B & W Brake and Wheel Service Center

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!

Posted 01/29/09

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!!

Posted 12/22/08

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

Posted 06/18/08

These guys are busy (like most places in SF) but they will tell you the truth. I brought my car into Wheel Works on Ocean and they said I needed a rack-in-pinon....guess what - after a 2nd opinion at B&W I really didn't need that $600-800 job Rack-in-Pinon, just had some bolts loose. They are really fast if you get there early too!

Posted 06/25/07

I had transmission work done and they quoted me $1,700 to $2,400 then when I got my truck back they charged me $3,000 with no explanation. I could have bought a brand new tranny for that! I also had work done to another car and they did not fix the problem, and they fix stuff that did not need to be fixed

Cons: Expensive, and impersonal

Posted 06/25/07

These guys were so friendly and honest! I definitely want to return to them if I have any more repairs/ check-ups to do.

Pros: Service

Cons: location is far from central SF

Posted 12/30/06

B & W is awesome! I had a honda civic hatchback that they worked on for about three years before I sold it. They did MAJOR repairs for very reasonable prices, were totally sensitive to my fears and worries, were always truthful and respectful and consistently did nice things like a free check-ups on the big work. If I ever get another car, I will definitely go back here. As a woman (and my dad said the same thing too), this is the best experience I've ever had with an auto repair shop. Thanks B & W!!!

Pros: Great customer service, fair prices, honest

Cons: None!

Posted 11/04/06

When I got the estimate for new pads and rotors, I was a little stunned that brakes can cost so much. I called a friend who is a service manager for a dealership and he said it was a very good deal. After getting all the brakes replaced, I took it back a week later because there was a little squeak. They remebered me, were so friendly and polite and took care of me immediately. I have told everyone in my office that they need to go to B&W for their car needs.

Posted 10/26/06

They tried to get me to fix stuff that didn't need fixing! Tried to con me into it! And they were expensive. I'm never going back.

Pros: Sad to say, but: none.

Cons: Dishonest, Expensive, Rip Off!

Posted 09/28/06

This is the second time we have used this shop and they are great. Our car had been broken
into the night before and I called they said come in the morning. We got there at 9:00 am and by
1:00pm they had put a new window in and done a repair to the door gasket. I love these guys
and the ladies in the office are also great.

Posted 09/03/06

My experience was consistent with those of the other reviewers -- staff are efficient, straight-talking, professional and service-oriented. I brought my VW Passat in after growing frustration with previous dealership/mechanic. Bill at B&W gave me clear diagnosis and was dead-on with cost/time estimates. Walked out with healthier car and a full systems report on problems I am to take back to my former mechanic for warranty delivery on recent pricey work.
From now on, the wagon goes back to B&W for her maintenance/repairs. Thanks, B&W Team!

Posted 07/13/06

I started taking my BMW to these guys for regular maintaniance when I moved to the Mission a few years ago. They only do the work requested and never try to sell me anything extra. Their rates are fair and they advertise in the Bay Guardian and SF Weekely where they usually have coupons for oil changes and tune ups.

Brake and Wheel dosen't take appointments and is first come, first served so it's advisable to get there at 7am when they open. They seem to be pretty popular since there is allways a line of cars waiting in the morning.

Pros: cost, honesty

Cons: very popular

Posted 08/01/05

I have brought my car to brake and wheel several times, and have always received the best service. Monday I brought it in for an oil change and to check my brakes. My final bill was $24.00. I remember when I used to bring it to the dealership and never got out of there for less than $700.00!!! I trust brake and wheel to do a great job and to never overcharge a poor girl like myself. They rock!!!

Pros: inexpensive, trustworthy, friendly service

Cons: parking can be hard

Posted 05/19/05

WAS TOLD BY DEALER NEEDED BRAKES & AXLES
TO FIND OUT BRAKES ARE 50% AND AXLES ARE FINE

Posted 02/18/05