Roger's Auto Works
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Do a search for "Bay Area Repair shops" or "East Bay Mechanics" or some combination of those terms. There are several threads and IIRC, Roger's has always gotten high praise from several people.
*edit* found this thread just a few topics down the list...
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=24918
*edit* found this thread just a few topics down the list...
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=24918
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88 Posts
Jeff,
Thanks for the tip. I actually saw that post, and it really doesn't say much about Rogers if you read it closely. I had searched the threads without success, which is why I posted this in the first place. Anyway, not that big a deal; I'm going with Roger and will report back for future seekers.
By the way, nice 75 sedan.
Cheers,
J
Thanks for the tip. I actually saw that post, and it really doesn't say much about Rogers if you read it closely. I had searched the threads without success, which is why I posted this in the first place. Anyway, not that big a deal; I'm going with Roger and will report back for future seekers.
By the way, nice 75 sedan.
Cheers,
J
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2,079 Posts
Yeah - it's hard to pinpoint stuff when searching - which is why I left it up to you!
But - I know I read somewhere several people raving about Roger's, which piqued my interest - because I work near them, and was thinking it might be cheaper to have the cars worked on in the East Bay rather than SF...but then there's the whole public transportation thing that I have difficulty with getting back home!
Good luck - and thanks for the compliment regarding my sedan.
But - I know I read somewhere several people raving about Roger's, which piqued my interest - because I work near them, and was thinking it might be cheaper to have the cars worked on in the East Bay rather than SF...but then there's the whole public transportation thing that I have difficulty with getting back home! Good luck - and thanks for the compliment regarding my sedan.
If you have nothing good to say....
But for the benefit of sharing and weighing opinions and experiences, I feel obliged....
I also had heard/read good things about Roger's, but for what it's worth, I wasn't impressed with his attitude (seemed like he didn't care for the business I was giving him), and it's not him, but his associate Chris who's the Alfa specialist. Went in one day to talk shop about my 3 Alfas and consider having him do the work. They seem to prefer Volvos and as a side note, later model Alfas vs. 60s/70s cars, so take that into account.
When I DID go for service, I was quoted no more than an hour or two worth of labor, but when I returned, was told that it turned out to be 4 hours! I told him that's not what he quoted, and he quickly agreed to 3 hours (when I told him the competition could do it in that amount of time--tops). Hmm. I'm in sales too, but I also didn't appreciate the "what about this" and "what about that" type of work that Roger suggested. Just wanted one thing done. Had some issues with the fit and finish of the worked-on interior area, so needless to say, I won't be going back.
Could have been an off 2 visits I had with him, but I'm not a hard guy to please and first impressions and attitude are key, in addition to price and service. I'll be searching out other East Bay shops, or will just go back to SF's Alfa Center for tried and true, enthusiastically Alfa-focused service.
Just wanted to share my experience, even though I know many others are vocally loyal to Roger's. Everyone's different I suppose, so please take it for what it's worth.
But for the benefit of sharing and weighing opinions and experiences, I feel obliged....
I also had heard/read good things about Roger's, but for what it's worth, I wasn't impressed with his attitude (seemed like he didn't care for the business I was giving him), and it's not him, but his associate Chris who's the Alfa specialist. Went in one day to talk shop about my 3 Alfas and consider having him do the work. They seem to prefer Volvos and as a side note, later model Alfas vs. 60s/70s cars, so take that into account.
When I DID go for service, I was quoted no more than an hour or two worth of labor, but when I returned, was told that it turned out to be 4 hours! I told him that's not what he quoted, and he quickly agreed to 3 hours (when I told him the competition could do it in that amount of time--tops). Hmm. I'm in sales too, but I also didn't appreciate the "what about this" and "what about that" type of work that Roger suggested. Just wanted one thing done. Had some issues with the fit and finish of the worked-on interior area, so needless to say, I won't be going back.
Could have been an off 2 visits I had with him, but I'm not a hard guy to please and first impressions and attitude are key, in addition to price and service. I'll be searching out other East Bay shops, or will just go back to SF's Alfa Center for tried and true, enthusiastically Alfa-focused service.
Just wanted to share my experience, even though I know many others are vocally loyal to Roger's. Everyone's different I suppose, so please take it for what it's worth.
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Man! I had a long reply and pressed the wrong button and *poof* message gone!
ANYHOW - thanks for your report of Roger's shop - I appreciate hearing both good and bad about local shops, no one's perfect, but you're experience is just another reason why I've stuck with Alfa Center as well for nearly 15 years. I've thought about going elsewhere to get cheaper labor rates, but I've come to know the guys at Alfa Center so well, I'm okay with paying the extra $. Just knowing I can call anyone at the shop and they'll instantly know who I am and what I'm talking about, is comforting. More times than I can count, they've cut me deals or gone beyond the call of duty to help me out in a pinch. I could go on and on - but I'll spare you my Alfa Center love-fest.
