California Star

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Andy Smith
a month ago
A refreshingly positive independent repair shop experience! Everyone at California Star, Dane in particular, is cheerful and professional. They deliver great value for the money. They worked efficiently to get me my car fixed and back to me on time.

  Heidi Woolf
3 weeks ago
California Star provides excellent service at competitive rates to the point that we recommend other people with German cars to use their services. Personnel is customer friendly and always accommodating. We highly recommend California Star.

  AlanG
5 months ago
The principle mechanics and owners of California Star, Dane and Adam, are caring, honest and talented. They assisted me in resolving numerous issues with my BMW and I am grateful for both their expertise and customer service. I will continue to be a trusting customer!Services: Electrical repair, Auto battery replacement, General repairs & maintenanceServices: Electrical repair, Auto battery replacement, General repairs & maintenance

  Len Eun
5 months ago
I brought in my wife s 2018 Q5 that have accumulated pretty costly repair recommendations from multiple Audi dealerships. California Star clarified which of those recommendations were actually urgent and which ones weren t. Then they fixed one for me at a cost considerably lower than the lowest I got from a dealer. Dane was very friendly and professional. In my experience it s not easy to find a good independent mechanic for Audis, and I feel I ve found one in my own town. As a result, I am very optimistic about keeping our Audi long term.

  constance mooney
5 months ago
So where do I Begin. I have been a customer of California store for over 35 years. They are not just my service facility. They are my friends. Through all of my Mercedes they have been absolutely five-star. I am so grateful that I have a trustworthy and extremely facility. I can t thank them enough.

  David Rey
6 months ago
The team at California Star is amazing. We had multiple "check engine light" issues on our low mileage but out-of-waranty BMW M5 that the dealer couldn't figure out. Chris, Adam and Dane patiently diagnosed the problem and resolved it for a small fraction of what it would have cost at the dealer.Service: Engine repairService: Engine repair

  Brian Rothenberg
3 months ago
We have been taking our BMWs to California Star for years and highly recommend! They are honest, do great work, and know their cars.

  Maury -Mack- McFadden
9 months ago
I've been a loyal patron of California Star at 3344 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549, for over a decade now, and their service is unrivaled.Having owned over five different Mercedes Benz vehicles over the years, I've come to fully entrust the maintenance and care of these cars to California Star. Their expertise, professionalism, and genuine care for the cars and their clients have never disappointed me. I find their service to be superior even compared to the dealership service from Mercedes Benz itself!The team at California Star is exceptional. They display comprehensive knowledge about each model and variant of Mercedes Benz vehicles and have always been able to diagnose and fix any issue I've had. Their technical expertise is unparalleled, and their commitment to quality service has been consistently impressive.What I appreciate the most is their transparency. They are always upfront about costs and potential issues and take the time to explain every procedure thoroughly. They never push unnecessary services on you. Instead, they provide recommendations and let you make informed decisions.Over the years, California Star has become more than just a mechanic shop to me. They're a trusted partner in ensuring the longevity of my vehicles and peace of mind while driving them. Their friendly staff, clean facility, efficient service, and fair pricing have contributed to my unwavering trust in their work.If you're not in the Lafayette area, make the drive or get towed. If you need a reliable and honest mechanic, especially if you're a Mercedes Benz owner, look no further than California Star. They've earned my highest recommendation after more than ten years of consistent, high-quality service.

  L Welch
7 months ago
California Star is the very best shop in the Bay Area! The mechanics at California Star are very skilled expert mechanics and highly trustworthy. They have high integrity in ALL aspects of their business. They have always listened to my concerns with genuine interest whenever I have had a problem with my car. They check my car top to bottom and were persistent in troubleshooting and diagnosing problems that the dealership did not find (dealer was telling me nothing was wrong) it could be very costly if I had not taken my car to California Star. They call you in a timely manner and let you know what is needed, the cost of repairs and have you back on the road in no time. Thank you to everyone at California Star!

