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Aldo's Performance Motors
Category: Automotive Auto Repair Auto Repair [Edit]
770 Post St(between Jones St & Leavenworth St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin
(415) 543-2536
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 5 pm
Lana L. said: "Cheapest, quickest smog check ever (on a Saturday morning)! Even if you act dumb (though I wasn't, i really didn't know what to do with my documents), they'll help out and get the service done as fast as they can, so long as you treat…" read more »
35 reviews for Aldo's Performance Motors
35 reviews in English
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Review from Brendan J.
San Francisco, CA
5/16/2012
Let's face it, we as Porsche owners are a little on the uptight side. At the best of times we are exacting, overly demanding and prone to excessive nit-picking. At other times, we have the potential to suffer acute paranoia when it comes to our cars.
Well, stop with the paranoia and call Aldo.
He is the real deal - he and his lead mechanic Francesco are excellent technicians. They are even more exacting and precise than you are. Believe me.
Bottomline, you are getting modern factory-level service without the ridiculous overhead - glasses raised to a swell guy! -
Review from Remi D.
San Francisco, CA
3/21/2012
Aldo is the guy if you drive a Porsche in San Francisco. He is very knowledgeable in everything Porsche-related and he does what he says. I have been servicing my previous car there (01 Boxster) and he is now taking care of my 84 911. His rates are very good and his shop is always a pleasure to visit: where else can you see 7 air-cooled 911s at the same time?
No brainer to me! -
Review from brandie y.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2012
Yet another great Yelp find.
There's a reason Aldo has a 5 Star Rating from 100% of the reviewers. He's awesome. A solid, stand up guy with a chihuahua that keeps guard over the shop.
My Boxter needed it's 7500 mile service, so I Yelped and found Aldo. He greeted me with a warm handshake and it was all uphill from there. He showed me the checklist of what that entailed (basically checking a bunch of things, and an oil change). He quoted the price - and, it's inline with what other reviewers wrote - about 1/4 of the dealer cost. Yay, no Ramen for me this month.
When he found out I needed to go back to work about a mile away, he refused to let me take a cab ("I can't let you spend that much money for a ride") and gave me a ride AND offered to come get me when he is done. That's the "wow" and exactly how a service business keeps customers for life - even if they are infrequent.
Many reviewers use the term "old school mechanic". Don't let that fool you into thinking he's not up on the latest. It means he hasn't commoditzed his business to increase volume at the detriment of quality.
Rock on, Aldo. -
Review from Katie Anne N.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2012
BF looked on yelp for a place to take his car in for service and oil change. He found Aldo and was able to take it in the next day on a Saturday. Aldo said he would check out the car and also take it to get smog checked for less than what the dealer would have charged. BF picked up the car the same day however Aldo did not reset the panel on the dash. He told my BF he didn't have time to do it. So now BF is driving around with the light on. So mixed feelings about this experience.
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Review from Todd D.
Portland, OR
1/26/2012
Driving my 911... passing though San Francisco, the clutch died, knew it was coming but on the Golden Gate Bridge? Limped my way to Aldo's; asked him if he could put in a new clutch quick? Sure, he said, by noon the next day. No BS, no empty promises, no rip offs. The man had me down the road by noon the next day!
Aldo went over other issues I need to address down the line on my car; he's a hard working gentleman that I wish was my hometown mechanic. Great work, fair price; you have a 911 with an issue? Take it to Aldo; the man could build one from scratch! I think he is a 911.... -
Review from Joel T.
San Francisco, CA
4/16/2012
Aldo is the best! I initially called Aldo with a question about my car ('05 Boxster S, garage kept and never parked on the street) and to check on the price of a brake job and oil change. My dealer told me it was time for brakes and quoted me what I thought was an outrageous price. Aldo took down my information and said he would call me back. Soon afterward Aldo called me back and gave me the news. Much better price, don't want to say how much because I want to make sure Aldo stays affordable, and he could schedule me anytime I wanted. Arranged to bring the car over and Aldo told me about another possible issue with the car that needed to be looked at. Gave Aldo approval to take a look. Sure enough, Aldo was correct. Car needed a clutch, but of course, dealer was wrong and brakes were fine. Aldo quoted me a very good price on the clutch and got to work. Car was completed when he said it would be and was even clean when I picked it up. I can only imagine the price the dealer would have charged for the same work done by Aldo.
