San Diego Mini Cooper Independent Garage

Reviews

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

  Connor Lay
3 months ago
Mack and his team were so professional and thorough. I saw the reviews before I brought my car in for coolant issues, and I can say they deserve their high rating. When I got my car back it was cleaner than when I brought it, Mack went over everything with me in layman's terms, and I will definitely be back when the time comes for me to get services done.

  Andrew Shim
a year ago
Purchased an R53 recently and immediately brought it to Mac and his team for a full diagnostic and repair.Ultimately, I was sold a beater but Mac and his team was able to get everything fixed and running like new. Their knowledge of MINIs and usage of high quality OEM parts makes working with them an obvious choice. It is common knowledge that these platforms are money pits once their age gets up there, so my only advice is acknowledging the costs associated with maintaining your MINI so Mac can work with you to find a deal that fits you.I can now drive my car like I stole it with confidence. Thank you Mac and the team!Services: Transmission, Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Engine repair, Battery

  Ben Legaspi
2 months ago
Came into this shop to get a quote on my car leaking oil. Owner was rude and commented how i was leaking car oil in his shop. He ended up lookin at the car less than half an hour and quoted a higher amount then another mechanic that i previously talked to. Ended up getting charged a couple hundred bucks for a quote. Save your money and avoid this scumbag.

  Sheila Hickman
5 years ago
If you want someone who is knowledgeable AND passionate about mini coppers, Mack is your guy.I moved to San Diego about 2 years ago and was struggling to find a mechanic that I could trust with my 14 year old Mini Cooper. When I took my car in for the first time Mac spent some time reviewing the issues and taking notes about my concerns. He provided a maintenance checklist for me to complete so that he could have a comprehensive list of previous work which I thought was awesome!I appreciate his straightforward approach and honesty. He is thorough and always gives me a heads up on what to expect next when it comes to maintenance. I am now in the habit of bringing it in for regular checkups and haven t had any major issues since I ve found this place!

  David Ligon
6 years ago
Bought a used 2010 Mini Cooper Hardtop for my daughter and took it here to take care of an issue. Mac scheduled me the same day I called. There were a number of things wrong with it, including the clutch, in addition to needing a 30,000 service. Mac took care of it right away. I never had another problem with the car (despite taking advantage of the fact it was super fun to drive). If you are like me and you depend on your Mini being in perfect working order, this is the place to go! At 70,000 miles the Hardtop was totaled by a highway sign (that jumped out in front of us). Of course we had to have a Mini replacement. I looked at many cars and took two to Mac to check out. He identified many issues with the first one, saving me years of hassle dealing with a bad car. The second one also had some issues, but they were easily fixable and Mac gave me a fair price for the work. I ended up buying it with high confidence I was getting a good car. Because I am anal about how my cars look and run, I will not take the Mini anywhere else and have the utmost confidence in San Diego Mini Cooper Independent ... one other thing of note. I have heard from Mini mechanics all over Southern California, who are well aware of Mac's expertise, "there is no better place to take your car."

  Stephen Easley
4 years ago
This is the best repair shop for MINI Cooper and all European cars. I've been taking my MINI here since 2012 when I needed a clutch replacement on my 2004 MINI Cooper S. The price was so much lower than the dealers quote. Since then, I've had all of my service completed here. I've also referred all of my friends to come here including BMW owners and even Toyota owners. They'll take great care of you.

  Ren Robels
9 months ago
This shop is amazing! They fixed my car after I had exhausted all attempts to fix it at the dealership and several other shops. The owner is full of experience and knows his cars. After the repair was done, they also recommended the past due services which was pricey, but after finding out what all was done I realized it was actually a super good deal and now my car runs like the firtst day I purchased it. I highly recommend this place for any Mini Cooper repairs.

  Chan Castillo
a year ago
Mack is by far one of the most honest mechanics I've ever been to. He is a straight to the point, no BS kind of guy and I dig it. I purchased a used R56 at 132k miles (only put 1k miles on it so far) and did a lot of work on it myself (timing chain, heat exchange gaskets, etc.), but I went to him for a coolant flush because I was just done and I wanted an expert eye to pretty much do an overview. The previous owner put yellow coolant and I was not in the mood to do a full coolant flush/replace to oem blue.After Mack was finished, he told me everything I needed to do to keep the R56 running in tip top shape, how to not burn as much oil, replacement parts I shouldn't worry about unless there are clear signs they are needed, etc.We chatted for a bit and I can tell he's a good guy. I would recommend him for any Mini/European car repair. My sister has an R56 as well, so if I'm not in the mood to work on it I will direct her to him.

  casey brown
5 years ago
Absolutely fantastic, the owner knows his stuff and is extremely intelligent. I messed up my mini working on it and the were able to find the problem and fix it in an extremely short time. Not only that but very affordable compared to any mini dealership.

