I've never heard of Bartels until I received a coupon in the mail a couple of years ago for an oil change. I normally change my own oil, except during the winter months, so I decided to give them a try. Since then, I've had two really bad experiences with this Bartels location. The first was 1/5/15 when they replaced a knock sensor. My engine malfunction light was intermittently coming on. After AT LEAST AN HOUR, they finally told me they found a hammer under the driver's seat that was on top of the sensor and that was what was setting the indicator off. I felt a bit silly and they even showed my the hammer, although I didn't even recognize it as being mine and couldn't even remember what I was working on, or that I would have left a hammer in my car. Anyway, I paid $90 for this "diagnoses" and moved on. A DAY LATER, the indicator came back on. I took it back to Bartels and then they told me that the knock sensor needed to be replaced. I told them that I was just in there in regards to the "mysterious hammer" that they told me was causing the trouble. The rep just told me "well, we have to start SOMEWHERE" and refused to apply the $90 I already paid to this new repair. I told them I think the knock sensor was going bad all along, but they still wouldn't apply the previous $90. My second bad experience with them just occurred today. Last Spring, my oil indicator and engine malfunction lights were intermittently coming on. Now, back in Dec of '14, Bartels replaced an oil gasket. This time around, they replaced the upstream and downstream CO2 sensors and finally the catalytic converter, all on different occasions between April and May, as the indicators kept intermittently coming on. Around two months ago, they started coming on again and I have been losing oil. At this point, I just wanted my car fixed and so I decided to take it to my Honda dealer. I normally do not take my car to the dealership, especially for things like routine maintenance, but I'm starting to feel that for unusual things, such as what I have been experiencing, the dealership is the way to go. It sounds cliche, but they work on my type of car all the time and probably have the best percentage rate of fixing it correctly THE FIRST TIME. Anyway, the dealership just told me the catalytic converter needs to be replaced! I told them I just had that done. They said the part used was NOT up to Honda's specs and that the indicators are coming on because my oil is burning within the system. Honda's catalytic converter is MUCH more expensive than the one Bartels put on my car, which was my first clue. I decided to let Honda do the work. After Honda dropped me off, I called Bartels to explain my problem and to ask them about their 36,000 mile/36 month warranty. The rep refused to honor it, unless I took the car back to them so that THEY can do their OWN diagnostics. I told them what Honda said and that they are already working on my car. The Bartel's rep advised they would "put a better part" in my car if I would bring it back to them. I asked him why they didn't do that in the first place and the only answer he could give me was to "save on cost". I advised that if the indicator doesn't come on again after I get my car back from Honda, wouldn't THAT be proof enough that what Bartels did in May did NOT fix the problem? The rep had no answer other than they would not honor their warranty unless I brought the car back to them. I'm amazed that they didn't even offer me a rebate, or ANYTHING - not a dime. Their catalytic converter "repair", along with labor alone, was over $700. I even suggested he call Honda just to see what they found, even if it helped Bartels in the future, and he didn't even take note of it. After several minutes of nothing but push back, I told him fine, that I would not be giving them my business in the future and that "there is always social media". To Bartel's credit, I did find this location clean and they do offer shuttle service. I also initially found their rep to be friendly, until I brought up these issues, at which point he acted "put off" that I would even consider asking for any sort of rebate, etc. In fact, I remember him literally asking me "why" when I asked him about the first repair for the knock sensor, as if I was way out of line. Hopefully many potential customers will see this post, along with the other negative ones, and take their business elsewhere. read more

I have a Acura 2007 MDX, I bought it when Acura first came up with the redesigned version of MDX. I have owned it since then & been servicing it at continental Acura in Naperville since the first maintenance service in 2007. The SUV hasn't been to any other shop for servicing and repair other than the dealership. The Continental Acura dealership servicing is great, they had a program via Costco for 15% discount on the invoice for parts and labor which made it better from a cost standpoint. Last year Costco terminated the program with the dealership. I saw that Bartel's auto had the same discount program with Costco and I wanted to try them out. The job was replacing rack and pinion which Continental Acura had quoted me $3325 incl of parts and labor. Bartel's quoted me $2035 for the same job & together with the 15% discount from Costco would cut it down further by $300. I was not sure if they had the equipment and technical capability to handle a complex work of replacing rack & pinion. The manger assured me that they have the capability and Bartel's provides 3 years/36,000 miles warranty on the repair for parts and labor. The work took more time than anticipated, but the job was flawless. I have an eye for identifying flaws during a drive as I grew up on cars. I drove the SUV for more than 100 miles after the job and it felt great. I would highly recommend Bartel's auto for Acura servicing needs as the 15% Costco discount make it a great value. The manager and the staff are very professional and courteous. read more

