Provided service for a stolen catalytic converter. Absolutely no issues. Gilman Auto Repair fulfilled their obligation. I would undoubtedly recommend them. read more

Gilman Auto Repair - Auto Repair Near Me - Albany, California

I had a great experience here recently. Older vehicle DOME LIGHT was Acting up Forever Intermittently. Can't remember his name ... Owner- Operator Mr. Safan was Great. Upon my first call he listened and seemed to know some about parts I'd seen on You Tube. Connectors, Switches whatever. Simple Digs as somebody on here mentioned. He re-assured me that if the car stays overnite it would be moved to locked lot nextdoor. Even took time to test my ' Club Lock Key '. He did what he said he'd do. " Don't call me - I shall call you if there's a problem ". Bingo it was ' Diagnosed & Fixed the same day '. It's @ Harrison & S.P.Ave bang across from McDonald's. I found him to be ' Personable & Kind '. Apparently he moved there from a previous location hence the name Gilman Auto. My 1st. time there - and I was impressed that Mr. Saffan went the Extra Mile to Accomodate my Disability with his kindness. I lucked out ! Suffering enough trying to live with a ' Non-Functioning Dome Light '. I had had to open my door to get the Timed Light to come on !!! I got a call right before closing that it works now - I can now read or look 4 stuff. The makeshift one I'd acquired from ' Auto Zone ' .... Not as Efficient nor Practical. Very Bright n ' Hard on the Eyes ' !!!! Hope this lasts !!!! In Sha Allah / God Willing !!!! read more

I recently visited this auto shop because I was on a trip, and wasn't able to go see my regular mechanic. In the morning, when I dropped my car off, the man working there decided it was an appropriate time to hit on me. Then in the evening when I came to pick my car up, the other mechanic who I assume was the owner, chose to stand there and argue with me about when oil changes needed to be done. He proceeded to act like I was stupid, and ask me if I had even seen the maintenance light on on my dash as if I was blind and hadn't seen it or knew what that was. I am not stupid, and I understand that if you run regular oil in your car, then the oil needs to be changed every 3-5,000 miles. However, I run synthetic oil and know that doesn't need to be changed until 5-10,000 miles. Then he told me that I didn't understand how oil changes worked and that as soon as the light goes on on my dash, I had 100 miles or less before I needed to get the oil changed. I did not appreciate having the owner raise his voice at me and talk to me in a disrespectful way. I was polite to both mechanics, and I expect to be treated with same level of respect that I show. read more

mr san is very unprofessional and extremely disrespectful to customers!!! be aware that he charges additional things to the set price! do not come here! read more

I love my mechanic. After having my car towed twice due to the crooks at Dana Auto Meyer. My mechanic at Gilman Auto did the work(replaced the battery and alternator) and even called me to see if my car is okay. Wonderful and honest service! read more

WARNING, WARNING, RED ALERT!!!... DECEPTION, PRICE CHANGES, CHARGES FOR DIAGNOSTIC TEST EVEN THOUGH YOU GET EXPENSIVE REPAIRS ON YOUR VEHICLE. This place is TERRIBLE!!! The Mechanic, Sam, kept changing the prices, at first the diagnostic test was $150.00 and then he changed it to $170.00 and free if I had repairs done (that was a lie). Then Sam recommended a lot of extra repairs to be done on my vehicle, other than what I asked for. However, when I did not want to have the extra repairs, he suggested, Sam charged me for the diagnostic test, even though I had an expensive repair done on my vehicle. He also kept changing the prices of the parts I needed. The prices kept increasing. When I went to pick up my vehicle Sam was on the phone for at least 35 minutes trying to figure out how to accept a credit card payment, he also charges the customers for using their credit cards. Don't waste your time, energy, raising your blood pressure or money at this place. What a Horrible repair shop!!!! I wish I could give it a ZERO...... I am very disappointed with this shop. Grade F- read more

Brought my car there a couple weeks ago and had great service. The check engine light came on in my civic and they helped me out. Process was fast and price was pretty good. read more

Do NOT Go There! The place super mass and the information you get is full of crap. I toke my car for a smog and I got estimate of $1000 to repair it. I want for one more place and surprise the repair is only a sensor that cost $49 plus labor. please do a search before you make any payment. read more

