Karmakanix
707 Jones St, Berkeley, CA 94710, us
(510) 558-0111
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About this shop
- Hours
- Specialties
- Specialities:
- Loaners
- No
- Notes
Score card
They are always honest | 5.0/5 |
They are competent | 4.9/5 |
Their repair price is reasonable | 4.3/5 |
They complete the work in a timely manner | 4.1/5 |
They respond well when they screw something up | 5.0/5 |
They take the time to explain the problems and necessary repairs | 4.8/5 |
They treat male and female customers in the same manner | 5.0/5 |
They are always honest | 5.0/5 |
I would use this mechanic again | N/A |
I would recommend this mechanic to others | N/A |
They fix the problem the first time | 4.8/5 |
The shop is located in a safe neighborhood | 3.9/5 |
The hours of operation are convenient for customers | 4.2/5 |
They are near public transportation (or provide loaners, shuttle bus, rides as needed) | 3.9/5 |
Reviews
Apr 29, 1997
Here's a guy that can tell me which of the two vent-hoses connecting to the manifold is cracking based on my description of the idling roughness caused by the resulting vacuum leak.... Because, he informs me, the oxy sensor signals the fuel injection arou nd 21 times per second.... The amazing thing is thaty sometimes theory can get in the way of practical ability, but this guy just loves these cars enough that I feel a bit like the "other man" when I go pick it up... OK, OK - so his shop is in Berkeley, has "Karma" in the name, and usually at least one VW Kombi inside, but this is my second Audi (I plain wore out the first one, an '83 Turbo bought new) and I wouldn't trust it to anyone else...
Nov 07, 2011
Nov 07, 2011
Nov 07, 2011
Dec 17, 2005
These guys have been taking care of my VW Golf for a couple
years now. They are always willing to take the time to
walk me through the repairs and explain what's going on.
They definitely give me a good view of what's going on with
my car and what maintenance/repairs I have coming up.
Steve definitely knows these cars backwards and forwards!
It's good to know a mechanic who is so friendly, too (I'm a
woman and don't feel at all intimidated).
Mar 14, 2010
OK. Steve ROCKS!
My 97 jetta is on the road safely because of him...He is
super nice and super good and super reasonable...
Which is why he had to hire a manager.
SIGH.
She kinda gets in the way--she over-estimates everything
(when you can get in to see him,how long it'll take to fix
and how much it'll cost) to such a degree that when she is
on vacay or sick, and Steve answers his phone, the
difference is alarming.
That and the fact that he rolls in at ten am--those are my
only gripes.
Other than that, my jetta and I trust him with our lives.
Nov 07, 2011
Mar 14, 2010
My 1999 VW Jetta TDI is a diesel car which I run on
biodiesel fuel. I know much less about diesel than I do
about gasoline cars. The TDI is a special case, also,
because of computer control mechanisms in the engine. I
have had the following work done by Karmakanix: Remove,
clean and replace intake manifold, and exhaust gas
recirculator (never done on any other car I owned, repair
of manual transmission linkage, replacement of clutch.
Interpretation of "check engine" light code as "glow plug"
fault, and immediate replacement of 3 of the fouled plugs
and special careful replacement of the one remaining
"frozen" foul plugs which might have required a cylinder
head replacement had the correction failed. All steps of the
diagnosis, possible remedy and actual repair were explained
to me in detail. Per hour labor charge is not cheap, in my
view: $120/hr, but worth it. Headlamp bulbs (2) were
difficult to replace due to placement and requirement to do
from the rear, not the front. This was done for the cost of
the bulb 2 different times, and no labor cost. I recommend
the shop.
Mar 14, 2010
In 1997, I bought a '97 Jetta GLS. After the warranty
expired, I took the Jetta to Steve for everything. At one
point, in 2006, I gave it to my mother. She blew threw 4
clutches in one year. We got a discount rate.
Eventually, when I had to confiscate my mother's keys, I
just gave them the car. Next to me, they knew this car from
stem to stern. I believe it's still on the road to this
day, and well-cared for, I'm sure.
As soon as I buy another car, and get rid of my Ford Escape,
I'll probably buy another VW just so I can have them take
care of it for me.
They'll never rip you off or tell you a bunch of hooey.
Just, ya know, be patient. Everybody with a VW in Berkeley
(and that's a lot of people) knows Steve and Karmakanix, so
they it's a very busy shop. It might take a little longer to
get you and your VW back on the road, but at least you'll be
safe and in a well-running vehicle.

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