On top of being probably the best Porsche mechanic in the Bay Area, Aldo is super nice and honest. He explains what is wrong with your car and tells you what your options are. After he is done, he shows you the worn out or replaced part(s) and lets you know what to be on the look-out for in the future. I know a little bit about cars, but Aldo is The Man. Aldo's shop is also convenient to downtown and the Nob Hill area. Aldo has a "nice" Chihuahua named Elvis in his office that watches over things. If you stop by with your dog expect Elvis to show you that the garage is "his" space. Chihauahua's can be so macho! Really a cool little dog.
Aldo works on all European cars, with Porsche being his #1 specialty. I would not hesitate bringing any European car in for Aldo to look at and work on. If you have a Porsche and live in or near San Francisco, bring your car to Aldo. You will not be sorry, you will get excellent service and you will meet a very honest and nice man. When my brakes do need to be done Aldo will do the job, my car will never go to the dealer again.
Thanks Aldo. I will try to baby my car, but sometimes it just want to GO! -
Review from Neal S.
San Francisco, CA
6/24/2011
One of the old-school real mechanics, and super nice guy.
Brought in my Cayman for an oil change, charged 1/3 of the dealer, looked over the car and gave some good tips on what to upgrade and what to skip. Great! -
Review from Kingston L.
San Francisco, CA
3/18/2012
After bringing my Porsche to Aldo, he told me that he needed some time to find out what the problem was and never get back to me. I don't konw if he doesn't know how to fix it or he doesn't care my business. anyway, I really wonder why he has a lot of good review??? I called him 3 times... he just keep saying, "I will call you back". but it never happens.
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Review from Vinay K.
San Francisco, CA
4/19/2011
One of the few remaining old-school mechanics in San Francisco, or indeed anywhere! Aldo is a no-nonsense mechanic who goes for a drive with you, diagnoses the problem with you, gets to the point without beating around the bush, and, above all, is honest! (I know, scandalous!).
He tells me when something does not need repair, and even when he does not know what the problem is. In the last case, he usually offers a hunch based on his experience, and they have always been correct!
Over the years Aldo has worked on my Porsche and VW. From a gearbox and clutch job, changing the starter motor, ball bearings, to simple oil changes, he is quick, efficient, and very reasonably priced.
Be warned, this is not one of those namby-pamby service centers with soft music playing that ply you with coffee and girly magazines while you wait. The place feels like an honest-to-god workshop should - cars on hoists, the clanking of metal to metal, and tecnicians in overalls.
Finally, this place has got to be a well-kept secret. I say this because, as you walk in to the shop, you see a bunch of jeeps being repaired. You walk past them and only then get to see the collection of classic Porsche cars in various stages of repair! These owners choose Aldo everytime, and after taking my car a couple times to him after the afore-mentioned namby-pamby service centers could not resolve my car issues, I choose him everytime as well. -
Review from THe real TrUth D.
Richmond, CA
2/18/2012
So I had an issue with my BMW 335i coupe the BMW Dealer service told me that i had some leaking going on from the oil filter housing gasket and some other issue as well. I just went to BMW so i can install a new alarm system I purchased, but they end up calling me if i wanted to fix these problems that i listed. I told them to fix them but they told me my insurance expired O.O oh no!!!! I lied to them and said i will fix that later because i didnt have the money. I did my research before to see what place can fix my BMW and have great reviews the first one in the list was AlDO"s Performance Motors looks at the reviews wow he works with German cars great! So they next day i took my BMW to Aldo and explain what was wrong and if he can take a look. Next thing you know when i picked it up the next day. Aldo said, "fucken Bullshit man!! they are liying to you man i didnt find no sort of problem with your car no leeks no nothing." I was shocked!!!! I was like i knew it BMW sounded pretty fishy over the phone when i kept asking question especially when they kept saying make sure to bring it HERE ASAP!. Thanks you so much Also for being 100% honest Aldo does not mess around. Overall i paid 3% of what i was going to pay over BMW $30 Vs. $1100. So if you have a problem with your car and its a great German CAr I recommend you to come to A.P.M..
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Review from Leo Y.
Daly City, CA
2/1/2011
You're one of kind Aldo!
Although my 930 turbo is still being repaired, I'm confident that you're gonna make my baby smile again, he's given me really great impression. And he's not a straight businessman type of person who only looking to make big profit on customers I'm sure, he just love working on cars! Im sure that he'll do the best he can. Try him -
Review from Kayvan G.
San Francisco, CA
1/15/2010
Brought my 1999 Boxster there for an oil change and to fix a problem with the convertible top. Aldo was able to meet me early so I could drop-off my car before work, and the cost was quite a bit lower than previous service on the car.
