Bert's Foreign Car Service Inc — Local services in Santa Ana

I can remember when I wrote my original review I really wanted to share my true experience. Now after multiple of instances of saying “it was probably me”, I have realized it’s not.

Over the last year I’ve spent close to 2000 at this shop. Last week I sent one of my customers there to have an OFH replaced on a 2018 X3 and he completely took advantage of the poor lady. That was my mistake.

While the work may be good, and if you can negotiate, sometimes affordable. The way the owner treats people is simply not okay. I always approach Ron with extra caution and try to be as respectful as possible for him to only snap and talk to me as if I’m a child.

Today I ask him to diagnose and charge me to look at the BSD components on my e90. As a mechanic who works at a shop everyday, I don’t always have extra time to work on my own cars, and sometimes find an issue that stumps even me.

Rather than admit that the issue was beyond his level of expertise, he berated me over the phone and said he doesn’t work on cars that owners have worked work on. He said he needs to charge parts and labor. So I said ok that’s fine, and he said “I don’t want any parts of it and hung up”

He’s already worked on this car at minimum three times this past year. I paid whatever he ask. So to be treated like this regularly I find very telling. There have been a few instances where I felt he sabotaged my vehicle but I felt against it prior to this post. Now I am sure he did it.

Hopefully the lead technician Jon finds a better boss to work for because he and I have spoken about Ron on multiple occasions for him to agree and apologize on his behalf. But Ron is the owner.

Employees shouldn’t have to cover for their rude bosses.

Do yourself a favor, save money, be treated with respect, go somewhere else.

Update 2/7/24 Yes Ron, we brought you an alternator that had been bench tested minutes before bringing it over. You got upset I had my own part, raised the price, changed the terms, held my car hostage and made me pay almost twice as much for labor then and handed it back to me with a sabotaged alternator to make your point about supplying “parts and labor”. The technicians have already recounted this event with me in your absence, when I got my crankshaft seal done. I didn’t have to see or deal with you...

My 2011 B7 Alpina needed a new alternator. After calling 9 different shops, I happen to come across Bert's Foreign Auto Service. Figured 1 more quote couldn't hurt. Made the call... seriously the best decision I could have made today. Ron Answered the phone and was pleasantly upbeat and had the friendliest tone. (Being a women calling a mechanic shop is already nerve racking, and extremely embarrassing to say the least as I kept calling things "a thingy" and struggling to properly describe the issues I was having with my car). He listened patiently and never made me feel less of a person for not knowing what the heck I was saying. After taking my car's information (vin, make, model) said he would get back to me within a couple of minutes with a price. Not only was his price waaay lower than the other 9 shops, but he took the time and walked me through my options, gave me his professional opinion (both cost and long term). Never once made me feel pressured. What seemed sooo confusing and stressful a couple hours prior didn't seem so bad anymore. Felt like I was in good hands I agreed to bring the car in, he ran the report which was 4 pages long (I was about to pass out) rather than worrying me, He quickly set my mind at ease by saying that most were caused by the bad alternator "everything will be fine". I trusted him. Couldn't help but think what an amazing man. Finding an honest mechanic with the customers best interest is rare in this trade and so is Ron. Only took a call. I'm sure this wont be the last time I run to...

We took the car in for a diagnostic check, the car would not start. I talked to Ron, he was very professional from the very beginning. After Ron did the diagnostic check he determined that the car needed a new fuel pump.

Additionally, Ron, informed us that the Mercedes warranty should cover all of the repair costs, so he recommended that we take the car to the Mercedes Dealership to get fixed. Ron, was completely honest by referring us to the dealership. The repairs would costed us $4000 due, to the extent of work need. However, because Ron was honest, he advised us that the warranty would cover the total cost of the repairs at the Mercedes Dealership.

Needless to say, Ron saved us from having to pay $4000 to get the car fixed. He’s not only professional, but honest and ethical as well. I would definitely, recommend this shop to all of my friends and...