Russell’s European Service

Russell and Jorge have been amazing for the last 20 years, two Saabs & two Volvos. Not only do my family and I trust them, but we also consider them friends. Great work and great people!

So I own an older (2001) Volvo. At my last oil change I was informed the drain plug could not be removed. I took it to a full service garage and was told the same thing. These were places open on weekends, which fit my schedule. I thought I would need to replace the oil pan and bought one. Took it to Russell to get it installed expecting to pay a lot. LBG story short, Russell was able to remove the stuck drain plug and change the oil all for less than I typically pay for an oil change.
IF YOU OWN A VOLVO OR SAAB UOU NEED TO KNOW THIS GUY !!!

Above and beyond my expectations is all I can say. The staff is extremely friendly, the work was done quickly and thoroughly, they are military friendly and the facility is clean. The entire establishment is well taken care of and that shows a lot.

Russell & George are my go to guys! Russell took care of my grandma, my mom, & now me. They will have my service as long as I own a Volvo! As a team they provide exceptional service. Very fair & honest about all car issues. Reasonable pricing. Clean shop, nice waiting room, extremely knowledgable men. Service is always completed timely. Russell & George are very personable and friendly. They do such an amazing job.
They are the only shop who will ever work on my car!
Forever customer.
If I could give 6 stars, I would in a heart beat.
If you have a Volvo or Saab you must take your car here! You will NOT be disappointed.

Russell and George are awesome! Just started taking my 240 to them and they have been lifesavers. Very reasonable and helpful mechanics with integrity!

Rus is awesome!!! I have going to him for about 15 years and has always been an excellent trustworthy mechanic. I would highly recommend him to anyone.

*CAUTION*
Man if I could give this «mechanic» negative stars and get my hard earned money back that’d be great. but unfortunately that is impossible.
I’ve brought my Volvo S60s and XC90 to get them tuned up and turned out he NEVER did any service to the car but did manage to empty the oil from the cars also worsen the condition on my cars and didn’t forget to bill me for the job he didn’t do. I TRUSTED him so I didn’t bother checking if he did the job. Until the cars started acting up and so I was getting skeptical about the work he supposedly did, and when I checked the oil dipstick was dry as bone. Took it to another mechanic to get the oil change watched that mechanic empty the little oil the car had and it was all burnt and dark. Pshhh never going to seek this SHADY JERK for his service.
He does seem like a good and friendly guy, but that’s all for show. But all he wants is your money. He’s nothing but a THIEF and a CON ARTIST.
Honestly words can’t describe how disappointed I am of him. I can’t stand «mechanics» of his kind.
but what comes around goes around.
I hope he gets what he deserves.
****So word of advice check your car before you take it to him and check it after you take it to him. (take pictures if you have to.) you have every right to see what he’s doing to your car and what he’s putting in your car.****
good luck.

Above and Beyond Super Fantastic Service and Awesome Staff here at Russell’s.
Very trustworthy, reliable and highly recommended. A place with honesty, expertise and integrity.
Russell’s earns the business the old fashioned way, excellent customer service!

Wow… I remember Russell like it was yesterday. It’s been years ago, the 80s, brought my Fiat Spider to Russell on many occasions.
I was in the Coast Guard stationed in San Pedro… I believe his dad was retired Navy.
Anyway, great service, great guy and really glad to hear his business is still booming.
I think I might stop by for ol’ times sake when I’m in town again.
Smitty

Took my 06 9 – 3 Aero to Russells yesterday. Verry cool and straight forward guy, honest and understands the customer point of view. i decided to do the repair myself since i have replaced a couple of ignition coils in the past, Russell did not even charge me for the diagnostics. i am not from around here, and i am so glad i found this shop. Highly recomend.

Hands down the most honest mechanic I ever met and I only spoke with him for less than 20 minutes… the dealer said I needed a new rack and pinion which would have cost me
turns out nothing was wrong with my rack it just wasn’t put in correctly and Russell fixed it and answered my concerns. Will be going back soon… thx Russell

Not your typical repair shop!
I have taken 2 of my cars here. Each time I have been there I have been treated like family. I couldn’t believe I was at a car repair shop and getting such attentive service. Prices are very fair. I was given different options on the repairs I needed-​I wasn’t pressured to make the more expensive repair.
I HIGHLY recommend this shop!

