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Holland Car Care
Categories: Automotive Auto Repair Automotive Car Dealers Auto Repair, Car Dealers [Edit]
22 S Claremont StSan Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 344-8815
Announcement
We are in the process of opening a 2nd location in San Carlos......Stay tuned!
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 5:30 pm
80 reviews for Holland Car Care
80 reviews in English
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Review from Mizu Z.
San Mateo, CA
1/18/2012
First time visitor at Holland Car Care, brought in my BMW 325 with starting issues, the problem was found quickly (fuel pump died) and solved the next day (new fuel pump + fuel filter). Service included a 1 day free car rental and 10% discount for new customers.
No nonsense approach, good communication and advice, not cheap (genuine parts and skilled mechanics are worth the money though). Will definitely come back here in the future. -
Review from gus a.
San Leandro, CA
1/27/2012
I have been a costumer of Holland Car Care for 8 years. I began taking my BMW Z3 for service after my warranty at Peter Pan run off. That continue when I traded my Z3 for my current Z4. As a premiere BMW state of the art facility, I expected high quality of assurance, reputation and trust that repairs were both needed and done correctly.
On Friday January 20, 2012 I noticed that my windshield wipers were intermittently working so I talked to Shawn and took the car right in for service. Later Shawn called me with disposition. Per his account wiper motor was broken and it needed to be replaced. Parts and labor would cost me $867.00. It was too late on the day to complete the job so it was decided I will just pick up the car and return the following week to have the work done.
Because of the rain, I had the urgency to get wipers fix ASAP. The following day I pulled randomly in to a tire place shop. The tire shop technician proceeded to look up for "issues with windshield wipers for BMW Z4". He explained that this particular car (per Internet postings he searched) was having issues with a "wiper relay". BMW recommends Wiper Relay unit to be replaced and not the motor. Decided to take the chance and have the shop order the BMW Relay Unit which was delivered 3 hours later. Technician installed the Relay and then run the windshield wipers at all different settings on and off for an hour. I have now run the wipers for a week w/o further incidents so motor malfunction has been ruled out.
Holland Car Care, a state of the art BMW facility failed to diagnose a simple windshield wiper repair issue.
I spoke with Shawn today and discussed my concerns. Explained how the issue which had been the Relay and not the motor had cost me $33.52 in parts and $110.00 in labor. He was apologetic and blamed his technician for not providing him with correct information and diagnosis. I explained I not longer trusted HCC and don't intend to take my car back to their facility.
I failed as a consumer and I wish I hadn't been so complaisant with Holland Car Care. I'm taking a little weekend trip to the Monterey Aquarium with the $700.00 I have saved. Hope this keeps me motivated to be diligent when dealing with my future car repairs even when it comes to a "reputable" state of the art facility.
Holland Car Care has mastered the arts of good bedside manners and Shawn has been both charming and respectful for the last 8 years. However, next time he tells you it's going to be $1000/2000 to get your BMW fix, I'll recommend you tell him to fuck off. Pick up your car and take it to the nearest Big Old tire store. Then breathe in and picture yourself taking a nice little weekend trip...perhaps Napa next time. Namaste. -
Review from G C.
San Francisco, CA
1/5/2012
Brought in our '05 BMW X3 with about 62K mi with an intermittent low coolant light. Did a pressure test of the cooling system, found no major leaks (thank god(s)), but did find white residue on thermostat. Got a call from David and approved the recommended thermostat replacement. Did not come out cheap but they did not try to upsell me any other parts or services even when I asked for preventative replacement of the expansion tank (a known issue for these motors). Overall great experience and would recommend them to others.
By the way, they offer a shuttle for those looking to get back to work around the area. I was surprised when at my drop off point I offered a tip to Carlos, my driver, he refused saying this is a courtesy of Holland Car Care. Very excellent customer service! -
Review from Myra M.
