Johnny Franklin&#x27;s Muffler

(281 reviews)

Every car owner, especially those of us with faithful 2010 rides, can be nervous when the Check…read moreEngine light appears; however, I am one of the fortunate ones who have discovered the pro's at DNA Automotive several years ago. There were several items needing immediate attention following my initial input and their thorough diagnostic process. DNA's Customer Service team member, Miquel Mendoza, walked me through findings and provided detailed info to all my questions prior to my OK'ing the work. I knew, due to previous repairs at DNA that their Technicians, Antonio Molina & Victor Ferreira would ensure that the repair work would be guaranteed and done in a timely manner. To the entire team, some of whom I have previously known, and those folks behind the scenes, that help take a local business to the next level - I am grateful! Rachel

I brought my car in for repair work after an accident, and while that portion was completed, the…read moreoverall experience was frustrating and poorly managed. Once my car was transferred to the auto body shop, it became a completely separate system, team, and process--and the two sides clearly do not communicate. This disconnect caused confusion around payments, delays, and unnecessary out-of-pocket costs on my end, including having to pay $700 for a rental car that I originally was told I wouldn't need for that long. I was told my car would be dropped off in Novato once I made a payment. I paid the auto body shop, but the repair shop had a separate payment link that I couldn't access from my phone. I showed them the issue in real time, but instead of helping or offering another way to pay, they dismissed it and said it "worked fine" for them. Because of miscommunication between their teams, my car was not actually in Novato as promised, and I had to wait around for them to figure it out, which caused even more delays and inconvenience. On top of that, the person I was dealing with refused to call and help coordinate getting my car released or delivered until I paid through their system, even though their payment link was not working properly for me, which delayed me further and resulted in additional out-of-pocket costs due to their poor communication. No one took ownership of the situation, and the staff was rude and dismissive throughout the process. While the repair work itself may have been completed, the experience across both businesses was disorganized, unprofessional, and lacked basic customer service. I would not recommend.

D & K Auto Services

(82 reviews)

I could not be more pleased with the service I received from D&K. Darrell was professional and…read moregracious, honest and competitive with his estimate, and the work was completed a day before it was originally promised. He also compted me on one part he had neglected to put in the estimate. The repair work done perfectly, & the new paint, which was a complex color, matches exactly. I would give him a 6 star review if that were possible.!!

I've been coming here for 15 years. They are always thorough and helpful. I highly recommend D& K.read more

D and K Collision Repair Center

(277 reviews)

I had an excellent experience with D & K Collision Repair Center and can't recommend them highly…read moreenough. Francisco and his team did a phenomenal job repairing my 2011 Chevrolet Silverado after it was hit in a parking lot. From the very beginning, they operated like a true first-class shop--professional, organized, and clearly experienced. They didn't just handle the repair; they also walked me through how to deal with the insurance company, helped set up a rental car, and made the entire process smooth and stress-free. The communication was outstanding from start to finish. I always knew what was going on, and the work was completed in a timely manner without cutting corners. The final result exceeded my expectations--the truck looks great. Before choosing them, I asked a few local mechanic shops I trust here in San Rafael for recommendations, and more than one pointed me to D & K. Now I understand why. While I hope I don't need collision repair again anytime soon, I wouldn't hesitate to come back if I did.

EXCELLENT! I cannot recommend this shop enough! Dealing with a damaged car is incredibly stressful…read moreand I was afraid of making a wrong decision. Francisco and his son Darell were so warm and reassuring that they instantly put me at ease. They were more than willing to answer all of my anxious questions, and from the moment I walked in, I knew this was my shop and felt completely taken care of. We all know insurance can take forever and often underpays garages for what they actually deserve, but Francisco handled the entire claim process flawlessly. As for the repair itself, the front end and paint matching by the team is absolute perfection. I feel like I have a new car. I want to say that not only did I experience solid repair work when I came to pick up my car, I also felt a sense of community and how much D&K goes above and beyond for their customers. It is a wonderful, family-owned business and I would bring my car back here again without hesitation! :)

Robin's Auto Service

(133 reviews)

We have always received the best service from Robin and his crew. We trust them 100% to keep our…read moreAcura, Lexus and Toyotas running in top shape, and over the years, have sent many friends, neighbors, colleagues and family there. Everyone came back with rave reviews and praises for Robin. Highly recommended as one of our area's best and most trusted auto mechanic.

