body shop and oil changes

Anyone use a reliable body shop in the area? Had a minor scrape the garage. Anyone know of a good maintenance place for oil changes and the basics?

 

I shouldn't do this, but I guess I'll let out a secret....For a great mechanic place, try The Carlisle Automotive Group on Old Ox Road (44827). Phone 703.668.0333. Honest mechanics, fast service. Owners name is David Nichols. Now I'll probably have to get an appointment for my next state inspection.

 

For body work you can not do better than Matchless Body Works. They are in Vienna, not super close, but they are well worht the drive on Rte. 7, this side of Tysons, just after Reston Pkwy. We have been using them for years and even my husband who is just a bit obsessive about his BMW loves them. Work is always done on time - sometimes even early, at estimate - even with insurance companies, fair priced and very nicely done. I have sent a few folks there and they all love it. The place is filled with high end cars - rolls royce, porsche, I even saw a Bently there once. Makes me feel pretty good about them working on my little VW

Call for an appointment. 703-759-4327

 

I had a different experience. Seemed like a get it done quick production shop and wanting to get things pumped out without much care. Got my car back with a lot of overspray on it, and they tried to tell me that was normal, had to beg them to fix it.

 

I can tell you where not to go, Merchants Tire in Ashburn. I went there to get an oil change, and was willing to leave my car there for the weekend. They told me without a reservation, they could not work on my car.
In my opionion, they just lost the opportunity to work on all my cars. I will stay with my mechanic, too bad he's all the way in Merrifield.

 

I can validate your conclusion about Merchants Tire. Took my truck in for a brake job, asked them also to check the front end. An hour later, they gave me a list of over $2100 worth of critical work that needed to be done. Needless to say, I ran away as fast as possible. They even tried to charge me for their "expert advise". Took the truck to my "trusted mechanic" got the brake job done for $276. Asked about the other recommended Merchant work, nothing listed needed immediate attention.

Add them to the list of merchants in the area that gouge our community. Dry cleaners, Ashburn gas stations, and now Tire companies dressed up as mechanics.

 

I recently had a positive experience with Merchants. I went in to get new tires and an alignment check. Of course, they told me that an alignment was necessary (I knew it would be). They finished my car the same day I dropped it off (I can't remember, but I don't think I made an appointment).

Here's the surprising thing: they couldn't get my alignment "perfect" -- they said I would need to have pins drilled into my thing-a-ma-jig, or something like that, but that the alignment was pretty close without the extra work, and that it wouldn't really be worth the extra money to get the extra stuff done. I was pleasantly surprised at this candor.

Oh, I also got an oil change at the same time, and they didn't try to sell me anything extra with it (air filter, coolant flush, etc.).

Overall, a pretty good experience. Maybe the prices weren't the best, but I can't complain.

 

Don't be so surprised. They gave me the same line about my alignment. And they added, "but it will help with handling, so you don't want it perfect". Overall I had pleasant experience with them, but you have to be on our toes.

 

[/quote]
Here's the surprising thing: they couldn't get my alignment "perfect" -- they said I would need to have pins drilled into my thing-a-ma-jig, or something like that, but that the alignment was pretty close without the extra work, and that it wouldn't really be worth the extra money to get the extra stuff done.
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Is your car lowered? Thats one main reason for not being able to get the alignment right. Or you have some suspension parts thats out of spec like the tie rods. But I can't believe they couldn't get your alignment correct.

-Teak

 

i have lived in BLands for 8 years now.. the best local shop i have is :

Automotive Machine Repairs
106 Oak Grove Rd
Sterling Va 20166
703-435-92909
owners name is : Doug

these are really good guys.. they've never over charged me or tried to do any bogus repairs..

 

Currys Auto has a very nice shop. Excellent Hunter alignment equipment. Matt Curry is a good guy. I have purchased tires and had some maintenance performed. He has two locations, Asburn and Chantilly.

http://www.currysauto.com/location.asp

With Moran road closed at the one end, you need to turn at the light behind AOL, go through first stop sign and then make a right turn at the end of the road.

 

Curry's is okay except they are expensive. I've had them check codes and they charged me $100 plus shop supply fee. Expensive in my opinion. They also quoted me over $400 to put in a turbo. Other shops quoted $200-250. I guess Curry's don't do a lot of turbo swaps.

Neighbors of mine had a bad experience with Curry's and said they would never return.

-Teak

 

Are they a body shop or a maintenance shop?

I have used Browns Auto Body and Falls Church Auto body. I switched from Falls Church when the quoted $1200 for a bumper and Brown did it for under $400 - however they are a little further then I want to go (no where near 66 - the traffic unreal).

 

I can vouch for Merchants as a good tire and lube place, but I do not recommend them for Mechanical work. I have had them evaluate my battery for charging, they recommended just charging, it subsequently died again, the next recommendation was to replace the battery, 3 new batteries later, they recommended an alternator replacement for $500 plus per recommendation from their ASE certified Master Mechanic. Last nite, the car wouldn't start at the Airport after my return from out of town .....I need to look for a someone who knows what they're doing as these folks seem to be shooting in the dark



Broadlands Owner since 1999

 

Me too experienced the same. They are damn expensive for commuting sedans and may be fair for German and Sports cars (BMW, Audi) as they are specialized. I will never gp to their shop again.

 

With these forums members advise, first time(usually never prefer other shops than dealers) I visited Curry's Auto shop couple of weeks ago. They are Cheaters and Inefficeint even evaluating the problem and giving you the repair estimate. Do not get trapped in their shop and empty your valets. Management is not even courteous to respond when you write to them explaning the situation and problem with the service at their shop. Here is my experience:

I went with my SUV engine malfunction light diagnosis and they found the code($99, rip off) and do not know how to interpret the code and called some other friends shops to find the problem (I can hear their conversations over the phone from visitors lounge). I have been told the repair costs me ($540) but,they cannot promise $540 will fix the problem and chances are 80% for sucsessful repair else I need new transmission for 2001 SUV(Grand Cherokee) maintained well with dealer service including oil changes, which has 43000 miles on it. OH! Man, I was literally hate myself being in that shop that day.

Just tell me who the hell in this world wants to spend $540 and let a local street auto shop do a trial on your vehicle ?? Politely deneid paid $99 for diagnosis, blaming myself for taking my SUV over there and walked out.

Dealer in fairfax fixed the problem without even second thought not even mentioning uncertainity in fixing the problem and repaired it for $448 (with genuine Manufacter parts).

Now, I will let you make decision. Do not fall for forums recommendations always for your service needs, do your research (calling couple of others) even before follwing others recommendations.

 

We use Fallon Automotive: 202 Lane Court, Unit F in Sterling (off of 606 west of 28) Their # is 703-478-9550
They are very honest and professional. Mike Fallon is the owner.
We have been going there for several years now for all of our car maintainance