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Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC

San Diego, CA

4.7
260 Reviews
Historically, California begins in San Diego. America's finest city is known throughout the world for its unique climate, natural harbor, canyons and tablelands. But most of all it's known for all its cherished traditions of hospitality and neighborliness. It's a place where a handshake on a deal still means something. Marvin K. Brown, born in Detroit, Michigan and founder of Marvin K. Brown Auto Center in Mission Valley, believed in those respected traditions. He came to California in 1911. He loved San Diego and made it his home in 1938. He served as Sales Manager for San Diego's Don Lee Cadillac and, through the war years, as its General Manager. After supervising various Los Angeles GM Dealerships, he knew the finest city was the place to be. In 1950, he had the opportunity to buy a dealership of his own in San Diego and opened for business in downtown. He loved the town and the people and saw opportunity and exciting development in store for the future. And San Diego loved him too. His pre-high rise downtown dealership flourished. He was a popular figure in San Diego life: President of the San Diego Motor Car Dealers Association, active in the Lions Club, La Jolla Presbyterian Church and a seven year board member of the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. Brown always had his eyes open for expansion and growth; the kind of vision that marks each and every successful San Diegan. Jim Brown joined his father in the business in the 1960's after college and a stint at the General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. Jim Brown learned the family well, from parts runner to Used Car Manager, and succeeded his father as dealer principal in 1964. Brown Senior's vision of San Diego's growth rubbed off on son Jim. And in 1967, Jim Brown chose one of the wild sides of the San Diego river for the new expanded home of Marvin K. Brown Auto Center. It stands there today, overlooking the incredible economic development his dad foresaw. He has also been very involved in the community and served as President of the following: San Diego Hall of Champions, San Diego Holiday Bowl, New Car Dealers Association of San Diego, San Diego Crime Commission, San Diego Chapter - Multiple Sclerosis Society, Chairman of Super Bowl XXXII...just to name a few. Marvin K. Brown broke ground for new expansion in 1965 in Mission Valley. Marvin K. Brown is San Diego's exclusive and largest Cadillac dealer in the County. It's professional staff is committed to the same quality and exacting standards that go into each vehicle produced by the prestigious Cadillac motor car division. "Buying a car at Marvin K. Brown Auto Center is different," says Jim Brown. "We want San Diego‘s GM car and truck business now and in the future. We‘ve sold and serviced many thousands of cars here since 1950 and we have a reputation for quality that our friends and neighbors expect from us. We want to continue earning their respect." Jennifer Brown is now the Dealer / Operator and a third generation family member. Visit us today!
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1441 Camino Del Rio South

San Diego, CA

92108

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Showing 260 reviews

October 01, 2026

Everything was great! I couldn't be more happy with the service that I received More

by Ryan.a.gaine
Service Price Transparency
Workmanship
Service Time
Service Communication
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Simon Freese
5.0
This rating includes all reviews, with more weight given to recent reviews.
Oct 01, 2026 -

Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC responded

Thank you for the five-star rating and kind words. We’re glad your Buick Envista service went smoothly.

September 30, 2026

Amazing Love Alex great experience Thank you Wonderful people Professional Amazing Greta job Thank you More

by Misty Starr
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Alex
Sep 30, 2026 -

Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC responded

Knowing that the service on your Cadillac XT4 felt professional and welcoming means a lot to our team. Your kind words and five-star rating mean a great deal to us.

September 30, 2026

It wasn't busy for oil change so I didn't have to wait too long. The young man that washed my car did a great job a 10?? There are 2 x marks on the passenger front and rear tires so I'm not sure if they w More

by Movin On Purpose
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Kevin and double ?? to the car wash
Sep 30, 2026 -

Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC responded

Our service department is pleased we could complete your oil change quickly and deliver a thorough wash on your Cadillac SRX. If you have any questions about the X marks on the passenger tires, please stop by or call so we can confirm the rotation for you. Your five-star review means a lot to us.

September 30, 2026

Oscar Monroy , is awesome at his job friendly very accommodating is the best at always making sure your job gets done proper. Thank you for your service. 😊 More

by Felonwalters1962
Service Price Transparency
Workmanship
Service Time
Service Communication
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Oscar Monroy five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sep 30, 2026 -

Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC responded

Knowing that our friendly, accommodating approach ensured your GMC 3500 received proper care is very rewarding. Your kind words about our service mean a great deal to our team.

September 29, 2026

Best dealership around. Excellent customer service and quality control I would highly recommend MKB to anyone buying or servicing their automobile. More

by db6
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Jennifer Brown and Oscar
Sep 29, 2026 -

Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC responded

Knowing you found our customer service and attention to quality during the service on your GMC Yukon XL exceptional means a lot to our service team. Thank you for recommending our dealership to anyone looking to buy or service their vehicle.

September 29, 2026

Always excellent and professional with work on my vehicles Always excellent and professional with work on my vehicles and every time Very knowledgeable More

by Cdblake1
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Oscar
Sep 29, 2026 -

Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC responded

Thank you for your five-star rating and kind words! Knowing you find our service on your Cadillac Escalade ESV consistently professional and our team knowledgeable means a lot to us.

September 29, 2026

awesome my experience was awesome very cordial and profesional was a great experience hoping work with him again More

by abeas1403
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
greg white
Sep 29, 2026 -

Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC responded

Knowing that the service on your Kia Optima felt cordial and professional is rewarding. Your five-star rating and kind words mean a lot to us, and we look forward to assisting you again whenever you need us.

September 29, 2026

Oscar was helpful getting me scheduled and was able to get diagnoses for my vehicle very quickly. Thank you More

by Carlos
Service Price Transparency
Workmanship
Service Time
Service Communication
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Oscar in service
Sep 29, 2026 -

Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC responded

Thank you for the five-star rating! We’re glad scheduling went smoothly and diagnostics on your Cadillac ATS were completed so quickly.

September 28, 2026

Efficient but not happy for charges given my recent purchase of the vehicle Billing Issue More

by Rsingh16
Recommend Dealer
Yes
Employees Worked With
Oscar
Sep 30, 2026 -

Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC responded

Thank you for choosing Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC. Your feedback and rating mean a lot to us. We're glad we were able to help, and we hope to see you again!

September 28, 2026

Made an appointment they knew what I needed I got there they did not have the part. More

by Pjsnell2
Recommend Dealer
No
Oct 03, 2026 -

Marvin K. Brown Buick GMC responded

Thank you for your review. We're sorry your visit didn't go as planned, and we'd like to address these issues with our team. If it's possible to discuss your visit in more detail, please send us a message. We strive to make sure that all of our customers leave happy, and it's disappointing to learn that we missed the mark here.