I cannot recommend Foreign Affairs based on my experience. I brought my Volvo in for an oil leak. While waiting for parts, I began noticing a clicking/grinding sensation under my left foot while turning and specifically asked them to inspect the driver's side front suspension/steering. I was told everything looked good. After the cam plug repair, my car was almost out of oil on my first trip out of town a day later. I called and was told to keep adding oil. Over the next two months I added approximately three quarts of oil, far more than the roughly one quart between oil changes I had experienced before the repair. Shortly afterward, my CV axle boot tore, throwing grease around the wheel. After several phone calls, the owner acknowledged they had missed the issue I originally asked them to inspect and replaced the boot at no charge. Unfortunately, the problems continued. I was later told another cam plug was leaking and that parts had been ordered, but I never received a follow-up call. I also felt my concerns about the persistent clicking/grinding were repeatedly dismissed, and different invoices described the complaint differently than I had reported it. I ultimately sought a second opinion. Another shop repaired the remaining cam plug leak for less than foreign affairs charges, replaced the CV axle, and was able to remove the axle without replacing the transmission after I had been told I might eventually need one because the axle was seized. What disappointed me most wasn't that my older vehicle needed repairs--it was the communication and how difficult it was to get clear answers. I also felt frustrated that my final bill exceeded the quoted amount because a coolant top-off was added without asking me first. Throughout all of this Jeff told me to "give him a break, we are overwhelmed". I left feeling less confident in my car than when I brought it in, and I cannot recommend this shop based on my experience. read more

I brought my 1993 300 ZX convertible to Foreign Affairs last summer because it was running rough. I pointed out to them that it might well be the fuel injectors. However they thought it was spark plugs. When i went to pick up the car they informed me it couldn't be picked up because they didnt realiize the didnt order coils.That was the first delay. . After spark plugs failed to make a difference, they then agreed it was probably the fuel injectors. For a period of 4 to 6 weeks they kept the car and informed me that they though they were trying every day they couldn't locate fuel injectors. I finally became so frustrated that I searched for them and found them in one phone call. Things got worse though, when they installed the fuel injectors for what they told it was going to be $1500 and then me an additional $700 with no explanation. When I point that out,they took the $700 off, with no explanation as to why the overcharge was there in the first place. They had also represented that they would keep this collector car in the garage while they were holding it ,but they clearly never did ,as it was clearly dirty from several rains, and more importantly there were several stains on the door upholstery from the mechanic getting in and out. This is the worst experience I've ever had with any auto repair shop, and having car disease that has led me to purchase many older cars over the years I have dealt with several. read more

Foreign Affairs has been marinating my Volvo XC 90s since the mid nineties. They are excellent technicians, people to work with, and resourceful in problem solving. Can recommend them without qualification. read more

I like them because they're honest and knowledgeable. They get you as fast as they can.

I was so happy to find a place in Duluth to do brake service on my MINI. I also got an oil change. I used to drive to Minneapolis for service at the dealer but it was so inconvenient. Jeff was very helpful and knowledgeable. None of the other mechanics that I had called in town were familiar with MINIs. I will be coming to Foreign Affairs from now on. read more

Good services and pretty fast turn around time. I have a 2015 Volvo XC60, I trust these guys to work on it knowing that I wont have to make a visit to the Volvo dealership in the cities! read more

It keeps getting better: for you parents out there who know the anxiety about young drivers and old(er) cars, read here my gratitude to Foreign Affairs for all the help they give our family (and have given over many years). They continue their excellent advice and great service with every phone call and every visit. Priceless. read more

I'd leave no stars actually. Told them the problem, solution, and I wanted it repaired hopefully the same day since I live 150 miles away. It took a week to get into their garage. Arrived and dished out $150.00 for them letting me know they filled it with freon and the A/C doesn't work. They said they'd call me and order a new A/C compressor. The moment I walked out the door I knew I would never hear from them again. I didn't. Don't waste your time or money with this organization. Lack of enthusiasm and all they did was take the money and run. read more

I can't say enough good things about Foreign Affairs. They care about doing the job right and they followed up to make sure I was satisfied. They are friendly and know what they are doing. I'm very satisfied. read more

Foreign Affairs is the best place in town. Excellent knowledge of cars and thorough reliable work that you can count on! I wouldn't go anywhere else. THE BEST! read more

Left scratches on my trunk. Left the door trim sitting on my seat, not sure why it was off in the first place. So many screws and pieces of my car just sitting in my door panel! Do I throw them away... ? Do they need to go back in their spot?? ALSO lost pieces to my key fob. DO NOT TAKE SHIT APART IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MENTAL CAPACITY TO NOT LOSE PIECES. NOTHING was put back together. My entire backseat was out of its spot, fuse panels all taken off and sitting on the floor. Absolute mess of a shop. Charged me over $300 to fuck up my car and unplug a censor. AND I have to replace the key fob. And left a gross liquid in my ashtray. NEVER AGAIN! read more

When you drive a beater, it is imperative to know a good mechanic. Foreign Affairs in the Chester Park area is a good mom and pop shop that is upfront about their availability to get something in, honest in their pricing, and does quality work. They aren't the cheapest or the most expensive. They aren't the fastest, but if it can be done same day they say so. During the summer, expect them to be running a skeleton crew around the big summer holidays. I've had my car in for servicing 3-4 times in the last few years and I've always been pleased with the work and the customer service. Two thumbs up! read more

I love this shop! They do great work the first time and Don't do work you don't need just to fleece the bill. Integrity is very important to them. They are a very busy shop so you might need to wait a week to get in but that's just fine with me. It shows me that they are in high demand which is a good thing. They also have a guy that specializes in all things Saab. If you own a Saab you realize how important that is when dealing with their quirky electrical systems. Do yourself and your wallet a favor by getting the job done right the first time by them. read more

I've taken my Volvo's here for years, and I've always been totally pleased with the service. The business is professionally run and the workers know their stuff. I've never had a bad experience with them. read more

I will never go here again. Bought some wheels from them that I think were bent. They won't take them back. No returns phone calls either after I left two messages. They kept canceling my appointments. Not a good way to do business people ! read more

I have brought several cars into this shop over the years & have never been "sold" services I didn't need. I can confidently bring my car there for inspection. That's the best kind of relationship, trust. read more

Foreign Affairs is a very visible foreign car repair service in the Twin Ports area, touting themselves as the largest such shop in the region. As an owner of European classics ranging from the 1960s and 1970s to modern German and Scandinavian vehicles, I can say that despite numerous chances, this is a business that consistently failed to meet expectations. Locals know that this is an old shop whose expertise centered on air-cooled Volkswagons, and quite honestly, this seems to be their only strong suit. They can't seem to fix a modern Audi or Volvo to save their lives, even on simple things like brakes. Likewise, they are notorious for pulling apart your car, putting it back together and then mentioning something else requires repair that could have been done at the same time. I've had this happen on several occasions, as have several of my friends and colleagues. It seems that their business model is predicated on this quite disingenuous practice. Sadly, it's somewhat of a desert in Duluth when it comes to independent shops that specialize in European cars. That's probably why this shop has stayed in business longer than it should have and has been able to expand into "service" of vehicles far beyond their technical knowledge or expertise. read more