Phaedrus BMW
Category: Auto Repair [Edit]
Neighborhood: Nob Hill1641 Jackson St
(between Polk St & United States Highway 101)
San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 567-8000
- Hours:
Mon 7:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Tue-Fri 7:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
Sat 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
20 reviews
Neighborhood: Mission
"Stopped in to get a headlight replaced. They took my car in right away, pulled a mechanic off another job to quickly change my broken…" read more »
32 Reviews for Phaedrus BMW
These guys know what they are doing and provide great service doing it. I took my 2000 E39 in for it's 60,000 major service and had it back the same day. The folks at Phaedrus took the time to explain every service code stored in the cars computer and we went over everything that was serviced (and will need service in the future). Word to the wise - look into joining the BMW Car Club of America - the discount you get on parts will likely more than pay for the membership.
THE STRAIGHT SKINNY:
These guys know their BMW's! No BS here.
1. They write down every info you give them to better diagnose the problem.
2. They do a quick peep at your car.
3. Tell you what they think it is and how much it may or may not cost.
4. They'll answer any stupid-ass question you may have.
5. They call you with an update and for authorization of work.
6. They fix it and you get your BMW ASAP.
7. You're semi-shocked by the bill, but your car is cool.
If the price tag hurts, remember you decided on getting a BMW. Comes with the territory. Phaedrus is more expensive than average joe mechanic, but cheaper than BMW SF. Take comfort in that.
These guys irritate me. I've been trying to track down an Air Flow Meter check engine light for two weeks and replaced numerous parts and wiggled lots of electrical doohickies in the process. Finally I threw up the white rag and took it in to Spence to look at. Two hours later and $13 in parts which included some complimentary zip ties, a shiny metal piece, and a stern look and it's fixed. Thanks for making me look like an ass, Spence...your shop apparently knows what it is doing.
Phaedrus is the answer to Tenderloin heroin addicts (among other things).
Yes, my BMW's stereo had a detachable face. So I know that the pile of glass, absence of stereo, and ripped out heating controls is ultimately my fault. I get it, and I forgive.
That said, Phaedrus BMW is the place to go if you own a BMW and live in or near SF. There's no other way about it.
I called and explained the situation. They invited me over. They took a look at the car (smashed window, damaged inner door, wires pouring out of where the radio and heating controls used to be, etc.). They verbally gave me an estimate. When I agreed that was do-able we drew up a written estimate. It was Thursday afternoon. They said it'd be done by Tuesday (cause I didn't need it till then), but then called me Saturday morning. Done, and done. It couldn't have been a more pleasant experience.
The best part is the physical place though. If you own a BMW, then you love BMWs... so you'll love this place. It's a meticulously clean mechanic's shop, packed with beamers of all eras. Like a museum. The whole place just drips with the knowledge that owning another "driving machine" would be sub-par, bad form, downright junior varsity. They are not snobs. They just have highly specialized knowledge about a very complex machine. If you happen to have to go there, stop by East Coast West deli for a sandwich... make a day of it.
These guys really know BMWs. Spencer, one of the owners, has been working with BMWs for over 30 years and all of his mechanics have extensive experience (15+) as well. I feel more confident in bringing my 330ci here than the $tealer. I had my window assembly replaced along with a couple other things. Cost-wise, they are definitely cheaper than the $tealer, but not necessarily the cheapest. I needed my battery replaced and was quoted $220. I decided to take it to another place that did it for $100 less. Phaedrus probably uses an OEM battery, but I could care less about OEM for my battery. Bottom line though, if I need any kind of complex work done on my car, this is where I'm bringing it. Their hours are super convenient too. They're open on Saturdays and late during the week unlike most auto shops that close at 5pm.
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Can't speak too highly of this place. It's about the only repair place I've visited where I feel they _really_ know the ins and outs of the cars they are repairing. They are also very thorough at taking details of symptoms, and have sometimes called me during the day for clarifications and/or additional information as to the nature of a problem. They are not cheap, but they are both cheaper than BMW dealers and, imo, well worth the cost. I'm an extremely satisfied customer, which is something I can't say about many - if any - other repair places I've visited.
Phaedrus has taken care of both of my BMWs. I cannot speak more highly of this car shop. They have always taken the time to be fair and are very knowledgeable. As my BMW ages, they spend the time telling me the must fixes vs. the might fix. And they always are courteous, and took my car in for inevitable emergencies when I needed it. John, Spencer, and Dale are great folks, run a clean shop, and makes owning a BMW a pleasure. This is versus the horrible cattlecall that is SF BMW.
Phaedrus BMW did a great job with my 1999 BMW 323i. I recently had the following work done: 1) replaced window regulator, 2) replaced gear selector cover, 3) replaced thermostat, 4) replaced tensioner pulley, 5) replaced trunk key lock, 6) installed front license plate and 7) smog test all for less than $1400. I felt comfortable with the guys at Phaedrus because they explained exactly what would be done and how much labor/parts would cost. Thanks Phaedrus!