San Francisco, CA
1/3/2012
Phenomenal. David and his colleagues exuded my expectations. After reading all the stellar Yelp reviews, I took the chance to take my BMW for an oil change. I always get a bit apprehensive when going to an auto repair shop whether it's at the dealer, but most especially when it's not. My experience has been... because I'm female and have no clue on the mechanics of my car, that there is always something else that needs to get fixed.
I was pleasantly surprised on how professional and super friendly everyone was there. Since my car no longer has a warranty, I rarely take it to the dealer anymore. So happy to have found an honest, professional auto service! -
Review from Bill A.
Belmont, CA
10/12/2011
Phew. What a SAVE! I have to give David and the guys at Holland the big thumbs up. I brought my car in for what I thought was a front axle replacement, and it turned out it was as simple as having loose lug nuts - the last shop who worked on my car is going to get a talking to!!
But thank you David and Team, for the no charge out the door save me service - with a smile nonetheless. I will certainly be coming back to see you guys in the future, and refer all of the foreign car owners at Oracle your way as well.
Cheers,
Bill -
Review from Victor C.
San Mateo, CA
10/18/2011
Service is superb. I always feel like I am welcomed and that they are truly concerned about doing the best for not only my car but also for me.
I've been taking my 2002 BMW to them for more than a couple of years now and have yet to be disappointed. -
Review from Curtis C.
San Mateo, CA
9/6/2011
Came here today not know what to expect. With the comments below, i thought they would be good service but pricing on par with the dealership.
They are NOT! This place is legit. They were honest and the prices were good. They took care of my BMW and was quick with the service. They do get their parts from BMW so it can be priceier but service is exceptional and htey will match or beat anything the BMW dealership has for prices. Great find! -
Review from P N.
Walnut Creek, CA
11/17/2011
I am so impressed with the level of customer service this place has. Shawn to be exact. He is one in a million. It is rare to find an auto body shop where they can communicate well, follow through on what they say, all the while being friendly at the same time. You can trust them to take care of your vehicle. I had to have my BMW towed in and they called me right away to tell me what was going on. They even gave me some suggestions on how to attack my transmission problems. Pricing is actually reasonable so don't let the reviews about how expensive they are deter you from taking your car there. I called two other places in the area before I took my car to Holland. The other shops were sub prime to say the least and communication did not go so well. Bottom line, go see these guys!!
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Review from KATERINA B.
San Francisco, CA
9/22/2011
It's very unusual for a car service to receive 100% of 5-star ratings - Holland Car Care has it because they DO provide 5-star service. Extremely welcoming, knowledgeable and honest.
I took my MINI there and will definitely come back for the next service/breaks appointment.
Great job, guys - THANK YOU.
Katerina -
Review from Bill Y.
Belmont, CA
8/23/2011
Mark, Shawn and the crew have been our go to folks for the last 8 years. We only get the cars serviced here and even bought a car through their purchase program. I realize that being a long time customer has its perks but I've seen how they service my referrals and these guys consistently deliver the highest quality service.
One of the biggest issues that a customer faces is knowing whether or not his/her auto service shop is honest and upfront. With Holland there's no question - they'll let you know when they can't figure out a problem and need help. -
Review from karen c.
Redwood City, CA
9/6/2011
I've taken my BMW here for many years and there is no one I trust more to take care of my car - in fact I'm pretty sure they take better care of my car than I do. I'm not very auto-savvy and neither is anyone in my family. This means I need a mechanic I can trust to tell me the truth about my repair, what can and can't be done and how much to expect to pay.
Holland has never let me down. In fact, I jokingly refer to Shawn, Holland's manager, as my "mechanic husband" - that's how much I trust him and Holland to tell me the truth and stand behind their repair work. I wholeheartedly recommend them.
P.s. I hear they're opening a 2nd location in San Carlos! -
Review from Ron G.
San Jose, CA
6/6/2011
Holland Car Care are MINI experts.
