Dragon got me in last minute and diagnosed my issue. He had some time the next day and made it…read morework. Ordered the part and did the install. I was a little early for my appointment. He moved my car in and performed the repair. His labor estimate was very well done. He came in $50 less than his previous estimate! If you live in Nanaimo and need a mechanic, I strongly recommend Cam at Dragon's Auto!

Needed new Breaks and routers for my Jeep they did an amazing job 500$ and Dodge wanted a 1,000$ so…read moreguess where I'm not going anymore!!

When it was time for my daughter to buy her first car, we cruised through some bigger used car lots…read morebefore stopping in at Tim's Automotive. We were pleasantly surprised at how many cars were available in her price range, and "sold" by the detailed and upfront information we got from the fellow who served us. As a parent, I was reassured because Tim's is a repair shop, and the staff were able to speak knowledgeably and honestly about the pros and cons of the cars we wanted to compare, as well as the features my daughter was interested in. When a small issue (low battery) came up a week after buying a car, Tim's handled it immediately and to our complete satisfaction. I would definitely recommend Tim's to anyone looking for a used car. (I've already recommended them to friends!)

I rate him a 1 because there's no 0 . My daughter saw a car at his location on Bowen Road in…read moreNanaimo that she was interested in purchasing, she and I test drove the car and within fifteen minutes the car died and wouldn't start. When contacting the owner he said the problem was she drove too far and began blaming the way she must have been driving the car. This was on a weeknight he began by saying she would have to pay to get it tow back to his shop when she refused he reluctantly agreed to have a tow truck pick the car up. A couple of days later he called and asked if she was still interested in buying the car NOPE. Honestly I don't know if he's a crook or con man but he sure acted like one. Looks like he has shut down his shop hope he isn't operating somewhere else Ray McDonald

These guys helped out my boyrfriend when in a serious crunch getting towed from BC ferries lineup…read more They've been considerate about repairs needed and not needed just yet, consulting in detail, considering cost and quality. Appreciated their communication and repair skills, and kindness. Many thanks!

RON IS THE BEST HANDS DOWN ! I am constantly overcharged from other places , recommended services i…read moredon't need , am told to do maintenance wayyy before maintenance is due , waiting forever , sometimes days to get my vehicle back, etc etc etc . Ron got me in for my brakes that needed hours within me calling about it , I normally would have to arrange a ride home and wait a full day if not multiple days for basic things like coolant flush and oil changes at laird Wheaton , at Mid island automotive I was in and out so quickly I just sat in the lobby and chatted with Cammy the lovely woman that works at the front desk and was treated to coffee and a Christmas chocolate while the men worked their magic , I was shocked at how quickly the service was . The price was very reasonable and I left there happy and not feeling ripped off like every other place I've been in Nanaimo , they topped off my fluids as well . Ron and his team were extremely accommodating, kind , informative and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend Mid island automotive to friends , family or anyone needing some work done on their vehicle , I'm sure you will be as satisfied with their work as I was . Thanks so much to all the staff at mid island automotive!

Took my vehicle into Bavarian for routine service and brakes. While there they identified a…read moresignificant repair was needed and were diligent in contacting the extended warranty provider to arrange cost free repair. A month later another related concern arose and the were able to address the issue right away -- they even arranged for a local business to detail the engine to ensure all was satisfactory. Awesome service.

The tall mechanic with the beard scanned my car when the shop was very busy (I did not even have an…read moreappointment) and explained to me what was going on, and that I was safe to continue driving for the day. He was being rushed by his boss but he still stayed and explained the code from the computer to me, all while calming me down and telling me my car wasn't to break down! They were able to schedule me in and the car was fixed two days later!

needed some muffler work done - Shelby hooked me up. good experience here for me…read more Nothing else to say but they demanded 85 more characters so hope that was worth it.

This place is the worst after the new owners took over. They mark up parts over Lorco's set prices…read more. I saw a rear shock quote . My cost $160, they charged a lady $677. And I have been told their techs are to find as much work as possible on any car that enters the shop. They wanted $4900 for a minor brake job and 2 shocks . Stay away at any cost . I have been in the industry 25 years and this I have never seen business practices so bad . Stay away !!

Wonderful, honest, reliable and very reasonable service! We've been going to Alan and his team for…read moreyears. Always come away with great advise, and service. Thank you Alan for all you do for our community! Saved us so much time and money over the years. Would never go anywhere else!

From the owner: Departure Bay Automotive Service Centre in Nanaimo is dedicated to caring for your vehicle with…read morehonesty, integrity and professionalism. We provide comprehensive automotive maintenance, repairs and service to get you back on the road.

