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B & B Muffler and Automotive
Category: Automotive Auto Repair Auto Repair [Edit]
3000 S Lamar BlvdAustin, TX 78704
Neighborhoods: 78704 (South Austin), South Lamar District
(512) 447-5581
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 7 am - 6 pm
Sat 9 am - 4 pm
49 reviews for B & B Muffler and Automotive
49 reviews in English
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Review from Melissa T.
Austin, TX
5/7/2012
I'm a big fan of this place and can't believe I haven't reviewed them yet. I have been a customer about 3-4 years now, and my car is 13 years old, so I've had a few major things done by them, including brakes, a timing belt, spark plugs (the ones on my car are very difficult to access; it's not just that I'm lazy!), my suspension, some leaky valve covers, and a handful of other things that come with my car's age. The quality of their work has always been great, and my car is in great shape. I expect to be car payment-free for a few more years. (In the long run, repairs are almost always cheaper than replacing the car, folks.)
I was initially referred to them by a coworker who reported that she and her husband have been taking they and their kids' various cars there for about 30 years. They are sensible people, so I went with their recommendation.
My favorite thing about B&B is probably that they will make you a list of things that need to be done on your car, price them, and help you prioritize the work. I have always felt that they are very honest and forthcoming about this. (I'm a woman in my 20s, which makes me especially cautious when choosing a mechanic because of the stereotype of dishonest mechanics who try to take advantage of people like me.)
Richard, Anthony, Jose, and probably some folks I'm forgetting have all been kind and helpful to me in the past. I just recently got to meet Mike, the owner - I dropped in with no appointment for a small issue that had popped up that I thought might need to be taken care of right away. Since I was an established customer, Mike fixed me up and sent me on my way free of charge. Can't beat that!
As far as I can remember, the work on my car has always been done in about the time frame they've estimated. If you ask, they can give you a loaner car or a ride, which makes getting your car repaired much less of a pain in the you-know-what. Jose and Patrick have both driven me to work at UT in the past.
I read a few of the other reviews, and the complaints seemed mostly focused on the cost of getting your car diagnosed/assessed at B&B. Here's my theory on this: yes, maybe it's more expensive than some of the chain places, but the chain places try to upsell the hell out of you. The "free" checkup is essentially a loss-leader for those types of places. They reel you in on the "free" checkup then come up with a very expensive list of repairs that they insist must absolutely be done right away. It's really aggravating and unless you are way knowledgeable about cars, it's hard to tell when you are being b.s.'ed and when there is a legitimate problem. As I mentioned previously, B&B gives you an honest and thorough assessment of the work needed. I truly think that I save money in the long run by going to them. Not to mention that the work performed is orders of magnitude more reliable - I know of two people who have had chain places fail to put new oil in their cars after an oil change (I'll name and shame: the businesses in question were a Wal-Mart and a Jiffy Lube), and I have personally had a tire place fail to adequately tighten my rear lug nuts, which resulted in my back wheels damn near coming off on I-40 through Appalachia. Bottom line of this long paragraph: taking my car to B&B feels safer and like a savvy investment.
Bonus stars: If you are going to wait on your car, it's a nice location - Phoenicia next door is fantastic, and you can also walk across Lamar to Rockin' Tomato, Half Price Books, Amy's, and now Kerby Lane. They have decent magazines in their waiting area, too. -
Review from Christina B.
Austin, TX
5/17/2012
B&B did a great job on fixing the starter on my 30-something year old car when I was in a bind.
They took a very short time to fix my car, called me to let me know what was wrong, suggested some more work (which I know that I need) but didn't pressure me to have it done that day, and even gave me a ride home from the shop on the rainy day I dropped it off.
When I went to pick it up, it ended up being 50 dollars less than what they quoted me! I like surprises like that... Then when I went to start the car, it fired up like it never had before! Purrr... -
Review from Carissa H.
Palm Springs, CA
3/20/2012
Having moved to Austin not six months ago, I was really worried about having work done to my car because mechanics are always painted as bandits and I had absolutely no idea where to take it. Luckily, I have AAA, who recommended me B & B (as they are a AAA certified garage).
All the guys at B & B were SO amazing to me. I came in pretty frazzled and displaced by my whole car situation (I had gotten in a fender bender a couple of hours prior that then caused my car to die in the middle of the highway), and I feel as though they really did everything they possibly could to make me feel at ease about it.