I have had my MINI serviced here for over 2 years and they have kept her running at over 116,000 miles. Other than some nationwide recall defect, I have no reason to go to a dealer. Sean and the crew provide quality service at a reasonable price. Bottom line with any mechanic is trustworthiness. You can take your chances with other garages that claim to have expertise with MINIs but with Holland you will always have peace of mind that the problem was fixed correctly. -
Review from Kate P.
San Francisco, CA
4/8/2011
Holland Car Care is the jam. Simple as that.
I drive a Volvo V40 and she intends to break some high mileage records over the next few years. Until the day my car decides it can no longer face the 101, these guys are the good doctors that will keep it running smoothly.
I have brought my car here on several occasions (big and small) and have been extremely and consistently pleased with their high level of customer service and expertise. I trust them implicitly - from diagnosis to fixing to pricing.
Two instances that stand out the most:
1) On the ~120k service, and after the required work was done, an exhaust issue remained that had the team perplexed. Instead of handing my car over to me, which they could have easily done because 'all of the boxes had been checked', one of the team members took the car home over the weekend and solved the issue on his own time (it was like a personal challenge). The extra effort and care made me a customer for life.
2) My sister turned on the passenger seat warmer in January and it never turned off. By June, I couldn't take it any longer. I stopped by to see if they could assist and within minutes they fixed the problem au gratis. Little thing, huge impact.
What are you waiting for. Call and make and appointment! -
Review from Jerry S.
San Mateo, CA
5/12/2011
Honesty, integrity, good service, and they correct the problem the 1st time.
Sean & Mark service my fleet of cars. When I sell my cars, the people I sell them to are so impressed with the records they continue using Holland car care. The shop is so clean, that if you dropped your sandwich you'd have no problem picking it up and finishing it. -
Review from Karrie P.
San Mateo, CA
8/8/2011
I've been taking my 2002 BMW 325 to Holland for several years and I am SO satisfied with their overall service. Sean is my go-to guy for all my car issues. He's straight forward, honest, and consistent. Nothing shady about this place!
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Review from Jeanie B.
Belmont, CA
9/15/2011
This is the best place for car repairs! They are more than honest and really take a personal interest....
My future cars will only be cars they will service....that's how much I believe in them!!!
Sean, the Service Manager, takes a personal interest....they really care about you! -
Review from EM H.
San Mateo, CA
11/22/2011
Awesome! Found them on yelp, $109 oil change seemed reasonable on my BMW 530i...found my "goto" place for maintenance!
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Review from Amin S.
Menlo Park, CA
10/8/2011
Another 5 star rating for Holland! Very friendly, honest and professional. I was referred by my wife's friend Karen because it was no longer convenient to go to the mechanic I used to go to by my old house in Danville. Holland gave me 10% off for my first service as a new customer. They also alerted me to the fact that my brakes might soon need repair. A couple of weeks later, just like clockwork, the "check brakes "light came on and back to Holland I went..Not only did they do a good job, I got a loaner car and they gave me 10% off once again. I think I've found my new mechanic!
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Review from mario c.
Brooklyn, NY
8/11/2009
I found these guys on Yelp and thought I would trust the reviews.
First time I brought my car in I was super stoked to see that they meant well and cared about my car. Their customer service was outstanding. They even told me how my old mechanic failed to fixed car correctly and so forth... Bottom line was my car needed to have a few things repaired and one of them and most important was the engine being a bit shaky making my car run a bit rough.
Apparently they "knew exactly" what was wrong with it or so I thought since they described the problem exactly how it was happening. Told them to fix it. When I picked it up they told me it would take a few days for it to sync up or something like that... I waited two weeks and the problem was still there. Some how my expectations got lower and lower as I kept calling and leaving messages and no one would call me back.
After 3 days of calling I finally got to speak to a lady telling me to bring the car back. They told me my car needed some sensor by the metafold and that would fix the problem. Told them just to fix it....
I picked my car up on Saturday morning and my car was sooooooo much worse then ever. The engine of my 330I was shaking sooooo bad it reminded me of my first piece of crap 72 Bug I had when it used to die on me...