All in all, a great experience, good prices and friendly service.
Top marks! -
Review from brian j.
San Francisco, CA
8/22/2008
First rate all the way,
Audi, Porsche, V-Dub repair,
On the road again. -
Review from Sean B.
San Francisco, CA
4/5/2008
Aldo is the only person you should ever trust with your Porsche in this city. He is reliable, flexible, and honest. The level of personal service at his shop is unbelievable.
I took my '87 Porsche there for a simple cat-back exhaust replacement and he was able to find a used part in the East Bay for much cheaper than I could. His shop completed the repair in just a few days, during which I was able to get updates from Aldo on his cell! This never happens, mechanics in this city just don't have the patience for customer service. The exhaust turned out perfect and he was able to fix some other odds and ends for a very low cost.
My car actually broke down today and I was able to call Aldo on his cell phone and he met me at his shop even on his day off. I fully expect Aldo to diagnose my problem correctly and charge me a fair price. -
Review from Craig F.
San Francisco, CA
8/23/2011
I was hoping to keep Aldo a bit of a secret, but he deserves your business. Probably the most experienced German mechanic (meaning Porsche) in the Bay Area and he has a true sense of honesty.
He really only cares about two things - your car and his little dog that runs around the shop. His car knowledge is way beyond anyone I have ever met. One time my car was making a noise and he said "I had a car in here that made that same noise 19 years ago - I already know the problem." A regular way mechanic would spend hours trying to figure out what the problem was. He also is probably one of the best in NorCal for sourcing parts (both new and used) and always provides transparency on cost. Anything he has ever fixed for me has not been a problem again.
Top marks all around. -
Review from Ian D.
San Francisco, CA
6/20/2008
Aldo IS a legend! Granted I only needed a simple repair but his customer focus and hospitality was simply incredible. Time to ditch my main Porsche dealer I think. Also as a result I'm now a devotee to http://www.becomeacroa....com*
*For soccer tournaments where England don't feature ;-) -
Review from Malachi R.
San Francisco, CA
3/10/2011
Aldo is incredible and definitely is the type of guy you want to trust your Porsche to. My dad and mom have been coming here for the past 25 years... I have never heard of people keeping a mechanic that long! Aldo's performance motors is an honest business and I would highly, highly recommend to anyone. They have saved me countless thousands of dollars on my car over the years by telling me which things I had to replace and which things I could wait on or get cheaply.
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Review from Deb L.
San Francisco, CA
3/17/2009
I met Aldo many years ago when some part of my clutch completely snapped and my car broke down right in front of his shop when it was down in SOMA. He was outside, having a smoke, and he pretty much just ushered me out of my car, got in, somehow threw it into reverse and backed bravely into the oncoming traffic and then swooped up the ramp into his garage... yes, backwards with no clutch... After my initial shock, I realized I had just been rescued by the most chivalrous mechanic EVER. I trust him as do all my friends, he always shows you the parts he replaced and what he fixes, and he is ALWAYS very responsive and helpful.
I have had other mechanics tell me that I need thousands of dollars of work on my poor little VW Golf, then I take it to Aldo and he fixes it great with no drama and less that half the quote of the other place- usually because the bad mechanics were LYING to me about what was wrong with my car! I can't say enough good things about Aldo!!! -
Review from Ryan J.
San Francisco, CA
4/15/2009
Aldo is awesome. I had a brake light on in my boxster and he took the time to take and look at it and informed me that the brakes were totally fine. He is very trustworthy and a great mechanic with amazing knowledge when it comes to cars. If you need your porsche repaired or worked on in the city, this is the place.
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Review from Ed T.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2008
Now that I moved back to the city, I plan to bring my 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo to Aldo for general maintenance and any problems till I am ready to part with my car. While I may not know everything about Porsches or my car specifically, Aldo will... He has been working on Porsches for 35 years!
Today, Aldo changed the oil and filter in my Porsche. While my car was raised, Aldo showed me a few things that I should address, like an exhaust leak. (Who knows what I've been breathing for the past couple years.)
He'll inspect and diagnose your car so after something is completed for maintenance or fixed because of a problem, you will not have to worry about it until your car is ready for the next round. Essentially, he'll put your car on a plan so your car is properly maintained, and running in tip-top shape.
Next week, I'll bring my car to Aldo again for a tune-up, my front wheel bearings tightened, as well as to have my transmission oil changed. In a few months, I'll ask Aldo to fix my slow power steering leak. (I look forward to the day when I can throw away the cardboard lining the floor in my garage.)
