Rathmann Auto Works, Inc

It is refreshing to find a professional to work with in SOCAL. Eric is straight up and honest. If you are looking for a job done right and you are lucky enough to get an appointment, take your classic vehicle to Erik.

Erik is a great mechanic, and just a nice guy. Knowledgeable, laid-​back, thorough, affordable, and honest. It’s rare to feel undercharged by your mechanic but that’s often how I feel. Have used them several times for various issues. My only complaint, if I had one, is that they embody the old adage «you can have any 2: good, fast, or cheap». Good, definitely. Cheap, without question. Fast, ehhh, not so much. I often have to leave my car for a week or two, especially with larger issues. That said, I’ve usually not cared because I have another car I can use, so maybe that’s why my service isn’t always quick because I tell him there’s no rush. If you tell them «no rush», though, expect «no rush». I’ve never asked for quick, so I don’t know if he’d deliver or not, but I’m not docking stars for unknowns. That said, he’s busy because he’s good, and as other reviewers have said, he works on some pretty high-​end cars, so if those guys trust him, that’s a good sign. If you want a squeaky clean corporate type repair shop, this is not your place. If you want someone who will go the extra mile to save you some dough and do a great job of it, in an odd out-​of-​the-​way location, run by a chill dude who just answers his business line with «this is Erik», and don’t mind occasionally waiting a bit to get your car back, look no further.

The VERY BEST Alfa Romeo service, advice and consultation in Socal — period!
Great integrity!
Creative custom fabrication and intelligent design are specialties.
Jon Purcell

I came in with my 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV. I am extremely picky… Erik was great his diagnostics kills are unsurpassed. Most importantly and I can not say this enough when he fixes some thing he does it the way I would do it. Not have assed. He repairs or replaces so it is original. Truly exceptional work. Thanks Erik.

This place was Awesome! Eric was very very helpful, i went in there with a very tight budget and so many issues with my 2001 525i BMW. he told me that he would look over the whole car, let me know whats wrong with it and then i could just let him know what i wanted fixed. He was fast and always gave me updates, before he did anything to my car he would give me a heads up and talk to me. he let me come in when ever i wanted and would show me everything that was going on. he foxed a couple of little things for free and the things that i couldn’t afford to pay for him to do it he showed me places and resources to get the part and how to do it myself. he also showed me the best places and services to get some things done to my car that he didn’t provide.
best place i have gone to get my car worked on by far, and if i ever need anything else im coming back.

Erik is one of a disappearing breed — a sound mechanic with natural curiosity, a passion for vintage cars, a trunk full of honesty and pride in craftmanship, all with an understanding of today’s economy. Takes care of my ’93 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce like I was someone important who lived in a big house and has lot’s of friends. Thank you, Erik, and I’ll pick up some more business cards from you the next time I’m in cuz I’ve run outta the ones I’ve already given to others in recommending your services!
Just don’t get so busy you can’t take me when I need ya!
Viva curore sportiva!

While my Alfa Romeo GTV6 is not a true exotic, it is also not mundane. I have been extremely impressed with the work that Erik has done on the Alfa. His attention to detail is only surpassed by his broad expertise in automotive mechanics and fabrication. Each time that Erik has worked on my Alfa, it runs better and better.

After a recommendation from a friend, I drove my Ford F-​150 all the way from Mission Valley to R.A.W. in the Poway area. I was blown away that they had HIGH END Italian performance cars being serviced there as well. The word must be getting around. If the drivers of those vehicles trust Erik, I thought this must be the place.
I showed them the estimate from the Ford Dealer and, after performing a quick diagnostic, they determined that the repairs were ¹⁄₃ quoted by Ford.
I have taken all my vehicles there ever since. A couple of times, the only problems were as simple as loose connections in the wire harness and they just sent me on my way after a quick fix with no charge. Not so sure that if I had gone elsewhere, that I wouldn’t have been price gouged.
After my glowing recommendation, my ex-​wife and her family trust RAW with their vehicles as well.

HONEST! It’s always difficult finding an auto repair facility you can trust, but Eric proved to me he is honest and his service is reliable. Went in for an estimate for a window repair on a BMW and was quoted $ 400. It turned out to be much cheaper once he got the door apart and saw the fix. It’s nice when you can find good customer service. I was extremely happy with the results. Highly recommend.

RAW is awesome, even though my Rav 4 looks funny alongside all of the very cool cars in the shop. Erik is great, awesome service, very fair pricing. RAW goes the extra mile to make sure your vehicle is in proper running order. I would recommend Rathmann Auto works to everyone whether you have a cool exotic or a mini van erik can handle all of it.