Runge’s Auto & Tire

I’ve been meaning to write this review for a while… Runge’s Auto is hands down the best mechanic in Rogers Park. Been going here for years and they always do my repairs and routine maintenence for a great price and timeframe (usually the same day). I like that they’re a local independent business that’s family owned. And that they’ve been holding it down in the neighborhood for decades. Tim and his brothers are great. and I love that I’m always reminded of my Dad whenever I go there, who was an incredibly honest, hard working, humble, no nonsense guy. Thank you Runge’s Auto, you are a true gem.

It is a huge disappointment for me to find out that Runge’s has significantly overcharged me by almost 100% in their recent work on my BMW X3, after using Runge’s as my go-​to repair shop besides the Perillo BMW dealer in the past three years.
I brought my car in on 04/​18/​2016 to replace two ignition coils after the service engine light was on, and Runge’s charged me a total of $ 398, with $ 196 for labor ($ 110 for mechanic work), $ 183.4 for the two new ignition coils and $ 18.8 dollars for tax. I was surprised by the charge but they ensure me it’s the inflated parts price. I took the car back and in the second the service engine light was on again and went on and off for another 3 weeks till another ignition coil failed. I took the car back in again and they fixed in on the spot, charging me this time a total of $ 150, with $ 47 for one new ignition coils and $ 98 dollars for labor. I was again more shocked by the price difference between two repair works within three weeks. For the same kind of work, they overcharged me by $ 80 dollars more in parts and almost $ 100 dollars more for labor in their last fix. That replacing two ignition coils costs $ 100 more than two times the price of fixing one ignition coil. I questioned them about the shocking price disparity, yet they only lied to my face with excuses like, «it takes double the time to change two ignition coils than one because they are at different parts of the car», «parts price varies day by day possibly by more than 100%», etc, as if I don’t have logical thinking, or never studied physics or engineering.
I am very very disappointed at Runge’s and the owner Tim Runge, not for the 100 bucks they overcharged from me, but for they lie to make unrighteous profits. I thought I found some trustworthy guys who run business with integrity, but it turned out I was wrong.

Handing over money for car repairs is generally painful, but at Runge’s, it’s a genuinely pleasant experience (within reason guys, don’t go crazy on me now). At first, I was a little skeptical of the «you’re in, you’re out, you’re on your way» mentality, worried that potential issues would be missed and existing problems might receive «band-​aid» fixes. However, I haven’t once been disappointed in their workmanship — their fixes have been spot on, and I drive away with a car that feels like I’m driving it new off the lot (only with more confidence). Before buying my current used car, I called up Tim and Chuck on multiple occasions to ask their opinion on certain makes and models, and their brutal honestly helped guide me to the car that was a perfect match and the best value for my money.

I hit a pothole near Belmont coming home last night and had to limp from Belmont to Rogers Park knowing full well I was taking a chance that whatever punctured the tire could get worse. Runge had done occasional work on my car through the years and I knew exactly who to contact. My car is 10 years old, foreign and damaged rims would be hard to locate and expensive to replace. I knew I would get an honest price and the straight truth about replacing the rim and tire if I went to Runge. I called cold not identifying myself, asked about availability and they encouraged me to come right over. Upon arrival, they took me immediately, inspected the rim and determined there was no damage and that all I needed was a replacement tire. Luckily they had a spare that fit my car and could install it while I waited. I was in and out in about 35 minutes and I could not be happier with the price, the willingness to help immediately and the speed at which the whole process concluded. That has always been the case each time I have taken my car here and I have never driven away disappointed or feeling that they did not do a complete job.

Wow this place is great. My car had a very low tire so I drove it over to Runge’s. They patched the tire and I was ready to go in half an hour. It was quick, cheap, and they were incredibly nice. I know absolutely nothing about cars but they took the time to explain to me where the nail went into the tire and why it only needed to be patched and not completely replaced. I’m so glad I discovered this place!

I plan on bringing my car here for future service. Got a flat tire and they took good care of me. They made sure I got the correct size and tread for my Subaru. The owner could have sold me anything but personally made sure the tire tread was correct because an incorrect tire would potentially mess up my transmission.
As I waited for my car, 6 customers came in. They all were treated with courtesy and respect. I’ve always disliked some mechanics because I’ve felt I was being fleeced. Not at this place. Looking for a fair deal and good service, give these guys a call.

We have taken our Honda to Runge’s for several years and have always had prompt, excellent, and fair-​priced service. They are great mechanics. It’s nice to have a mechanic you can trust!

Whatever you do I highly, with honesty, do not recommend going to this business for your car repairs.
I was lied to for several weeks by the owner Tim Runge. I was promised a replacement rim on my car which was supposedly sent to him twice from Germany over the course of 3 weeks but the size was wrong. Then he wanted to give me «American Racing Rims» on my Volkswagen 2004 R32… Pep Boys rims… However little Timothy who stands below me at at shorter height was quick to snatch the payment but wanted to prolong me with his BS about how he will take care of everything. The truth is he wants to get rid of his business. The truth is I left countless UNRETURNED messages with numerous people at the shop. The truth is he replaced my front passenger side quarter panel, door, and side skirt that has bondo marks all over it. The truth is my overall experience with Timothy Runge and the quality of body work was absolute SHIT. How this business is rated 5 stars I have no idea. State Farm served their purpose in my accident but Timothy failed to take his oath on customer service and statements he made about taking care of my car. You my dearest friend Timothy are full of BS and your business will fail miserably if you are treating others with this same level of respect. That is the truth. Karma is a b… Be careful what you wish for «brother» which is what he called me when we shook hands upon receiving the check. Well here’s my reality check for you. Keep laughing to the bank…

it’s a good feeling when you have a heart behind a machine. Tim and Chuck are prime people as well as men who know quirks of cars — and how to smooth out the kinks.

