Bill & Charlies Auto Repair

These guys are the best! They've kept my hunk of junk going for years. They really go out of their way to be helpful. They'll give you a ride if you need it after you drop off your car and have waited after closing time when that was the only way I could pick up my heap. Even I, an automotive idiot, can understand their explanations of problems and the possible alternative solutions. They never grunt. When my car breaks down out of town (a frequent occurence), I call them up and describe the problem. They tell me what to check and what rip-offs to watch out for when I have to take it to some random mechanic somewhere else. If it weren't for them, I'd have to buy a new car. There's no way I could keep driving this pathetic excuse for a car without their advice and help. They are also good about explaining which problems are merely annoying and which ones could result in serious injury or death -- really helps when trying to prioritize repairs.

They explain things in a manner you can understand and always intently listen to what you have to say. Very cooperative.

Bill and Charlie's nursed a Volvo of ours through its last 100,000 miles (we didn't find them until we were into the last 100,000 miles). They fixed things others couldn't. They were fair and competent. They always dealt with us as intelligent people, carefully explaining everything. They took the time to check for things that might go wrong. The best example of their care is that they took the time to trace a subtle electrical fault and did so for a reasonable amount of money (few places will do that). These guys are a rare find.

I've dealt with them for over a decade and they've gotten two of my vehicles over 200,000 miles. Their labor charges aren't the lowest, but their work is outstanding and they're honest. I'd rather get things fixed the first time with someone I trust than come back again and again. Highly recommended.

Bill & Charlie's is my kind of place. Not fancy, just clean & organized. They even have a "wall of shame" where they put stuf up that has caused them gastric distress (it's a small wall). They nursed my Escort through 210,000 miles. They have even started a newsletter to keep us wannabe's up to speed on the latest in car repair.

New to Lansing, I asked around my workplace for recommended mechanics. I was hoping for some sort of congruency, but everyone I talked to recommended someone else. Finding Bill and Charlies here, and reading a number of favorable reviews, I thought I'd give them a try. Talking with the mechanics and having a few minor repairs done, I quickly built a trusting relationship- so much so that I trusted them to do some major suspension work on my 1993 Mercury Sable. They did a fantastic job, and explained to me what was worn out with each part before giving me options for replacement. They offer rides from the shop to wherever you have to get to and always kept to time tables and appointments. I've since moved away, but they still remain the best repair shop I've worked with.

We have taken our 1997 and 2001 Saabs to Bill and Charlie's for almost as many years as we have had them, for both regular maintenance and necessary repairs. The mechanics and office staff are very pleasant and gladly spend time explaining what needs to be done or what has been done. Their list of items for a major regular maintenance check-up is more extensive than the owner manual's, and not because they are trying to find a way of getting more of our money. I have never thought that they recommended an unnecessary repair. Having estabished a relationship with them, they have several times done minor repairs without charging for the labor or parts. Although I gave them only a "Kinda Sorta" regarding price, I recognize that we own cars that are expensive to repair. (Some of the parts' prices have been hair-curling.) Their prices, however, are consistently lower than the dealer's.

We learned of Bill & Charlie's from a note highly recommending the shop that was put on the windshield of our then new 1997 Saab (not by them). We have since learned that friends and acquaintances who own Saabs, Volvos, etc. are also enthusiastic about B&C's. B&C's owner told me, "We work on almost anything that comes through the door, but mostly cars of European and Asian manufacturer." A recent experience we had with them is a perfect example of B&C's MO. This summer, B&C's replaced the serpentine belt on our 2001 Saab. Two days later, when we were out of town, the idler pulley bracket (a cast iron part mounted on the engine block) snapped in two. The out-of- town repair shop bill came to $860. I took the invoice and replaced parts to B&C's. Upon examination, B&C's thought at least one part - the $315 belt tensioner - should have been reused instead of replaced. B&C's also believed that the mark-up on the parts was out of line and that we had been overcharged for labor. Since they had so recently replace the belt, B&C's did a detailed forensic examination of the broken bracket, including obtaining the opinion of a metallurgist from Michigan State University. Without going into the details (which are fascinating), B&C's came to believe that they could well have been at fault in weakening the offending bracket. They told me of this conclusion as I was picking up the same car, on which they had done a variety of repairs totalling over $600. By way of compensating us, B&C's refused to accept a dime for that service. Needless to say, we will continue using B&C's, including trusting them with our new Prius, for which the owner already has his certification.

They have kept my family safe for years and really seem to care about being fair. They will tell me what needs to be done now, what is optional, and what can wait. They told my dad when his beloved Bronco needed to be retired, even though they enjoyed the repair revenues, and know he would keep paying the bills. I once took my pretty new Honda to the local dealer. The washer fluid sprayed out the back, but not the front. When I called to get the estimate, the quote was over $400.00. They said they had to replace the motor and tubing, etc. I asked why the "dead" motor could still get the fluid to the back of the car and not to the front and they had no answer, just a $75 diagnostic charge and $400 estimate. I paid the fee and took the car to Bill and Charlies. It took them 5 minutes to use a little air thing and blow the leaf out of the clogged wiper fluid nozzle. They wrote a note to the Honda dealer successfully convincing them to refund my $75. All for no charge. My wiper fluid thingy has had no problems since and it still works great 5 years later. I wish more companies would treat me the way Bill and Charlies does. Thanks Greg and Tim and the rest of the team!