Calhoun Beach BP

It’s been a year and a half since I last visited this shop for truck repairs. I brought it in at 8am, and they called a few hours later, with the work done. Although I would have preferred a call before they started fixing anything, I assume they didn’t because I was pretty sure when I brought it in that the problem was a warped brake rotors, and it was. As always, they fixed the brakes in no time and it cost a whole lot less than the dealership!

Car wash did not dry my car on the passenger side. I had to dry it using paper towels. When I went in to tell someone, the cashier didnt seem like he was able to work the register for the guy in front of me, after waiting a minute or two, I said something to guy in back at the service counter, he said «you gotta tell that to the other guy». Whatever… poor customer service and poor car wash for the Calgoun Beach Club area as far as I’m concerned. I’m a LYFT driver and wash my car two or more times a week. I’ll find another location that appreciates my $ 13 more.

Called and talked to a Kevin I believe, told him I needed an oil change on my 84 TD Mercedes and was shopping around for the best price. He quoted me at roughly $ 20 and said he would throw in a coupon for a tire rotation as well. I was pleased and made an appointment for a Saturday afternoon. But when I got there, the man seemed flustered and said «You have an appointment?! Really? We’ll try to fit you in.» He then went on a rant about all the different types of oil I could choose from and said it runs at $ 100 bucks depending on the size of the oil tank. Very far off from what I was quoted… I told him I explained that I had talked to someone about the fact that my car was a diesel and didn’t take synthetic oil like most and was still quoted at $ 20. I went ahead with them doing the oil change, using the second best oil recommended for my vehicle. They told me they would call me when it was ready, which was typically in an hour.
1.5 hours later, no call from BP so I decided to walk back to see what was going on. They still had my car up on the lift, and the MAXX working on it was slamming my doors around. He seemed upset. When he parked the car in front of where I was sitting on the car, he just handed me my keys and said «Your car doesn’t turn off» and walked away.
Obviously upset, I asked what he did to my car. He lashed back at me and said it was doing that to him since he started working on it and that it wasn’t his problem.“I only did your oil, I didnt touch the rest of your car!” I said it was his problem because it wasn’t doing this prior to dropping it off. His response was that he didn’t buy that and that it seems to him that it had been doing this for a while.
I was on the verge of crying, mostly out of frustration with this amature mechanic. My car is how I receive my income, and I practically live out of it. I think everyone can relate to how inconvenient and discouraging it can be when a problem arises with your vehicle you use daily (especially women).
The most unnerving thing, he didn’t even try to help me figure out why it wasn’t turning off, he just walked away in a rush. His attitude was so negligent, I would be embarrassed having someone like that representing my company.
With a little searching of the web, I was able to figure out the problem myself. Brilliant MAXX had somehow managed to unplug my vacuum hose and wasn’t able to figure that out.
Word to the wise, don’t do any business with this shop.

These guys are busy, so you should make an appointment for even small things like an oil change. They are always done when they say (usually under an hour). There are a load of choices of places to go within 1 block in 2 different directions. Always polite and pleasant. But what counts even more than all of this is that I trust them. Twice I was asking for services that they then told me that I really didn’t need yet. A lesser garage would have simply done the work and charged me, without any consultation to let me know that the service was not yet needed. And on top of all this, they constantly run offers and send out local coupon flyers for well priced regular maintenance.

I recently moved to the Lake Calhoun area and was on the lookout for a honest service station. I had a reputable location where I had taken my car for years but was hoping to find someplace closer to my new home for future needs.
Calhoun Beach BP was really close, pretty much walking distance so I decided to give them a try starting with an oil change, which they were having a special on. John the service manager was my first point of contact. He was wonderful on the phone in setting up my appointment and continued with the positive demeanor when I went in for my oil change appointment. (A free touch-​less carwash was included with my service.) Every time you get a service here, a car wash is included; this is a bonus in my book!
It turned out that I had a leak in my water pump and the serpentine belt was replaced at that time also. I called a friend and told them what the service suggestions for my car were and this person KNEW my car and agreed that this work was indeed needed! Now you have to realize, I drive a 1997 Saturn… the very same car I drove off the lot when it was new, so nobody gets excited when they see my vehicle! If you make some calculations in your head, you will figure out that I am an older person.
It was pouring rain the day I left my car to be serviced by the Calhoun Beach mechanic team, and John (service manager), offered me a loaner car. I have to tell you John gave me stellar customer service… they did great work on my car, they looked over the rest of it and I’m sure as old as it is, they could have easily come up with more things that were wrong with it, but they didn’t! They fixed what needed fixing and John was one of the nicest service station personnel representatives that I have done business with.
My point is this… a lot of times, I notice places tend to give really great customer service to stunning looking people… or people who look like they have got it together or who are young! Believe me I have experienced and observed many places that have personnel who ‘zone out’ when an older person needs help. John made me feel like my old car was important and that above all, there would be integrity involved when it came to the work that needed to be done on my car! INTEGRITY is huge with me! I’m giving 5 stars to my two recent experiences with John who heads up the service department at Calhoun Beach BP! The car runs GREAT!
This is the kind of service that makes me want to tell other people about it… and yes, I am an older person, but think about this… if it was your mom or grandmother going to a service station by herself… wouldn’t you want somebody to treat her with respect, honesty, caring and integrity? Exactly my point! I’ll be going back there in the future.