His shop is clean... And today, he had several sweet Porsche 911s from the 1980s. If you have a Porsche -- up to 2005 -- bring it to Aldo. He'll take of your car. If you have an Audi or VW, bring it as well. I plan to bring my 2000 Mercedes C-class to Aldo as well.
As background, originally, I was going to take my Porsche to another shop. However, they were always reluctant to even perform a simple oil and filter change because they do not work on older Porsches. Thank goodness, because I'm glad to have found Aldo. -
Review from Kubrick T.
San Francisco, CA
9/1/2011
Good first experience. I just bought a 2004 Porsche and I heard a noise coming from the left rear wheel when turning the steering wheel while parking so I decided to go somewhere to have the noise checked. Searching around for a porsche mechanic or dealership I found Aldo here on Yelp with good reviews, so I decided give him a chance instead of go directly to the dealership. Before going to work around 8:00AM I stopped into his garage and I explained to him my concerns about that noise and where and when the car makes this noise. He then jumped inside the car and started to move the steering wheel looking for the noise, after one minute turning the steering wheel he told me lets go for a ride and see if there is something wrong with the steering wheel or with the brakes. After going all around the block with the car he told me that the car drives fine and there is nothing wrong with the steering wheel or the brakes. I was so pleased when he told me that everything was good and all in less than 30 minutes. This gentleman seems to know a lot about these cars and he also seems to be a nice person. BTW if you like tennis that could be a good subject to talk with him. I will be back.
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Review from Bruce G.
San Francisco, CA
8/28/2011
I found Aldo after I recently moved to SF and he has done a tremendous job on my Porsche Turbo. He is an experienced Porsche mechanic and knows the cars inside and out. He diagnosed a problem behind fault codes (ABS fault was triggered by a bad steering sensor) as well the rear spoiler failure. Both of these were complicated electronic parts and the car is now problem free. I highly recommend him.
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Review from Ellen F.
Oakland, CA
8/18/2011
Aldo is amazing! I brought in a 1974 914 Porsche, which I inherited and that hadn't been running for 15 years, and he got it working again. He searched far and wide to find parts for my old car, and charged me very fair prices. He also showed me exactly what he fixed and why. I wish I could find a Toyota mechanic who is as wonderful as Aldo!
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Review from charlotte c.
San Francisco, CA
11/2/2007
I have been going to Aldo for 10 years! My sister used him as early as 1988 when she had her Volkswagon Fox and her roomate had a VW Rabbit. I have a 1996 Jetta GLS with 86,000 on it and Aldo is the only one who has ever worked on it. ( except YUCKY Royal motors dealership one time) He mostly works on Porches and BMWs and VWs but my sister is going to start taking her new Saab there. He will work on any foreign car. I think having a great mechanic that you trust and can go to throughout the life of your car .....there are no words...how about ...priceless!
Aldo is Italian, smart, funny and easy to talk to. He does diagnosis,repairs (have the car towed to him or drive it in) tune ups, scheduled mileage maintenance or whatever you need.
As a woman I feel really comfortable going there because he never talks down to you, answers any questions you have -he wants you to learn about your car, and has one quiet assistant ,so there are no gross leering mechanic guys to stare you down.....
He always calls after he has diagnosed what's wrong and explains in a normal way what is wrong, what part you need replaced, how long it will take him to get part and do the repair ...then gives you a accurate estimate. When you pick up your car he shows you exactly what he replaced and where it is in your engine..like today when I was there he showed me this little sensor thing was way under all this other stuff in the engine and he had to remove all that stuff to replace this little 1 inch sensor and then reinstall all the stuff. Mind you I dropped my car off at 2pm yesterday and it was ready today at 11 am!
He is honest, fast, super hard working and approaches every repair as if you are on a tight budget.
I explained to him about Yelp today and that he was listed on the site with the wrong address and he had no reviews..... SO I AM POSTING THE NEW ADDRESS for his clean beautiful garage...the phone number listed on Yelp is correct (415-543-2536) but he moved to 1101 SUTTER RIGHT AT THE CORNER OF LARKIN - very easy for Pacific Heights-SOMA- Marina-Cow Hollow- Mission -Nob Hill -Downtown-NOPA people ...... he doesn't have an answering machine on that number but usually gets in between 8am and 9 am and works late.. Usually can bring you car in the same day if you call him first......if he doesn't answer just try again in like 15 minutes.
He deserves your business...he is a real find. I say this as the risk of him getting really busy and bigger and that one day in the future I might have to make an appt to get my car ....smile -
Review from Arvind T.