I posted a review focused on the exceptional service - with many specifics examples - several…read moreyears ago. Consider reading that. I am posting another review, bc, imo, when any company continues to provide exceptional service, then I feel I should spend a bit of time posting again: I needed a part installed that operated all my windows and also my door locks. Robin had a mechanic install the part and he told me bc it would only take bout 10 minutes, he would not be charging me this time. I ask you - who does something like this? If you have not brought your car to RAS for repair or general maintenance , see what the experience is like. Every time I have I have received exceptional service. Of course, what I just experienced was the only time something like that happened, but if I would have been charged for an hour of time, that would have been fine with me.

Toscalito Tire & Service

4.1

(124 reviews)

We had an amazing experience with Dean and his amazing team at Toscalito Tire! Right before our…read morefamily trip, I discovered a nail in my tire and was worried we'd have to delay our plans. Dean & his team took care of us right away, quickly repaired the tire, and made sure everything was safe so we could get on the road with peace of mind. His customer service was exceptional--professional, friendly, honest, and genuinely caring. He turned what could have been a stressful situation into a seamless experience, and we are so grateful for his help. It's not often you come across someone who goes above and beyond for their customers. Dean absolutely did, and because of him, our family was able to enjoy our trip without any worries. We will definitely be coming back for any future tire needs and highly recommend Dean and Toscalito Tire to anyone looking for outstanding service. Thank you again!

I must've bought 6 sets of tires there throughout the years, always the best service and great…read morecommunication which is impressive. I also have them do oil changes and anything I can get away with not going to the dealer for. I really appreciate the guys there, Dean runs a tight ship and the prices are reasonable. I also like the San Francisco team. I will keep going back and highly recommended them.

Judy's Automotive

(74 reviews)

Very dependable and knowledgeable. Will return In the future. The car was ready as scheduled…read more She also installed a rear light lense which had not been scheduled. Beautiful job.

Judy was a life saver, she replaced the breaks of my van in another necessary repairs…read more Thank you

Marin Auto Care

(34 reviews)

Needed comprehensive air conditioner repair or replacement for my 2012 Outback 3.6r…read more My mechanic for the past 15 years couldn't get the job done over 2 weeks. I went to Marin Auto Care in the past for Smog check and asked them to evaluate my A/C. Owner Kambiz took the challenge and made my A/C run like new in 2 days. I have been a loyal customer ever since. These folks are honest and highly experienced!

Marin Auto care is amazing. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! We had a unique and strange…read moreissue with our Subaru. The first two mechanics/garages that we took our car to (a Subaru expert and also another great garage) could NOT figure out the problem. Kambiz at Marin Auto Care, figured it out in a short period of time. This was a James Bond-level problem. He is very, very skilled. Great service, really nice people. So pleased.

Mellow Motors

(266 reviews)

Cannot say enough about the excellent quality of service and value…read more I highly recommend Mellow Motor.

Mellow Motors does great work. But the last time my car got a full inspection and oil change, the…read moretire pressure and low oil sensors came on the day after the work. Liz told me they don't fix that and I'd need to get the oil topped up somewhere and go to a tire place. Of course the owner stood behind the work and fixed the sensors immediately, but telling a customer that they need to go to two more places after Mellow Motors works on their car....well I'm just lucky I was able to reach the owner.

Auto Repair Specialist

4.5

(90 reviews)

Excellent service, quality and value. Yve, Lindsey and their team are knowledgeable, solution…read moredriven and trustworthy.

Auto Repair Specialist provides high quality service at affordable price. I trust the shop to…read morerepair and mantain my cars.

Marin Motorsports

(66 reviews)

Great tuner spot. I recently relocated to Marin from the East Bay and was looking for a shop on…read morethis side of the bridge. I called and talked with Mark for a while, instantly hitting it off. They checked my engine misfires for me and fixed it quickly, honestly, and at a totally price. I'll definitely go back to Marin Motorsports for tuner needs in the future.