  Benicio D
a year ago
Based on my experience, I would highly recommend just going to the dealership and avoiding these guys. I have a 2017 Mini Cooper S and move to the area about 3 months ago. I have some extensive maintenance coming up (spark plugs and fuel filter) so I was looking for a new shop to hopefully avoid dealership so I just called this place to ask about resetting my oil change interval light. I had looked at a YouTube video and it seemed really easy but I couldn't get it to work. After some lame beating around the bush I finally asked him directly and he specifically said he CAN'T (won't) give me that information over the phone! Told me to go to a dealership.. Extremely rude! Literally 10 second explanation (I finally figured it out before you start the car tap the trip button twice then hold to bring up maintenance interval options!) But wanted me to drive my car in 50 miles before he would utter two sentences for free. Anybody this greedy and desperate for your money you need to stay far away from. I have never experienced anything like it in my life and I have had a lot of vehicles. Just go to the dealership!

  Bridget Rivas
a year ago
I have a Mini Countryman and the turbo went out. Replacing the turbo and a list of other parts associated with the turbo was a couple grand less than the dealership was going to charge me for just the turbo. San Diego Mini Cooper Independent Garage explained everything about my car and the repairs in detail and in a way I could understand. They also took pictures along the way so I could see what they were doing with my car. They offered to give me the broken parts at the end of the job which I thought was very professional. That action assured me they were not hiding anything and ripping me off. The shop was very quick to get the job done, easy to work with, and I would highly recommend them to anyone who has a European car. I am very happy with the quality work they did. They even steam cleaned my entire engine compartment. I m so glad I found them and I will definitely be using this shop again for future maintenance and repairs.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Engine repair, Air conditioning

  Julio Rianzares
2 years ago
I recently purchased a 2002 Mini Cooper S and wanted to have a proper shop take a look and see if anything needed immediate attention. Mack was very knowledgeable and took the time to properly explain each and every part that needed repair or replacing to give me a better understanding of what needed to be done and why. He was very straightforward and gave me good suggestions on repairs for the car instead of just telling me to fix everything to get more money out of me. They were quick to diagnose and repair any problems and I was able to get back on the road in no time. I was very impressed by the service and their helpful approach to fixing what was absolutely necessary on my car compared to other shops who just want to replace everything and get your money. I will definitely return to the this shop for anything that needs to be done on my Mini Cooper.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Engine repair, Auto detailing, Brake service & repair, Oil change

  Amit S
4 years ago
Superb customer service and brilliant mechanics. SD Mini not only has the experts of experts but also do it right. Hands down the best shop experience in my 20+ years of owning vehicles. Mack is genuine, honest and an all around car enthusiast. He cares about the vehicle bumper to bumper. I took a Mini and a Honda to this place, both which are at least 10 years old and have 100k miles and were looking a bit worn. Mack and his crew did their magic and I was floored! It was like love at first sight when I saw my vehicles. They looked brand new, inside and out and run like a charm. My family (of 5) and I spent nearly 30 minutes admiring the detailed job they did. Folks, don't go anywhere else with your car but here. Invest in your car at SD Mini and your mind will be at ease. Thanks a million times to Mack and his crew!

  Shannon Perron
3 years ago
I have been taking my Mini to Mac for a few years and I m so happy I found him! I appreciate that he is a fellow veteran and is trustworthy in his pricing. I was very frazzled over a major engine issue, but he took the time to show me the parts that went bad and thoroughly explained the work that was done. Mac educated me about my car and ensured I knew how to check the oil properly. Oil changes are performed quickly and COVID guidelines are adhered to. It s always stressful when you have a car issue, but I always trust that Mac will have my back!

  Iella Parker
3 years ago
I am new to San Diego and had just bought a Mini Cooper before moving. When it started having problems I had no idea what to do as a first time mini owner. I am so glad I came to Mack! He was very thorough in explaining what was going wrong and had a no bs attitude. As a college student I was worried about what I was going to end up spending but he kept the cost low and made sure to break everything down for me. I couldn t be happier with the experience! He was extremely helpful and had everything fixed for a great price! He was very friendly, getting to talk with him while my oil was being changed was a bonus! I will be returning for all my needs as long as I m in San Diego, absolutely recommend!Service: Oil change

  Marvin Masolo
7 years ago
Well, let me tell you about this place. If you live in the SAN Diego area and own a MINI Cooper, this is the only place you need to go for all your service needs. The master technician and owner, Mack, is an amazing person. He knows MINI Coopers in and out. Not to mention, he is much cheaper than the local MINI dealership, and is completely honest. A few weeks ago, I came in with a "check engine" light, and Mack quickly diagnosed that all I needed was a new fuel distributor. Luckily, he informed me that everything would be covered under warranty due to a recall. Even for any minor maintenance, Mack always takes care of my MINI. If the car needs to stay overnight or the entire day, Mack will offer a loaner car, or in my case, rent me a mid-size and pay for it! Folks, bring your MINI Cooper to Mack and I assure you that he will have your "baby" running like new.

