06/22/09

Very happy!

by CynthiaNash

My major reason to check the Pampered Auto Care was the reviews I read here. I’m so glad I trusted them and left my car to fix there. I have 06 BMW and last year had some problems with. I went two times to dealership, and after spending more than 3000 the leakage was still present, they told me that was normal!

Two weeks ago I decided and went to Pampered and since than my garage is spotless. Very, very happy!

• Pros: Pricing, timing, very clean waiting room
• Cons: None

05/24/09

Disappointed

by NA91

I took my vehicle to Pampered Auto Care in Austin because of all the good reviews I had read online. I had first taken my car there in regards to a fluid leak I had noticied and thought was coming from a transmission front seal. They looked over the car and said they did not think this was where the leak was coming from and stated it was the valve covers. I asked them to change the valve covers seals, which they did and I took the car home the next day. That night I noticed the leak was still there in the same place. I brought it back and was told I will have to change the passenger valve cover because it was porous. I asked them to redo the job on that valve cover. After it was redone, the leak stopped. A few days later I noticed another leak and when I brought the car back they then stated that it was now the transmission front seal. I then gave the go ahead to change it, change the transmission fluid (which I provided 12 liters of esso lt 71141), the trans filter, pan gasket seal, two drain bolts (which I also provided) and replace the O-ring.

After picking up the car I noticed the next night that the car was making a whirring noise when put into reverse and when shifting. I took it back to them the next business day. They removed what they thought was the fill hole while the car was still running, and fluid came out and stated that the transmission was full and that the transmission was probably going bad. I took the car home and after reading forums I took it back. After discussing the concerns of transmission fluid again, they removed the drain hole again and fluid came out stating it was full and that they had worked on several similar vehicles like this one. I then asked if the 5HP24 transmission that was fitted in my vehicle only had one hole which was the drain/fill hole. I was told yes. I then stated I thought my trans had two holes, not one and asked what the hole was on the side of the transmission was.

The mechanic realized the mistake and used an electric pump with a container filled with transmission fluid although I still had two bottles of transmission fluid I had provided. They filled it up for approximately three minutes. They had not used the second bolt I had provided, however they did not return this to me. Manufacturer specs states that when the trans is filled, it would take 10 liters, however the trans wasn't full. They had given me two bottles back of the twelve I provided, but if the trans was not full what happened with the fluid?

I still have a leak, unknown damage due to having driven without enough trans fluid and doubts on the job done for a $1000.

05/11/09

HONEST, HONEST and HONEST

by FarrinA

Fan. Friggin. Tastic.

Me: I've had some experience with cars, both good and bad. I've replaced alternators, batteries, and a timing chain on my old car. Then I got tired of repairing my car, got rid of it, and started biking.

The Car: A 95 Neon that I just got from my sister, who just wanted me to have transportation. It has some problems, including a power steering thing.

Pampered Auto Care: I gave them a list, and they checked out everything. The mechanic didn't hold back when he described the last person that worked on the steering. As I suspected, it would need a new pinion for the leak (from a hole, that had been 'plugged') to be completely repaired

The mechanic let me know that I could live with it if I wanted, all depending on how long I planned on owning the car.

As someone who knows the basics about a car, I really appreciated that. Then I asked him to make the repair anyway. $650, to replace the part and pinion and re-align the car. I know that sounds really expensive. Its not for what they did.

A few things impressed me about Pampered Auto Care.

* I gave them a list of things to check out. As we went down the list, they let me know when something was outside of their scope, and suggested other places. (For instance, with a car radio problem)

* From a list of things that I gave them to look at, they only found the one problem... one which I already knew about.

* For a pretty complex problem, they gave me an estimate the same day. They repaired the car, and I was able to pick it up the next day.

* They were nice. I know that shouldn't matter too much, but it did. They left me feeling great after I spent $650 there, rather then feeling like I just got ripped off.

These guys are honest as hell.

If you don't know cars, trust these guys. If you do know cars, you'll love them even more.

• Pros: ALL
• Cons: /