Ron Ramies Automotive

I switched auto mechanics to Ron Ramies a few years ago. I have not been disappointed. It isn’t easy switching mechanics. It’s like changing your hairstylist after so many years. At Rameys garage I have always felt they are looking out for me and trying to get me the best deal. Customer service is excellent and the service on my car has always been consistent and reliable.

After the warranty of our Subaru expired, we switched to Ron Ramies Automotive in Portola Valley.
Looking back and very grateful for the exceptional service from Ron and his team,
we should have had our car serviced by Ron from the very beginning (what a difference
compared to the Carlson Subaru dealer — different story on Unilocal).
Admittedly, when we needed ‘urgent car’ such as for flat tire
repairs (many!) or the glove compartment that would no longer
open right before a road trip, we’d go ask Ron Ramies in our neighborhood for help.
From the moment I walked in (Ron was not there the first time), I felt that the entire
staff cared, even for non-​regular customers. All are super courteous, the friendliest service people
I have ever met, and are there to help.
They find ways to accommodate the customer, no matter how busy they are.
They inform us and explain our options. They even provided us a loaner car at no extra
charge, if one is available (once, I had no prior reservations for one).
Ron and his team are VERY qualified and root cause problems. Ron, the owner, NEVER gives up in
finding the problem.
We had a thorny issue with the Subaru transmission of a 3-​year old car.
Ron and team went to the bottom of it, including working with the local and national dealership.
They went so far in to capturing the problem in an imovie which they submitted to Subaru
The integrity of Ron and his team is exemplary, and most of all: they really care.
In short, a family business you can trust. Ron is the kind of person you’d want to deal
with for any service issue. Unique!

Mike M is awesome. This is the only shop i have taken my car for major repairs. Excellent service, no BS, and honest good hardworking people.

TRUSTWORTHY, DEDICATED, RESPONSIVE PROFESSIONALS
Without hesitation I encourage you all to go no further than Ron Ramies Automotive. Ron and his strong team are reliable.
I’d been experiencing a problem with my Mustang for some time that was a concern for my safety.
MIKE assessed a complex technical problem with exacting results.

Cannot say enough good things about Ron and his team. I am from out of state, and have a 2014 Mercedes GLK Bluetec, with a malfunctioning sensor, which alerted me I only had «5 starts» left before the engine would shut off. I had no success talking t to Mercedes over the phone, they simply said to have it towed to a dealer. With no appointment, I went to Ron’s and despite being incredibly busy, his team immediately worked on it, and determined exactly what we needed. It was not an easy fix. Ron called the Service Mgr at Mercedes to explain the situation. Not only that, they arranged for their driver to take me to and fro.
Another example: I recommended my good friend take her 10 yr old Audi TT to Ron’s when the Audi dealership had over-​quoted her for a transmission repair. Long story is that Ron spoke to Audi on her behalf and helped her make the right decision. He will now rebuild the transmission for her himself, and offered a 3 year (instead of Audi’s 1 year) warranty.
I agree with other reviews here: Ron Ramies is honest, knowledgeable and very technically competent.

We have been consistently pleased with the repairs from Ron Ramies Automotive, on our cars. They are honest, reasonable, and timely, letting you know what needs to be fixed and when. Recently my daughter took a car, that Ron Raimes Automotive had taken care of, out of state. She needed new tires for it and wasn’t sure if the purchase was necessary, priced well and the right product. She called Mike and he not only looked up when the car last had tires, he called the out of state tire company and asked them for different tires for the car then they recommended, and then negotiated a good price! I was so impressed, it sure made me broaden my definition of a full service repair shop. Great business and great staff.

I have a truck the had the motor rebuilt by Ron Ramies and the motor only has 3000 miles on it since the rebuild and there was a loud knock in the motor and I looked in the oil pan and there was 1 cm of metal flake in the pain! I have to replace the motor because of it! Also it is still under warranty so I called them with my concern and they have never returned my call! Very unhappy

I have had 5 cars over 20 twenty years fixed at Ramies. They fix the little things instantly («Quick my tail light is out») and the big things («overheated engine. Rebuild it») and the confusing things («a convertible roof problem that baffled the dealer»). Consistently great service. Lately I have seen a bunch of cars from the 1950’s there to be fixed. They like challenges. Great place.

Ron and his team have been incredibly helpful in so many instances it’s hard to relay everything. The repairs are fast and reasonable. The service and kindness remarkable. They have taken time to diagnosis the system when an iffy dash board light threatens and then not charged me when it was deemed to be nothing.
Recently, my Prius had an issue — I won’t hazard the technical details — but Ron said it was an expensive repair that had a new extended warranty as Toyota had been having trouble with the mechanism. Ron even looked up my vin number to assure we were covered. I called Toyota dealer to inquire and they knew nothing. Even when I persisted the service agent insisted nothing existed to cover that repair. Ron had to call him and spend 20 minutes on the phone helping him to find the extended warranty. The nearly $ 4k charge for repair was covered by the dealership. Ron charged me nothing for the diagnosis and even brought the car back into his shop when Toyota was done in order to assure that all the dash lights and sensors were reset. Hurrah for Ron Ramies and all the nice folks that work there.

Ron Ramies really knows cars and his staff are straightforward. When I’ve had my Nissan 200SX SE-​R repaired there they’ve done a good job.
If you purchase gas from Ron, the attendant may wash your window or help you, even at Self Service. You can get gas at all hours — even when the garage is closed.
It may not be the cheapest place, but I like to support a local business.