BEWARE!!!! My transmission went bad. This company lured me in saying let me take a look and just unscrew some bolts and there might not be anything wrong at all. So we said fine. Transmission was bad. We decided to go with another company and i'm pretty sure these people got butt hurt about it. They said for them to unscrew a couple of bolts and take a look (20 min max) was going to charge us 170.37. We paid it because they would not give us our car until we did. We called and tried to make it right they said they would only refund us the 17.94 for the shop supplies because there is no shop supplies to just take bolts off and take a look. This was two weeks ago and still have not got that check in the mail. They coded it as transmission oil pan gasket and or filter- remove AND REPLACE- with skid plate. They did not replace anything and did not add any new oil. We even asked if they would put some old transmission fluid in so the other place can take it and they said they would not do that for us. They diagnosed a problem I talked with other mechanics and they said they would not charge more than 50-70 dollars to do what they did. They ripped us off and when we called so they could make it right they did not do anything. Very sad and everyone BEWARE!!!!! Sad because we do need a mechanic near by and we would of went to them for future issues, but they have burnt that bridge now. read more

just picked up my auto form the Plainfield location Brought it in for check engine light and issues with cruise control/odometer/speedometer feeling that most likely they were all linked...Upon picking up the auto we were charged 100.00 less thatn the estimated figure given a few hours earlier Reason was because mechanic found that one of the issues involved only a loose wire and they did not have to replace the expensive sensor Point is that this aut0o repair outlet not only does a professional job but they are honest. Something unfortunately that their industry does not have a good track record of. Thanks Bartel!!!Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees. read more

We appreciate how honest this company is! We were thinking we needed breaks (due to squeaking) and was told the breaks are good for several more years (brought us in the repair shop to show us). So, we got the oil changed and changed the radiator fluid (all set for Winter months). They did a throughout inspection of the belts, engine, coolant system, etc.). All for under $140.00. Alex was extremely nice to talk to and very polite! Thank you! We now have a new place to take "Big Bertha" (my trusty old van). She is in good hands! read more

My first stop at Bartel's: A one-stop fix for a screeching serpentine belt (I couldn't reach the locking bolt). Also, a source of good advice specific to my 1999 Lexus RX300: long-in-the-tooth, but still a great ride. Their charge ($57 approx) for the service is in-line with labor charges everywhere: $40 to $60 per hour. They took a low-pressure run at adding service, and it worked. I will make an appointment for oil and filter. Their advice saved me about $550 to fix a HVAC control noise under the dashboard. Wayddago. read more

I've been going to Bartel's for years and I can always trust them, especially as a woman. I took my car to the Oswego location but moved and was so glad to know there was this location nearby. Staff are great, easy to talk to and they take the time to listen about any concerns with the car. The shop is clean and comfortable which is great, because I typically wait for my car but they do offer a shuttle service and have used it before. Don't go anywhere else, Bartel's is great! read more

First of all nobody touches my truck but me. But it was too cold to change my own oil yesterday so I brought it there they got me right in the put floor mat down on the floor they were very knowledgeable they talk me and showed me under the truck and show me something they were very polite professional and knowledgeable I would recommend this oil change place to all my friends and if you get one of their keychains you get a $5 off coupon every time , I will return read more

They don't even deserve 1 star! I give them NONE!!! The worst RIP off place on the planet!!! Never take your car there!!! They over charge...don't even honor their own coupons, then expect you to pay ridiculous amounts for their service. I'm reporting then to the Attorney General of Il. Their illegal tactics must be stopped. I truly hope people read my review & Never!!! Never take your car here for anything!! NEVER!!! read more

Did a great job finding all issues that needed to be addressed and worked with my warranty company to make sure everything that could be covered would be covered. Lined up a rental car and arranged for Enterprise to come to the shop to pick up the rental so I wouldn't have to schlep it back. Went above and beyond to answer all my questions and kept my car immaculate upon return. read more

I will never, ever, ever step into a Bartels again. My wife's Caravan needed new rear brakes-$1189.22. On the receipt they gave the exact NAPA product numbers for the parts they replaced. The parts cost $326.45. They charged me $750.60, a markup of $424.15, or 230%. If this sounds reasonable, go there. I have the receipts to prove it. read more

I was very pleased with the customer service I experienced. Everything was explained and Alex answered all my questions. He also took me back to the garage to view my car underneath so I had a better understanding of the information they were telling me. I will definitely be back. read more

Friendly and knowledgeable staff, competitive pricing so you don't need to go to a dealership and get that dealership price, and a focus on providing quality work so you don't need to look elsewhere. Bartel's is my number one choice! read more

Love the place great service great people they make you feel comfortable the waiting room is great I have been taking my wife's car there every time it needs service and they do a great job.... read more

I will be sure to recommend Bartel's to everyone I know. The Staff was courteous and the service was exceptionally fast. With their WIFI and hot coffee, I was able to work as well! read more

All 3 of our families cars have been having our cars serviced there for the past year and everything has been fine. Nice, friendly service and good people! read more

The staff at Plainfield are always friendly, professional and knowledgeable. They always complete the work as promised and with it done correctly. Lois R read more

Great service and quality work. From the very review of the problem through completion of the work I felt they had MY best interests in mind. read more

Very good customer service and quickly took care of my car and was able to pass emissions. Definitely will return in the future.