  Joseph Christianson
5 years ago
I've had my mini for nearly a year, and I've been bringing it here the entire time.The most important things you should know:- I always receive the best service.- I have never had to return due to a bad repair.- Mack is always honest, and uses only OEM parts. He'll work with you to if you need to get your own partsBottom line: you are going to get great service here, and over the "long run" you get the most efficient use if your money towards auto maintenance/repair.

  William Carhart
4 years ago
If you own a Mini, new or classic, and you care about it's longevity, you should be taking it here. The owner, Mac, has tons of experience racing and has built many different Minis, from regular road-going cars to race machines. I've been taking my Mini to Mac for three years now and I'm always impressed by the work this shop does. Mac has experience with regular service and maintenance, upgrades and modifications, repairs, body work, and so much more. Would give 6 stars if it was possible.

  Richard Niederecker
3 years ago
Mac is the most trustworthy and reliable mechanic I have ever had the opportunity to meet. Sadly I have had bad experiences with catching crooked mechanics taking advantage of me and my family in the past. Mac is the kind of mechanic that if want to see the parts they replaced, he'll have them waiting for you. If he says hes going to fix something at a price. He is going fix that issue at that price. He is straight to the point and completely honest in everything he does. If you have a mini cooper or any other car this shop works on, go here.

  Will Becker
4 years ago
I brought my 2005 Mini Cooper S (R53) in after I had a mechanic much less familiar with Mini Coopers than I would have liked service my car to unsatisfactory results. The kind folks at the Independent Garage took time out of their day to examine what I was concerned with on my car, and instead of taking advantage of my situation, they provided me with advice and reassurance pertaining to my vehicle, which in their opinion, wasn't exhibiting the issues that I thought it was. The peace of mind was well worth it.In the future, although it may cost a little extra than other shops, I know for a fact that this shop is experienced with these peculiar little cars, whereas other shops claim to be but seem to be full of hot air.

  Naomi Daniels
4 years ago
I've taken my mini here multiple time and Mac takes care of me every time. I came here because I bought a mini off of craigslist and it stalled 4 days later on a freeway exit. Immediately he knew what the problem was and was able to fix it with an oil change. He make sure to have me come in at 500 and 1,000 miles to make sure the oil wasn't getting eaten up. The first time it was so he put an additive to slow it down. My car is running so much nicer. I am and will continue to come back here for service on my car

  Katalyna Vega
4 years ago
I m so happy with my experience with these mechanics. I was at my last straw with taking my car to other shops and finally I was able to find these guys who did honest good work. They were super funny and welcoming. They communicated well and did things in a timely manner. I thought I was going to be without a car for weeks but within days my car was fixed and is still running great. I m super satisfied with my service and highly recommend them. I know I will definitely go back if I have any issues in the feature.

  Andy Hernandez
8 years ago
San Diego Mini Cooper Independent Garage:Highly recommended to all Mini Cooper owner. My Mini was 57000 when I got my 30000 service on this place. The power and the smoothness are much greater than the service done elsewhere, I have 59000 miles on it now and still have the same power like brand new... Mack is really helpful and works with the customer... He will work around your budget and explains what is best for your car...

  Analiese Hurd
7 years ago
I took my '07 Cooper here at the recommendation of a couple of other MINI drivers. I had been taking it alternately to the SD MINI dealer, and to a repair shop near where I worked. I was dealing with a few issues, and specifically a mysterious oil leak that no one could work out and a check engine light for the O2 sensor.When I called Mack to get an idea what it might cost to do some of the recommended (by the dealer) repairs, he basically told me I should come in and get the full service he recommends every 3 years, and THEN trying to fix problems that continue to arise, so that I'm not repairing something that could be stemming from an overdue maintenance issue.Took my car in, he popped the hood and right away was able to list off a bunch of things he could see were out of date or in need or repair, without even touching it. I know my car hadn't gotten all of the maintenance care it needed over the years, so I wasn't about to argue with him. But based on the reviews I had read from others, I decided to go down the repair route. He made it clear it would not be cheap, but that he would be able to keep my car running. He wasn't pushy, and didn't guilt me into anything, but he was straightforward with me.He told me to bring it in when I was ready, and so I did. He gave me a loaner car at no cost, which was awesome (and necessary). He also gave me a VERY fair price overall. The dealership quoted me a similar price for about half the work that he ended up doing. He sent me a bunch of pictures along the way of the parts in my car that were old or a mess, as well as showed them all to me at pickup (it's a wonder my serpentine belt was still in one piece!).My only complaint was the length of time it took (about a week, because of President's Day) but considering that he only has 1 tech, and his lot was packed with other cars, AND the price break I believe I got, it doesn't even warrant losing a star. I will definitely be back here for future repairs.