I highly recommend Gilman auto. This local auto shop is the best one I've ever been too. I'm very grateful I could rely on this auto shop time after time.My family and I have been going here for years. Sassan has helped fix, repair, and maintain 4 cars of ours. Never has he failed us. Sassan is always honest about what needs to be done. He is very fair about pricing and EXTREMELY knowledgeable. I personally had a Nissan Rogue from 2010 that recently needed a lot of repairs. He fixed the shocks, suspension, drive belt, spark plug, motor mounts and put in a NEW transmission. The car was running like new 12 years later! I really appreciate being able to rely on Gilman auto whenever I have questions about my car or need the a simple oil change. Very fair priced, very reliable. Fixed all my car needs from complicated to simple. Highly recommend! read more

it the best shop aver to get scam . I fix my car at this shop after couple hours driving my car brok down same problem they lie a lot the gone make u change other parts not damage I hope everyone see my comment i will never aver go back there . that why they don't do their gob right . and they order part the part came after 4 hours read more

Highly recommend. Undoubtedly the best mechanic in East Bay. We are relatively new to the area and Sam took care of us like no other-- he was friendly, honest, and diligent. Pricing was great and the complicated repairs were promptly fixed. read more

This guy and his mechanic buddy are both CROOKS with a capital "C" plain and simple, do not bring your car there UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES you have been warned! He'll try to tell you that there are all these other repairs you need on your vehicle besides what you came in for ugh. Also, they'll do shoddy mechanical work on your vehicle, tell you lies and, jack their labor rate up two fold!!! They messed my transmission even worse than it was when I brought the car in to get it repaired. Don't mess with this gal, I ended up calling BAR (The Bureau of Automotive Repair), try that on for size. I've started the "Shut down Sam" club and need other activists who feel they have been bamboozled by this shade-tree mechanic and crew. Together we can shut this place down and, put it out of business for good! Obviously, a very unhappy customer here. read more

I took my car here to get check out before I drove 400 miles to Southern California. The owner was so helpful and didn't try to sell me on anything. He told me what he found and let me decide on what to do. He gave me a lot of information so I could think with it all. He's honest and competent. I wish he was in LA where I live currently. Thanks so much :) read more

This place always over charged me for all the services on my car. I always had a feeling they were, but I really had no idea how much they were ripping me off for. Last time I went there and their estimate was 5 times (!!!!) more than what Yen's auto charged me. And that was the last time I ever considered them, too bad since I live right around the corner. Really nothing to else to say, typical mechanics. Don't go there, or at least get multiple estimates for any work. read more

Sam the owner was extremely helpful in rebuilding my BMW. He takes pride in customer service. I'd highly recommend this place !

DO NOT GO HERE!!! I am in my mid 60s and have been to a great deal of auto repair shops in my life. This place is the WORST. Recently my car died in the Home Depot parking lot in El Cerrito. I do not have an auto mechanic as my long time mechanic, Glen of Automasters in Oakland, died of cancer recently. I called a towing service and they started towing my car south on San Pablo Avenue toward their shop in Berkeley. I had no idea where to take my car. As we drove south on San Pablo, I saw a repair shop on the street. I never used them before or had any idea about them. I had the tow truck driver drop my car there. The shop was really filthy, totally disorganized, very small, and decrepit. However, I was stuck-literally. The owner, who identified himself as "Sam", came out. He said that there would be a $125 charge to check out why it would not start. I agreed. He said that he would call me after he tried to charge the battery. He also told me that, if I needed a new alternator, the price would be $317 plus labor. He called an hour later and said that I needed a new battery. I said that I would have a battery delivered from Carquest, which was right around the corner.. The next morning, he said that in addition to a battery, I needed a new alternator. He now said that the alternator, which he quoted me the price of $317, was now $450. This seemed high, so I called Carquest. The sold me the same alternator-for $117, or one quarter the price that he quoted me. I bought it over the phone and had it delivered. When my car was ready, which took 4 days, he said that there was a second inspection fee of $85. I had already agreed to pay $125 to inspect the car. He said that there was a second inspection fee because there was one fee for checking out the car before he installed a new battery and another inspection fee AFTER he installed the new battery. HE NEVER SAID A WORD ABOUT THERE BEING A SECOND INSPECTION FEE EITHER WHEN I WAS IN HIS SHOP OR WHEN HE CALLED ME ON THE PHONE AN HOUR LATER. HE SIMPLY ADDED THIS WHEN I CAME TO PICK UP THE CAR. I objected, saying that he could not simply add fees without telling me about them beforehand. He became very angry and started cursing at me and screaming to "Get the f--- out of here!! The shop was so dirty, decrepit, and just run down that I realized that I never should have gone there. I had someone come with me who witnessed this entire incident. He was incredibly condescending, belligerent, aggressive, and very short tempered, as he hung the telephone up on me during 2 separate calls. The WORST REPAIR SHOP i HAVE EVER BEEN TO. Trying to charge a second inspection fee, trying to charge $450 for an alternator I bought at a reputable auto parts store, and screaming like a deranged person in a filthy, run down shop. PLEASE take your car somewhere else. read more

