Engine and Transmission Express (Charleston, WV) Mechanic(s): Frank H. Wilson
708 Virginia St. West , Charleston, WV 25302 304 342 7711
Features and Specialties: Specializes in Transmission Work ,Specializes in Brakes & Mufflers ,Specializes in Engine Rebuild Work ,Has ASE certified mechanics

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Survey results:

They are always honest
They are competent
The repair price is always reasonable
They fix the problem the first time
They complete the work in a timely manner
They respond well when they screw something up
They take the time to explain the problems and necessary repairs
The shop is located in a safe neighborhood
The hours of operation are convenient for customers
They treat male and female customers in the same manner
They are near public transportation (or provide loaners, shuttle bus, rides as needed)

Reviewers Comments:

I took my Jeep in for a bad missing problem, It turned out that I only needed a new set of wires, they fixed it in less than a half hour. The charge was very reasonable. They checked the air in my tires, and all fluids while they had it in. I will reccomend them to all my friends.

This shop specializes in engine & transmission repairs. They will take in regular maintenance jobs if they have an opening. I began going to them 4 years ago when I lived in Charleston. Though I now live 40 miles away, I still take my car to them for repairs because they are honest. They take the time to explain the whys & wherefores - and they are all around nice guys. I trust them implicitly and have full confidence in their work. Most of all, I am impressed by their ethics. If the repair work is not in their field of expertise, they will recommend another competent shop.

We've been taking both our Subarus to this shop for several years and we've been very satisfied with them. They spend a lot of time explaining to us what's going on and they're very friendly. They score a "zero" on the surliness scale that many mechanics score off the charts on. On more than one occasion they did work on our cars and charged us nothing. What a great place.

Mr Wilson has worked on 2 of my cars now, and the repairs have been very well done and on time. I highly reccommend this shop in the Charleston area.

I have never had anyone be so accommodating to me when I needed a repair. The staff there is kind, easy to work with and understand, and I intend to give all of my business to E&T Express. How many mechanics or automotive repair shops can you say these things about?

Engine & Transmission Express has done two repairs on my Ford Explorer. Not only did they do a great job, the staff there is very professional and helpful - they even gave me a ride to work! I would recommend them to friends and family without hesitation.

Engine and Transmission Express is quite possibly the finest auto repair shop I have ever had the pleasure of doing business with.

I found this shop on the CarTalk website - it was highly recommended, based on the reviews, and they sure lived up to my high expectations. They are my mechanics now - competent, sharp, and dependable. Mr. Frank Wilson was at the front desk both times I went to the shop. I spoke with him on the phone, explained what I thought the problem was - he gave me a preliminary diagnosis, as well as very detailed directions how to get to his shop. He was very responsive to my concerns and listened well. I don't have much experience with cars (other than driving), and it showed :-D. Mr. Wilson picked up on that, and his explantion of what needed to be done to diagnose the problem precisely and to repair it made sense to me - and yet he was not condescending. After I received my car back, he explained to me what else might be of concern further down the road, and what to pay attention to. He also gave me an estimate of how much it would cost to repair a certain problem if it occurs. He saved me a whole bunch of money by addressing the root cause of the problem (when I was ready to pay dearly for fixing what turned out to be merely a symptom diagnosed at the dealership). His labor rates are reasonable. His shop offers rides to customers. I don't have a good basis to respond to "They respond well when they screw something up" and "They treat female and male customers the same". The shop is not open on Saturday - but I don't blame them - they work hard during the week. But they are open during lunch hour. I got my car back within 24 hours (I would have gotten in back on the same day but I took it there late in the day, so I got it on the next day).

I have been to them several times for minor to major problems. Frank fully explains your options and prices and has always recommended the least expensive way first, making it clear that it may need the more expensive repair. This has not happened to me in my experiences. He once did a tune-up on a car of mine with 50+K miles and its performance increased very noticeably. Would strongly recommend them to anyone needing this type of work.

On this website's recommendation I took my 2001 Subaru Outback in for what I thought was a belt/pulley-related squeal. After looking at the belts and pulleys, before doing any work, Mr. Wilson called to get the go ahead. No garage I've been to has ever done this. The belts didn't fix the noise. So, at no charge whatsoever, Mr. Wilson and his fellow Rick spent nearly a half an hour investigating until they determined that the whistling (not a sqeal - what do I know) was likely coming from my muffler. Since they don't do exhausts, they called another garage to get an estimate (also something no garage I've ever been to has done) on a new muffler and relayed that info to me. A rare breed indeed. It was like I was in some bizarro-honest-competent-mechanic world.

I took in a 2000 Chev Impala (115,000 miles) with a vibration passing throughh 35 Mph. One of the mechanics in the shop drove the car up a hill just as I described to duplicate the problem. They serviced the transmission after calling for the go ahead and then explained all the options (probable replacement due to excessive sludge in trans fluid). When I told him I'd like to drive the tranny to failure, Frank supported the decision and welcomed my return. I'm sure I'll be back.

Without a doubt, my experience with Frank Winter has been the best ever in car maintenance. I found him to be patient, honest and courteous in explaning the problem with my car and the appropriate solution. I would and have highly recommended them to anyone.

I took my wife's 2004 Buick Rainer to Frank based solely on his rating here on Car Talk. It was leaking transmission fluid all over the place but was still shifting fine. I showed up with out an appointment and told Frank what was happening and what I feared, and the first words out of his mouth were, don't assume the worst and that these cars often had coolant line problems. And, that as long as it didn't go to low on fluid or get to hot, we might be okay. WELL GUESS WHAT, he was right. Instead of the rebuild or at least resealed I feared it was just some lines that needed replaced. And even better the final cost was less than the estimate. Now to make it even better he diagnosed another different problem I didn't even tell him about. But that I had been to the Buick shop four different times about (and they could never fix it) but he did (after asking me) for only $75.00. And on top of every thing else he had the car back to me by 3:30 the same day!!! This place is the best!!!

Frank and his staff are great! They have been fair and honest with me every time I've been in. They are friendly and helpful. I am a young woman, and while I don't know a whole lot about cars, Frank has taken the time to explain and show me what work he is doing. He has even spoken to my mother on the phone to discuss repairs with her. I have learned a great deal about taking car of my Subaru from him. His prices are also reasonable and fair (there is always a complete printed invoice that he is happy to go over with me). I trust Frank and the work done at his shop immensely.

This is the most professional and most competent garage that I've ever been to, and I've been to a lot of them. Frank Wilson explained everything to me in a manner that I understood. They recommended ways to keep costs down and even recommended another garage for work that they didn't do. I will definitely go back again.

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