I brought my new (used) BMW in and was pretty sure that I had identified a serious problem starting to occur with the car. Phaedrus appeared super clean and orderly, they took extremely detailed notes about the potential problem, and had me sign to authorize up to 2 hours of work. I called a couple of hours later to see if they had found anything out, and they explained that they had spent a half hour on the car and didn't see anything to warrant further investigation. Their careful attention to my explanation and responsible use of the authorized time, gave me the impression that they're an honest shop, which seems to be hard to come by these days. Also, they have great hours. I HATE having to leave work early just to drop my car off at an auto repair shop.
I know nothing about cars, but I do know that everytime I have an issue with my cranky car, Phaedrus pampers it until my car is well again.
Have you noticed once your car is out of warranty, the SF BMW Service department treats you differently? I feel like they are raping me out of my money!! Everytime I go there, fix this fix that.
On the other hand Phaedrus tells me what really needs to be fix and what eventually needs to be fix, and what doesn't. Prices are definitely way CHEAPER here than BMW.
Goodbye SF BMW Service Dept, Hello Phaedrus!!!
You know the difference between a BMW and a porcupine?
With a BMW the prick is on the inside?
WRONG ANSWER. Understandable, certainly, but WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.
Correct Answer: with a BMW, the prick is under the hood, busily overcharging on parts and labor while (sometimes) not fixing the problem.
In the city of San Francisco there is just one hope. Phaedrus. The ultimate fixing machine.
If anyone can take your Barely Moving Wreck of a Brutal Money Waster and get it back to Bring More Woman (or even just fun and stress-free to drive) status its them. Phaedrus is
- Convenient
- Cheap(er)
- Competent
Convenience: You can pick up or drop off until 9:00PM on weekdays, 5:00 on Saturday. And I don't mean slide your keys under the door and hope for the best. There is a service manager (and often a wonderful standard poodle named Prince) on duty until closing. No one else has these kind of customer-centric hours. And as a bonus- once when the car wouldn't start they actually came to our house to check it out. We live close to the shop, but it was still a great service.
Cheap(er): Their labor rate is $120 an hour. BMW of San Francisco charges $175 an hour. And based on a mini-survey I did, BMW SF marks their part prices up a full 25% beyond what Phaedrus charges.
Competent: Phraedus has worked on my wife's car three times, each time they've nailed the problem. And the last time it was a rare and subtle issue. My strong impression is that they pay a lot more attention than BMW SF, or most mechanics for that matter.
Convenient, reliable, cheap(er), prickless but not dickless, and poodle-powered to boot, let Phaedrus turn your Broken Monstrous Waste back to the Beautiful Mechanical Wonder it was born to be.
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Unbelievably great service and knowledge. I took my '97 3-series convertible to Phaedrus with a laundry list of issues, two of which had supposedly been diagnosed and fixed by the dealership service dept. in another city.
When I picked up my car, Dale spent a great deal of time patiently explaining to me what he'd found and how. He'd fixed the two problems that the dealership had charged me twice the money to "diagnose", which he was able to do using his extensive knowledge of my particular model. The dealership had attributed the smell of gas inside my car to an ill-fitting gas cap (gas smell inside, gas cap outside = it does not compute), whereas Dale was able to correctly diagnose it as a cracked sending unit under the backseat. I was so impressed, and I'm happy to have discovered this shop.
When you're spending big bucks (which you always are with a BMW), it better be perfect. And these guys make it perfect.
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THE place to take your BMW. They know what they're doing. Cheaper than any BMW dealership and honest like Abe. Can't recommend them enough.
Phaedrus has been working on my BMWs for 12 years and are equally adept at keeping an old friend going or keeping a new one running like new. The place is clean, the owners around all the time and the hours are unlike anywhere else. Being able to drop off and pick up waaaay outside of normal business hours is a huge value.
And the detailer is outstanding for the price. Oh yeah, and they know one of the best mobile stereo guys in the business. It's really nice to be able to drop off the ride there and have many different things done in one visit. Thanks Spencer et al!
They are the best shop I have ever used. The bay area is blessed with a number of excellent BMW repair shops (Bill Arnold in San Rafael, Bavarian Professionals and Edge Motorwerks in the east bay, Dinan down south come to mind, there are more..) but for expert work and significant savings vs the dealerships it is hard to top these folks. They will try to keep you safely on the road within your budget, or make your car better than new if you have the desire (and funds) to go that route. The price of the Ultimate Driving Machine is the need for proper maintenance and it ain't cheap, especially on "M" cars, but if you have the work done as recomended (by an expert independent, not on BMW's silly schedule) you will be rewarded with a great driving experience for many years.