  my goldsmith
6 months ago
I ve been going to California Star for about 10 years now, I take all my Mercedes cars here, I ve never met more honest people than California Star and I had to learn it the hard way. My Cls55 had a vacuum leak and another mechanic was going to take off the supercharger when a simple hose had a split in it, cost me $100 not $4000 like quoted before. Thanks againService: Auto engine diagnostic

  Jim Gebhardt
6 months ago
Chris, Dane and the team are honest, fair and do quality work! We took our Atlas in for an oil change and unfortunately a technician tipped over the tray of tools scratching the quarter panel. No questions asked they set up with a local body shop to cover the cost of the repair! That s what I call owning and fixing your mistakes!Services: Air & cabin filter replacement, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto brake repair, Brakes, Oil changeServices: Air & cabin filter replacement, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto brake repair, Brakes, Oil change

  Al Rye
11 months ago
California Star has the most reliable and professional team; they offer solid advice on maintenance for our 27-year old Mercedes Benz and never try to upsell--although we could use a few upgrades to our reliable old car! It is always a pleasant experience and we travel 40 minutes to use their business vs. one in our own city. Highly recommend.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto brake repair

  Christl
8 months ago
We have been taking our Mercedes to California Starr for over 15 years for good reason. They have always been helpful, knowledgeable and very friendly. It is always nice to know you can depend and trust on Star to give you the right advice. They are the best!Service: Electrical repairService: Electrical repair

  Bob D
6 months ago
My experience with California Star over the past 10+ years has always been positive. The team is professional, customer focused, and experts in their field.

  Stefan Jenkins
a year ago
California Star has done excellent work on my vehicles for more than a decade. Chris and Adam are honest technicians who have never done any extra or unnecessary work and instead carefully advise me of options and recommended maintenance to manage vehicle cost of ownership. Honest, reliable shop that does top notch work.Services: Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Engine repair, Brakes, Auto maintenance, Oil changeServices: Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Engine repair, Brakes, Auto maintenance, Oil change

  Prashanth Ajjampur
a year ago
I recently used them to service my 2015 C300, after they were recommended to me by my friends. The team is friendly and honest and transparent. I had a noise from my steering wheel and was convinced if I took it to a dealer it would have be huge repair and some new parts; but the team took it apart and lubricated and put it all back together for minimal cost. Their 5 star review is well deserved.

  Christine S
a year ago
This was my first service with California Star. I took my MBZ here for a regular service and was very pleased with their friendliness, ease of getting an appointment, and most importantly, their quality of work and their fair prices. I have decided to make them my new automotive service shop. I feel so lucky to have found California Star.Service: Auto maintenance

  Adam Stein
a year ago
Have been coming here for years. They are a courteous repair shop that does quality work, on time, at a fair price.My last two visits are typical of the service they provide. I brought my car in because of a weird leak coming from the passenger side of my car. They determined that I must have driven through something that dripped off as there was not a leak. Didn't charge me for their time.Recently bought a new BMW and they did a complementary inspection of the car for me. In both cases they easily could have charged $100 for their time, but it's not how they run their business.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Vehicle Inspection

  Brian O'Shea
a year ago
We brought our 2014 Mini Cooper to California Star on the recommendation of Big O Tires in Lafayette. We had a concerning loss of power and warning light, which suggested that the car was in trouble. They did a quick assessment, and assured us that the car was OK to drive for short distances, and took an appointment within a week. We were delighted to find that it was not a major repair, and although they needed to remove a big part of the engine (Mini's have packed engine compartments!) the cost was totally reasonable, and they had it done in less than a day. Definitely going back!Services: General repairs & maintenance, Engine repair

  Ivan Wang
a year ago
I did a lot of looking around before making an appointment. The five star reviews are warranted and not fake. Bill and the team are really that good and it was a pleasurable experience. If you're skeptical, then it's your loss. The shop is honest, ethical and helpfulServices: Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Tire rotations, Wheel alignment, Brakes, Oil changeServices: Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Tire rotations, Wheel alignment, Brakes, Oil change

  Peter Luu
4 years ago
I had a 2001 E320 that has been under the great care of Bill and his team for more than 10 years. It has more than 300K and still running smoothly thanks to the service I got from this shop. I have a newer one that is off warranty. This new one will be in California Star's care from now on. Bill, Chris and his team are the real stars in keeping all my cars operating smoothly. They are the only team I can trust, even better than the dealership.