As I had suspected, it turned out my radiator was cracked pretty badly and had to be replaced. Once we settled all my paperwork and everything, I went out to my car to grab my book while I waited for the results of their inspection, and a few of the guys went out with me and popped the hood right there and quickly identified/actually showed me where the radiator was cracked. It made me feel a lot better about the situation for them to physically show me what was wrong with my car, instead of disappearing for an hour and coming back with a laundry list of things that needed work.
I found that, at B & B, they really try to make you part of the process and feel like you have some control in what's going on.
Afterwards, I went back inside and they offered me a beverage and chatted with me a bit. They are seriously the friendliest and most welcoming staff ever.
Richard at the front desk walked me through my quote and was really, really great about it. They were unsure as to whether or not another part of my car would have to be replaced as it was bent in my accident (which they also showed me), so Richard quoted me the worst-case scenario and the best-case scenario because he didn't want me to have any surprises - which I REALLY appreciated. He has got to be the nicest, most genuine guy ever, which goes a long way when you're a worried customer.
The guys even offered to give me a ride home, a complementary service at their garage.
I called early the following day to see what the deal was because I was pretty nervous about my "worst-case scenario". My car wasn't ready yet, but they explained to me why and what they still had to do. They gave me a time to call the following day and said it would be ready then. They actually called me before that time, earlier the next day, to let me know my car was completed. (As well as sending me a confirmation email!) They didn't have to replace the other part on my car and were able to work around it just fine, so my final bill was the low-end of the spectrum Richard had originally given me (huge relief!)
When I went in to pay my bill and pick up my car, a different gentleman helped me, but Richard came out from the back just to (SUPER sincerely) tell me to be careful from now on. (Did I mention these are the nicest guys ever?) Since then, my car is running really great; you wouldn't even know the whole fiasco had happened!
In conclusion, I have definitely found my go-to garage in Austin. I will absolutely be back to B & B. -
Review from Karen S.
Austin, TX
3/28/2012
I have to say that I had the best experience at B and B!! They were super friendly and efficient. They diagnosed the problems well, gave me some great tips, and rides back and forth to work when a new problem cropped up in the radiator. They fixed my vehicle so fast! I met Anthony, Bryan, and a couple more really nice helpful people there and they all were fantastic. I feel like high quality work was done on my arty truck. Highly recommend!!
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Review from Benjamin F.
Austin, TX
4/11/2012
I love B&B. I go to them every time I need an inspection sticker. If you call ahead, they will estimate the wait time so you can decide if you want to bring it in right then. Their time estimates are always right on too. I would highly recommend bringing your car to them.
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Review from Verunica S.
Austin, TX
1/19/2012
I went by the glowing reviews I saw for B&B on http://yelp.com, and man was I disappointed. =(
I woke up early yesterday and called B&B at 9:30am. I asked if they were busy, and if I brought my car in today, would they get to it? "Sure, no problem, we are actually slow today" was exactly what I was told. So I took my car in at 10:00am. I signed some papers, and was told that it would cost me $135.00 just for them to LOOK at my car- oh my god! That was FAR above and beyond anything I have ever paid! whoa!
I still thought that it may be worth it based on the reviews, so I signed and left my key then walked home. I dropped my car off around 10:00am, and they said they would call me ASAP. Well, I waited around all day to hear from them- finally, at 2:00pm I called and asked for an update. Nobody had even LOOKED at my car yet!
This was totally unsatisfactory, and very bad customer service when I called in advance to ask!! I was so disappointed that I just went and picked up my car. I cannot pay those kinds of high prices when nobody will even call me and let me know there is a delay with the service I was told I would get. They asked if I could leave my car overnight, and of course I can't because I work. I really wish I had had the amazing experience everyone else seems to have had at B&B because they were very conveniently located for me- but now it seems I need to find somewhere else to go. =( Totally bummed out!Comment from Mike H. of B & B Muffler and Automotive 2/1/2012
I am sorry to hear that we did not meet your expectations.… More » -
Review from Cecilia L.
Austin, TX
1/29/2012
They fixed my old broken down beater, but I do feel that they gave me a little of the run around because I'm a girl. I realize the car is old, but when you have to call back and change your diagnosis and raise the price three times, going so far as to suggest expensive fixes that would be good to do but that weren't currently necessary, I do feel a little bit backed into a corner. I'm not saying the info was incorrect, but I prefer to have it laid out clearly: you must do this, you might want to keep an eye on this, rather than you've got to do this, we really recommend that you do this, and you will probably want to do this and while you're at it you might as well do the other. Break it down for me fellas, in a way that's easy to understand.