  Chandler Cox
7 years ago
If you need something done well and fast, Mack is your guy. A couple years ago I needed a new engine and I took it to Mini of San Diego. They were going to charge an arm and a leg for the replacement. Looked online for a better deal and found this guy. Didn't even know him and he just threw 100% my way. Picked up my car, took it to his place, gave me a way better assessment then the dealership did. A week later, good as new. He charged me 40% less then Mini of San Diego on the biggest repair I've had on my Mini.Even when it looks like there is a lot on his plate, somehow he gets my minor repairs done within the day. He'll point out anything that needs fixing or could work better but will not push it as a priority to be fixed unless he truly thinks it's important. I've never felt in the past couple years that he's out for money and to milk as much out of everyone as he can. He wants to get to know you, your car, and have a personal relationship.Today I took it in for some maintenance and I needed to Uber to get home. He handed me his keys to his own Mini and let me take his home while he fixed mine. This might not happen to all people that go see him but the gesture was over the top. He didn't have to do that, but that's his style. He has the 'take nothing for granted' mentality. He wants to make new customers feel at home and long time customers glad they stuck with him.

  Ashley K.
8 years ago
This garage and Mack are great -- we've had nothing but positive experiences bringing our 2009 Mini Clubman here.Services:- reasonably priced- very transparent with prices of parts and labor -- there's no haggling (and no need for it)- only fixed what was needed (after reviewing with us)- always helped us find a temporary replacement car while our mini was being serviced- fast services and they're usually available to helpMack (the owner):- honest, always answers the phone, courteous- inspects the car and lets you know the urgency of each problem so you can make the best decision- explains all the work he's going to do on the carShop:- small- clean and well maintainedIn summary, our Mini always comes back to us feeling brand new. I would recommend this garage to anyone with a Mini.

  Robert Davies
6 years ago
If you own a Mini, this is the place to take your wheels to for repairs. Mack has taken care of my wife's Mini for the last year, and he has always treated us right. He cuts through the bull and is up front about everything. He has gone above and beyond for customer service. Even if I don't like having to have car problems fixed, I'm glad it's Mack taking care of business.Once on my way to work, the car started acting funny. I stopped by to see it it could get looked at. Mack came out, too one listen, diagnosed the problem, ran inside to grab a part and fixed the issue on the spot. He refused to take payment, and sent me on my way. This was less than 15 minutes, still getting me to work on time. Customers - for - life.

  Jenny C
5 years ago
I recently moved back to San Diego with my beloved mini and although it has luckily been a great car these past years, it is getting up there in miles and in need of careful maintenance. I feel so fortunate to have found Mack's shop!! He really knows his stuff when it comes to working on these cars-- he first caught something that was still under warranty and had me fix that at the dealer and then later helped me avoid a major repair just by listening and deducing what the problem was. He was pretty sure what was causing the check engine light to come on, but wanted me to drive it around for a week after fixing it just to be sure --wouldn't accept payment until the issue was confirmed (which, by the way, was correctly confirmed the first time). I have also been able to take care of these items before even heading in to work, which is extremely convenient. His kindness and overall genuine regard is very apparent and appreciated. He cares about doing good work and I enjoy coming to see him (and his family!) at his shop. He makes a potentially very stressful situation much more manageable, and I am so grateful for his help.

  Marco Corral
3 years ago
This is by far the most honest and fair mechanic I ve seen throughout any state. He not only explained everything to me in layman s terms but he also offered to show me with pictures. Don t waste your time taking your Mini to a dealership to get ripped off. I got my timing chain fixed and a few other gaskets replaced and would never dream of going anywhere else again. Ask for Mack.Service: Oil change

  PApril Kim
5 years ago
Fair price for oil change including thorough inspection with report and suggestion in writing. Very knowledgeble and helpful. But the quote price for the clutch replacement was too high. I found another garage did for nearly half the price with genuine parts. The labor cost is higher here than the other garage in El Cajon.I use the report as my guideline to prepare for necessary maintenance and shop around to find the better price and less expensive labor cost. I always bring my Mini here for oil change so I could have its "health check-up".My Mini Countryman is 160k miles and still runs like new.