I used to have to drive across the bay to come here, but have since moved to the area - so: pretty…read moresweet perk for me. I have only met Scott a couple of times - instantly likeable, instantly interested in the car, issue, situation, etc. and clearly knowledgeable...but I can't tell you much beyond that. The reason I haven't dealt much with Scott has nothing to do with Scott. But, when I take my car to MM - I deal directly with their head mechanic Mark. This is because ~20+ years ago (hmm...maybe even more), I asked for a referral from gryphon moterwerke (g-werke dot com) in Berkeley for the 'best mechanic they knew of in the bay area' who might be able to get the work I needed done (minus the HEFTY price tag that tends to come with most Gryphon estimates) - Without hesitation, or even a moments consideration - almost with the affect of someone rattling off any known, irrefutable fact ... eg: 'cars have engines'. They told me 'Mark at Marin Motorsports'. At the time, I lived in Berkeley so that seemed a bit far - so I asked them if they had any suggestions closer, the answer was a hard 'No.' Awkward silence (well awkward for me anyway), - 'the only person I know of who will do the same quality work that we do here is Mark in Marin.' I was more than a little stunned by the answer - expecting at least a couple of follow up places - perhaps with caveats like 'Try XYZMotors, I hear they are good - but I dont know how trustworthy they are' OR SOMETHING. So, now I was sufficiently intrigued and I gave Mark a call and sure enough, he knew every nuance of every description I gave him of each item (salt & pepped with questions here and there). Then he told me what he thought the issue was, but obv he would need to take a look first, etc. I finally got my car out to Marin and he popped the hood, pushed here, adjusted there and gave the exact diagnosis that he had given over the phone. It was pretty impressive. Then, top it off by the fact that the cost of all of the work was almost exactly 35% of what Gryphon was going to charge to do the same. . . well ... I was sold. I have never taken another car anywhere else and never will. This is the only place to EVEN CONSIDER taking your VW or Audi (I say VW/Audi because these are the only two types of cars I have PERSONALLY ever taken there - but pretty damn sure any German car would be identically treated). Currently, I have an Audi S5 and he not only is everything I described above ... right before I leave the shop, I always ask the same question: 'given that i drive in 'XYZ' manner, what should I keep my eye on as a potential next repair / issue. He always lets me know what he thinks the next couple of issues will be and when(ish) I might start to see an issue. Never, one time, has he been wrong. Reading this review back to myself, I get that it sounds like an infomercial for Marin Motorsports - believe me it is not. You will NEVER find a more capable, honest, friendly shop - AND THEN to top it all off with a little cherry on top - it also ends up being the most affordable option!!! (every once in a while - mostly for fun at this point), I have had work done by MM and afterwards called one or two 'highly rated' shops in the area to find out what they would charge me for the list of items on my receipt. I have NEVER found a lower estimate (but did get one or two within $50 ... which in auto repair I more or less consider a 'tie').

Diamond Tire Center

(471 reviews)

I have a 2017 Chevy Bolt ,The light has been on my dashboard, letting me know something is not…read moreright with my tires . First I went to the dealer, I was told that the tires needed new sensors, that they would charge me $1,200 to do all tires . I then asked for an estimate at two other tire stores ending up at Dimond ties. They gave me an appointment the following day with the best quote of $350 to rotate the ties and replace the sensors . They rotated the tires and came back and told me that there was nothing wrong with the sensors, that the reason the service light was on was because the from tires needed air . They charged me $30.00 ! That is a company with integrity. I will be a loyal customer . This is what we all need ,a company we can trust . I was quite prepared to pay the $350 And would not have know any difference.

I was here for the second time in five years. Both times it was to install tires from Tire Rack…read more Both times went super smoothly. It's not the fanciest place, but they're easy to work with and they're fast. Last but not least, the price I paid for installation was exactly what I paid five years ago - that was a big surprise.

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Scott W.