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Review from Jennifer C.
Austin, TX
Updated - 2/26/2012 2 photos
Oh, HI again! I met the coolest guy at B & B, his name is Gary, and along with my other favs, Richard, Anthony, Patrick, Earl, Wayne, Mike, and all the others I don't know their names....anyway Gary and all the others fixed my 1966 Mustang, the bright yellow one you will see me cruising around town now.
B & B Muffler looked over the entire Mustang and fixed everything, they showed me the car while it was up on in the air without it's tires. I got to see the axle and stuff most people I don't think get to see.
Most important, B & B Muffler made it safe for me to drive. I love touching the gear shift, and learning the clutch. It's like we were made for each other. Richard Arnold made sure it was clean and as pristine as it could get, way above and beyond my expectations. All the mechanics were excited for me when the repairs were complete, and I got to drive away alone (after Richard let me drive it while he was teaching me.)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2012
Love this place. The first time there, I asked Mike, the owner, to treat me like he would his own… Read more »
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Review from Leigh F.
Austin, TX
11/1/2011
These guys were really helpful! After shopping around at a few different Groovy Lube's, trying to find the proper one to fix my busted license plate light, I passed by B&B and decided to stop in.
After explaining to them my situation - I got pulled over and harassed about my plate light being out - they shook their heads and assured me that that was ridiculous, and that you couldn't tell from the road if ONE license plate light was busted. But, nevertheless,they assured me they'd check it out, fix it if it was indeed out, and it would me around 12-13 bucks. Turns out the cop was right, my light had burned out.
After waiting for a bit, the guy working on my car came in to tell me that they were out of that particular light, but they had called the parts guy, and that he'd be right over. Couldn't have taken them more than another half hour.
While they were ringing me up, they apologized for the wait, and thanked me for my business. Nice guys over there. And all for about $13.50, just as they estimated.
Also, their waiting room is stacked with magazines and an area for kids to play. I would have love that when I was a kid, tagging along with my mom to the mechanic! Cool place all around. I'll definitely be back! :) -
Review from Karen W.
Austin, TX
8/10/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Remember the old days when your brothers, uncles, and dad would join forces and yet compete to see who would solve the week's mystery car ailments? The tons of grease accumulated under the nails and all over their clothes were just badges of honor, secondary to the pride in a job well done. Here in Austin, many miles away from my own family's grease monkeys, I've adopted a few new uncles to fill the void.
Anthony, Richard, and the rest of the gang have been with my family now for 3 years, ever since I moved back to Austin. From a foreign-made sportscar to our Mini Cooper to our Toyota Sequoia, and my daughter's Jeep, B&B has inspected, fixed, and maintained our cars.
They are timely, reasonable on prices, and professional, yet still manage to add that familiar touch--so refreshing to see that our growing city can maintain that small town touch! -
Review from Megan K.
Austin, TX
7/30/2011
I found B&B based on other Yelp reviews, and I was a little apprehensive about all of the glowing reviews from infrequent users, because I know that staff of B&B are active on Yelp. What can I say, I'm a paranoid cynic. That said, there is a computer in their lobby specifically so you can write a Yelp review (or google/yahoo, etc). If you write a review, they give you a free oil change. It doesn't say if you write a 'good' review, just a review. Though it's still a little tacky!
Everyone here is really friendly. The staff listens to you, and your problems, instead of just trying to shoo you away so they can diagnose your problems themselves. I brought my car in, exasperated, because the dealership told me things like, "Your brakes are supposed to make that noise", or "That squeal your fan belt is making is normal". They also told me that my car needed expensive repair, but couldn't give me a better quote other than "close to a thousand".
I dropped my car off on Friday morning and had it back by Saturday afternoon. I expected it to take more than 1 day. Since they're open on Saturdays, anywhere else, and I wouldn't have gotten my car back until Monday.
I needed brake work, (my front and back brakes were almost toast, thanks Toyota dealership for telling me they were fine!) and the front brakes only had 2% life left in them. Also, an alignment, tire rotation, and a new serpentine (not fan) belt. I expected everything to run me close to $600, but since I was a first time customer, they threw me a 10% discount, and everything came out to about $500.