To this day I have yet got a follow up call asking if that car was fixed.
I do not recommend them to anyone.
Worse mechanic or experience I've yet had.
Lame.Comment from Mark S. of Holland Car Care 11/6/2009
We at Holland Car Care understand that no one likes spending… More » -
Review from Connie W.
11/3/2008
Yelp is my saving grace.
I recently moved up to the Bay Area and with the stress of trying to adjust to living in a new area, as well as finding a good doctor, dentist, etc., I had to find a new mechanic. I've been dreading it...I just felt like wherever I chose to take my car to, it'd be like telling them, "Hi, I'm here to get ripped off."
So after researching, I trusted my fellow yelpers and emailed Holland for an appointment. Within the hour, Shawn emailed me back and also left me a voicemail. He scheduled me in the next work day and asked me a few questions about the car over the phone.
I took my car in after work and Shawn had a rental car waiting for me to use (they cover the cost!). It turns out that they had to take two days instead of one due to some other issues (which I had a feeling that would need to be addressed now that the car was getting up there in mileage and age) but I was still able to keep the rental (again, at their expense).
Now my car runs a lot smoother - I'm not driving in fear anymore on my long commute to and from work.
Shawn gave me a very detailed run down of what I should take care of now and what could wait until the next oil change/service. He explained what had been done to my car, as well as the future recommendations. He knew exactly what work I had gotten done on the car in the past.
I thought I'd never find a more trustworthy and reliable mechanic as the one I had down in So Cal, but after finding Holland Car Care and working with Shawn, I realized that I've found an EVEN BETTER mechanic!
Thanks Holland and an even bigger thanks to Yelp! -
Review from Tammy B.
San Bruno, CA
1/4/2007
I love Holland Car Care. Steve is the best mechanic I have ever dealt with. The prices are decent too.
This is a shop a woman, heck, anyone, can trust..
When you go Ask for Steve Blair, he's the best... -
Review from Curtis W.
San Bruno, CA
3/30/2010
This is my shop of choice for all maintenance. I'm glad I found them on Yelp.
They inspected the car from stem to stern the first time I brought it in. They only do what is truly necessary. One service shop which was dealer based, recommended that I replace the belts early and when Holland took a look at it, they said it still was fine. They said the same on the brakes as well.
They do tell you when its truly time to get the work done. I previously had a blown out Xenon and was charged a $190 assessment fee, not including the replacement of the bulb at the other shop. The second one blew out and I called Holland. They had both types of bulbs available for replacement and within 15 minutes they replaced the one that was necessary. How much did those guys charge for labor? An unbelievable $28 for the quarter of an hour to replacement. Now that is honesty to the max. No gouging.
Also it being so close to Cal Train it makes it easy to fly into the City to do stuff and fly right back to pick the car up.
If you have a BMW or any other German car bring it in to them. You can't go wrong. My car is in safe hands for it's life now. -
Review from Andreas A.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2010
Brought my MINI Cooper in, limping along. My clutch was completely shot to the point that I could barely get any torque. The last few blocks to the garage were slooooow.
I rolled my wounded MINI in to the garage, based on yelp research my wife had hastily conducted while I was broken down roadside. I immediately noticed two things: a spotless work area and super-attentive staff.
I was very pleased to get a yelp discount on a VERY big job. Saved quite a bit of money.
Shawn gave me a preliminary quote and promised an update once he had a few hour to look at it. They sorted out a special discount on an Enterprise Rental and gave me a lift to the rental office.
