Metric Systems

This place has been closed for many months already. Curious why this isn’t indicated here. Sorry to have seen it closed. They were talking about relocating but no sign anywhere to that effect. The current location is being transformed into a micro brewery.

When the «Tire Pressure low» signal lit up, Metric Systems squeezed me into their schedule. Their mechanic found a very small nail that was causing the slow leakage of air, and fixed the problem in ½ hour. I really appreciate their excellent service and pleasant attitude!

Auto repair and customer satisfaction are not words that typically find their way into the same sentence, yet Metric delivers from top to bottom.
I brought in my V.W. in last week with a totally P.I.T.A problem, and Metric took it as a challenge and fixed it with aplomb, even though there wasn’t a big payoff in doing it.
Other reviewers have commented on the cost of Metric, but I find their pricing reasonable for the reliability and quality of their service.
I’ve been a customer of Steve and Chris for over 20 years now, with four different cars, each of which I ran into the ground with beyond 130,000 miles, and I recommend Metric without reservation.

I’m usually wary of mechanics. It’s rare when one earns my trust. These guys did.
I’ve had several synthetic oil changes with these guys. Priced below other competitors. Most importantly, they never tried to «sell» me other services. They did open up conversations about my car’s history (and it’s an old one), offering recommendations, but never did they try to get me to spend money on them.
I once decided to try them out for diagnosing and fixing a problem. I was charged for an hour’s labor diagnostic in advance, which was nice because I think they spent more time on it. They found the problem and fixed it at a reasonable price. Again, without any attempt to sell other services which were actually needed.
Now I feel comfortable bringing the car to Steve and getting an honest opinion on any work it needs. I still come here even though I’ve left Cambridge.
Overall, a great shop!

I recently went into Metric with my VW and had an excellent experience. I met with Chris who was informative, friendly, and thorough — he explained how they would assess the issue, call me to let me know of options, and likely be able to fix the issue that day. And, it happened just like that. It turns out that the issue was quite minor, so «KC» fixed it on the spot and I was not charged for the procedure. They have invested in me with their quick, free fix and excellent customer service and I intend on returning. Check them out!

I needed to put some brand new, very stiff tires onto some non-​car wheels and couldn’t do it with my limited supply of tools. Thinking that no auto shop would be willing to lend a hand, Whitey greeted me with open arms. Thanks!

Recently changed my car. to a VW… while the car is great… it made some high pitched squeaking noise while driving… I got referred to Metric Systems by Car zone… apparently they are experts on fixing VW’s. So I took it in and Steve said that’ll be no problem. However, always had the feeling that he wasn’t really listening. Nevertheless I left my car there giving him the benefit of the doubt. 1 hour later he gives me a call saying that it’ll cost around $ 850 to fix. I said, that I would have to think about it. Then he says that I would need to pay $ 90 because they took a look at the car and if I decide to have the car fixed there they would waive this fee. So basically I see it as kind of extortion, making sure that I will have it fixed by them. No mentioning of the fee beforehands. Since I didn’t have $ 90 to waste I told him to fix it. Came back that afternoon to pick up my car, paid, got into my car… and the squeaking noise was present as ever! I asked Steve whether he didn’t hear that and he said, no. However, luckily there was another customer who said he could clearly hear it! Steve said to bring the car over the next week and they will fix it. So I did. When I called to see what the progress was, he said that they have replaced things that didn’t needed to be replaced. While admitting that they have done a mistake… he wanted to leave everything as is and make me pay for the things that needed to get fixed in the first place! So instead of fixing the problem… he made things worse by just touching things that didn’t need to be touched and re-​replacing new items with the old ones and making me pay for it! Worst experience ever! I was upset every time I thought about this experience… and believe me… I am FUMING while writing this!

I have been taking my VWs to metric for 10 years. I used to live in Cambridge and am now in Arlington — I still take the old 98 Golf in when it needs work. Why? They explain the work, the price has always been on the estimate, and they do a great job. The garage is clean and everyone there is personable. On the single occasion that the work wasn’t quite right due to an odd fit for an exhaust they didn’t hesitate to take it back in right away and make sure everything was right and I was happy.
If you’re worried about getting the right work done at the right price call these guys, they won’t steer you wrong!

Might as well go to a dealer. Metric is are almost as expensive. Another story of replaced seals that did not last long. Never going back to metric.
BTW the 2000 vw passats with All whell drive are just horrific, multiple bad oil seals for at least half of the model year, defective torque converters. I am never going back there either.
Well I might when the output from the Tennessee plant has been on line for a coupld of years. If I do I am taking it to ABJ, or Common Steet Auto, or Greg’s in Natick.

arg!
They replaced my clutch in February, and what do need 5 months later?
A clutch. What?
the transmission seals were broke while installing.
I call, and guess what, they aren’t responsible. They can give me a break, but charge me for a new clutch again?
after it went $ 300 over the estimate the first time. NO
NO NO NO
yikes…

I took my 1995 Jetta to Metric Systems for about three years and spent a lot of money there. They charge more than just about any other foreign auto repair place I’ve ever used, but the layout and atmosphere of the place sucked me in. The last time I went (and the last time I’ll ever go there,) I asked them to reprogram my radio — since I’d replaced the battery, the radio no longer worked.
They removed my radio from the car, called me up and said that the reprogramming codes were no longer available for a car of this age, and that I would need to buy a new radio — for $ 250. I said no thanks, and came to pick up the car, not noticing until I was driving that they hadn’t returned my radio! I called them back and they said «well, it’s no good anymore.» I said I’d come back for it, which I did. I then took the car (and old radio) to another foreign auto specialist, who not only located the codes, but showed me how to reprogram the radio myself — free. These guys just wanted to sell a radio. I’m sorry, but that is super slimy.

