R & I Automotive

A nice honest place to have your car serviced. Ray (the owner) is very knowledgable and will take the time to talk to you. Not many Automotive repair shops are fair to women. R and I is not one of them. I never feel like they sold me something I didn’t need. Honest and I appreciate that.

I bought an 87 BMW soft top, which was in great shape but the previous owner had a problem. The battery was always discharging and he had brought it to the BMW dealer and to a European Car Maintenance shop. It could not be fixed so he finally sold it to me at a very low price. I brought the car to R&I and spoke to Ray the owner and he worked on the car. He said it would take a few days to locate the actual point of the electrical draw. It took him 3 days to find our that the draw was actually in the display pannel. He fixed the problem at a very reasonable price. He is a expert in electrictal issues. In addittion, R&I has some of the best, most knowledgeable mechanics anyplace, and you would never know it as the shop is small and unassuming. Great shop, with good values.

I filed with the BAR online, twice!
Hecurles Field Office (510) 964‑3030
R&I said they repaired my clutch.
It needed replacement 10K miles later.
BAR (Mr. Ruiz) got them to agree a split since warranty expired.
They said they repaired it a 2^nd time.
It needed replacement again 10k miles later
BAR (Mr. Chu) could not get them to take responsibility, the owner Ray refused.
Taking Ray to small claims court.
It would behoove you & the others whom Ray ripped off to file complaint with the BAR. I did so online & included all Unilocal complaints with mine.

UPDATE: This is over a year later, but Unilocal calls it an update, not a new review. So in my last review I mentioned this shop replacing my rear calipers with rebuilt ones. One was leaking but they suggested doing both. I did, and since this last review, have pretty much put this shop out of my mind and wouldn’t go back. However, in changing my rear brake pads last week, we noticed my right rear caliper leaking! I had forgotten they had been replaced only a year ago, after this shop ordered 2 rebuilt ones, to the tune of over $ 300. Plus I had to pay the new labor to have them put on. Then I realized– this shop supposedly replaced them! No way should calipers only last a year! After urging from another Unilocal member, I will be calling the shop tomorrow, and reporting my complaint. I also will be reporting this to the Bureau of Automotive Repair, since this is now a major problem with the overall work the shop did. As I mentioned before, this sloppy work having to be re-​done or even questioned falls not just under irritating, wrong and costly, brakes are a DANGEROUS issue when they can suddenly not be working properly, and shouldn’t have to be wondered about! To the gentleman who said «There has been a couple of problems with parts that Ray has used, but Ray has been a man of his word» is being kind, and of course is entitled to his experience. But after one time of giving him the benefit of the doubt, even if he «makes good» on this shoddy work, why should I have to take the time, energy and bother to even have to deal with this? Wow– with all the automotive repair shops around, you would think they would care and pay attention.

Had R&I do my oil changes on my Silver Volvo V70 several times, no problems and price was good. Trouble began when I took my Volvo in for a front suspension repair. The rubber strut busing was broken after about 100k. Had them to replace both sides as a precaution. They charged me for OEM parts, but about 9k later one of them were bad again. Went back a they refused to give me a warranty repair, but insisted they did install OEM parts, and for the new repair I would get a price break. I had them do the work and saw the new part was in fact an OEM, however I insisted to see the bad part they recently installed and was broken. THIS WAS NOT OEM — despite them claiming that and charging so. They also changed out more parts during repair without calling to get my approval, and boy I tell you the additional parts were EXPENSIVE, that is apparently how you make up for a price break, overcharge another part !!! A few month later the other side goes bad, not surprising since they installed crappy parts, needless to say I took my car to Volvo CRO in San Rafael instead and had it properly made for much less. Stay away — they lie saying they use OEM parts when they install crappy pirate parts and they do not stand behind their mistakes instead they over charge you for unauthorized repairs. You have been warned.

Can’t imagine what frog d. is talking about. They have serviced at least 5 cars for me over the years. I’m neither a senior citizen nor ignorant about auto mechanics. They are honest, careful and meticulous. Never a problem. Never cheated. Nothing is cheap in Marin, but they didn’t gouge and their charges were fair. Last time I was there the secretary was sharp and friendly. Certainly not a crack head. I’m scheduling another repair tomorrow.

I have had my 3 cars serviced and repaired there for years. They are solid and dependable!

These guys are solid and smart. From the look of it, you’d think they’d be simple grease monkeys, but from what I can tell, they really know their stuff. Don’t pay dealership prices for service just because they have a snazzy waiting area and a cappuccino machine. Instead, go over to Three Twins (just across the parking lot) and have some of the best ice cream anywhere!

I trust Ray (the «R» in R & I, I think). This business is awesome. There’s no B.S. and no upselling. Just great mechanics and great service and prices that make you wonder if you’re actually in Marin or not. Ray’s crew showed me that my «Check Brake Lights» message kept coming on because the brake light had gotten too hot (a known issue with my car’s make/​model) and told me that they could jiggle the wires and get the brake lights to work (a temporary fix — which they did for free with no diagnostic or look-​at-​it fee) or to fix it it would mean replacing a part. They told me how much and there was no pressure to have it fixed. Another one: my car flashed something like «Emergency Failure — Oil Pressure — turn engine off». Baaaad. And it was Monday… on my way to work. So I pull in and Ray runs a quick diagnostic, changes the oil (my bad… overdue), and I was in and out in 20 minutes. Car all better. Gave me a discount even though I didn’t have a coupon. Says «Your car is burning some oil. Come in every now and then and we’ll check it and add if you need it.» Really great place. The «waiting room» is smaller than a bathtub, so if you’re going to «wait», walk over to Scotty’s Market (free fresh-​popped popcorn) or grab a couple burgers at Weezy’s Grass Fed Shed. My car, my husband’s truck, and my mother-in-law’s car all go to R&I. I really trust R & I. Good people, good business.