ANYHOW - thanks for your report of Roger's shop - I appreciate hearing both good and bad about local shops, no one's perfect, but you're experience is just another reason why I've stuck with Alfa Center as well for nearly 15 years. I've thought about going elsewhere to get cheaper labor rates, but I've come to know the guys at Alfa Center so well, I'm okay with paying the extra $. Just knowing I can call anyone at the shop and they'll instantly know who I am and what I'm talking about, is comforting. More times than I can count, they've cut me deals or gone beyond the call of duty to help me out in a pinch. I could go on and on - but I'll spare you my Alfa Center love-fest.
Great looking cars sfalfa! Love the decals and Daytonas on the sedan. Have you considered lowering it slightly for a more aggressive look like the Giulia and BMW 2002 next to it in on of your flickr shots?
I dig the Alfa Center for the reasons you mentioned too.
I dig the Alfa Center for the reasons you mentioned too.
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Thanks - The stickers/numbers were for the Shamrock Rally this year, normally it's not quite as flashy. Actually it is lowered in front as far as it can go, if I drop it another notch down - I cannot pull into my garage! I had to have my coupe RAISED in order to pull in in as well. It's still lower than stock, and it scrapes a wee bit when I pull in, but oh well...
BTW - that's a '69 Berlina next to my car in that photo - and it's really low - they clearly don't live in SF!
in order to pull in in as well. It's still lower than stock, and it scrapes a wee bit when I pull in, but oh well...BTW - that's a '69 Berlina next to my car in that photo - and it's really low - they clearly don't live in SF!
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Guys,
Thanks for the update on Roger's. My car's there now and I'll keep everything said in mind. I actually stored the car in the East Bay and had to tow it to the nearest place to keep tow charges down. That's why Roger's in the first place. I live about three blocks from Alfa Center, so it looks like that'll be my joint from here out.
I'll report back with more from Roger's after picking up the car.
J
Thanks for the update on Roger's. My car's there now and I'll keep everything said in mind. I actually stored the car in the East Bay and had to tow it to the nearest place to keep tow charges down. That's why Roger's in the first place. I live about three blocks from Alfa Center, so it looks like that'll be my joint from here out.
I'll report back with more from Roger's after picking up the car.
J
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88 Posts
... not at all pleased. Where to begin? First, I brought the car in to have the wheels aligned and the breaks *inspected* (I specifically told him not to work on the breaks.) I asked him to let me know if anything else came up. Something did: he wanted to change out a motor mount. I said OK. He also mentioned some other stuff, which I told him NOT to do. I went back and was charged $850 for, among other things, electrical work I absolutely never asked for or OK'd; an oil change (like paying someone to fill your gas tank); oh wait, that too; he charged me for gasoline. More egregious, he charged me for new break pads, which I did not want or authorize. Unreal. This was the first time in the ten years I've owned the car that I've brought it in for service and I will not go to this shop again. If you like this shop, that's great, the mechanic seems like he knows the cars well, but I will advise getting a written estimate up front.
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I was going to refrain from commenting because it's hard to know when one's experience is unique or common, but having read the comments here now, I'll offer my .02. First of all, I couldn't agree more that Chris is an exceptional Alfa mechanic and true Alfista, and that alone is a good reason to take your Alfa to Roger's, assuming you know exactly what you want done and are very clear about it, get your estimate in writing, etc.
HOWEVER, I've had primarily bad experiences dealing with Roger, and would agree 100% with an earlier comment that he doesn't much want to deal with pre-70's Alfas, or maybe just Alfas in general, as his shop usually seems to have nothing but Volvos and BMWs in it. One example: I brought my old '69 Berlina in to have the master cylinder inspected -- basically to verify my suspicion that it was shot and if so, replace it. I explained everything on the phone, ie that the original dual master had been replaced with a single (a common 'fix' for when the unobtainium '69 dual masters go south), all the symptoms, etc. To get the car there I used up one AAA tow. After a day and two phone calls repeating all the same information, I then got a call from Roger to let me know he didn't want to deal with this problem because my brakes had been "heavily modified".
So I had to spend another AAA tow to get the car home, and to add insult to injury Roger charged me an hour's labor to bleed the brakes, in spite of all the information I'd given him that pointed very clearly at a crapped out master and nothing else. Once I got the car home, I got a new master from IAP and installed it myself, and had no brake problems after that.
I won't take a car to Roger's ever again, in spite of the convenience (I live and work in Oakland), and in spite of the fact that Chris is such a good mechanic. It's really too bad, because there are a lot of people willing to spend money on good service for their Alfas, and we don't have many options here in Oakland.
HOWEVER, I've had primarily bad experiences dealing with Roger, and would agree 100% with an earlier comment that he doesn't much want to deal with pre-70's Alfas, or maybe just Alfas in general, as his shop usually seems to have nothing but Volvos and BMWs in it. One example: I brought my old '69 Berlina in to have the master cylinder inspected -- basically to verify my suspicion that it was shot and if so, replace it. I explained everything on the phone, ie that the original dual master had been replaced with a single (a common 'fix' for when the unobtainium '69 dual masters go south), all the symptoms, etc. To get the car there I used up one AAA tow. After a day and two phone calls repeating all the same information, I then got a call from Roger to let me know he didn't want to deal with this problem because my brakes had been "heavily modified".