Awesome service… every time I have had my tires replaced at a regular auto care chain, I was always charged for extra stuff. These guys were straightforward, gave me only what I needed (a new tire), and the staff were friendly and to-​the-​point. I’d totally go back!

Installed my spoiler while I waited and didn’t gouge me! These guys are awesome!

I Purchased used tires from these guys and over the winter both tires were getting low. I figured it was because of the cold. Than I noticed 1 tire was loosing air recently. I took the vehicle there and asked for and estimate on the specific tire and mentioned the other one too. I waited about 30 minutes. The guy said I cant fix it and i don’t have any used or new tires. I said okay so after a few minutes he came out and said its $ 30 for sealing the rim and a new stem. HUH??? I said I never authorized any work. He kept repeating that we sealed the rim. I said again we never discussed work just an estimate. So he tears up the invoice and as he’s walking back to the car area he says I don’t have time for this and don’t come back. WOW how unprofessional. He brings out my car and says here’s your car. Geez thanks! I guess I wont come back ever.

Thees guys have GOT to be the nicest people on EARTH. Honest as the day is long and highly competent mechanics as well at VERY fair prices, especially considering where they are located. They were so very very very nice to me and if I lived in Chicago, I wouldn’t take my car ANYWHERE else. Great people – go there and you’ll see for yourself.

Can’t say enough good things about Runge. I’ve been bringing my cars to them for many years and have always had great service – friendly, quick, thorough – at a very fair price. Even though I moved out of the neighborhood I still bring my car up here anytime it needs work and can’t imagine going anywhere else!

Great guys! You really feel like you are being taken care of. Family run. Fair and reasonable prices, fast service and you do not feel like you are being ripped off. I will never take my car anywhere else!!!1

This was my go-​to garage for years but I had a horrible experience and would never ever go back.
I had a 1992 Taurus. I was told by the mechanic that if I got a tune-​up and got the breaks and front end done my car would be good for years because it was mechanically sound.
About 8 months later the car was running horribly and the engine light kept coming on. The same person that sold me the earlier repairs said I needed a tune-​up and the car would be fine. I pointed out that I had a tune-​up less than a year earlier, so one of the older gentlemen who used to run things came over and said he would go over my car with a mechanic.
He came back to me with an extensive list of repairs that would have cost thousands of dollars He said the car was basically totaled and unfixable because the cost of the repairs so far exceeded the value of the car.
But if I had listened to the younger guy I would have wasted money on a tune-​up. Not only that, but many of the things that were wrong with the car that day were no doubt also wrong with the car when I had the breaks and front end work done 8 months earlier, but rather than be honest about the mechanical state of my car they decided to soak me for repair bills as much as possible.
I felt that they cheated me into making expensive and pointless repairs and I would never go back.

If I could give ten stars I would. These guys were so nice it almost made me uncomfortable. Not because of anything they did of course, just because I’m so out of practice dealing with really nice, truly helpful, EXTREMELY accommodating service. Holy crap and they’re also fast and SO reasonably priced.
I stopped in after work on my way home from the train to see if they would have time to fix a flat, and was prepared to sprint home to get my car, but Thomas drove me to it! I can’t even imagine any other business doing that for a complete stranger/​first time customer. I’m almost looking forward to the next thing that goes wrong with my car.
These guys are great and I’m really glad I stopped in.

Runge’s is simply the best.
I gladly travel from Wicker Park to their shop each time I have a problem, because an honest mechanic is priceless. The work is always done well, efficiently, and for the right price. Most importantly, you know that you are not being ripped off.
The only sad thing is that their amazing dog is no longer guarding the waiting room (read: sleeping in the middle of the floor).

Had it with these guys.
I’ve taken my car here several times only because they’re within walking distance of my house. Every experience has been bad: parts lost or forgotten, additional (though minor) damage to the car, incomplete or incorrect repairs. I kept going because so many other people say they’re great and because of the convenience. And to their credit, the work has been fairly priced and done in a timely manner.
Today I went in at ten til noon to see about getting a flat fixed. No one behind the counter. The guy who did walk by in the shop barely acknowledged me and I had to shout him down to get any service.
I explained the situation to him. He said his guys were going on lunch and asked what I wanted to do. «What can I do?» I said. «Take it somewhere else?» That, or come back at one, he said.
My response may have been a little snarky, but given my previous experiences and today’s reception it didn’t seem out of line.
So I’m taking my own advice and finding another shop. Maybe you should, too.

Phenomenal. I took my car there this morning and was in and out in probably 15 minutes.
The heat shield on my catalytic converter had partially rusted out and was dragging on the ground making a really annoying noise. I called Monday and they told me it did not really need to be replaced, they could just remove it. Awesome. Said they could fit me in on Wednesday so I went fully expecting to have to leave it there for the day and take the El into work. Nope, they fixed it immediately and only charged me $ 20.
The ONLY negative of the Runge shop is that it is unclear that you need to park on the street and then go into the office. Do *not* pull into the garage area if you approach from the north. That’s for the Runge guys only and it is a bit of a nightmare to back out of back onto Rogers.
I see some of the negative comments relate to the «bedside manner» of the employees. If you are expecting the Fletcher Jones experience with coffee, valet service and ass-​kissing, go elsewhere and pay 5 times as much. These are regular guys.