If you ever need any work done on your car and want an honest, straightforward answer come here. John the service department manager will always treat you right and you can’t beat the customer service you will receive from him. I take all my cars here and have never had a bad experience. I moved to the cities and didn’t have my local hometown mechanic anymore and I will tell you they sure earned my vote

Their car wash is touchless so not great for a really dirty vehicle, but it’s quick and convenient for maintenance washes and getting salt off your vehicle. It’s also enclosed and heated so you can get your car washed when it’s 0 degrees outside. On Wednesdays you can buy a 5 wash package for half price, and you have to pay at the register where you get a code for the wash. If there are 3 – 4 cars waiting in front of you for the wash, expect to wait 15 minutes.

I see some people don’t like this gas station for the car service, but it’s a gas station not a dealership after all, so I set my expectations pretty low. With that said, I’m satisfied.
The location is prime. I live across the street and can count on getting quality premium gas here. They offer an electric charging station which seems pretty rare. They also have a FREE air station if your tires are getting low.
My car battery died and I got it jump started then took it to BP. A technician quickly came out and advised that I might not need a new battery and that my alternator was fine. It turned out my battery was on its way out but I’m thankful he didn’t try to sell me a new battery as I wanted to go elsewhere. I really appreciated him checking my battery and alternator current levels without going for the quick sell.
All in all, convenient location to buy gas, small shop w nice attendants for the most part, and some free services.

This was my regular gas place due to the convenience of their location. However, I have to admit that I never felt safe any time I needed to see the cashier. The scenery is not any different than a dangerous, Southern Chicago gas station inside the shop.
Recently, my car got some starting problems, and I made the mistake of having them check. After a diagnostic check, I was told that it should be my battery. In my stupidity, I let them replace the battery, which left me with a car of all sorts of warning signals on (including engine check), along with a non-​functioning air-​conditioner.
I will update my review accordingly once my car is back from a certified service provider, however, from a decent repair shop, I would have expected not to touch a car if they don’t know what they are doing (even if it sounds as simple as a battery change which I could have done by myself) or if they do not have the equipment/​scanners necessary.

Wade is correct about their car repair service. They pulled the exact scam on me as well.
This place is the type of auto repair service that many people fear. They will tell you something is wrong with your vehicle no matter what. Either a sway bar link or wheel bearing.
DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY BY BRINGING YOUR VEHICLE HERE!

Gas prices here tend not to be competitive but what do you expect with a prime location like this? The location has a view of Lake Calhoun and also has convenient access. I have only stopped here to refill and have not been inside the store or used the car wash or repair facilities.
Bonus: They have chargers for electric cars.

Who doesn’t love a gas station that over looks a lake view! BP is the only gas station that has 93 octane around the twin cities that I know of. I have seen race gas available further up north though! They also have an electric charger here for those new fangled eco friendly cars. And the best part is they are right across the street from punch pizza, which makes going to BP to get our high octane and a car wash totally convenient for date night.

DO NOT USE FOR CAR REPAIRS!!!
I had them fix a wheel bearing for me. The first issue was they put the new bearing on the wrong side and didn’t bother test drive my car to see if the issue was fixed. They did correct the mistake for free but it took them another hour and a half. After all that, the bearing when bad again after a month!
My wife had a blinker replaced there as well and they didn’t replace the screws for the panel underneath the car so when she was driving it came loose and start rubbing against the front tire. Now I have no way to fix because the screws are gone forever! Plus the blinker was not secured properly and is loose.

It’s a gas station so it’s hard to love on it too much, but the service here is great.
I used to go to the Jiffy Lube right down the street from this place to get my oil changed simply because I never thought to go anywhere else. But after being charged $ 54 for an oil change there about a year ago, I finally started thinking about going elsewhere. As if on karmic cue, I received a coupon for service at this BP so I tried it out and I’ve been going back ever since.
True, it’s just an oil change, but they don’t charge you $ 54, they tell you where to find the coupons and they won’t try to scare you into getting other services done. And your oil change comes with a carwash. Jiffy Lube used to do that, but they haven’t for the past 4 years or so.
TIP: Call to schedule your oil change, I don’t think you can just walk in. Then walk the 1 block to Rustica while you wait (takes ~ 30 minutes, just about as long as it takes to finish a cappuccino and a ginger cookie).