San Francisco, CA
1/27/2010
Aldo is the best, took care of my 911. try him once and you will never trust your car with anyone else except Aldo.
He is the best!!! -
Review from Yul D.
San Francisco, CA
7/28/2011
I have been going to Aldo's since 1994 when he was located on 2nd Street. I am extremly pleased with the service I receive whenever I have a mechanical problem, I have found them to be honest and caring, and have been able to solve the mechanical problems that I have had in the past. I have owened 2 BMW's, 3 Mercedes, a Volkswagon, as well as an Audi, and Aldo had effectively worked on all of my vehicles. I would like to give them my highest recommendation, because there are few places these days where you truely get your money's worth, but this is one. This is the place for European vehicles to get well and stay well. My first encounter with Aldo in 1994, was with a 1977 BMW 320I, I was referred to Aldo and when I came to garage, he pulled a car off the rack, and put my car on the rack and took the time to point out everything that needed to be fixed now and what could wait. At the time the the car had over 200,000 miles. that car was given to a relative, and was eventually totaled in an accident, but the car had over 450,000 miles on and still going strong. After that I wouldn't let anyone else touch my vehicles.
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Review from Gene M.
San Francisco, CA
7/23/2011
Great Porsche garage. Aldo has the knowledge and puts in the work to arrive at an accurate diagnosis, then repairs what is needed, and not more than is needed. Very trustworthy and reasonably priced. I do not hesitate to recommend.
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Review from Julie S.
San Francisco, CA
8/15/2010
I have been bringing my Boxster to Aldo for a year now, after getting frustrated with the dealer's service and prices. Aldo is a lovely man and great mechanic. He spends the extra time to do the job right , is less expensive than the dealer and I am totally confident in his work.
Take your Porsche to Aldo. -
Review from G S.
San Francisco, CA
6/9/2009
Aldo's Performance is one of the best shops I've ever used to care for my 911 SC; knowledgeable, informative, attention to detail, takes the time to explain what the issues are and offers options for resolution, all this with along with EXCELLENT customer service... one really can't ask for anything more.
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Review from Aidan C.
San Francisco, CA
6/12/2009
I was introduced to Aldo by a long-time Porsche owner when I needed to get mine serviced. Since then, Aldo is the only person I trust with my 2006 C4S. Everything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs - all handled perfectly.
If you have a Porsche, get to know Aldo! -
Review from Sejo J.
San Francisco, CA
8/5/2009
Yes, Aldo is as good as it gets. First of all he is an awsome guy.
He also know Porsche's really well. I had few problems my 2001 Boxter S (stiff clutch, slippery clucth and really hard shift to 2nd gear) for quite some time and had few other mechanics try it. Aldo is the first one that figured it out. My car runs like it did when it was new.
Thank you, Aldo! -
Review from Peter V.
San Francisco, CA
11/20/2009
Aldo is as proficient and as honest as you will find in an auto mechanic. After years of taking my Porsche Boxster S to Fremont where I purchased it new from the dealer, I have finally found a shop here in San Francisco that I can trust. Aldo is courteous, fair, and knowledgable. Trust your Porsche with him, and you will not be disappointed.
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Review from Em S.
San Francisco, CA
3/16/2011
I moved to San Francisco a year ago and have a good amount of after market performance accessories on my Audi A3 (Chip, Cat-Back Exhaust, Cold Air Intake etc...) Researching the internet, I found Aldo and as I am not one to write recommendations or post online - I'm making this exception. From day one he provided insights, suggestions, and went above and beyond. His service is great, always on time, he is transparent, and his pricing beats most and/or is competitive with other service centers. Bottom-line when you find a honest mechanic, who is truely an expert in Audi's (German Vechicles) you don't need to go anywhere else...If your new to SF and/or you been here for awhile and looking for a A+ mechanic for all criteria - take my and the other recommendations.
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Review from T M.
Menlo Park, CA
12/12/2010
I have a 66' 912 and my first visit to Aldo I was in distress. There was fuel leaking from a broken hose onto my exhaust pipe. It was a dangerous situation. He showed me that the person that had worked on my car previously had done a sloppy job. He fixed the pipe and didn't charge me a dime. He just said next time bring my car to him and that is exactly what I did. I trust this guy.
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Review from M M.
San Francisco, CA
9/9/2009
Do not go here! I took my car for replacement of a sensor and oil change. I continued to have problems so I took it to another mechanic. I was shocked to find out that the sensor was not replaced and the oil change never performed.
