Catalpa Street Garage

This is a mini-​saga that had me doubting Wayne and his crew for a bit, but in the end the truth came out that the Catalpa street gang is absolutely top-​notch. So here’s the tale: I had a pre-​purchase inspection done of a used Mini that someone in the area was selling, and got a list of items that would need attention if I bought the car. They had two technicians even diagnosing it at one point, each of them with around 30 years experience as certified BMW techs. The prices quoted to do the work were a little high, including more than $ 600 for a belt tensioner, but I was happy to have a good list of items — and since I lived out of town (in SF) I was going to get the work done elsewhere anyways. Well… I brought the car to get the work done at a very reputable shop in the Bay Area closer to my house that does only Minis, and they told me the bad news: my supercharger was dying, which would cost $ 2300 to repair. This was not on the list I had gotten from Wayne. I was freaking out, and called Wayne to report that he had missed this really important thing. He calmly explained that he still stood by his technicians’ diagnosis, but that if indeed they had missed this crucial item, he would do the labor for free ($ 1000 worth of labor!). I took the car back to the shop, he showed me that it really was the belt tensioner, and I paid $ 600 instead of $ 2300 to get my issue resolved. Yahoo! I even took it to the BMW/​Mini dealership in SF afterward, to get a 3^rd opinion, and after listening to the newly repaired engine (with new tensioner), the tech there told me everything in the engine sounded good and normal.

The owner Wayne is great! I brought in my Mini with a check engine light and he ran a diagnostic for free! We decided to just do a reset, which he also did for free, then as I tried to leave my car battery died, and he gave me a jump — all for FREE! He’s such a nice guy and explained my options and the specifics of getting a new battery (which apparently requires a computer configuration) and gave me an estimate for a new battery with labor and configuration that was cheaper than going to O’Reillys and just getting a battery !! Super fair prices, good people, and quick service. It’s nice to know that just because I have a nice car doesn’t mean I have to get robbed! I couldn’t be happier!!!

These mechanics are among the finest in the world. There’s nothing more to say.

I’ve been putting back together an old 91 E34 M5 with the help of Ernie, his father Wayne, Steven (I believe it is) as well as the rest of the Catalpa St team.
I’ve found Catalpa Street Garage to be friendly, courteous, knowledgeable and willing if not wanting to go the extra mile. Wayne and Steven are knowledgeable detectives. I’ve found that they will look at their own work with scrutiny and double and triple check if necessary. My hat goes off to technicians like Wayne and Steven at Catalpa.
You may pm me if you’d like to know more about this shop, I’ve had more than several positive experiences here. Sincerely –Aaron D.

Once again these guys took such good care of me. They took so much time and care with my car and dealt with my warranty company which is a huge deal to me.
Thank you so much for your professionalism.

You get to know them, they get to know you. (it’s been about 15 years now)
Trust develops on both sides. Absolutely knowledgeable team. Great interaction with whole crew, they really know BMWs. I like the car drop-​off option they have too.

Over the past 13 years we have found them to be honest and reliable. They know BMWs!

I’ve been delighted with these folks over the years — good service, fair prices, and a concern for the customer. HOWEVER, my last trip there was a new service writer and most of that seemed to be gone. 1) They actually did less than what they estimated would cost $ 400, max $ 450 and it came out $ 100 higher above $ 500. The excuse? They said that getting a «mini service» which included an oil change and a couple new cabin air filters would save me money in looking over the car. When the bill came in higher by $ 100, they claimed the high cost of the cabin air filters was to blame! FWIW, the cabin air filters are a 60 second change, and mine didn’t need replacing. There was nothing at all complicated about this service, but they twice (on the phone and at the counter) gave a price that was firm and fair, then jacked it up when it came time to pay.
All I can conclude is that the original owner/​operators of this once-​excellent place are edging toward retirement, and that a new staff is bound and determined to squeeze the customer. I can’t speak much to the quality of service on this visit, it was just fluid changes. Hopefully, it’s still decent.

I’ve brought them my /​/​/​M for over a year on multiple occasions and have always gone away happy. Great information, direct conversation with mechanics (priceless), and they’ve always steered me in the right direction with repairs at a fair price. Highly recommend.

They have serviced my M series BMW’s for 8 years and have always taken excellent care. I recommend them to friends all the time. Never let any of them down.

Very honest business. They repaired my BMW 545’s water leak for $ 336 ($ 157 for parts, $ 165 for labor + tax) after a BMW dealer estimated $ 1,283 for the same job. The total was exactly estimated and that’s what I paid at the end. No suprise.
Unlike those BMW dealers, they have very small, old and rather cheep office (though not dirty). No TV, no couch, no free wifi, no coffee nor vending machine. One small bathroom shared with employees. They don’t give a free car wash or vacume clearning after the service either. Their front parking can take less than 10 cars and always full. They have no loaner car, but they out-​sourced the transportation with a local taxi company (driver told me they do this for 20 years) and drop you off and pick you up for FREE (my home at Aptos, worth $ 25 oneway).
Front guys are very knowlegeable and professional, but not too friendly.
I like their business style and will come back for next time.
I would recommend to any Bimer owner.