Packard Auto Repair & service center

1880 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA

Address:	1880 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Phone:	+1 734-327-6488
Site:	packardautorepairs.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 9AM–6PM 10AM–4PM Closed

Location

Photos 15

Reviews 4

Joel Lim

There are plenty of good reviews of this place, but there are also equally many people who dont know much about cars. I received friendly service at the place, but I cant say Im happy about the quality of their diagnoses nor their prices. Here are some of my experiences with them: 1) Car was leaking oil badly. They diagnosed it to be a bad oil temperature sensor and replaced it. Four months later, the car is still losing oil. Not that the temperature sensor replacement was unnecessary (it really was broken), but it didnt solve my problem. 2) Car wouldnt start intermittently. They suggested doing a complete engine tune up for $300. I declined and did the tune up myself for about $120. Didnt solve the problem but a little googling revealed that it was a bad solder joint on the main relay. Fixed that myself at no cost. 3) Car diagnosed to have bad rear upper control arms. They were right about this, seeing how the bushings were really worn. Quoted me $350 for the repair; did it myself for $65. But that isnt the problem. They did NOT diagnose a bad front control arm which was already shaking and ready to give way. The rear ones had some life left in them, but the front one was a safety hazard. How do you miss something like that? (I asked for a safety inspection). 4) CV shaft replacement. They quoted me $300, I got it done at an equally-reputable shop for $175 (same parts from AutoZone). 5) Timing belt change. I asked how much, they quoted $600. Brought it to an equally-reputable shop (same one as 4) and got it done for $375. 6) Oil change. They didnt leave a sticker showing when the next one was due. Ultimately, I would strongly suggest doing some research about any problems your car may be exhibiting before bringing it in to the shop. Dont be gullible and dont believe everything a mechanic tells you. Your best bet is to ask for a diagnosis and quote, then research some more to see if that will actually solve your problem and if their price is reasonable. All in all, Im relatively a novice when it comes to cars, but I do know a thing or two, and Im confident enough to do repairs on my own. The point is that you can go to these guys if you know nuts to nothing about cars and want to have every little thing changed in your car, which may or may not even solve your problem.

Anonymous User

When I brought my Audi A4 to this shop yesterday for its 140k mile service and an oil change, I was prepared to like Packard Auto. Throughout the day I was updated on my cars progress, as well as the cost of unexpected repairs. The staff was competent, knowledgeable and communicative. They offered me reasonable prices. I thought that I was being treated with respect, which is hard to come by as a woman bringing my car in for repairs. Then came the catch. As I was reviewing and paying my bill, the man named Casey behind the counter took it upon himself to tell me an anecdote that started with, "Women know nothing about cars." He said this to my face after I had just paid him $800. This is seriously bad customer service. First of all, being told I know nothing about cars because I am a woman was extremely insulting. Second, it was completely unnecessary and uncalled for - I thought we had been having a civil conversation up to that point. Third, it was flat-out wrong. I know more about cars, and my car in particular, than your average driver. I am a car enthusiast. I know, for instance, that Audi began manufacturing the A4 in the US in 1998 and that my car is from the first generation (B5). I bought the 2.8L V6 because it has a more reliable engine than the smaller version. I know that I will need to replace the timing belt soon (at 60k miles) because the A4 has an interference engine that causes the pistons to crash into each other and possibly destroy the engine if the timing belt breaks. I know that changing the timing belt involves taking apart the entire front end of the car and takes several hours, and that its worth changing the serpentine belt and water pump at the same time because it doesnt make sense to disassemble the car more often than you need to. Need I really go on? I know my car inside out, and I am extremely offended that I was subjected to that insult based on my gender. I wish I could recommend this place. I really do. I was excited to have found a mechanic that didnt overcharge me and kept me well informed throughout the day. My car is running better after having taken it there. I would have loved to come back to this shop. But I cant, because Im not willing to put up with sexist insults being thrown in my face.

dolphin green

Nightmare experience! Lazy, disrespectfully and novice at best, don’t waste your time or money. The receptionist was pleasant and they didn’t attempt to over-charge me, which I only believe is because I already had an estimate of how much the job should cost. However, one of the mechanics who later loudly shouted to me that he owned the shop was grossly rude and incapable of conducting a respectful two way discussion. He is an Arabic man who I believe to be very much a racist. They said they could fix my car that same day I brought it there yet my car was not even looked at until 36 hours later after I had to physically show up there and get them to begin working on it. After they fixed it I pulled off and noticed that my radio was not working and even worse my car was shaking badly like it wanted to explode. Needless to say I went right back to find out what was causing these issues and to my surprise the mechanic who I mentioned earlier began cursing disrespectfully, blaming the year of my car to be the problem. I remained polite attempting to just find out what they think could be the problem. Eventually another mechanic came over and explained to me that snow/water must have got inside my engine while they worked on it yet they refused to continue working on my car until after the weekend, not to mention they wanted extra money (the nerve). I went and had if fixed by another mechanic along with my radio they broke by blowing a fuse. I still cannot understand why this guy was so frustrated and rude though. Not only did they cause me additional problems but the disrespect was much worse. If I hadn’t already paid them I would not have paid them anything after the way that guy talked to me, trust me do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.

Alicia Woods

If you want the short version: This place is great! Everyone is super nice, the costs are affordable, and the work is fast and reliable. Elaborated version: Im not from Ann Arbor and will only be living here for a few more years, but... Okay, so I never thought I would find myself saying this about my mechanics, but when my family moves, this shop is one of the things I will miss the most (Dont judge, A good mechanic can be hard to find and I dont get out much). Im a young-ish professional with a 16 year old, "ol reliable" type car and after moving to A2 and commuting a ton for work, the reliable part of my car became more of a, reliable as in something will reliably break, fail, malfunction, etc. I cannot say enough about how friendly, knowledgeable, and reasonable these guys have been. - They explain whats going on in a non-condescending and informative way, offer me options and advice (you know, when Im torn on whether to send my car sailing over a cliff or sink another however many hundreds of dollars into it), and politely entertain my awkward personality (even when Im sure theyve seen enough of me and my car for a while). Anyway, I definitely recommend Packard Auto Repair if youre in the market for a good shop.