Toyota dealership has been lying to me for so long, I've forgotten what it's like to drive a car that actually FEELS NORMAL. The brake and alignment problems were making it feel almost like power steering was out completely. My tires squealed at the slightest turn. My brakes sounded like I was running over a dog. All of that fixed!
I'm happy with the work and customer service at B&B. Thanks!
(PS - not looking for a free oil change!) -
Review from Rich P.
Buda, TX
5/16/2011
I took a muffler I purchased on line to them today to have it installed. Before I went to them I went to a local shop near my home and was told "You got the wrong muffler for your car". I didn't think that was right so I went to B&B and explained the muffler I purchased might not be correct. The exahust side manager told me he would have my car on the rack within 20 minutes to take a look. He did it in 15 and came back in and said they could mount it no problem.
Gave me a fair estimate and had work completed in about 1 hour. Even called me on my cell phone when it was complete. Did a greeat job, in quick amount of time, and came in right at their estimate. Everything you'd want from a mechanic shop! A+++
God Bless South Austin small businesses.
Rich -
Review from Michelle W.
Austin, TX
7/9/2011
I HATE getting things done to my car. I always feel like I'm going to get cheated or ripped off in some way shape or form. However, all of that changed once I started going to B&B.
Today was my second experience with them, both of which were deserving of 5 stars. I went in after hearing knocking in my brakes. Earlier in the week whhen I called, they said to come in at noon and they'd take a look, and that the assessment would cost $40. The service would take one hour. Well, things were a bit crazy around there and it took more like one hour and 15 minutes, so they didn't charge me a thing!!! They let me know I needed to replace the rear roters and that I could get it done on Saturday.
I am one that hates to ask for help and inconvenience others, so i didn't want to have other people drop me off and pick me up and let me use their car, so i figured I'd suck it up and just wait for the service myself. I brought the car in right when they opened on Saturday morning (9am) and they said it would be done at some point in the afternoon. I explained that I'd be waiting there with no other options, and gave them my version of a sob story....may or may not have included my sad face. It worked (softies??? LOL.) and they consulted with the mechanics and had my car done for me at 10:30! I appreciated their concern for my situation! They were EXTREMELY nice guys that seem to run a great shop! I've found my go-to auto shop in austin - and I highly recommend them to others :) -
Review from Jenny S.
Austin, TX
12/19/2011
Came in a few weeks ago and wasn't blown away. Service was slow, prices seemed high, and felt a little taken advantage of. Probably won't be coming back.
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Review from Megan E.
Austin, TX
11/19/2010
Moving to Austin, the first thing that became apparent (and didn't occur to me) is that I no longer 'had a guy' for everything. In Chicago, if I need my car worked on, or a mover, or a plumber, or a dry cleaner, I had a guy for that. Sometimes the same one.
Moving here and needing stuff done and particularly car stuff was frightening. I didn't want to go to a chain and get ripped off but I didn't know of a guy to take my stuff to.
My friend had a guy for my brakes and when that pesky engine light wouldn't shut off, I took it back. He couldn't do it but he suggested B&B down the street.
I don't remember what was wrong exactly (otherwise I probably would pay more attention and therefore NOT need a guy) but I brought it in in the morning, got it in quickly (despite the lot being full), got an estimate and walked my happy ass (b/c it wasn't going to break the bank) down the block to Kerbey lane for breakfast. Before I got my check I got a call from B&B my car was ready.
They went through everything with me, I left and went to get my oil changed at not a chain place who tried to tell me something was wrong with my just fixed car - that they could do it. I left drove back to B&B and after I explained the foreign language (to me) what the other place said, they got it in and looked at it. Nothing was wrong, I waited a little while and they didn't charge me.
I imagine that most car places hate people like me, who don't really give a shit about understanding how cars work. That has got to be frustrating. That experience that day sold me on B&B. They treated me with respect and a valued customer and didn't bullshit me or give me a hard sell.
I came back for my EPA sticker and now go back for my oil change and the only hassle I receive is being asked "is this a yankee car?" due to my rusted out underbelly (thank you Chicago snow and salt - I was only concerned about finding a place to park - who knew?).
B&B are my guys and remind me every couple months with an email reminder of things to check on.
I'd give this place 5 stars except for the fact car repairs are annoying and expensive and there is nothing they can do about that. But still. Consider it my silent protest. -
Review from Dave R.
