Fine Tuning

Reviews

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

  Ranell
3 days ago
Fine Tuning did a fantastic job tuning my 07 Audi Q7 and are one of the only shops that could do it. They also provided a thorough inspection report of the car which other shops haven t done. They were friendly, knowledgeable, professional, and provided fast service. I m looking forward to coming back!

  Alexander Edleman
8 months ago
Awesome customer service and awesome company to work with. Chris at fine tuning is a wealth of knowledge with euros and always willing to help. I often do most of my own maintenance but for jobs i feel uncomfortable with or dont have time for I always take my car here. They have very reasonable pricing they have quick diagnostics as well as reaching out quickly with options for the repair. I now live in Gig harbor but will still go out of my way to bring my car back to them when i need work done.If i could give MORE stars i would.

  Matt Noble
8 months ago
Great shop and people! Recently took our 87 VW Vanagon in for an issue as well a tuneup and Chris was incredibly fast at diagnosing potential problems. I like working on the van myself for things I am comfortable with but things outside my ability or time I will bring into a shop. Chris was great about giving a list of things that were concerns and very receptive if I said I wanted to work on those myself - no pressure to have them done at the shop while some of the items I did get done with Chris. Prices were fair and we will definitely be bringing our old VW back here when we need to bring it to a shop.

  Aaron Montgomery
4 years ago
One of the most knowledgeable VW specialists in SeattleI let them touch my whips all day long.

  Steve Cragar
2 years ago
Super honest shop.Even though I chose not to fix the car.Chris gave me a full run down on what all was found.Better pricing than the dealer and my friend only trusts this shop to work on their classic VW.They also did not give me a hard time about not being able to get the car out right away because other fun life things were going on.

  Adam Kellar
2 years ago
Update for 2021 - knocking a star off. In short, just don't get suspension work done here.I communicated with Chris @ Fine Tuning to get routine maintenance done but also to check out a vibration/wobble and have the stock suspension setup put back on my '08 R32. He said that was something they could do, and they've taken good care of my car in the past, so I had no hesitation to proceed. In my mind, any suspension work like this should come with an alignment. At no point in time did Chris mention that they didn't have the tools to do an alignment on a car with independent rear suspension.Was notified the work is complete, with a recommendation to balance the tires in order to help with the vibration. I asked if an alignment was done and he said no, they don't have the tools for it.Went to pick up my car at the end of the day. Drove off and immediately noticed that the steering wheel was 20 degrees off-center, pulling hard to the right.I was already heading off for plans and the shop was closed otherwise I would've turned right around.If they had warned me when I wrote in for suspension work that they couldn't do an alignment I would've gone elsewhere for the suspension. By the time they let me know they couldn't, they already had my car and it sounded like the work was done.I don't think Fine Tuning should accept suspension work for cars with independent rear suspension if they can't do an alignment. I regretted paying this much to drive away with this severe a problem, and then have to take it somewhere else to pay more and get it corrected.They did offer to have another shop in Lynnwood handle the alignment, but it was too far a trip for me. This was kind to offer, and the reason why I'm not knocking off more stars.Original review - Very timely and pleasant correspondences, particularly over email which works really well for me. Also sent me pictures of parts they were servicing! Great attention to detail. I'm happy to bring my R32 here.Services: Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Oil change

  K M
a year ago
Way over charge for terrible service. Not only was the man rude but also incompetent. Services rendered all had to be redone within a week and he refused to fix his mistakes. You will have better luck taking your car to the addict with 50 cars in his driveway.*not a fake account. Not an ex employee. A disgruntled customer being lied to and ripped off

  Ched Follis
3 years ago
If I could leave a negative star I would. Communication is horrible. several unanswered emails and phone calls seem to be the norm. Prices they charged me are about the same hourly rate my lawyer charges. I'm an older fellow with experience in the automotive world and the work they just did on my car was the worst I've experienced. Prices were at least twice as high as a top tier shop would charge and yet they goofed up the install on my oil pan (yeah, there goes the 7 liters of oil you charged me $14 a liter for), damaged my hub and lug bolt, just to name a few issues. Customer service is pretty much non-existent. After spending thousands of dollars there, they treat me like dirt.

  Brant Wahlman
3 years ago
Fine Tuning is the place to bring any VW or Audi vehicle, period. Chris and team were recommended by a dealership Audi Mechanic and boy was he right. Not only was the work done with care and precision, the price was fair and Chris s attention to customer satisfaction is unmatched. The team at Fine Tuning just earned a lifetime customer.