15 years ago

(Was referred to these guys by Judys Auto (which is nearby) and I'm grateful for her help.) Having just moved here from Michigan the week prior, I wasn't too happy about having to get a repair done on my vehicle, but noise from my exhaust and lagging power were becoming noticable. Came in late on WED and Paul & Sergio(?) had my Camry up on a lift and did the initial inspection in 10 minutes. After discussing the issues and estimate, I asked if they could do it tomorrow AM and they said they could. THUR I arrived early and 45 minutes later I had a new system from the cat-converter on back for $260. Couldn't be more pleased. You can even watch them work thru the waiting area windows. Paul (owner?) was very personalable and polite. I believe they also have a shop in Santa Rosa. read more

Leonard V.

12 years ago

I was referred to Johnny Franklin's Muffler in San Refael by my mechanic in SF. Stellar service, I told him what I wanted he then put my SUV up on a rack, cut off the old muffler, put up different mufflers to my exhaust so I could hear how they sounded. I picked one, they installed it and when I got back to the city I decided I wanted the one they first suggested. I called Don the shop manager regarding my concern and he told me to bring it right in so they could make the change to the correct muffler! Outstanding group of guys. Real pros. Service with a smile! read more

daniel m.

17 years ago

dropped by one day to check out options for exhaust options for a 1991 audi. and expediently struck up a conversation about the 1984 audi coupe gt. went back and were very help full looking over and helping me check out what i had to replace on the car(things they couldn't replace(cv joints ect) was obvious they knew what they were talking about, and had allot of info on there field. not only that but the small details were great. Dan was fantastic, great people, great work. read more

Pat M.

9 years ago

I brought my 65 Cutlass in for new Magnaflow mufflers and 2.5 inch pipes out the back. Don gave me great advice, Paul and Carlos did a great job making up the pipe system from scratch. The price for them to fabricate and install the system was less than what OPGI charges you just for the parts! Do yourself a favor and take your car here for your exhaust. read more

Scott V.

9 years ago

I have a 2005 Mini Cooper S that was making a loud noise that needed immediate attention. Driving into the shop mid-week to get an opinion, but Don and his staff were able to analyze, repair the problem for $30 and I was back on the road in 25 minutes! Don also took the time to explain the what and the why for me while I waited. Great experience! read more

Jeffrey R.

10 years ago

`Don Delivers !!! Everything he promised for my 2006 Ford truck, he made good in record time, at half the cost of my regular mechanic, even had the coffee ready at 8 AM for me. I couldn't be happier, and my wife made me her local "hero" after driving the truck the next day. A BIG well done and Hurray for Don and his team....we'll be back !! read more

Ron K.

4 years ago

Don at Johnny Franklin's Muffler is the absolute BEST. He does great work at the best price and will go out of his way to help He is very friendly. You just feel good after doing business with him. I HIGHLY recommend him, his place and his work read more

Steve J.

9 years ago

Got duel exhaust for my Silverado and was more then impressed with the customer service and the quality of work done. I will definitely be a returning customer. read more

Sophia W.

727

13 years ago

I have to say this place is GREAT!. Great service, kind friendly people!, and good work at a great price!. Will definitely be coming back here again!. read more

Luis V.

13 years ago

Great Guys, Great Customer Service, they really know what they are doing. I will definitely come back. Thanks

Louie D.

11 years ago

This place is great. They go out of their way to make sure their customers are satisfied.

Max H.

13 years ago

Excellent customer service. Many thanks to Don for your help!

Dale N.

4 years ago

Nice and professional, Don is the best! Great service, quick.