Austin, TX
10/21/2011
OK, It's been about a month since I was there and all I can say is that I had the greatest experience with these guys. I went in to get a Flowmaster Exhaust put on my brand new truck. I had a couple of ideas as far as pipes and tips but noticed "with their help" that it wasn't going to work out the original way that i wanted which would have cost me almost $600.00. We ended up coming up with another way which not only save $200.00 but looks much better. They were also quick and let me know that i had plenty of time to go and grab some lunch and that it would be ready when I got back. When i got back my truck was waiting in the parking lot for me and when i started it up, I was very happy. They did a great job, saved me money, and the guys that i dealt with were very nice. Thanks again guys! I will be sure to let everyone know about the quality and level of service that i received.
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Review from Valerie N.
Austin, TX
12/23/2010
Excellent, honest service.
I took my Camry in because of a noise and had to have my motor mounts replaced. What I liked was that the mechanics actually physically showed me the parts that were cracked, rather than just telling me. They were also able to service my car in a quick time frame, right before the holidays.
Many places take opportunities to upsell a customer, suggesting additional services that aren't actually needed. B and B Muffler was honest. I was charged exactly what I was quoted and wasn't given a runaround about fixing anything unnecessary. -
Review from Wade W.
Austin, TX
2/5/2012
I planned on rewriting this review after I drove my car for a month. It has been a month and the problem returned. The last time I came in I was charged $100 for a diagnostic, which DID NOT diagnose the problem of my vehicle. They told me it was probably related to various pumps and sensors, that got the car driving again for a short time. This cost near $600. They didn't fix my car. It resumed the original problem about a month later. They still don't know how to fix it. They didn't originally know how to fix it. I feel taken advantage of, the things they have "fixed" are not the problem, and they are still trying to fix things in my car unrelated to the issue so they can make a buck off me. Will not return. Will not recommend. Same as any mechanic.
Comment from Mike H. of B & B Muffler and Automotive 5/11/2012
Thank you for posting your perceptive comments. Anytime a… More » -
Review from Katherine V.
Travis, TX
2/22/2012
We've been going to B&B Muffler on S. Lamar for years. This morning in the parking lot I walked into Mike, the owner, who took care of my old blinker bulb immediately and for free. I am sure he had a million other things to do, but he made me his priority. He checked the car fluids too. I was out of there in a few minutes. And after scheduled visits we always get follow up calls. I trust B&B's service, price and you cannot beat their customer service. There are a lot of choices on S. Lamar, but for us, there is only one place to go.
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Review from Mr G.
TX
4/28/2008
Short Review:
Mike, Earl, Richard, and the Gang. They do it right. Here's the skinny.
Long Review:
Would you like to know that your auto is being fixed? Fixed to one place doesn't mean fixed to another place. To me, if you have to keep taking it in over and over for the same issue.. that's not fixed. (I'm looking at you HI-TECH)
So skip the sketchy ones and go to B&B and see Mike. After trying out 5 or 6 different auto places around Austin (I have five cars.. woops) these guys would not give up until it was fixed.. Mike, especially, went out of his way to troubleshoot a ridiculous problem for me on .. that's right.. my BEATER truck.
I don't know anyone that would have dug in so deep on my poor old $1200 truck, but Mike did. He deemed it a 'challenge' and went to town for literally 2 weeks trying to solve the problem. He called Kentucky for a part, Wrote a guy in Minnesota.. etc etc. I told him I couldn't spend hardly any money on the fixup. and he completely understood, and BEGGED me to let him keep it because it was a challenge he hadn't seen before, and he wanted to see it through.
I mean come ON! that's awesome! -
Review from Rachelle R.
6/6/2008
I usually go to another place to have our car serviced, but I think I'm switching over to these guys now. I'm fickle like that.
The driveway in our apartment complex is really messed up. Try as I might, I hit the back of the car every. single. time. we leave home. It's not surprising that our muffler was jiggled so much that it broke. After doing my Yelp research (of course!) and calling around for prices, I went to these guys: they were patient on the phone when they were trying to diagnose the problem (I guess "my car is making weird sounds in the back!" is not sufficient), they were up front with the prices and they could take care of me immediately.
I got there and they had to order the part, so I just came back a couple of days later. Turns out, it was exactly what they thought and it cost me exactly what they had quoted!