As Woody Allen once said, «80% of success is showing up.» That is the first thing Steve at Metric Systems told me when I called to see if he could squeeze me in on a Monday. A sense of humor on a Monday, well this place had to be pretty good then. I dropped my VW off around 9am, and by 1030am I got a call from Steve telling me what was wrong and how much. Moreover, the price was pretty decent and he could get it done by 4pm that day. Not bad in my book, having dealt with VW shops all over the country. The repairs have been good so far, no complaints. I would definately return to Metric in the future for service on my VW (or Audi if I had one of those!).

So I have a 1998 VW Passat. Maybe some others out there already know where this is going. But my car is. the. worst. car. ever.
I’ve had to replace the engine, the water pump, the fuel lines, a few electrical things here and there. I’ve had about 7 flat tires (yes, this was partially my fault, partially the pot holes around the city). This car is a lemon in the most pure form.
Anyway, a friend who had a VW (and loved it, of course) recommended trying this shop out for all my (MANY) automotive repair needs. And you know what? He was right on.
The guys who work here are all very friendly. I am on a first name basis with some of them. Steve, the owner, is very down to earth and will tell me straight up what I absolutely need to repair and what I can hold off on. The turn around time is very fast, and the work is always good. They know what they are talking about. I will bring my car in around 8am and have a phone call with diagnosis around lunch time. The only downside would be how much $$ it costs to fix anything. But I do have a VW. These guys are VW experts and it shows.
I hate my car, but I love Metric.

My experience was not good. I took the car in for a EPC light which ended up as a brake light switch. I did not think the prices were reasonable at all. I was also told that my car was running «lean» and will not pass state inspection. They wanted to start with a MAF sensor and ordered the part. They said they would start with the MAF sensor and go from there. First, that is not how you diagnose a car and they are defensive about being questioned. I got home, opened the hood, took off the plastic engine cover and lo and behold there was a disconnected vacuum line/​tube. I reconnected it, took it to get inspected and it passed with flying colors. Do you realize what a MAF sensor and installation would have cost me!!! The problem with many mechanics today, they rely on codes and they don’t fix, they replace parts. Their code diagnosis was wrong, I did not need a MAF sensor. I will not go back. the car was running lean because of a $ 8 disconnected vacuum line.

After having my truck rest in VW hell out in Belmont for over a year, I had it towed to these guys. I had to have the engine replaced, and since it’s 25 yrs old I had to get a replacement built and shipped in.
I have never seen a cleaner garage in my life! You could almost eat off the floor. It really is a class operation.
It took them a while to turn it around, but they did, and did a solid job of it. It wasn’t cheap, but my time isn’t either, and I felt like they treated me with respect. You get what you pay for.

I had a terrible experience with these guys and would never go back. The owner yelled at me and was so rude. I don’t know if I caught him on a bad day or what the problem was but he was red-​faced angry and behaved in a very inappropriate manner. The car needed tires and they gave me some astronomical price. I suggested replacing three and using the spare, which had never been driven on. He just laid into me as if I had done something terrible. I ended up going to the Goodyear dealer who said that my request wasn’t so off-​base. I also ended up saving half of the cost by not having Metric Systems replace the tires.
I worked with Metric Systems for years. They do a good job but I won’t work with someone who thinks it’s acceptable to talk abusively to clients.

I have a subaru, and went here even though I know they’re VW/​Audi guys.
The work was fast and top notch, and they were accommodating to a bunch of special requests I have. The facilities are great too — you don’t feel like you’re in a greasy corner there — the office actually has new carpet and live plants. And the ability to park inside the garage in the winter is huge. Also Steve is great.
Didn’t get 5 stars only because it was a bit spendy — they definitely charged me audi prices for my subaru parts.

The last time you took your VW to a dealership for routine maintenance or repair did you feel or experience any of the following:
Like a pile of dirt in a bureaucratic bulldozer?
Like you were speaking but no one was listening?
That you never got to actually speak with the person who was working on your car?
Surprised to learn that your electrical problem was the result of a loose battery terminal which required three turns of a wrench to fix but it still cost you a 130 bucks for the repair?
Do you love your VW? These guys do too. They’re not cheap but will provide you with top-​shelf service far better than what a dealership will dole out to you. They look out for you, the customer, before looking out for themselves.

Very friendly and reasonable prices. They are die-​hard VW owners themselves, so they know how to maintain your car forever.