I found out that replacing a clutch on the MINI is a big deal. They had to drop the subframe and remove the entire transmission to do it. A lot of labor. That same evening I got the quote from Shawn. I immediately called up 3 other places, including the SF MINI dealer to get competign quotes and ask about the details. I confirmed that the amount and type of work was exactly as described and the price was comparable or better. SF MINI dealer was 5% cheaper before applying Holland's yelp discount, but their yelp reviews were absolutely craptacular. I felt that it was worth spending 5% more for excellent reviews and piece of mind. In the end, the cost was LOWER than quoted, so I ended up being very pleased with my decision
It took 5 days for the whole job. I added a few little maintenance things like a new HEPA filter for the AC and a battery check and re-charge. The transmission rebuild also took more work than expected as it had been so badly abused (by me) that the flywheel was slightly "charred" and need to go to a machining shop to get re-surfaced (or something like that). Throughout the process, I got frequent updates from Shawn and got price updates where the circumstances changed.
In the end the total cost was less than originally quoted, by about 5%. The engineers at Holland have done a thorough job and my new clutch works like a dream: crisp, sporty and bringing the full torque to the wheels.
--
Part Two: I had to replace my battery a few weeks later. In retrospect I should've done it when they had the car in for the clutch repair. The week the battery failed I had several trips up and down 101 planned and no time for repairs. Fortunately, Holland promised they could squeeze me in at a time that was convenient and get it done in 30min flat. I got there in a rush for my next appt and dropped off the car. Fifteen minutes later it was done, ahead of schedule.
Sometimes, it's the little things that show what "great service" means. Here are three little things that I noticed that showed me that Holland cares:
1) When they picked up my car, the engineer would always take off their latex glove to take my keys. Simple, little gesture to keep grease of my keychain. Minor, but it bugs me when it's not done elsewhere.
2) When the battery was replace, they set the clock.. I didnt ask for it and I didn't even noticed until 2 days later. But since they dropped the power, the clock did need setting and they took the time and paid attention to detail
3) They returned the seat to the same distance it was when I drove it in, even though the engineer had to crank it back to fit (taller than me). Again a minor touch, but attention to detail.
Very happy, will be back! -
Review from Alson L.
South San Francisco, CA
5/30/2007
Having just bought a used '95 M3, I quickly noticed that the temp gauge was bad and my belts were shot. I called Holland Car Care and Shawn gave me a no B.S. estimate. over the phone.
When I brought my car there the following week, Shawn and one of their mechanics told me that whoever owned the car previously, had someone perform a Mickey Mouse patch job with silicone sealant on the thermo housing. They then showed me that the thermostat broke into 3 pieces after they had removed. It was hard to believe I was driving with thermo in that condition for the past 3 weeks.
To make a long story short, I was quite happy with their friendly service. Shawn was more than helpful and really knows his stuff. I'm definitely coming back here for all my future maintenance and repairs. As an added plus, they are pretty close to downtown San Mateo and the Caltrains station. -
Review from Gobbledygook C.
Burlingame, CA
4/11/2007
Holland Car Care... such a gem that I just want to hide it away for myself so they will never be exposed to the Big Bad World.
True to all the testimonials it has garnered, everybody there is great and friendly and very professional. I never thought I'd say this about any business at all given the service standards I've encountered, but Holland Car Care does truly offer the best you can ever expect. -
Review from David K.
Foster City, CA
6/30/2011
We've been going to Holland Car Care for more then 5 years. What an awesome experience compared to what we receive at any New Car dealership we've ever been to.
We've bought several cars from Mark at Holland Car Car, usually two to three year old car. Since the vehicles only have a year left of actual factory warrantee, we highly rely on Holland Care Care the following years.
All of Holland Car Care employees come from dealerships who are best of bread talent. No matter where on the peninsula you live, it is worth the trip to have them service or repair your BMW, Mercedes, Volvo or even Mini!
They are honest, ethical and straight shooters. I am never being up sold on anything like I find at dealerships. LOVE HOLLAND CAR CARE!!!!!! -
Review from Peter K.
