Address: 370 E Main St, Branford, CT 06405, USA
Phone: +12034818299
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 7:30AM–5:30PM
Tuesday: 7:30AM–5:30PM
Wednesday: 7:30AM–5:30PM
Thursday: 7:30AM–5:30PM
Friday: 7:30AM–5:30PM
Saturday: Closed
Arina Telles
TL;DR: Charged way too much and didn’t even diagnose the repair correctly. I recommend VW dealership in Meriden if you have a VW vehicle, NOT this place. Full story: I really wanted to like this shop and support a local business. I had a warning light on my 2016 VW Golf S, that read “Error: Transmission” and would go on and off intermittently as I drove. I took it into this shop and they said that it was error code 22944, due to solenoid valve 2. It would have cost over $3000 to replace the entire valve body, where the solenoid is embedded. I was pretty upset at the price tag, of course, and searched around for a better deal on that part. I found it at a discount from a VW dealer in CT. When I asked Automotive Excellence if I could buy that part and bring it, they said it was against their policy. That was a little weird (even the dealership allows you to bring your own part), but ok, policy is policy. However, they had also tacked on some filter replacement to the quote. At this point, I called the VW dealership in Meriden to get a quote. Theirs was lower, and they would accept the discounted part. I retrieved my Golf from Automotive Excellence, paid the inspection fee ($155) and then drove to Meriden. It turns out that the diagnosis from Automotive Excellence was wrong!! There was a loose wire that was causing the warning. It cost me $500 to get it replaced and fixed at the dealership. Steep, but much less than $3K for something that wouldn’t have even worked. Maybe I was unlucky, maybe they’re bad with VW, but based on my experience Automotive Excellence is not at all excellent.
Peter Gootjes
We have a 2007 Volvo v70 2.5T that was literally written off as dead from the Volvo dealer in Hartford after spending 3k....they couldn't find an intermittent stalling of the engine....Tom was up for the challenge and saved our car!!! He is more of and engineer than a mechanic...amazing knowledge and passion for car repair!!! On top of that the most honest and fair repair shop you will find!!! Highly recommend these guys!!!
Juan Urena
Excellent service and fair pricing.
James Van Pelt
Top notch work.
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I switched to European Specialists from BMW of North Haven as soon as my X3 35i went off warranty because I was never happy with the dealership service center. They were highly recommended by a trusted friend whom I consider very car savvy. BMW service is expensive, period. Before my car's first large repair job off warranty, I went to three different auto shops for estimates. European Specialists was quite a bit lower than the other two. Over the last few years, I've gotten estimates elsewhere for the work they said I needed and they've always had the better price for the work. Bottom line, I've been happy with their care and maintenance of my BMW. I'm curious why the other reviewer said they weren't good with BMWs.
Sure do. See you then.
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