Mander Automotive Service

14297 Old Bandera Rd, Helotes, TX 78023, USA

Address:	14297 Old Bandera Rd, Helotes, TX 78023, USA
Phone:	+1 210-695-2255
Site:	mechanicnet.com
Rating:	4.4
Working:	7AM–5:30PM 7AM–5:30PM 7AM–5:30PM 7AM–5:30PM 7AM–5:30PM Closed Closed

Location

Photos 6

Reviews 9

Hilary Cadish

I scheduled an appointment a few weeks ago to have routine maintenance done on my car. I was moving to Las Vegas and was about to drive approx 1,200 miles, so I wanted the alignment done, transmission flushed (oil I had gotten changed elsewhere and tire rotation). My car was a used Honda Civic, and I knew since I owned it (for 5 years) the timing belt hadnt been replaced, so I asked them to give me a diagnosis on that. I wasnt sure when/if the previous owner replaced it. I ended up spending $400 on the alignment, transmission flush, and the diagnosis of my timing belt (which I thought was a pretty steep price). Bob, the owner, said my timing belt was SO worn, that there was no way I could make it to Vegas safely without having it replaced. He described it as being in the worst condition possible. Of course, I panicked, realizing I had a week until I moved across country and was about to drop $1300 total on my car. I weighed every option, including spending 3 FULL days looking into trading in my car and leasing a new one, because I didnt feel my car was worth $1300+ in repairs. Then, my neighbor and boyfriend decided they would save me all the stress and $$ and change it themselves, while also adding a new water pump. This took them about 12 hours. After they replaced it, they showed me "old" timing belt. Come to find out, the "old" timing belt still had the printing label visible and had NO wear what-so-ever. It looked brand new...and it was. My boyfriend popped open the hood to show me something else, and I discovered a yellow tag in the corner of the hood that said the belt was replaced in 2011 and wasnt due to change until 185,000 miles--my car only had 136,000. We took the "old" timing belt to Bob and asked him what he was talking about, and where he saw the "wear," and the only thing he could say was that it didnt look "as bad" as he initially thought. No apology. I understand this is a business and they need to make money. But at the end of the day, I felt completely lied to and had so much unnecessary stress. I felt Mander prayed on a young female, thinking I didnt know anything about cars. Little did they know, I would see the tag in the corner for proof that my car did not need the replacement. Sure, it doesnt hurt to replace. But it was certainly NOT worn or damaged looking. I am highly disappointed in the dishonesty I received and the way it was handled.

alex e

so i went in to have some tuning work done on my car. i needed them to use thier dealer tuning device because my aftermarket tuner can only do certain things. the estimate was 75$. when i got my car back i got a bill for 220$, and there were NO CHANGES made to my car. i assumed it was some sort of mistake so called them back and tried to talk to someone about it but apparently you need an appointment to even talk to any mechanic. after 2 calls to them telling me that someone would eventually call me back and not recieving a call after about a week, i called my credit card to cancel the charge. that got thier attention and the called me back demanding money. i offered to pay for the gas they added to my car and the cost of what the dealer charged them for the use of thier programming device. in my opinion this is more that what they deserve for doing nothing to my car. i am not paying you people to give it the old college try. i am paying for results. bob was very rude to me considering that i offered to help cover the cost of THIER MISTAKE. my only regret it that google wont allow a zero star rating.

Anonymous User

Mander had my Lexus for a full week, and it was midway during that week when he told me the cost was going up from about $2500 to about $4500, after a considerable amount of work had already been done and I felt it was too late to pull it out in mid-repair. I took it to Mander believing his prices would be less than the Lexus dealer, but they were as much as the North Park Lexus charges I was later given. Also, North Park would have given me a free loaner car for their 3-day repair time, where I was without a car for the week it was at Mander. As far as I am aware, my repairs were done well, but I do not recommend Mander because I believe he is over-priced.

Anonymous User

I beg to differ with the review from the person writing on May 13. I always take my 1999 Lexus ES 300 to Bob. His prices are dramatically lower then North Park Lexus. I got an estimate from North Park for a 60K mile service and saved hundreds on the exact same work. I alway and often recommend Mander Automotive for work on any vehicle, mine just happen to be late model vehicles. His service recommendations have always been on the mark. The work is done right the first time and if I have a follow up problem he fixes it at his expence. For quality honest automotive service go to Mander Automotive in Helotes.

Jay Sheeds

Consistently excellent service. Bob and crew have serviced our MINIs and our Subaru for several years, as well as many other vehicles of friends and family. His pricing is based on the standard ASC book price for labor hours, plus parts cost. On more than one occasion I have received a discount on labor because the specific job actually took less time than was booked, also have received discounts on parts. Most recently he performed a rotor re-surfacing and threw in a set of brake pads. There may be another shop in the area as good, but I have not found them. Highly recommended.

Robert Cherrington

Weve been using Manders Automotive for about 15 years for our pest control company and for our personal autos as well. Bob is the most honest and competent mechanic I know of in this area. A few times in the past we tried some cheaper auto shops, but we ended up paying more because we often had to take the vehicle back for Bob Manders to do the job right. Just recently, one of our technicians thought his brakes were needing new pads, but after Bobs people took a look, they found the brakes were still good and they didnt charge me a thing!

Brian Petter

I was told by the dealership that my A/C repair was due to the compressor and clutch replacement that would cost $2600, so I was referred to Manders from a colleague who also has an Acura. Bob and his team was able to replace the clutch and complete the repair for under $600, so I am forever grateful for the honesty and savings of over $2,000. Bob is a good man and was the person who called me back directly with updates and final repair and pick up.

Becca Adams

Bob is the NICEST MAN EVER. Long time family mechanic and is up front and honest about your vehicle 100% of the time - even if youre not using him. I would talk to him everyday for his kindness. I would bring my vehicle to him every time it needed for his expertise and honesty.

Sherry Gribbon

Bob Mander is one of the most honest people I know. I have had to deal with so many dishonest car repair shops; Bob is always a comfort to me every time I have work done on my cars. As a single woman, I am so very appreciative of his honesty and affordable pricing.