Uptown Auto Specialist

I have taken my MB to this shop for several years. They had okay service for a while (nothing exceptional). I had a few concerns, such as their ability to conduct diagnostics. I often told them what needed to be fixed, and they would run hours of diagnostics tests anyway. I continued to go to them given their location is convenient. Unfortunately, I recently went in to get a flat fixed, and when I went to take the tire off the next day to get it replaced, I found they had bent the stud. It takes some serious work to be so careless as to bend something like that. My doubts have been confirmed: do NOT go to this shop! more

I was lucky to stumble upon Uptown Auto Specialist when my MB decided to act up while I was driving. Paul took care of my car and had me back on the road in no time. I have already brought my wife's VW there for regular service and was pleased with the work and price. They really seem to know their foreign vehicles. Pros: null Cons: null more

These guys have been taking care of my BMW for some time. They are usually on time, maybe once my parts didn't show when expected. They have better rates than the dealership when it comes to most repairs and the one time they didn't, they did what they could to match the dealership price. I've even used their body shop to do a few dent and scratch repairs and I have always been satisfied with the work done at Uptown Auto. Pros: null Cons: null more

Unfortunately, there is no way to give a review of "0" stars. The owner of this shop, Paul, is a con artist. He will say anything over the phone to get you to bring your car into his shop. Once there, he will refuse to give you any price estimate and ask you to leave your car. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR WITH THIS MAN. He will later call you with an estimate that is 2-3 times the amount of the actual service. He tried to charge me $1200 for a $500 routine checkup. I did not authorize him to do ANY work on the vehicle and asked him to call me with an estimate before doing anything. When he called, at first, he said this is what needs to be done and when I told him not to do the work he said he had already done it, COMPLETELY changed his story! I should not have to pay anything, but I am willing to pay the RIDICULOUS $95 diagnostic fee (what is there to diagnose I TOLD him what needed to be done!) Con artist and a liar. All I want to know is how vultures like him stay in business?!!! Pros: null Cons: null more

STAY AWAY! They charged me $900 for a $410 transmission service. I wish I had read the other negative reviews here, Yelp and on City Search first! Lesson learned. more

We used to take our cars (VW, BMW, and Volvo) to UTAS. These folks must have it in with the Better Bsiness Bureau in order to get such good ratings. more

Vultures waiting for someone to die more

We took our VW there many times. I finally realized that they were replacing the spark plugs several times (the car only had 45,000 miles on it) for another problem. I did not realize this until I saw the final bill. The car had a window problem. They fixed it but it worked temporarily. When we took it back, they wanted to replace the motor again and charge it again to us! This happened with other issues. We finally got smart and took it elsewhere. Pros: Ranger Roo, the Golden Retriever Cons: Expensive, did not any fix problems, more

I called up wondering how much it would be to change my windshield wiper blades and turning signal bulb. The owner/ liar, Paul, answered and said that he couldn't give me a price over the phone and that I would have to bring the car in to see if he had the parts in stock. I told him I could give him the make of vehicle and he said that he would need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This is the 1st lie! So I agreed and to bring it in. I then decided to go outside to get the VIN and called him back and he said that he has them in stock but that he still couldn't give me a price over the phone and told me to bring the car in for him to look at it for a price. Ok, I was suspicious that he couldn't give me a price for a routine procedure but the place is near my house so I went with it. I dropped the car off and told the lady that I didn't want any work done to it until they called me and told me how much it would be to change the blades and bulb. The next thing you know I get a call from her saying that the work was done and it was $195! I told her that I didn't want any work done until I had a quote and to put everything back the way it was and that I wasn't paying for anything and that I was going to pick up my car. She then said that I owed the $95 diagnostic fee! What a joke, they didn't need to diagnose that I needed wiper blades or a bulb, that's the whole reason I brought my car in and I told them that is what was needed to get serviced. Anyway I brought my car to the dealership, had the work done and it was only $75. So, instead of paying $195 to these cons I went to the dealership, yes the expensive dealership, and had the work done right for less than half the price. These people are scum and they will rip you off. Stay Away! Please stay away! Pros: They speak English Cons: That's what they are, "CONS"! more

I found a nail in my tire and I was new to the city so I called to see if they fix tires. They said yes and that they charge $25. Since the shop is 2 blocks from my house I took my 2002 Toyota 4 Runner in for them to fix the tire. All was well they did an excellent job. The own chatted with me while they fixed it and told me how much he likes Toyotas and that he bought his wife the same make, model and year that I had. He said his wife loved the car... He was very familiar with the vehicle. Since I just moved here I wanted to get an estimate on how much an oil change would be for my vehicle. First he couldn't give me answer. He kept trying to tell me the last guy to bring in a Toyota 4 Runner got the synthetic oil change for $99.99 . I told him I just wanted to know a basic oil change. I figured since he was so familiar with the car he should know right off the top of his head. But no...He then went to find a book and had to look up how much it would be. Mind you it has been 15 minutes now with no answer. Then he comes back and says 59.99 which is for a basic oil change. The overall impression I got from the owner was SHADY! Getting your tire fixed no problem but don't leave you car there! Cons: Shady! more

Used this place twice. First time the repairs were $400 more than expected with no good answer as to why. Second time, just for an estimate of repairs, nothing more. When I declined to have them due the work, they delayed the tow truck and charged me $100. They did not mention any cost before. I will never use them again and would suggest they be avoided. Thanks more

Used this place twice. First time the repairs were $400 more than expected with no good answer as to why. Second time, just for an estimate of repairs, nothing more. When I declined to have them due the work, they delayed the tow truck and charged me $100. They did not mention any cost before. I will never use them again and would suggest they be avoided. Pros: Eh.... Cons: Lack of response; high repair costs; Suprise costs more

1 of 5 stars Cons: See below. more

I took my Toyota there to cure a clanking coming from the rear wheel. They called and told me it was only a lug nut loose behind the hub cap but that I also needed rear brakes ($800) and to fix a valve cover oil leak ($1240). I told them no thanks and went to pick up the car. They charged me a $100 diagnostic fee to find the problem and fasten the lug nut onto the wheel. They obviously found this problem before looking at the brakes, and I never asked them to look at the engine. These guys are a rip off. The local Toyota dealer replaced the brakes and fixed the oil leak for $434. Pros: Experience with foreign cars Cons: way over priced, no parking more

I had great service pre-storm on my older Nissan, Volvo and Land Rover. Now they can't seem to do anything that is not major repair and charge way more than other locals. I wouldn't have gone anywhere before but now I rethink all such decisions. Last time I stated it was too much money and the clerk hung up in my ear! Pros: Seem to know cars Cons: High price, not timely, no parking and no shuttle to work more

Owning a older BMW, I have looked for a good service center near my work, at the Corps of Engineers. This fit the bill nicely. They have kept my 97 328I convertible running at peak performance. The people there are friendly, courtous, and very professional. The head Tech is German trained at BMW, so he knows his stuff about these wonderful cars. Cost is less than the dealer for labor, and parts. I have saved considerably on a exhaust system, brakes, and service. The car is usually back in one or two days at the most. The shop is used by some of the sport figures in N.O. I ran into one of the old Saints QB there getting his 8i tuned. Pros: The shop is clean, and the employees have a good grasp on customer relations Cons: The parking is just OK. The location is not in the best place near the end of Carrolton, and Leake Ave. You may have to park along the RR track. more