  Hobie Hogan
8 years ago
Chris is a fantastic technician, from brief conversations to the occasional and lengthy goofy ones, he's got help from years of experience, a friendly interaction, and always a good story or two. I haven't had the opportunity to speak to most anyone else at the shop, but Chris I can tell you is top notch and 99 times out of 100, pretty dang spot on with his train of thought as far as repairs go.Great guys & a great business, I would trust these guys 10/10. I have had the displeasure of some buggy German car issues and some that persisted as MORE than problematic, and as soon as Chris got his hands on my '92 VW, it was absolute and perfect service. I would recommend this guy every time and look up to him as a tech. To finalize my experiences, great guys.Thanks, Fine Tuning!~Hobie Hogan

  J. Frank Parnell
6 years ago
I just thought that I would share my experiences with a "reputable" independent shop in Seattle, so that users would have an idea of the costs and times involved with some repairs that they might need. My car is a 2003 Passat 1.8T Wagon. It has 137,000 miles on it. It is stock and my wife puts about 20,000 miles per year on it, but lately she has been pushing the 30,000 miles per year mark. She started leaking coolant recently, so I decided to take it in to a reputable independent shop here in Seattle. This shop is Fine Tuning in North Seattle. It had been a while since she had taken the car in, so it had a fair number of items that needed fixing. I know that I could have done some of these items myself and saved a bit of coin, but I just don't have the time to do this kind of work right now, because of my job and home life. The entire repair took 4 days from start to finish.Here are the particulars. The quoted costs are what I was quoted on the phone.Shop: Fine Tuning SeattleLabor Rate: $90.00 per hourTotal Repair Time: 4 Days1. Replace Leaking Coolant Flange2.3 hours @ $90.00 per hour = $207.00Coolant Flange: $22.00O Ring: $3.98Sensor O Ring: $1.35Total Cost: $234.33Quoted Cost: $199.002. Replace Timing Belt8.8 hours @ $90.00 per hour = $792.00Valve Cover Gasket: $29.18Timing Belt for 1.8T: $47.66Timing Belt Tensioner: $90.21Tensioner Damper: $110.23Timing Belt Roller: $32.65Water Pump: $165.24G12 Coolant: $29.60Tensioner Gasket Kit: $9.60Suction Jet Pump: $49.50Alternator Drive Belt: $25.78AC Drive Belt: $18.50Total Cost: $1400.15Quoted Cost: $1200.003. Replace Fuel Injector O-Rings1.0 hours @ $90.00 per hour = $90.00Injector O Ring: $16.96Total Cost: $106.96Quoted Cost: $0.00 (Originally I was told that this was not enough to worry about, but they must have thought otherwise)4. Replace Front Brake Lines1.0 hours @ $90.00 per hour = $90.00Brake Hoses: $75.00ATE Super Blue Brake Fluid: $12.50Total Cost: $177.50Quoted Cost: $190.005. Replace Sway Bar Links1.0 hours @ $90.00 per hour = $90.00Sway Bar Link: $50.00Sway Bar End Link: $50.00Total Cost: $190.00Quoted Cost: $181.006. Replace Both Engine Mounts3.2 hours @ $90.00 per hour = $288.00Left Engine Mount: $90.00Right Engine Mount: $125.00Total Cost: $503.00Quoted Cost: $552.007. Replace Exhaust Downpipe.9 hours @ $90.00 per hour = $81.00Downpipe: $201.00Cat Gasket: $11.25Total Cost: $293.25Quoted Cost: $282.008. Replace Fuel Filter.4 hours @ $90.00 per hour = $36.00Fuel Filter: $15.00Total Cost: $51.00Quoted Cost: $0.00 (Originally I told them I had replace this filter not more than 1 year ago, and that it didn't need replaced. They must have felt otherwise.)9. Replace Thermostat and Housing2.0 hours @ $90.00 per hour = $180.00Thermostat Housing: $13.50Thermostat: $29.10Total Cost: $222.60Quoted Cost: $200.0010. Hazardous Waste Disposal: $95.36Total Cost: $95.36Quoted Cost: $0.00 (Not told about this fee, but that is not uncommon)Total Cost of Labor: $1854.00Total Parts: $1324.79Hazardous Waste: $95.36Tax: $302.00Total Cost out the door: $3576.15When I spoke with Mike at Fine Tuning, their service rep after picking up the car. He says that much of the work that was done which I found extra (such as the fuel filter replacement and the orings) was due to miscommunication on his part with Chris in the shop. He also said that he called University Volkswagen and verified the costs would have been over $600 more if I had gone to that dealership to have the same work done. They even offered me an $80 oil change for free, and 20% off of their $1300 control arm bushings replacement job that will eventually need done on my wife's car.The work was well done, but I will let you decide if you think these costs are out of line. I don't think an $80 oil change and 20% off future work is very good compensation for charging above a quoted cost, or performing work that I specifically told them not to do. From now on, I will be taking my work elsewhere.

