts at SP Auto. I know Mike Letcher at Letchter Bros in Pinole is willing to work on Lexus. If you drive out to Martinez/Concord, there are 2 Lexus/Toyota/Honda specialists - Hagin's Automotive on Alhambra in Martinez, and Toyotapro on Concord Ave.
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