My estimate started around $500. By the time the work was done, I would be billed almost $900 and my car would completely stop working a few weeks later. But that isn't even the worst of it. The owner of the shop agreed to come to my house to check out my car to see if the battery was the problem. I had to "remind" him through five different phone calls, and each time he claimed to have "forgotten." He was pleasant on the phone, so I took him at his word. But when he showed up, I realized the idea that he had "forgotten" was really a ruse. Angry and confrontational, the owner accused me of "fishing for something," and he questioned my morals and ethics, insinuating I was trying to get something from him, instead of simply trying to figure out why my car wasn't working after spending almost $900 in repairs. After paying almost a grand and having my car work for only a few weeks, I was understandably upset. However, I never raised my voice or even asked for a refund. I was almost frozen, shocked that I could pay this mechanic $900 and be treated this inhumanely, right in front of my own house. I am writing this review to strongly suggest that anyone reading this choose another mechanic. I am appalled at the behavior of this shop owner. read more

This place is a complete disaster from the owner down to the employees!!!! I came in to get some repairs done on my car he quoted me a enormous price. Also the old guy that owns the place with the hump on his back told me things was wrong with my car that was not wrong at all. A few days later I had my husband to go back to the shop he forget the car and quoted my husband another price that was $200 lower than the price that he told me. This guy is a complete jerk and he takes advantage of black people old people and handicapped people and most of all ladies!!!I advise everyone not to take your car to this jerk he is a complete asshole and he needs to retire and go to the hospital and get that hump taken off of his back. I only wonder why he's so crippled over I can just imagine he's probably not going to even be able to stand halfway up what is said and done comes back to you if you take advantage of people!!! Karma I really don't know how long he is going to be in business because he is a complete rip off and I also reported him to the Better Business Bureau this place is a wreck do not bring your car here for repairs warning!!!! read more

complete rip off. Take 30 minutes and shop around before the thought of taking your vehicle to this place. They made excuse after excuse to keep adding expenses onto the diagnosis ( by the time the car left the lot, we were at the 4th final quote). read more

If you want swanky, overpriced car repair with a fancy waiting room and wifi, this isn't the place for you. If you want reliable service and straight-talk about your car repairs, then I recommend Gilman Auto. I've been going here for several years with my subaru, and they always treat me right. My car is older and very high mileage, and they always explain what has to be done (for safety or to keep it going) versus what could be done but I could survive without, and everything in between. Be forewarned -- they seem to operate on a low overhead, so the place isn't fancy and there's no front desk receptionist. So, if you call, you're actually speaking to a mechanic, and when you go, a mechanic has to stop work to deal with you. They've always been friendly, and I've left my car there many times without a problem. I was sold on them early on when I took my car to a nearby dealer, who charged me an arm and a leg just to diagnose the problem with the car. On the recommendation of some friends, I called Gilman Auto, which gave me a lower estimate for the repair job. However, instead of just mindlessly doing the repair, Gilman evaluated the problem, told me the first diagnosis was wrong, and recommended a repair that was hundreds of dollars less costly to me. And, yes, it solved the problem! A mechanic that actually saved me money, imagine that! read more

I have nothing but positive commentary to express in my experience with my auto repair at Gilman Auto. Owner is upfront, fair and thorough. I highly recommend you taking your auto for service and repairs at Gilman Auto. read more

I've taken in my 2002 bmw a few times and have been extremely happy with the service and quality. I would recommend this place to all the locals. Owner is a professional and honest guy and they do a great job. read more

I started taking my car to Sam after the dealer warranty expired. Many years later, my 2004 Honda CRV has over 200k miles on it and is still going strong! read more