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Took my 325 to Peter Pan...Y? I bought it there and my warranty is still intact. They gave me my Service II, then called me to tell me my Thermostat needs replacing and my water pump leaks. I know nothing about parts and what they do, so I asked if they could patch the leak in my water pump (like a tire) and they said no. Moved on to the Thermostat and asked what it did and why it's important to fix. He explained as simply as he could. I asked what it would cost to fix it there and he quoted $1140.
I fell of my lovely work chair and told him not to do anything. I picked up my car and started doing research. Meanwhile, I had my father and very good friend Glenn take a look at it. Neither found anything wrong with the water pump.
Phaedrus has the best customer service ever. I walked in there early Saturday morning w/ a hangover and they asked me what the problem was, created a plan, and I was out in 10 mins. They called me to confirm that the Thermostat did need to be replaced, but my water pump was fine. No leak in the water pump, nada!!!! They did find that my fan clutch needed to be replaced and took care of it. They even stored my car til Monday w/o a problem.
BMW - $1140
Phaedrus - $563
You get what you pay for. As people say, it's not inexpensive, but it's damn better than the dealer and these guys really know what they are doing. When I got my car back last night, it felt, looked and drove like the finely tuned machine you know it should be.
When you get into the shop, look around - it's spotless. Pay attention to the cars, they are the cars of people who love their autos and want to take care of them. Some of vehicles are from the early 80s and 70s and have obviously been going here their entire lives. If that's the type of car owner you think yourself to be, then this is the place you should be going.
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i have a very old BMW 3 series which needs a lot of attention sometimes. It's hard to find a place that will take care of it, especially when the parts are hard to find and they have to special order it. Anyways, every time I bring it here, if the engine is coughing or stalling, it comes back like new! The staff are knowledgeable and know everything about your car. I recommend this place for anyone that has an old BMW. Now I need to Auto Detail it after washing it at the gas station for $14 plus tip.
Anyone who would put up with the obscene amount of maintenance required of a Beemer had better have a good mechanic. The mom *loves* these guys. She takes it in for every rattle and squeak, and they usually fix it and don't condescend to her like other mechanics. Then she hands over an arm and a leg, and drives her armless, legless self home. But ah, such is the life of a BMW owner.
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This BMW specialist shop is fantastic. They are consummate professionals who take pride in their work, and their customer service is outstanding. I surprised them with a completely different car and set of issues than I had originally scheduled, and they handled it with grace and were extremely accommodating of my crazy schedule, in fact were apologetic the specialist who needed to work on it wasn't in that day.
Moreover, they gave me very frank and honest advice, clearly explained the range of options to consider, and recommended against unnecessary work. Pricing seemed in the ballpark of reasonable, certainly better than the dealer and an excellent value considering the quality of work. But let me emphasize that it is not merely the absolute price of the work, but also the good-faith consultation about what work to do in the first place and the superb customer service that contributes to the great value here.
Here's a tip: They also have what may be one of the city's best detailers working there. He's an artisan and an excellent communicator. Must have spent 15 minutes with me just going over my puny little car and explaining the what and why and ins and outs of detailing it before coming up with an estimate range, which seemed pretty reasonable considering the quality of work.
Thanks people of Yelpland for helping me find it.
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Really liked these guys. My car broke down on the Bay Bridge, and the towing guys cracked the oil pan when it was brought to the Mini dealership. The dealer wanted to charge me $1100!! I almost had a nervous breakdown until my roommate (who has a BMW) told me about these guys.
John was honest, nice, and thorough. They gave me a quote that was 1/2 the amount of BMW, and they even offered to throw in a pair of wipers for free! When I went to pick it up, the guy made a point of telling me that it was $2 less than the estimate. How cute is that?
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Phaedrus BMW replaced my front brake rotors and pads for almost $400 LESS than BMWSF quoted me. And, Phaedrus did it overnight. Dropped my car off at 6pm, and picked it up at 7:30 AM the next day. They have a night crew - Brilliant! The quality of work is great so far, and they are light years ahead of BMWSF. It's a no-brainer to go back there for all future maintenance.
Independent BMW shop, a member of International Association of Independent BMW service Professionals (IAIBMWSP). These members are consider the best in the business. My experience has been great working with Phaedrus. You can check to see if you independent BMW shop is a member by going to WWW.iaibmwsp.org
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I love this shop! Spencer is the best mechanic I have ever talked to. I take my car in for all major servicing and tune-ups. Everytime I have taken my car in I have recieved excellent customer care and my car looks great afterwards everytime. These guys you can really trust.
I have just recently taken my car in once again to the place and what an awsome job they did, once again. I got a service insepction II done and my car detailed. The guy that details the car has been doing it for 40 years now and used to work for his father who owned a auto body shop for over 45 years now. I can't believe the job they can do on my car... everything seems to be fixable at a far much reasonable price than SF BMW or Sonnen BMW. Go to Dale or John, even Spencer, they're all great guys even Prince (the auto shop dog) :-D. Highly recomended! If you have a problem with them or think otherwise... contact me I would love to hear from one person that doesn't think they're awsome.
