Looking for 500e Maintenance Options in the Bay Area

[SilverBerg96]

Hello, everyone.
I'm in a bind and could really use some advice. My Berkeley dealership (McKevitt) abruptly closed, and I am now unable to find anywhere within 100 miles that provides 500e service or maintenance. I still have a few years left on my warranty, so I'm stuck here trying to figure it out.

I called Fiat USA, and they suggested I go to a private mechanic and bill them for reimbursement, which is fine, but I need to find a shop that can service it first. My regular mechanic in Oakland has no experience with electric vehicles, so that is a no-go.

Does anyone in the Bay Area have any recommendations for a dealership or service center that works on the 500e? I would appreciate any leads. Thanks!

 

[FriedRice90]

Hi! I saw your thread and I called a cousin I have in the Bay Area. I am from Utah, so I couldn't help you. He told me that shops such as EVgo in San Francisco or EcoAuto in Oakland may have the expertise you need. Let me know if it helps.

 

[hulksmash]

Most of the maintenance stuff and a bunch of the parts that go kaput are pretty much the same as gas cars - think 12V battery, tires, wipers, bulbs, that pesky left door handle, hatch release, and rear wheel bearings. So your mechanic in Oakland can totally tackle it just like he does with regular rides!

 

[f.r.a.n.k.]

Why not check out a trustworthy indie shop for your car maintenance instead of hitting up the dealer? An EV specialist could be a solid choice, but it’s not a must, it might just save you from those crazy service costs. Just a little nugget to consider, especially with how those electrons can rack up!

 

[Sasquatch55]

Totally agree with @f.r.a.n.k.! For maintenance stuff, hitting up an indie shop is way smarter than going to the stealership. Those folks just love to hit us with their crazy prices!

 

[SilverBerg96]

Why not check out a trustworthy indie shop for your car maintenance instead of hitting up the dealer? An EV specialist could be a solid choice, but it’s not a must, it might just save you from those crazy service costs. Just a little nugget to consider, especially with how those electrons can rack up!

hmmmm I hadn’t thought much about indie shops for EV maintenance, but you’re right. it could definitely save me from those dealership service costs. The only tricky part is finding one that has experience with the 500e, especially since my usual mechanic isn’t familiar with electric cars.

I’ll start looking around for an EV specialist or maybe even an indie shop that’s willing to take it on. It’d be great to find someone who knows their way around EVs without the steep dealership prices.

Do you happen to know of any shops in the Bay Area that you’ve heard good things about? I’m willing to travel a bit if its reliable !