It's hard to find a auto repair shop that is fair and honest. Gilman Auto has shown over the years that delivering quality repairs at at excellent prices is important to them. I needed some front end work on my Lexus that was going to be sort of expensive so I had 2 other auto repair shops quote me a price. Gilman Auto's quote beat the other two shops price quote by over 20%. Another time, my daughter needed some quick Auto repairs so that she could get back to school in Los Angles. Sam at Gilman Auto fit the car into the schedule and got the repairs done quickly and my daughter made it to class on time. It's nice to have someone on your side....that you are not just a customer that they try to squeeze every last penny that they can get from you. Give Gilman Auto a try....you won't be disappointed. Steve Mah 10 + years Gilman Auto Customer read more

Uggh! What shall I start with first? I was recommended by a friend of a friend who has been going here to fix his Volvo's for years. I had to replace my transmission and based on said above recommendation and the awesome warranty that was given to me, I decided to go with this place. HUGE mistake. The owner said he could replace the transmission "no problem" (he said "I do this all the time" - that should have been a red flag right there). So, I bring my car in when the transmission arrives... and I don't get my car back for almost two weeks. I start to drive it off the lot and it shifts horribly as I take it over to McKevitt Volvo to have it checked out. They said whoever installed the transmission didn't know what they were doing, or it was a bad tranny to begin with. So, I bring the car back and the owner had a yelling fit saying that the tranny is fine. I demanded that he replace the transmission after showing him the diagnostics from McKevitt, and after lots of swearing and yelling he finally relented. So another week and a half goes by and I go to get my car. Once again it shifted badly and after more yelling, I got the info to the tranny place that he bought the transmission from and was able to go to another place to have the transmission replaced/fixed properly. My conclusion was either the guy didn't know what he was doing or he bought bad/cheap quality parts. Either way, he had a terrible attitude when I needed my car fixed after a service he had provided me and accused me of lying and being a bad person. I will NEVER go to this guy again!!!!! Be warned!!!! read more

The work done was fine. However, I know that I was overcharged. I am not sure if it is because I am a female that this happened. I was first quoted $500 for an alternator, then when I said that was not what alternators went for, I was charged the discounted rate of $350. for a rebuilt one. When I picked my car up, the labor cost was $700. I would not recommend this place if you are a woman or are not a car person. read more

My neighbor who works for AAA referred me to Sam at Gilman Auto. I just moved to the area and my old shop was back in Oakland and with an oil leak I needed to find a good shop that works on Saab's closer. I was so pleased with Sam! He is definitely an old school kinda of guy but was very thorough with his work! His prices were reasonable too! I will most definitely be bring my car back to him in the future! read more

Holy mother of motor oil, this is quite easily the least professional business - not just mechanic's shop - I have ever seen. The mechanic/owner tries to rip you off at every turn and expects his customers to turn a blind eye because they don't know about car maintenance. Not only was his service poor, dishonest, unnecessarily delayed, and overpriced - the guy was also downright disrespectful. He was cursing, screaming, insulting and threatening, all in the span of a 20 minute dispute over an irregular, suspect charge he had levied. I've never seen that type of explosively unprofessional behavior, even with the most daft and despondent customer service reps. On top of that, if the harsh relationship-building weren't enough, the shop is filthy, disorganized and ramshackle. Do not ever go to this place! You will virtually question the goodness of all humanity - as I am doing while I write this review - after visiting for 5 minutes. read more

I took my Audi A8 in for service, in regards to replacing my Abs speed sensor, Cv axle trans seal, and the lower oil pan gasket. and the first thing I recognized is the owners customer service an mechanical skills, he was very professional an knowledgable, the work was complete the same day, and my vehicle is running superb. read more

My experience was VERY positive! After staying open for an extra hour waiting for my vehicle to be towed to the shop, Gilman Auto experts were kind, courteous, professional and thorough. I felt respected and heard and was given all the information I needed to make an informed choice about the service options of my vehicle. In my experience, Gilman Auto Repair offers straightforward communication, complete competence and integrity. It is my pleasure to recommend them strongly read more

Won't take my car anywhere else. Initially found this place by accident. My car had gone through 2 engines working with Toyota dealership and they couldn't figure out the problem. Took it here to replace motor for third time and Gilman Auto found electronic fuel injector malfunctioning which caused motors to burn up. Toyota dealership had no clue. Car now has over 300k miles on it and still going. They do an honest job and are priced competitively. Whenever I've gone anywhere else I always seem to get lied too and ripped off and end up coming back. This is not your typical auto shop. read more