Menlo Park, CA
4/25/2008
I faxed the following letter to Mark, founder of Holland Car Care and Shawn Albin, the service manager (thanks Shawn!):
"April 25, 2008 In regards to: Nineteen Excellent Years of Service (Since October 1989)
Mark Schwartz
22 S Claremont St
San Mateo, CA 94401-3258
Dear Mark,
A little over 19 years ago, I received my Holland Car Care coupon in the mail, I remember talking to you, Mark, directly and you said that you wanted my business, and encouraged me to come in after the Volvo's 4 year warrantee period (six month later). I did and continue to service my cars here today. I hope to purchase my next car from Holland Car Care!
All I wanted was to have a dependable car and so asked, "Please service my car as if I planned to travel to LA tomorrow", and Holland Car Care continues to provide me with a car always maintained where I do not have to worry about breakdowns on the side of the road. With over 450,000 miles on my car, and as of this day, still have the confidence to drive anywhere in California without a second thought.
Although I have had a few freeway breakdowns, I attribute these to times when I pushed the maintenance window by deferring service..
Thank you personally, for setting the standard: trust and service. I highly recommend you to anyone interested in the best trustworthy service in the bay area. Thank you, thank you, and Thank you.
I, Peter K, thank you, and those I have recommend to your business: Sonia V thanks you, and Keith D thanks you.
As a small token of my appreciation, I ordered a couple pizza's from Windy City Pizza to be delivered at 11 AM today. Please thank your team for their excellence in service!
Gratefully,
Peter K
Volvo Owner and Holland Car Care Customer -
Review from Ed T.
Foster City, CA
6/27/2011
Brought my wife's car in because of a bad fuel pump. Shawn told me that they were going to pull the code first, so that they're sure the fuel pump is the culprit. Even though I've already diagnosed the problem myself to be a bad fuel pump, I appreciated that. Fuel pumps are not cheap, and the car not starting may be caused by other problems that are cheaper to fix.
When we picked up the car, they also reminded us that the thrust rod bushing needed to be replaced. My wife didn't know what they were talking about, so Shawn drove the car back into the shop to show my wife, and explained to her that it's not a safety issue, but it does contribute to uneven tire wear.
For my car, just oil changes so far. I don't drive it enough to see the major wear and tear or inspections... yet. But you can bet I'll be bringing mine here as well when that happens.
If you want people who are honest, and know how to treat their customers, this is the place to go. -
Review from H D.
Belmont, CA
10/30/2006
Mark and Shawn really do a good job running this place!
It's a independent German Auto Shop. They do Volvo's, Audi's, BMW's, and Benz. The shop is off 3rd ave in Downtown San Mateo. Their price are about average, but they won't rip you off. Depending on the service, you get a loaner or shuttle ride.
Very honest, clean shop.... Sad thing is they know us by name.. tells you how good German Engineering is. We have a Benz, BMW, and Toyota. Guess what, the Toyota dealer would never be able to pick me out of a line-up. -
Review from Kay R.
Foster City, CA
8/5/2008
I had a 1995 Mecedes and 2 BMW that I brought in for service. Shawn, the service manager is just simply awesome. He had a photographic memory. He always remember every detail that was done to the cars . Always picks up the phone when I called. Shawn is so-oo-o knowledgeable about fixing cars, it just amazes me. My Mercedes had a rattling noise on the dashboard for a few years and I went to Autobahn, SF Mercedes and nobody could identify the problem. Guess what, Shawn told me right away his guess and he was RIGHT.
Another time, I had 2 flat tires right around his vicinity. I called him for help. He got a AAA towtruck to me within 10 mins and even went the extra mile and direct me to the nearest tire shop. -
Review from Andrea C.
San Mateo, CA
8/28/2011
Be prepared to pay dealer prices. If you're okay with that, then you will be very happy here. It's very easy to make appointments, they almost always have availability on the time/date you want, the service guys are very friendly, and our cars have always been ready on the same day. So, it's very convenient and the service is decent.