I’ve brought vehicles in to Ron Raimes before for maintenance and repairs and always had a great experience. Recently I brought in an old go-​kart that I wanted to use for my Cub Scout troop which needed some tlc. I told Ron that I didn’t have much money to put into getting it in running condition. Needless to say not only did RR do the repair but when I came back they gave it free of charge, «glad to help the scouts». Thank you Ron the boys will love it. We’ll email you pictures. :)
Quality, integrity and community, Ron Raimes has them all.
Thank you,
James and Pack 215

I came to Ron for a second opinion on a repair estimate given to me by my local dealership garage. Ron truly went beyond his call of duty to help me. He was able to point out several reasons that the dealership was not being forthright and not treating me fairly. I never would have known that the dealership’s repair quote did not «add up «had it not been for Ron’s expert opinion. Throughout this whole ordeal, Ron’s goal was only to make sure I didn’t get scammed by my dealership, whether or not that meant getting the repair done in his shop! He was incredibly honest and overly helpful. definitely going back next time!

Ron Ramies is the best. They have never let me down and today they went beyond the call of duty to help me. I cannot say enough good things about them: nice guys, affordable, knowledgeable, helpful, efficient with time, and always putting their customers first. Thanks so much Ron!!!

Ramie’s was highly recommended to me by several people that I ride horses with. Yesterday, after discovering I had a bolt in my truck’s tire, I showed up in their parking lot. I couldn’t put the spare on because it was, um, already on (the original was in the back, flat). They were so friendly, told me they could repair both tires in a couple hours, and even offered to pick me up at work to come pick up my truck when it was done, should I need one.
When I arrived later to get it, not only were the repairs done, it had been washed! After several months of dust and mud at the barn, it was getting a little tough to tell what the actual color of the paint was. These guys did a fantastic job, and I will absolutely be back next time I’m in need of automotive help.

Ron Rammies is Best Mechanic I have ever had.
My poor Honda Civic had the timing belt break at 120k miles. I know you are all thinking that I am a negligent car owner, but I had the timing belt replaced at 105k. It should have lasted another 100k. Luckily, I had my car towed to Ron Rammies. They quickly diagnosed the problem and found that the timing belt kit had failed. In his free time, he put in a new timing belt and tested the engine. No engine damage! Amazing. He saved my car from the scrap yard.
Now I only take my car to Ron Rammies and I recommend Ron Rammies to everyone! And the best part is that as a customer you are invited to his rockin’ Holiday Party the first week in December.

Ron Ramies is terrific. Our family has taken its cars to RR for years — and he’s always been honest, prompt and good. I read in another review that Ron treats customers like they’re family — and that’s exactly right. Would trust this mechanic — and no other.

Ron has been back at the helm for two years now, and the break has infused him with renewed energy and an other-​worldly commitment to service. I don’t just mean customer service — Ron and his staff treat every person in town and out of town as if they are family.
While I was dropping my car off last week for service a gentleman came in with a nearly-​flat tire. Not a big-​ticket item for any shop. The real issue was that this man was on his way to a doctor’s appointment in town. Without hesitating Ron asked one of his staff to drive the fellow to his appointment, and promised to pick him up, bring him back to the shop and fix his tire in the meantime. Have you ever heard of such a thing?
What amazed me the most was that Ron (and Chris, the driver) treated this jaw-​dropping extra just like any other routine task. No flag-​waving, no groaning — just a friendly, helpful offer with a smile.
Should I add that my car, at 150K miles, still runs like a top due to the skillful mechanics (like Matt and Mike) and positive energy at Ron’s shop? In ten years of bringing my cars here (only two during that time period) I have never driven away less than completely satisfied.

The only place I know that gives full service at the self-​service pump!

Ron is very personable and professional.
My car was making a squealing noise and took it in to his shop for inspection. He called me about a few hours later and mentioned it’s the brakes and rotors. I already knew that was the problem since I called the shop for a quote about two weeks prior to the squealing. He had the parts ready and he went ahead and took care of the pads plus rotors. After the job was done, he called me personally and told me the car was done.
I got a car wash too even though my car is a bucket and car wash is not necessary.
His staff are very professional and friendly. One time my right front head light bubl busted and I just pulled in and they replaced my light bulb on the spot!
The price I paid was fairly reasonable and lower than the Honda dealers. I will definitely come back!
I’m surprise there’s not a lot of Unilocal reviews for his shop but then I realize majority of Unilocal users are younger generation and Ron’s clients maybe more in the bit older generation.
I’m a happy customer and will go back to him. Only if there are more shops like him in the East Bay…

On Oct. 26, 2010, Ron Ramies, who had owned and run the business for 29 years, repurchased it from Dieter Mees, who he had sold it to in January. In press coverage, Ramies said Mr. Mees would still be available for repairing older models of Porsche and Mercedes.
After using Ramies’ self-​service fuel pumps for many years, and hearing glowing reports from a neighbor about the shop hidden behind it, I decided to bring him a problem that my dealer wouldn’t address. Ron knew what to do and his crew got it done for a fair price the same day.
For warranty work, you’ve go to to take your vehicle to a dealership. But for routine service and non-​warranty repairs, why drive across town (as I’ve usually done) when you have a great local shop? In any case, be sure to keep the paperwork showing every service done, the date, and the mileage, both to prove to the manufacturer that you have performed all required service and to give to the next owner if they want it.