  Mark Dorazio
6 years ago
Chris has been my mechanic for almost twenty years and there's no other mechanic that I would trust with my car. He's professional, honest, fair and practical. Nothing but respect for him and his crew.

  Neil Rosales
7 years ago
Chris is an amazing resource for the VW community. Helpful and Knowledgeable and on top of that Honest and Fair. The expertise of his shop is unmatched. If you're looking for the best service, look no further.

  Mark Garnick
7 years ago
Chris is a very knowledgeable and thorough mechanic who has a passion for the vehicles he works on. His pricing is up front and very reasonable. I would recommend him, and have, to anyone and everyone.

  valentin reyes
4 years ago
The costumer service is great here. They were able to accommodate the drop off and pick up. Unfortunately they didn't work on my car (due to being an expensive labor) I have been recommended by a lot of people so hopefully I can bring my car for some work in the future!

  Mary Grace Long Photography, LLC | the PORTRAIT POEM
6 years ago
I am taking time to write this review here as I am parting with my longtime 2003 Jetta and wanted to be sure to give its caretaker some kudos. I went to the dealer for years until the larger things started to hit and I needed to better understand what was what and what was coming up, essentially a more hand's on understanding of what I was paying for and what was definitely necessary and what was not. Through the grapevine I found Chris. When I inquired he would take the time to explain things to me in layperson's terms. He would also give me a list of what he saw upcoming and prioritize that list. But what most I appreciated was on a few separate occasions, I was in a bind and he fit me in right away and one of those times on the actual spot - so I was not left without transport for my own business. You can trust him. Thank you Chris for all your help!

  Shannon (16Volt)
10 years ago
I have been bringing my cars here for years. They have done service for me on everything from old watercooled VWs, new Audis and a Porsche 911. Thorough and detailed work at very competitive prices always. They have always been great and very upfront with what the cars need and when they need it done.

  Mark Clark
9 years ago
The guys at Fine Tuning saved me thousands! And did a great major tune and DSG transmission service.Fine Tuning was several hundred dollars less for a major tune up than the VW dealership. And while tuning up my 2011 GTI, Fine Tuning spotted some oil leaks and told me to get it checked at the dealership for warranty.They were spot on. I was right at the end of my warranty and luckily Chaplin's VW covered the repair 100%- rear main seal, cylinder seal and vacuum seal.Thank you, Fine Tuning!

  Eric M
7 years ago
23 December 2016 - This is where you realize you have to take outlying reviews with a massive grain of salt. In this case it's the negative review by Tony Carnevale. Chris at Fine Tuning is pretty well known in the Vanagon community, is very experienced, and would never take advantage of someone. The same cannot be said about Tony, who was trying to pull a fast-one on an overpriced Vanagon he was selling that a buyer brought in for a pre-purchase inspection. Chris and his crew found lots of issues with the van, and told the buyer it wasn't worth half of what Tony was asking. Mind you, Tony did NOT do business with Fine Tuning. His prospective buyer did. Tony did not like the negative report (obviously), so he felt the need to leave a bad review? Fine Tuning saved the buyer $13k on a bad purchase, I'd say job well done.

  Benjamin Rosario
9 years ago
Had my TDI 2012 VW Jetta's ECU tuned here with Tiptronic Tuning.They took care of me, informed me of my options and performed everything as expected.Thank you, Fine Tuning! My car runs like a champ!

  Simon Wiley
7 years ago
Looking to purchase a vehicle in the Seattle area, take it here to be checked out. They'll look it over good and give you a fair value on the vehicle before you waste your hard earned money on over priced junk.

  adrian hedwig
3 years ago
These guys are no joke. Chris is a euro prodigy and they had my car fixed in no time at all. I only regret not going there sooner.

  J W
4 years ago
Outstanding knowledge and service. My 2017 Jetta has never ran better! I will keep coming back.

  Tony Carnevale
7 years ago
DO NOT GO HERE. Totally inaccurate report, over priced, inexperienced, and located in a very sketchy area behind another building with pot holes all over. Inside is even worse.

  Ragnhild Bunich
8 years ago
Amazing work! Chris is honest and made my 09 GTI scream!

  Eric Bennett
7 years ago
Great VW shop, knowledgeable and experienced. There is a reason you take a VW to a specialist

  Marc McGraw
5 years ago
A total embarrassment to mechanics everywhere!!! They will RIP u off and charge you for parts and labor. Stay away at all costs!!

  Joel P
7 years ago
You guys are a great help fantastic VW and have given me valuable information.

  Louis Warfield
7 years ago
Chris is a very knowledgeable mechanic and diagnostic genius!

  G G
8 years ago
honest and fast! better pricing than dealer!