Russell’s is excellent. Love the service and very fast. He does great work and has it done when he promises. If you have a Saab or Volvo, go to him.

Uhmmm, everyone who wrote reviews should probably get a second opinion on the work. I have spent thousands of dollars at Russell’s and thought he was completely trustworthy but that is far from true. Nothing has been fixed. I have a 2004 s80, under a 100,000 miles. Any Volvo specialist should be able to fix whatever issue is going on that is causing my car to not pass the smog test. Guess what Russell did. Turned off the check engine light and charged me $ 400. The guy i took it to after said it looked like he had just thrown parts at it and was guessing what was wrong. Finally passed the smog test no thanks to russell. I was just like the people who wrote great reviews, but in the long run, his fast talking and «baby ill fix it you know i have your back» phrases are all an act. One of the scummiest mechanics iv come across.

Discovering an honest, good, fast, fair, affordable, and (again) honest mechanic in SoCal is cause for celebration, and Russell & George certainly deserve to be celebrated.
The fuel pump on my Volvo needed replacing ASAP, and Russell got me in and out within 24 hours, while saving me $ 200 on the part (which I verified online afterwards… he could’ve easily charged me those extra 2 bills). AND they charged my spare battery for free, AND they replaced my burnt out taillight for free — which I didn’t even ask them to do, they just took it upon themselves to do it.
Dealing w/​car repairs is nobody’s idea of fun, but if you gotta do it, go with the best. Seriously, all these 5-​star reviews are no exaggeration… Russell’s European Auto Repair is hands down the BEST car repair service I’ve ever come across.

Thank you, thank you, thank you fellow Unilocalers for this recommendation! Russell and George are the best! Best experience I’ve had with car repairs for my Volvo! They are super reasonable on their rates and really honest about what’s going on with your car! I highly recommend this shop! GREAT, GREAT, GREAT!!!

My husband has been asking me to write this review for a long time, and I am happy to finally remember. We have been going to Russell’s for a few years now, and my husband (who is both knowledgeable about cars and fairly picky about who he gives work to) couldn’t be happier with the work performed, customer service, and fair prices. Russell has actually become more of a friend now that our teenage son is driving. Russell takes care of him as if we were family. Can’t say enough about this business — it is the best.

I’ve owned three Volvo’s since 1990; a 940, 850 and currently an S-​80. Russell’s has serviced them all.
Volvo’s are an investment in reliable, durable transportation. The investment is only as good as the mechanic.
My investment is secure with Russell and George. They know it. Cold.
(And they’re nice and personable.)

Yes, I believe in miracles, but they rarely happen to me (cue victim eyes).
Seriously, though, I was driving to LA to see the kid when my 20-​year-​old Volvo’s temperature gauge went full tilt. I pulled off at the very next exit and drove around looking for a gas station. The car was smokin’ like Nikki Sixx and the boys, but I couldn’t find a stupid Chevron/​Shell/​Arco anywhere!
Would you believe I passed Russell’s right then and there. It’s like my old man – who used to work on all my cars with me – just plopped it right there on the street for my taking.
After walking in, Russell assessed the problem, sent away for the part and within an hour I was back on the road. He was so kind and honest and assuring. There was a nice waiting room for me, too. Truly amazing.
It cost just under $ 100, and I thought, well, that’s okay; I wanted it fixed and I can justify little problems like that since I don’t have a car payment. I did think, however, that maybe I’d paid for expedited service… which, again, was fine.
But when I passed through the Orange Curtain (back home) I checked with my awesome regular mechanics (Value Auto Service in Costa Mesa) about the price, Tom told me that the hose Russell replaced was actually very expensive.
A miracle, I tell you.

Been going to Russell’s for many years. He is honest, friendly and fair.
I moved to OC, but still take my Volvo to Russell.