Absolutely unprofessional, scheduling times changed 3-4 times the day of the work which was…read moreplanned a week in advance. As the client and customer I adjusted my schedule to suite the changes the best I could which was actually full accommodation of all the changes which were all done through text message as he would not answer the phone after multiple tries, after another late changed I commented stating I would make it work but it's not ideal last minute to be told again by text that's how this business works and he was now cancelling the job. As all correspondence were done through text it was difficult to explain the situation due to the ongoing last minute changes. Once learning that it is an apprentice completing the work and only have completed a first year school I better understand the lack of professionalism, maturity and experience in dealing with the public. I would not recommend using this company as they are not what they advertise and are the most sensitive, selfish mechanics I have ever dealt with, they believe their time is more valuable and dictates the schedule - the appointment time is just a placeholder. Do NOT recommend.

From the owner: Trust Harder Auto Repair Ltd.—serving the community for over 18 years! We come to you, offering…read moreexpert mobile service, honest pricing, and top-quality workmanship. Keep your vehicle in peak condition—book your repair today!

Rambler on the Runway…read more This ride may not be your typical "eye candy" with its factory corral cordovan brown paint job, but it sure gets your heart pumping as she screams down the runway in the eighth-mile! At 98.25 miles per hour, it only takes her 7.2 seconds to reach the finish line. Most people associate drag racing with the quarter mile, so to be fair; 7.2 seconds in the eighth mile translates to 11.3 seconds in the quarter mile. Although she's rather plain looking, it really is what's on the inside of this baby that counts. This muscle car pumps a good 400-horse power even before she swallows a one-seventy shot of nitrous to the AMC 401 V8 engine. It's not what Richard A. Teague had in mind when he designed this third and final generation Rambler American. At a time when the "Big Three" domestic automakers (GM, Ford & Chrysler) were the dominant car designers, Dick Teague brought this non-conforming competitor on board as the lowest priced car built in the US with the best fuel economy proven through numerous wins in the Mobilgas Economy Run championships. Gord MacKay purchased this pre-cut gem in May of 2009 for a mere $800 ready to run at the turn of a key. This was not good enough for Gord. He wanted more power. Gord ripped out the stock 232 cu in (3.8 L) overhead valve straight-6 engine to fit his new 401 in preparation for drag racing. The Rambler won second place in its' first race at Rumble on the Runway in Port McNeill of 2010. This was before she even started using nitrous! Gord still holds the crystal trophy on display, but the winning payout has long since been re-invested in the car itself. When we imagine a hot rod, the Rambler wagon isn't a typical one that comes to mind. Perhaps this is because of its rarity. There were only ever 313 of these produced in 1965 and one is right here in Nanaimo! Interestingly enough, this particular Rambler was born and raised in Vancouver, B.C. and even passed air care in 2008. The rear Mickey Thompson ET Street Slicks work just as well on Nanaimo's city streets for use as a street legal grocery getter as they do on the track as a racing machine. I personally benefited from a ride down the runway as a passenger in this powerful beast. What a rush! I tried to video tape the event, but as smooth as this unibody on front coil springs with soft rear leaf units is, I really only caught the ceiling after we launched from the start line. I was lucky to ride in that race because it was apparent that the Rambler went beyond the limit of allowable speed for passengers to be safe by the racing liability guidelines. So, needless to say, she has a few secrets hidden under the rear chassis...Gord made some good ol' handmade custom modifications: Sub-frame connectors stiffen the body, traction bars to prevent axle wrap, the addition of a 4.56:1 posi narrowed rear end and 50/50 rear drag shocks. All this allows the car to perform a 1.57 second, zero to sixty foot launch. AKA, head snap! This last race, Gord won a perfect light meaning he launched on the green light at exactly the right time. Not bad for a 46 year old station wagon. View this car at Active Motorsports on Bowen Rd. in Nanaimo as I can't add pictures here. :(

Thank you Gord and John for the awesome service! We were about to board the 12:30 ferry to…read moreVancouver when the crap hit the fan and my car wouldn't start. Fortunately, our in-the-know tow truck driver referred us to Active Motor Sports and they made getting us back on the road their priority. Gord and John both worked on the car for over an hour, found and fixed the issue and had us happening in time to make the 3:00 boat! They could have taken advantage of us and charged large, but the bill was a very reasonable $60. Thanks again John and Gord!

I brought a vehicle to MTB Auto for a pre purchase inspection and they did an amazing job finding a…read morefew overdue maintenance issues while also giving me more confidence in purchasing the vehicle. Mike and his son were friendly, thorough and professional. The appointment was prompt and for a very competitive price. They also provided a detailed report I could show the car dealer. Thank you!

Have been using this garage for years with multiple vehicles. By far the best in Nanaimo, and…read moreprobably the best I've ever used, anywhere. They find the true source of the problem that others have missed, and don't default to replacing expensive parts because they can't find the real issue. These guys know cars! They are great with domestic and imports, big trucks and small cars, whatever. They are thorough, yet efficient. They also don't talk down to me, and assume that women can't understand, which has happened before. Nice guys who care about customers and doing it right. Pricing is more than fair. Easiest to approach the shop from the alley, and parking is right in front of their door.