So I had to spend another AAA tow to get the car home, and to add insult to injury Roger charged me an hour's labor to bleed the brakes, in spite of all the information I'd given him that pointed very clearly at a crapped out master and nothing else. Once I got the car home, I got a new master from IAP and installed it myself, and had no brake problems after that.
I won't take a car to Roger's ever again, in spite of the convenience (I live and work in Oakland), and in spite of the fact that Chris is such a good mechanic. It's really too bad, because there are a lot of people willing to spend money on good service for their Alfas, and we don't have many options here in Oakland.
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Truly shocking pair of experiences. I'm pretty mild mannered, and have let a few things slide in my day, but even I would be hard pressed to keep my cool
under either of those circumstances. I'm really sorry to hear that they've treated you that way. I find it even stranger that they still advertise in the local Overheard Cams, sounds like they don't really want to deal with Alfas?
under either of those circumstances. I'm really sorry to hear that they've treated you that way. I find it even stranger that they still advertise in the local Overheard Cams, sounds like they don't really want to deal with Alfas?
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When a smog "technician" decided to mess with the two screws on the intake plenum to "adjust the mixture", he made it considerably worse to the point where it would barely run. We limped the car (78 spider) to Roger's and $300 later, the car was smogged, tuned up, and happy. They seem to know the Spica injection pretty well. I would take other cars there too if I could afford to have someone work on them. Now, it's just learn-as-you-go mechanics for me!
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I do not know the people there but if anybody does work on your car and it is not written on the estimate part of the work order you do not have to pay but if you sign the authorization part of the work order then you are stuck. I had this happen to me on an a/c service on a Lexus many years ago and I called the BAR and they gave me my money back because I refused to sign the authorization part of the work order.
AS far as Rogers auto works,
I had bought a 95 164 LS earlier this year that used to be maintained by them and all kinds of things were wrong that should have been fixed. Like a resistor on the temp sender so the temp on the dash would read lower then it is and the check engine light bulb was removed due to a "bad cat" later I found out that the plugs for the cam sensor, tps sensor, and the other one were hooked up wrong. I replaced the bulb and sorted the plugs and it passed smog here and in Wa state!
AS far as Rogers auto works,
I had bought a 95 164 LS earlier this year that used to be maintained by them and all kinds of things were wrong that should have been fixed. Like a resistor on the temp sender so the temp on the dash would read lower then it is and the check engine light bulb was removed due to a "bad cat" later I found out that the plugs for the cam sensor, tps sensor, and the other one were hooked up wrong. I replaced the bulb and sorted the plugs and it passed smog here and in Wa state!
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I'm friends with Roger's mechanic Chris, who I think is good. And Roger fundamentally I think is honest and knows what he's doing, but he's lazy, and he's never had a good bedside manner. But I've never been overcharged there, and pretty much always had good work. On a bad day, Roger can be hell to deal with. And yes, pre-Spica cars he doesn't want to see.
Andrew
Andrew
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Just reading this thread. I used to live in Oakland and brought both my Alfas to Rogers for many years. Chris has always been working on the cars and when I called for updates, I always asked for Chris. He always expained things thouroghly to me and agreed to do exactly as I asked. I listened to his opinions. He of course took the mechanics point of view and tried to recommend factory type repairs where I like upgrades and mods. Yet when I insisted upon the mods, he agreed and did the work. I felt like he took care of my cars like my doctor.
Recently I've dealt with Roger on the phone and have never come to agreements with him. He does not like to do anything other than the factory work. Roger is the owner so it may be difficult to only deal with Chris. I hear that Roger is doing more work on Alfas lately which is bad.
I live farther away and have been doing more work on the cars myself. I will still take my cars there when I need to, but will insist more on dealing with Chris. He knows what he is doing and is fair about what needs to be done. I can only imagine that all these bad experience were either with Roger, or Roger was involved at some point with the repair. Maybe Roger started the work and Chris finished it or something like that. Again, since Roger is the owner, if his hand were in the repair at some point, it may turn out bad.
Recently I've dealt with Roger on the phone and have never come to agreements with him. He does not like to do anything other than the factory work. Roger is the owner so it may be difficult to only deal with Chris. I hear that Roger is doing more work on Alfas lately which is bad.
I live farther away and have been doing more work on the cars myself. I will still take my cars there when I need to, but will insist more on dealing with Chris. He knows what he is doing and is fair about what needs to be done. I can only imagine that all these bad experience were either with Roger, or Roger was involved at some point with the repair. Maybe Roger started the work and Chris finished it or something like that. Again, since Roger is the owner, if his hand were in the repair at some point, it may turn out bad.
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It should be noted that the majority of cars serviced by Roger's constitute hoary old Volvos (you know, the ones all over the Berkeley and Oakland hills covered in pine tar and pine needles). This was based on my experience there. When Britalia went out of business I had to find another shop. Roger's did some work on my 164 and Milano Gold. I found them to be competent, but admittedly it was Chris who I dealt with (he was/is a good mechanic, as others have noted).
Chris
Chris
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