We found this garage through a recommendation last year, and we were so happy with them that we brought 3 of our cars back to them for routine service again this year. When we brought in our 3rd car, they called and told us the car needed new brake pads and rotors. We gave them the go-ahead, but when we picked up our car, we were shocked at the final cost of the repair. I asked them if they were charging the same price as the dealer, and they said no, their labor is $30/hour less than the dealer. When I persisted and said the cost seemed high, one of the guys said he would call the dealer the next day to find out what the dealer charges for the same service.
True to their word, the next day they called and said their service actually came out to $100 less than the dealer. I asked about parts, since it's well-known that dealers charge about 20-30% more for parts, and I was told that they buy all their parts from the dealer, so there is no cost-savings on parts. So basically you are saving $30/hour in labor by bringing your car here as opposed to the dealer. (Also, when I called back to find out more, another guy named Sean told me the price difference was actually $145, not the $100 his associate had told us, and he also claimed that since he gave us a 10% discount from one of their promotional e-mails, it's actually a bigger price different than $100 some dollars. I guess that's true if dealerships don't have promotions of their own). Also, since the price difference was $150, I guess that means they spent 5 hours of labor on the brake job. Does it normally take 5 hours of labor to change brake pads and rotors?
Anyhow, bottom line - good service. Just expect to pay dealer prices. If you're like me and want to find a good shop that does quality work at less than dealership prices, then keep looking. This shop gets 3 stars from me for the dealer prices. -
Review from Andrew C.
Hillsborough, CA
5/10/2011
Best. Car. Care. EVER.
My wife's CLK430 has been to the local MB dealership, and a nearby high-end German shop -- great WORK, but, well, just that. Service - fine, prices - typical breathtaking MB costs -- nothing more to phone home about.
Then we tried Holland. Mark and his team really have built a business that -- when you've just done business with them? -- it just kind of makes your day brighter. (Like - the OPPOSITE of the feeling you get when you suspect you just got screwed a little....? ;-)
True Story: I was in the waiting room, near Mark's office, and popped my head in to ask a question. I mention that I just dropped my wife off on a long-haul flight out of the country. Mark says "is she on flight XX?" -- she is, in fact. Mark knows one of the flight attendants on that flight, calls her before it takes off, forwards a picture of my wife off of my phone -- and my wife enjoys her next bunch of hours over the ocean with oodles of champagne and a lot of extra personal attention....
Now - this technically has nothing to do with car care, and was, yes, a stunning coincidence - but it underscored the rest of the experience I had w/ Holland CC. Forgive the pun, but they really DO go the "extra mile".
If you've ever listened to Car Talk on the weekends, and thought: "man, I wish I could take my car to THOSE guys!" ... Holland's your place. -
Review from Wayne B.
Union City, CA
6/12/2011
I have been going to Holland for over 13 years. They have serviced our Volvo, 3 different Mercedes, both VW Jetta's and our Mini that we have owned over time. The shop and the staff have been amazing and super consistent over the past 13 years. How many auto shops can you say are like that?! Prices are reasonable but the good news is that they are extremely fair and the service rarely has to be done again. Autos are complicated machines and yet Holland staff always come through.
I take my car to the dealer when it is new but as soon as the warranty is done (or services aren't covered by the new car warranty), it ALWAYS goes to Holland.
Extremely pleased customer for 13 years! -
Review from Kylie L.
San Francisco, CA
7/18/2010
I brought my MINI here for coolant leak repair. Experience before the actual repair was nothing less than wonderful. Chris is a very customer oriented lady who's friendly and helpful on the phone. Shawn, the service manager, will take his time to explain the job to be performed on the phone and answer any questions related to the repair. For the type of guy who parks in the absolute corner away from crowds like me, aka picky, I would say I am satisfied with the initial customer service.
The repair was done right without any follow up visit. All fluids changed were filled to the max level without over-filling. This is one thing that many mechanics bug me. There's a reason why the service manual tells people not to over-fill, it's not for reference only like another shop told me previously. My MINI is running without leaking again. The location is so convenient, many restaurants and public transportation are nearby. It is difficult to find a shop that does not rip you off with the alibi "it's expensive because you have a European car". This is definitely a great find for me and will be my choice of shop for my MINI. -
Review from Janice S.
