B & W Brake and Wheel Service Center

01/11/10

Avoid this place

by Mr Accurate at Citysearch

I've had some minor brake work done there before. They didn't do a great job but I thought it was possibly a fluke because they subsequently fixed the problem.

Fast forward to today. In their weekly ad they list an oil change for $19.95. It lists oil types available, one of which is 20W-50 weight. I asked for this type of oil and was told that it would cost me an extra $10. I said "not according to your ad". The woman asked where I had seen the ad and I told her; I had a copy of the Guardian in my hand as I told her.

A guy behind the counter said it was a misprint. I've heard this song before so I told him they were still legally responsible for what was in the ad.

The owner then appeared and with ad in hand verified that the 20W-50 oil was indeed listed there. But then he said something to the effect of they usually charge more because it's not one of the "usual types" of oil.

He finally agreed to (kind of as a favor) do the oil change saying he'll take care of it and wrote 20W-50 on the work order.

They changed the oil quickly but as I drove away I wondered what weight of oil was in my car.

• Pros: Lots of advertising
• Cons: Sleazy service

12/09/09

Could have done better

by David X at Citysearch

I spent 40% more than I would have at my regular mechanic to get a complete brake job. The job got done quickly and presumably well. But the brakes were out of adjustment (dragging while driving), requiring another day in the shop. Now they are out of adjustment in the opposite direction (parking brake doesn't keep the car from rolling). For $1150 I expect a job done right the first time.

• Pros: Got my brake job done quickly
• Cons: Needed to return twice to finish job

01/30/09

Best Auto Repair Place for Pessimistic Females

by bestcat at Citysearch

I love this place because it is the first auto repair place in my life that I feel comfortable going to as a woman without a male companion to "talk car" with the people working there. I've been taking my car there for over ten years, and I have never been anything but happy. It's close to BART if you need to leave your car and get back to work. Or, better yet, if you've got the time..... shop and eat your way through the Mission.

• Pros: Friendly, professional service
• Cons: Waiting area -- Go shopping instead!

12/23/08

B&W will RIP YOU OFF!

by bleupixie at Citysearch

DO NOT TRUST B&W...They misguide you so they can rip you off!!!

I have a honda accord 1998 LX which needed a 150K maintenance service ($289). The 'check engine' light was also on so i had them do a diagnostic ($108). I was hoping to find them honest after reading the above reviews, but was sadly disappointed when they called me with the "problems" my car had.

problems:

1. Front brake rotors (?) and pads (front and back) need to be replaced: $299.79

2. Radiator needed to be replaced: $163

3. Ignition rotors (?) and blah, blah blah needed to be replaced: $210

4. Catalytic converter needed to be replaced: $989.

OK, the list went on...but, these are the only things I wrote down. If I hadn't been consistent with my oil changes and maintenance checks I would probably be persuaded to believe that my car needed all these updates, but I have been "on it' with my car and could see right through his scheme....

For example, he (one of the owners) said that I may need to change my timing belt...I felt as if he was fishing around for my lack of knowledge if I did this or not... well, I know that I had just changed it recently so after I mentioned that fact he quickly backed off. Then he was saying how my battery was REALLY LOW and needed to be changed... well, I just changed my battery not even a year ago... so that bubble popped with him.

Furious, I called Meineke (in Redwood city) and asked the cost for the same problems that B&W rattled off:

1. Changing brakes: $189

2. Changing catalytic converter: $369

Here's the clincher: $30 to do an engine diagnostic....

GO TO MEINEKE PEOPLE!!

06/19/08

Used them for many years, they have steered me away from unnecessary expenses!

by TMJ2008 at Citysearch

I have gone to this brother team for over 8 years. I have never had a problem with them. Several years back, my car was stolen and being parted out. It was recovered and I did some of the repairs myself and then took it to them for an inspection. I also asked them if they would replace a few things on it. They told me it was not necessary to spend the $$ on those repairs. In fact, they steered me away from another repair that a shop in the East Bay said I needed (I moved out to the Pinole area) and saved me yet another $500. I now drive across the bay to get the honest reliable work of these really nice, community oriented San Franciscan brothers.

• Pros: honest, won't do work that isn't necessary
• Cons: the waiting room wasn't much the last time I was there, but I didn't hang there