Bonus: if you have to be there for a while, there's a Half Price Books across the street and a great Goodwill where I got like five things for $11. Score! -
Review from jenn c.
Austin, TX
1/11/2008
B&B Muffler did a great job replacing the exhaust on our truck. I called around to a few places before B&B was recommended to me and got the condescending "you're not sure what you need little lady why don't you bring it in" response. Earl from B&B gave me a quote over the phone and matched the price I got from another shop ($325 total for a Dual Exhaust - Flowmaster 40).
The mechanics did a fantastic job installing the muffler, welding the pipes together when it would have been quicker/easier/cheaper for them to use a clamp. They also reinforced some of the hangers (again all welded together nicely). The truck was ready by the afternoon of the day I dropped it off.
Earl then worked to accommodate me in paying for and picking up the vehicle. I was able to fax them my CC info and pick the truck up after hours.
All in all a great experience. I'd recommend them to anyone needing work done! -
Review from Jack W.
Bee Cave, TX
12/4/2009
The engine check light came on and I dropped by to have it checked out. As I was handing over the keys, I was told it would cost 90 dollars. I think not today.
Muffler King,Muffin Muffler and Brake Check all checked it for free and gave estimates for a new catalytic converter.
If the light goes on seek and ye shall find an estimate.
AmenComment from Mike H. of B & B Muffler and Automotive 12/15/2009
I just wanted to respond to add some clarity to what appears… More » -
Review from C. M.
Austin, TX
7/15/2010
I recently brought my car here to have work done so that it could pass the Texas Emissions Inspection Test. The staff were courteous and helpful.
My only quibble was that I had to ask if they provided rental cars, which they do, free of charge, to people who have full-coverage insurance. I had passed one of their rental cars in the parking lot, so I knew that they did but the guy working the desk never mentioned it.
Otherwise, no complaints and we will most likely use their services again, if needed. -
Review from alejandro p.
Oakland, CA
7/29/2010
I wish I looked up their yelp page sooner, as I could have used that first-time customer discount.
Had to make an emergency stop here after my car broke down. Serpentine belt came loose after a mid-summer rainstorm and it turned out the tensioner went kaput. Repairs ain't cheap and this has been a summer filled with them. Still, it's between getting my car fixed or hitchhiking home--to California. An expensive decision but one I had no choice to make. They got me back on the road by lunchtime and I made to to San Anto without a problem. While I hope I don't have to make another emergency visit it's nice knowing they're around. Even better, among the cleanest restrooms I've ever seen at a mechanic's shop.
Postscript: I just wish that repair shops would throw in something minor like changing a burnt-out light bulb when you get a major repair (mine was more than four bills)--instead of charging an additional $10 for it. (I declined.) Seems the goodwill it would generate would outweigh the costs. But that's just me. -
Review from L L.
Austin, TX
5/17/2011
Good, honest, and friendly mechanics. I've taken my car here several times and have nothing but praise for B & B. They even waited for me one night when I got stuck in a last-minute errand and couldn't get my car until a half-hour after closing time. So nice! Also, they're always honest with me about what my car needs versus requires, and have never pushed me to make unnecessary repairs. Highly recommended.
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Review from mike s.
Austin, TX
4/11/2011
So I should start off by saying that this review has nothing to do with Mufflers or even cars. But is about the Owner/President of the business.
My wife went for a long run to the post office on a very hot afternoon, and after getting there suffered heat exhaustion and fainted. Luckily, a woman (I'll refer to her as "K" in order to respect her privacy) was there as well as others to grab her as she fell and call 911. My wife regained consciousness quickly and seemed to be weak, but more or less OK. K proceeded to drive her home, recognizing that my wife felt more comfortable having a woman help. She then left to pick up her children just to turn right back around and check on my wife, leaving her contact info in case she needed more help. This is when I got home from work and thanked her endlessly. Her concern for a complete strangers' well being was what you'd hope for in a person.
I've not been to B&B Muffler and Automotive, but I have to believe that a business run by a human being like K is nothing short of honest, trustworthy, and concerned with doing the right thing. I guess I've found a mechanic I can trust in Austin, with not only my car. I say the more K's we have around, the better. -
Review from Ramon G.
Austin, TX
10/6/2010
I went there to get an estimate and came out as a satisfied customer.
I think the labor a little costly but I was in/out within the hour.