Johnny Franklin's Muffler - autorepair - Updated August 2026

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Easy Automotive

4.4

(118 reviews)

We brought our new/used 2011 Honda CRV in for a trunk latch issue. Sam and the team here were…read morewonderful They diagnosed the problem quickly had to order the part so I would be able to pick up the car later in the day. I was driven back home we picked the car up all fixed Thank you Easy Automotive Kathy and Dan

My Toyota Rav 4 wouldn't start this morning finally got it to start, after I called easy automotive…read morethey said they would take a look at my car I got the battery replaced and was on my way was very fast too highly recommend this business, Daniel helped me he was very nice appreciate this place

Art's Auto Repair

(46 reviews)

Great customer service and honest repair work. They are always willing to listen and helpread more

Art's Auto Repair in Fairfax is the best place to get my car serviced. They are knowledgeable,…read morefriendly and give the best value of any automotive repair places in Marin. I have had my car serviced there for all the 16 years I've lived in Marin. I don't live in Fairfax anymore but I still rely on Art and Johnny to give me the information and service that has never been short of excellent. Don't hesitate to have your cars serviced there. Thank you Art, Johnny and your amazing team!

R and S Service

(40 reviews)

What a great guy! I took our Jeep to his shop, on a Friday, hoping he could find out why our Jeep…read morewouldn't run at idle without dying. We left the Jeep there about noon, and he said, "I can't promise, but we'll try to look at it before closing time". It turns out that we forgot to leave him the key for the lock on the engine compartment, so when he did try it was locked. So we came back at 6:30 PM (two hours after their closing time) and he was still there working on another vehicle, but he came over to look at our Jeep. He spent about 15 minutes looking at various things, then finally adjusted the mixture screws on the carburetor, and, voila, the Jeep was running great again. I asked him how much we owed him and he said, "no charge"! What a nice guy! And this isn't a one-off deal for me either. I've been using R&S for years, as a Tiburon resident, and every time, have been happy with the result.

Asked for a quote to mount/balance tires & setup TPMS…read more Quoted me $330 to change tires and another *$500* for TPMS programming and claimed it would take three hours to do. I spoke to America's Tire, Costco Tire, and another tire shop. I also posted to the forum for the car. Every single source told me it takes 5 minutes and they do it either 1) free as part of mounting/balancing or 2) roughly $10 per tire. Feels like they are just making up prices unfortunately, which is disappointing because they are so close and I would have loved to use them. FOLLOW-UP: Spoke to shop owner. He clarified, but the response is not exactly as stated. 1) the first quote was $330 + $500 for installation. I pressed and the guy insisted/mansplained me that it took 3 hours to do and he had done hundreds of them, 2) he then left me a voicemail, which I have, where he told me the updated price was $535 total, was it was not line item out as described. 3) the third call, the owner told me they would only charge TPMS if required but couldn't guarantee it and that he had to buy a $500 device and pay for updates every six months. My intent is not to harm a small shop, but I do think Yelp needs to be intellectually honest. The simple fact is that all three of the quotes he gave me were way off-market, and only when pressed did they revise their number. Don't love the revisionist history.

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They took great care of my husband's 20 years old diesel truck.. We were told by another shop he…read moreneeded ball joints as it turns out that was not the case.. Thank you Joe!

These guys are just the best. Had some failing breaks, they got me in the same day, came in $400…read morebelow their estimate and were just a pleasure to talk to. An honest and kind mechanic is a rare thing - look no further, this is the spot.

Mellow Motors

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Cannot say enough about the excellent quality of service and value…read more I highly recommend Mellow Motor.

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4.5

(38 reviews)

Petra is great about keeping you informed and the mechanics do excellent work at reasonable prices…read more I have 2 Porsches. Took one to Porsche of Marin and was very unhappy. Took the other to Baldwin's and felt assured that what needed to be done would be done right and what didn't need to be done wouldn't be done just to charge me a fortune. They have a wait sometimes but the confidence is well worth it.

I took my 2015 Porsche 911 turbo s to Baldwin's for an oil change as their prices seemed more…read morereasonable than other shops. They finished the oil change on time. When I got home, I noticed coolant dripping from the rear. I immediately called them as I thought it was oil. The owner immediately called me back and told me that to be safe I should not to drive the car. When I checked the coolant level was full. They arranged, at their cost, a flat bed to pick up the car. On examination (pressure test) it was determined that the coolant cap (they had checked the coolant) was likely old and not sealing well. They replaced the cap at their cost. No more leaks. I was impressed with their commitment to their custmers, honesty and highly recommend them.

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D & K Auto Services