Honestly, a little disappointed this last trip to Import Palace. I'd been a customer here for nearly 10yrs. Had a new set of new heads put on my 91' 2.1 Vanagon. They did the work, and it ran fine, for a few days. Then came the sub-zero temperatures in Missoula. Being my daily-driver, I had to go to work. It started and I let it idle for a while. Then the oil pressure alarm came on and so I shut it down. Blew the oil cooler seal. Towed it back to shop. New seal, oil, and filter. On my way back to work from shop, engine seized. Called Import Palace. I was told by John that he's done all he can, that he didn't want to do the job in the first place, and not to have it towed back to his shop. What you don't see is, how I had to fight to obtain a loan to fix it in the first place. My only vehicle. Now,I'll be paying back a loan for the next few years and absolutely nothing to show for it! Where it goes from here,I am lost, but it's not going back to Import Palace! read more

I'm so grateful to have found John and his team! I can only hope he is not retiring anytime soon because I dont know what I would do! I moved here two years ago and was in the market for a good, honest mechanic who knew how to work on mercedes. I went to a few places before coming to import palace, and as a young female professional, I'm so happy to have found them! John was direct and respectful. He maintained eye contact while discussing my car's needs and treated me like a human being. He made sure to test out service items and confirm my car in fact needed the services. He won't charge you for things you do not need. I like how they take their time when working on your car and keep you updated during the process. I read some of the reviews and can honestly say his direct responses can be associated w years of experience and age. If you're looking for an experienced honest mechanic who won't bs or fluff your feathers, you found the right place! read more

We had a really bad experience at Import Palace that cost us over $2000, a lot of stress and almost a year of use of our Volkswagen Vanagon, which they did not adequately repair during the 6 months that they kept it. Recently, we took it to another mechanic for a second opinion on the issue. He replaced 2 parts that Import Palace installed; now the van is running well! When I called to notify the owner of Import Palace and ask for a refund for the parts, I was yelled at and gaslighted. Some funds back would be nice (and fair) but at this point, I'd really just like to see any amount of accountability or caring. read more

I have been into this establishment twice now, and had nearly identical experiences each time. Based on my first experience, and still being very hesitant, I decided to start the conversation off with what I thought was a softball, and asked about the correct OEM screws to connect the upper and lower steering column assemblies on my '88 Westfalia camper. The intent on this visit was to allow the owner to offer assistance on a seemingly simple question, at which time I was going to shift the conversation over to steering and suspension work, which I need done. However, just as he did on my first visit nearly a year ago, the owner responded by clearly indicating that I was completely wasting his time; with non-stop eye rolls, heavy, impatient sighs, condescension, a short, raised voice and absolute, unveiled rudeness. Sir: Do not ask me which part I want when I am there to ask YOU which part I need, and then get angry at me for not telling you. That is the definition of absolutely abysmal customer service. This is without question, back-to-back, the most unprofessional experiences I have EVER had at any automotive shop in my life, bar none. I don't understand why this business has such a high rating, except perhaps that people who give the ratings don't have to deal with this jerk. I have work that needs to be done on my classic VW. This shop will not do a single minute of that work, and will never see a dime of my money. Based on Google reviews, I am clearly not alone in my experience. Do not go to this business! They do not deserve your patronage! read more

I had to have a head gasket leak repaired and made the mistake of taking it here. Not only did they replace a timing belt that I told them I didn't want replaced (then told me it was really bad and had to be replaced) without calling me to get permission for the job, but then they didn't hook up the alternator again and it fried the positive wire and blew the alternator fuse. When I told them about the error they said "there are a lot of parts to keep track of, man." read more

John was really good. My 328D xi had a replacement brake pads warning, and he was able to review the issue and told me that the warning was an automatic warning and that I still had 40% brake pads left and did not have to do anything about for now. He charged for a 1/2 hour of work. I am really happy with his work and his team. I will come back for all of my BMW needs. read more