*Has anyone gone there for a alignment because I am going to need one after I get my lowering spring on my car* -
Review from Joe R.
Austin, TX
8/28/2010
Did a great job fixing my Jeep after a couple other places around town charged a lot of money only to have the same thing mess up just weeks later. Really professional and courteous staff and a nice waiting room too. Free Wi-fi is a huge plus.
I had a debit card issue and couldn't pay for my repairs today(Saturday). And my bank was out of walking distance. I was super frustrated and couldn't get a ride from any friends before the bank closed. I thought I was gonna have to go carless until Monday at the earliest. BUT! The B&B employee I had been talking to on the phone stepped in and offered to drive me over to the bank and back so I could get my car today! I felt super relieved. They really went the extra mile. I can totally see why they were so busy! -
Review from E B.
Austin, TX
11/27/2011
Pluses: Very friendly, polite staff, and work completed on time, as promised.
Minuses: I had my car towed here after its battery died. No complaints about that; it went just as promised. However, when they called me back to tell me what the cause of my car's issue was, they also told me my serpentine belt was cracked and that I needed to replace my hoses, and quoted me a separate price for that. It was far too expensive to add onto what I already needed to get, so I passed. While speaking to my father about it later, he said that he though the price quoted was far too high, and consulted his own mechanic about it. Said mechanic quoted a price about $300 lower than what B&B did. While I certainly expect some markup when going to a larger urban shop vs a smalltown mechanic, that's well past the point of reasonable. Even worse? My air conditioner compressor, which had evidently been showing obvious problems long before B&B took a look at my car, began to give out shortly thereafter. (This is not to imply that they had anything to do with that, since I absolutely do not think they did, but it baffles me how this could have escaped their notice.) Since I was back in my hometown for Thanksgiving, I took my car over to my father's mechanic to have the compressor replaced. His conclusion? The hoses were fine, and the "cracks" in the belt were nothing more than surface dirt that he simply brushed away.
I am not sure whether to conclude maliciousness or cluelessness or just plain laziness, but this is definitely not what I expected from reviews. I'd be loathe to recommend them unless you know exactly what you want done and are willing to pay an inflated price for it. Personally, I'm still looking. -
Review from Allyn R.
Austin, TX
4/24/2011
I find everyone at B & B honest and very patient. They take time to review my car needs and answer ALL my questions. As a woman it means a lot to be able to trust their advice.
They have fair prices, excellent service and I always use thier loaner cars. What more can you ask for?
It's nice to know that honest, local, independent businesses still exist! -
Review from Kevin B.
Austin, TX
10/17/2011
After experiencing the worst service ever at Pep Boys South Lamar, I decided to give B&B Muffler & Automotive a chance. Great choice and I couldn't be more pleased with their service. They're attentive, detailed and focused on customer service. I've been back two times in the past few months for additional services on my car and look forward to using them for all my future automotive services. I highly recommend B&B.
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Review from Bill K.
Kyle, TX
5/18/2010
After taking my Honda to Leonard's, I rolled over to this place. The guy who called me back at 8am told me if I brought them the cat that I ordered, they would install it no problem. I had asked about perhaps replacing the rear cat itself. They quoted me $329, much better than what Leonard was going to charge me and Leonard's told me they would not guarantee that would completely fix it. I was impressed that they even welcomed me bringing in my own parts, which I thought was cool, saving them from weld in a new muffler. I am in the process of ordering my parts. As soon as they get here, I am headed off to this place.
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Review from Darlene P.
Leander, TX
1/12/2011
The mechanics/techs who actually worked on my vehicle took the time to explain (in layman's terms) exactly what was needed to repair my 2002 Buick. The counter staff was professional and accommodating. The quote I received for the repairs was exactly what I paid, not a penny over. They even gave me a well running loaner vehicle.
After looking for a fair and honest mechanic shop I am so happy to have found B&B Muffler. Thanks. Darlene -
Review from Jennifer K.
Austin, TX
1/7/2011
For some reason, I had always felt obligated to go to a Ford service center to have my maintenance done on my car. Well, after bouncing around to many Ford service cin the Austin area and being ticked off by their disrespect, overall sketchy interpersonal skills, and feeling like I was getting ripped off all the time, I finally (by random chance) tried B & B. And now I will search no more because they are fabulous!