  Fred Smith
2 years ago
When the a/c in my Mercedes started to blow warm air, I feared I was facing a huge repair bill. California Star put dye in the system and found the leak, repaired it and voila, cold air. The price was reasonable but, unfortunately, after 4 or 5 months, the leak returned or another one developed. Fortunately, This was Calif. Star and they fixed it again without charging for any labor. Can't beat that! The guys here are friendly and knowledgeable and the shop is spotless, always a good sign. Plus, when I dropped the car off, they gave me a ride to BART. I'm never going back to the Mercedes dealer again...Service: Air conditioning

  George B
10 months ago
Bill and Chris and the others have tremendous expertise and are a delight to deal with. Just the best. They quickly diagnosed my air conditioning problem and fixed it for a very reasonable charge. We have been customers for many years.Service: A/C installation & repairService: A/C installation & repair

  Gammon Grier
2 years ago
I was recommended by the shop adjacent to California Star. I stopped by randomly and was greeted by Adam. Adam was unbelievably attentive and willing to hear my inquiries. He even looked at my car on the spot, topped it off with fluids, and proceeded to gain my trust. Adam was patient, calm, and proceeded to help me set up a real appointment.Adam inspected my car and gave me the gritty details. He proceeded to tell me the main concerns that needed attention. I needed new engine mounts as well as exhaust work. He recommended a muffler shop, and overestimated the cost of that repair. He then proceeded to replace my engine mounts at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner. I was impressed by Adam's knowledge and willingness to run diagnostics and efficacious attempt to explain to me what was wrong. He made me feel welcome and appreciated in the shop. Not just as a customer, but as a person!Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Gil Berkeley
a year ago
There are many reason's California Star has been in business in Lafayette for so long. Bill and his crew care about doing the job right, at a fair price, and on time. And, they are honest about when work is necessary and when not. I have twice called to have my car serviced and been told not to bring it in yet, unless there is a specific problem. They make a real effort to build long-term relationships with their customers, and they've certainly succeeded with me.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Auto engine tuning, Wiper blade installation, Auto maintenance

  Brian Woolf
4 years ago
I have taken my year 2000 BMW to California Star for service as soon as the manufacturers warranty expired. They provide excellent service at a cost generally far less than a BMW service depot. I have recommended friends who complained about the high cost of the official BMW agents, and without exception, thanked me for the referral to California Star. Today, my 528i passed the 208,000 mile mark! Dec. 2018, i now have over 228,000 miles on it and California Star is absolutely the best service company I have found. I still recommend them to my friends as the place to go! I now have 234,700 miles on it and a Valet parking agent a couple of months ago when we picked up the car could not believe either the age or condition of the vehicle. It still is tight and quiet!!

  Craig F
3 months ago
Yep. They're on their game down at Cal Star. Love a well run professional business. A good value. Thanks!

  Brad Kearns
a year ago
I have been a California Star customer for several of my Mercedes. They have always been excellent. Their service, prices, efficiency are excellent. I highly recommend them.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Oil changeServices: General repairs & maintenance, Oil change

  mike kern
2 years ago
Cal Star has experienced mechanics and equipment to take good care of my Audi. They provide this care at a fraction of what the dealer charges. And they are convenient here in Lafayette; they even provided me with a ride home. My latest visit he fixed a headlight in 10 minutes flat. They know what they are doing.

  Shelly Goodman
3 years ago
The team at California Star were amazing at keeping my 2006 Audi A4 convertible in tip top shape! They diagnosed unusual electrical problems and solved them at a reasonable price. Example - the electric passenger seat brain box had a small short and was draining electricity from the battery while the car was off - leading to new batteries going dead within a month. They found the part at a used parts yard - and it worked beautifully. I highly recommend California Star!Services: Electrical repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic