AM-PM Automotive Repair
| Address: | 3696 Scheuneman Rd, White Bear Lake, MN 55110, USA |
| Phone: | +1 651-426-0462 |
| Site: | ampmautomotiverepair.com |
| Rating: | 4.7 |
| Working: | 8AM–6PM 8AM–6PM 8AM–6PM 8AM–6PM 8AM–6PM Closed Closed |
Location
Photos 4
Reviews 8
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Logan Roddy
Back in the fall of 2015 I took my wifes 2001 toyota highlander to this shop because it was riding really rough when going over bumps, also it was burning through oil at a fairly alarming rate. They diagnosed the problem(s) and recommended new struts(front and back), as well as new valve cover gaskets(as the old ones were worn out or failing). Partway through the repair they also said the spark plugs looked bad and should be replaced. This brings me to my first con of this shop. Markup.I paid $23 per spark plug when I could go to Autozone and pick them up for $9 a piece. Stupid me. They finish the work and $3000+ later Im on my way. Fast forward a year and a half, I take the car in as the check engine light is on and its running really rough. They diagnose the problem, my knock sensors are not functioning correctly. This would require them to replace the knock sensors, total cost $1400. I balk at that price but they tell me its 3 hours of labor. I ask where the other $1100 is coming from and its parts. They quote me at $330 PER KNOCK SENSOR. The most expensive price I can find online for that part is $150. Most are between $125-135. So, $400 markup just on those two parts. :(. In addition, they notice that my valve cover gaskets are shot and need to be replaced(remember that $$$ repair I had a year and a half ago?). To their credit, they cover this under warranty so Im off the hook. they replace the valve cover gaskets and send me on my way, I decide to do a bit of research before getting the knock sensors replaced. This car is 16 years old after all. I take the car to a different shop who quotes me at $450 to replace the knock sensors(another shop quoted $950). While he has the intake manifold off, he notices something wrong with the valve cover gaskets. They were not installed correctly, o-rings werent lubricated, some bolts werent tightened, etc. Overall just a shoddy job. AND I have a misfiring cylinder because my spark plugs look shot. Interesting, those Iridium spark plugs with a 70-100k mile lifespan that I paid 3x markup for 12k miles ago are already shot, thats strange. I call AMPM back up, and again, to their credit they agree to take a look at the car and assess what happened. After a fair amount of back and forth they admit that the person who replaced the valve cover gaskets did not know how to replace them properly....AND DID IT ANYWAYS. While also admitting that the job wasnt done properly a year and a half ago. They disagree with the assessment that there is a misfire on one of the cylinders until I tell them to take it for a drive and tell me if they disagree then. After some more back and forth they agree to replace two of the spark plugs. I had to push to get the two spark plugs replaced for free because technically they werent covered under warranty since my engine was burning oil. After I reminded them that the reason I brought my car in initially was BECAUSE IT WAS BURNING OIL, they agreed to replace two of the $9 spark plugs for absolutely no cost to me...Which now means that they didnt completely diagnose my oil burning problem originally, instead they suggested an expensive repair that, while it was needed at the time, they also botched. What type of damage does running a car with improperly seated valve cover gaskets have on an engine? No idea. Heres the thing. Everyone I worked with at AM PM was always friendly, they always took the time to try to explain the problems to me. I feel a little bad writing a negative review because everyone was really nice. Ultimately, its the large markup and their inability to fix a problem on their first two tries. Nothing personal, like I said, they all were very pleasant! What they should have done? - Replace all spark plugs for free(They cleaned the other 4 plugs, why not just replace all of them to put my mind at ease? Would cost $36 for them) - Offer to diagnose the oil burning problem for free(this is why I initially took the car in) and offer me an extremely fair price for the repair(just parts, no labor? Parts at COST).
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Anonymous User
Completely infuriated with this shop. I brought my car to this shop because they seemed like an honest and good shop. What a joke! Not only was I treated like an incompotent child, but the service I brought my car in for was never done. They took it upon themselves to perform work I did not authorize and had the gall to try to charge me for it. My car left with more problems than when I brought it in. I ended up having to pay the dealership over $1,000.00 to correct the problems they caused with the computer in the car and the steering, which were absolutely fine when I brought the car in!
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Lori DeBrunn
I have been trusting my van to AM/PM for about 3 years now and have received 100% credible service. Repairs includes, brakes, transmission, shocks, front end work, even electrical connections to a trailer. They "look" beyond the immediate and make suggestions for remedies to eliminate possible future problems. Christian ethics abound. Each time I brought the van in, I have been kept informed as to the progress of the repair and having a loaner car available kept me from skipping a beat with my 3 jobs. I am thankful I was recommended to give them a try.
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Matt Fjorden
I wont be back. My wallet being opened at this repair shop is over. I spent good money there, but in the end I only got excuses not results. I cant afford to pay a premium price for a result that gives me more issues or worries. The owner is a good man and means well and will go the extra mile to help. I do like him a lot, but to many mechanics in and out of there and I cant afford to have an engine replacement every year. So I have to sadly move on.
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Dale Norman
My niece found out that her car was going to need a lot of repair which was more than she could afford as a college student. I suggested that she go AMPm and have them look at it. Gregor owners Son took a look, found some parts fixed it. As she thanked him Gregor donated the labor because she was a college student. Because of this instance and other stories of kindness, honesty with their no hassle warranty I am a customer.
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Lisa Meredith
Love AM-PM Automotive Repair! I was looking for a reliable and trustworthy auto repair shop close to home for my aging MINI. They are exactly what I was looking for! Helpful, honest, and not only give me the information and advice I need, but explain it to me without making me feel foolish! Great advice! Great service! I highly recommend checking them out!
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Doug Lucas
A repair shop I can really trust. I have used AM/PM Auto Repair for years. Their staff is very helpful and the owner is trustworthy. I travel across the Twin Cities because I trust them and their work. They have saved me hundreds of dollars compared to other estimates. I highly recommend AM/PM Auto Repair.
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Evan Uribe
They went above and beyond. Called with an emergency around closing time and they bent over backwards to help out when they didnt have to due to the time. Would go back and you should check them out as well.
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