I started off using B & B for a state inspection, then oil changes, and now some routine maintenance and unexpected repair work. All the folks who have helped me have been honest, direct, polite, and don't talk to me like I'm an idiot for not knowing how to be a mechanic myself. I feel their rates are reasonable (quotes are spot on, or a little over-estimated-- always a nice surprise!) especially for the quality of work and customer service they provide.
Some other great things they provide that make me love B & B.... they gave me a loaner vehicle (complimentary as long as you provide proof of full auto coverage) --- so nice not to have to worry about getting rides to/from work, back to the shop, or to your life responsibilites that day or if for some reason the work may take longer than expected.
Also... I think their Lifetime oil change and preventative maintenance club is definitely worth it! It is saving me money in the long run (on preventative things in addition to a discount on labor for those other maintenance or repair isues that come up!) and I can tell that they really strive to make lasting relationships with (satisfied) customers! -
Review from Ruth B K.
Austin, TX
2/16/2010
I took them my 12 year old minivan with a busted exhaust pipe, and had to wait for a couple of hours for my ride home, so I got to watch them work. They treated each customer with respect and dignity, and spent a lot of time on the phone looking for parts. When they gave me the initial quote, they explained that they could replace the whole exhaust system for big bucks, or patch what I had for the time being. I took the cheap fix. They also told me they needed to check the engine mounts. Turned out I had three of four mounts cracked. It took a whole day on the phone to find them, but they found the new mounts. They also caught that my rear tires were beginning to separate at the tread edges and warned me about that. These guys are dedicated, detail oriented and very good at what they do. I recommend them very highly.
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Review from Brandon K.
Austin, TX
4/13/2011 2 photos
I wanted to give them a good review, I really did. And at first it seemed at though they may earn one. When I came in to drop off my car, they were very pleasant, polite, and helpful. I was told my car would probably be done later that day, as I was there as they opened, first customer in the door. A few hours later, they changed their estimate to the next day, before noon. I called before I came in, and they said it would be ready in an hour. I went to the bank, got some lunch, and an hour and a half later showed up to get my car. I waited for half an hour as they finished paper work.... After finally getting my car and pulling away, I noticed there were cigarette burns in my upholstery and my drivers seat floormat was filthy, and the little paper that they put down not to get your seat dirty was crumpled under the pedals. Really disappointed with the lack of respect to my vehicle, and wasting my time.
Comment from Mike H. of B & B Muffler and Automotive 4/23/2011
Thank you for your review and insightful comments. First let… More » -
Review from Chris G.
Austin, TX
5/3/2011
No one ever likes going to the auto mechanic, but they were helpful and honest. I appreciate that.
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Review from Texas Yeti s.
Austin, TX
11/19/2009
This place came recommended by another auto shop. I called them up and told them what needed to be done to my truck. They told me it would be no problem to finish it up the same day. I dropped my vehicle off in the morning and got a quote from them. They called me half way through the day to tell me they had found another problem and it would cost more. At that point they already had my vehicle so I gave them the go ahead with the understanding that I still needed my vehicle back the same day. They assured me it would be no problem.
At around 5pm I still hadn't heard from them. I called up there and was put on hold while they tried to figure out the status of my repairs. They got back on the phone only to tell me that they didn't know what the status was, but to go ahead and come up before they close at 530.
I got a ride up there, and was not very happy at this point. I asked them if my vehicle was ready, and was politely told that they had only finished half of the repair and would not have it done until the next afternoon. To help me out they set me up with a loaner car for the night.
The next day I went in to pick up my vehicle. The night before I had mentioned that they should discount my bill since they couldn't give the vehicle back on the terms we agreed upon. When they showed me my bill at pick-up I was surprised to see that they had taken about 10% off my bill. I have to give them credit for that, though I can't say I was too satisfied with this place overall.
The reason I wasn't really satisfied was because the pricing is somewhat inflated, and the "manager" who I spoke with about when my vehicle would be completed went out of his way to avoid me when I showed up wondering why I hadn't heard anything about my vehicle.
I'll be shopping around for another place to take my vehicle next time. -
Review from Serena W.
New Braunfels, TX
6/25/2011
They were great! Jose drove my car to discover my left front wheel barring was out of whack. I explained how a place in San Marcos had supposedly fixed it, so they didn't charge me anything and told me to go back to the other place so they can make it right. I was so impressed with them because they didn't try to pressure me into anything! Check them out! :)