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These guys have looked after my car for the last 12 years and, at 200k miles, it still runs like new. Are they more expensive than your cousin Vinny? I'm sure. But the car has never died on me, never needed a tow, never had to have an un-scheduled trip to the shop, never had major surgery. So to my mind, the money spent on well-guided routine maintenance has saved me on emergency repairs - and saved me the expense of buying a new car altogether (My CA registration fee is $61 this year ;-))
Knowledgeable, friendly and non-condescending staff (even my girlfriend likes them), and they're open Saturdays and most weeknights till 9, so very convenient.
I take my '91 M3 here, and these cars need a LOT of TLC from a very knoweldgeable mechanic who knows what he's doing. Otherwise you'll end up spending tons of money chasing down the root of the problem. After trying several shops as far away as mountain view, I found Phaedrus, and have done 100% of my service with them since. They really know BMWs inside and out, and while they may be a bit expensive, I think it's been completely worth it, as I think I have fewer problems with my car since it's well taken care of, which saves me money overall.
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Clean shop. Just wished the mechanic remembered that he needed to reset the "change oil" computer setting on newer versions. And older dude, was his name DAVE?, semi bald with a 5lb pregger bulge, around late 50s, YOU STOLE my one of the torque tools from my set, you MF.!!!!!!!!!!!! To think I paid $600 to get the light checked, oil change and for you to make my tool really is tacky on your part. Most the BMWs in the shop were from the 1980s. Close to window shopping Polk-er area.
You guys quoted me $250 including labor and I just got the tow trucker from CSAA put it in for $100 and he did it in 10 minutes. It does NOT take one HOUR to put a new battery in. As a matter of fact, now, I that I have learned how to install a new battery in, I will do it myself next time.
PaedrusDollarZHydra...
This is a shop that only repairs BMWs; they know what they're doing. Mechanically, they're awesome.
Your car will get the best detail in the City at this place. The guy who does the detailing is really special -- rather pricey but worth every penny. He explained the way he went into the tiny crevices with a little popsicle stick wrapped in a tiny rag. He spends the better part of a day with each car... I rarely handle my boyfriends with this much attention (present relationship exculded).
True, there's at least one customer service guy who is arrogant and lacking in relationship skills, and they are often over estimate, but I appreciate that they get the job done right. Furthermore, the one time that I was actually shocked by the estimate/invoice difference (it hurt), I conveyed my displeasure and the nice customer service guys gave me a discount.
Yeah! I love this place. Dale is the best. He explains everything and will level with you about what is really needed vs. what is nice to have.
These guys have been totally great. Expensive...yes, but it comes with the territory. I wish I would have started taking my car to these guys a long time ago. Car shops can be such a nightmare...this place is NOT!
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I stumbled across Phaedrus while walking around my new neighborhood one weekend (this was just after I'd moved here from the East Coast.) At the time, I didn't need any work done and my 330Ci was still under warranty, so I filed it away as something useful to know.
Fast-forward about 2 weeks. I found myself in a dreadful bind because of a flat tire and the key to my wheel locks was lost during the car's cross-country transport. BMW SF were completely unhelpful, claiming that they had no master key (mine were OEM BMW wheel locks), that they'd have to drill out the lock and likely ruin the wheel, and that they could "fit you in sometime next Friday" (it was a Tuesday.) On top of everything else, they said they would charge me $500 for their trouble--not including new tire and possible new wheel. I was at a loss until I remembered Phaedrus and gave them a call. They told me to bring the car around and let them take a look, so I dropped it off and hoped for the best. John called me back half and hour later to tell me that they had a master key that unlocked the wheel and all I'd need to do was pay for a new tire. Total cost? About $250 including the labor--the tire accounted for most of that (Michelin PS2s). I had road hazard insurance for the tire and Phaedrus handled the paperwork so all I had to do was wait for my check in the mail!
As long as I live in San Francisco, no one else will touch my BMWs. In fact, I won't even let anyone but Phaedrus wash my car. The price for a wash is $45, which sounds expensive but you get so much for your money. The average time that they spend on a wash is ONE HOUR. This includes extreme attention to the brake dust that accumulates in on the wheels and the grime that builds up in the nook and crannies of your interior. Compare this to the $12 for 3 minute specials you get at most washes and it's a screaming deal. Most of the time, they put in 1.5 hours on my car because I have two-piece wheels, which are a royal pain to clean.
Phaedrus may a tad expensive, but they are not overpriced. And unlike many in the automotive business, they're not out to get you. These guys are true BMW guys and I'd give them 50 stars if I could.
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