San Francisco, CA
1/19/2010
I'm really happy to have found a local company that specializes in Mini Coopers.
Not only that, Holland gets great reviews from Yelpers and, most important, their fellow auto mechanics in the area. That makes me feel I can trust what they say about my car's issues.
They recommended a couple of extra things, which I expected the car needed, and were fair about the price.
The car was ready when they said it would be. -
Review from Ray n.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2010
I usually wait a while until I write a review about a business or an establishment just to make sure that I'm being fair.
I've been to Holland car care about 4 times now (for various repairs) and I have to say that these guys are 100% on top of their game and extremely honest.
I always get 3-4 quotes from different mechanic shops before I decide who I'm taking my car to and by far, Holland car care has always been very competitive with their pricing on both parts and labor. They're actually the lowest most of the time.
I've never met Mark - although Shawn and Kris (the cool Camaro lady) have both been absolutely honest, polite and very friendly for as long as I've known them. I also have to mention that their technicians are friendly as well, they don't have to be - but they are, and I believe that it helps their business.
- They always have my car finished on time.
- My car always comes back clean and without grease stains
- Their pricing is always competitive
- Kris and Shawn are cool people
- They're very honest and will not rip you off (unlike Autobahn Motors)
I'm definitely a big raving fan of Holland car care and it's because they know how to treat clients like people and not just a dollar amount on their balance sheet.
Keep up the great work guys! You give mechanics a good name. -
Review from Dave H.
Fremont, CA
11/6/2008
If you own a Mercedes, BMW or Volvo on the peninsula, Holland Car Care in San Mateo (not Holland Auto in Burlingame) is the place to go. I been making the drive over from Fremont to have my Volvos and BMW worked on for almost a decade.
Service is always excellent! Shawn is very professional and responsive. He ALWAYS calls you to give you status on your car (good or bad news) when he promises to.
My last car (85 Volvo) made it to over 350K miles because of these guys!
In the end of the car's life, even though I wanted to do more repair on my old beater, Shawn convinced me it wasn't worth the $. It is hard to find a mechanic nowadays who is honest enough with you to turn down easy $.
They have the integrity to make sure the job is done correctly and never BS you on unnecessary work or lowball on an estimate just to get you inside the door. You get honest feedback about your car and they call you first, if they determine the work is more extensive than the original estimate, to get your authorization, before they start the work.
The have a local drop off and pick up service and as a bonus, the CALtrain station is two blocks away. -
Review from Barbara G.
Pacifica, CA
3/7/2011
Yep, had to get the Mini it's "Inspection 1" last week. Holland Car Care did a fine job. Cleanest (and quietest) auto repair place I've ever been to! (What kind of garage has white floors anyway??) Yes, it was expensive - $600 (they did give me a 10% Yelp discount, which was nice). I can't say I will take my car back for just regular service because it is too far from my house. But for the big stuff, absolutely. I don't know for sure that they are cheaper than the Mini dealer in SF, but even if they were, I'd still go back to Holland Car Care. I really appreciated the personal service, something I don't think I'd get at the dealer.
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Review from Sachin A.
San Francisco, CA
1/17/2009
Really great guys. Amazing service. You can really trust this shop. They do good work and their rates are reasonable.
It's always hard finding a shop to trust with your car, and dealers overcharge like crazy. Go here and feel safe. Plus it's near the Caltrain station! -
Review from Steve H.
Newport Beach, CA
9/22/2008
Brought my bimmer to these guys to get a OBD1 scan. They did exactly as I asked, they diagnosed my issue and I was in and out for under $200. They told me down to the wire where my problem was.
I would give them 5 stars, but they took a little longer to get to it than they said. It didn't even hurt the experience, but that was my only complaint.
Great mechanics, great service the best that I have found in the peninsula.