I took my car to get a service engine soon light resolved. I had the oil, oil filter and air filter changed prior and the light was still on. No matter how many times i reset the light, it would still come on. I took it to Import Palace and told them that I had just changed the oil, oil filter and air filter. They did not call me to tell me what was wrong with my car or if I wanted to proceed with a repair. They called to tell me that the problem was resolved. I go to pick up my car and they told me they changed the oil, oil filter and air filter. They charged me $350 for this service. I was shocked by the price of something I had done myself for under $100. A few days later, the service engine soon light comes back on like it had before. I called them and took the car back. I asked why they had changed the oil, etc. after I told them I had already done so. I come to find out that they had never even run diagnostics on my car in the first place. They just changed the oil, etc. and called it good. After this I specifically told them to call me before making any repairs to the car. I did not want to be blindsided or be told that they were going to try something I had done before. I get a call back today saying that my car was ready to pick up; they said they were going to charge me $400 for the repair and were going to call me first but assumed I would just want the part replaced. I told them to put the old part back and that I was not paying for these services. Afterwards, they still tried to charge me for the labor of replacing the part and diagnosing my engine. They should have run these tests the first time I went in! After arguing with the mechanic, he told the desk attendant to give them their keys and tell them to get out. Import Palace does not listen to what the car owner says. They do not communicate with their customers. I personally believe they have become complacent as they are one of a hand full of foreign car repair shops in Missoula and are used to dealing with wealthy customers who will not bat an eye to multiple high charges. Find someone else! read more

They got us and our Audi in on a super short notice, the mechanic agreed to even stay a little after closing time to get the job done and get our AC working before the long drive in 90+ degrees to Glacier. He explained everything they had to do in detail (and in a way both myself and my bf understood) and said to check back in free of charge on our way back down to make sure everything was working properly. A+ service and a fair price. read more

Import Palace Auto Service - Turn at the sign! - Auto Repair Near Me - Missoula, Montana

Getting my 1987 VW WESTY ready for the long and arduous trip to Cabo from Missoula Mt and back. Called John at Import Palace during Christmas holiday season. He was slammed but said he would work me in. He went thru it from windshield wipers to rear hatch lock and everything in between. Knowledgeable mechanics and reasonably priced. BUT here's the bonus. .....honest and straightforward from beginning to end. Apprised me all work being done as it went along. What more can you ask? Thank you John for putting me at ease before this trip.....Steve read more

The whole experience was great. I was able to schedule a last minute oil change, and of course throw in another concern I had. They finished my Volvo in 2 hours and the price for a few things was very fair. I am newish to town and this will be my shop from here on out. read more

These guys are great. I had previously thought that an ethical auto repair guy was an oxymoron. Not John though. He is a truly good guy, fixes what is broken and that's it; no upselling, scare tactics, etc. He explains what he did and why. He is also kind to stray cats. I started with an oil change and now go there for everything. Highly recommended. read more

Needed a headlight on a road trip. I stopped in here and they were great. Very reasonable and straight forward.

Great service, great people, penty of knowledge. Trust the folks down at thte import palace with your mechancial needs and understand they are there to help. Ive been in several times just to ask questions about my vw bug and john the vw guru is always ready to help me troubleshoot. I will be back, and its great to know theres people out there willing to help out on the small things without throwing an invoice in your face. read more

Import Palace is the worst shop in town. John Is the most quirky, dis-functional, self absorbed person I have ever met. You will notice this immediately upon walking into his office. Very unprofessional! I've had many different experiences with him and other cars over the years, and enough is enough. The repairs are just getting worse and worse. I'll never go back again! Save yourself a lot of grief and ask around at the various auto parts stores, who's good and who's not. They'll tell ya. And if you ever have to bring something back in to be re-done, don't be surprised at what happens next. Bring a witness, you're going to want one !! read more

John at import palace took excellent care of me and my beloved touareg v8! He is a very talented mechanic and was a pleasure to deal with in all regards! He did a better job for me than I could have ever expected. As for the idiot (I am choosing my words carefully btw) who was complaining about his soup kitchen complaints, try being a business owner who doesn't care for his business and see how long you last! If I were him I would feel the same way, at the end of the day I wouldn't take my car anywhere else! My car is an extremely complex piece of machinery and John did an amazing job with it! Unfortunately I had to move out of Missoula and I have yet to find someone who comes close to the quality of work he performs. Bottom line, if you have issues with him the issue probably lies within you. Enough said! Thanks John keep up the fantastic work! read more

First off I really like John, the Owner. I feel like he's a genuine person and really loves his work. I have 2.7T Audi A6 that I love to death. I work like a madman so I do not have the time nor energy to pour my sweat and tears into this car so I let someone else do it. Last time it was in the shop for a suspension problem, it was looked at quickly and parts ordered in the next day. Unfortunately, that issue was not the cause of my suspension issues. Concerned, I immediately returned to the shop and voiced my complaints. To my surprise, the Owner himself crawls under my car and starts checking things out. They determine that it was a misdiagnosis. Thinking I'm going to have to reach deeper into my pockets I am amazed when John looks me in the eye and says "Don't worry about it". Next day I bring my car back and they put in new parts for me. When I went to pay and leave I was overjoyed to here that would be ZERO charges for the second fix! The suspension is fixed and the car is up and running hard again just like I want. Thanks again John read more