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Mon-Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
"My beloved PT Cruiser started having erratic oil light problems, so I called up the SF Chrysler dealership only to find out that they are…" read more »
Best experience I've ever had with a shop. Honestly I'd be hesitant to call it a shop though, considering how nice everyone was and the way I was treated it felt more like I brought my car over to a friends house and had them tinker with it.
As far as BMW knowledge goes, you're not going to find a better place. The people hear actually drive them and know what makes them tick. Anything I will ever have done on my car.. be it something I want done.. or something I need to have done.. There is no other place I'd consider taking my car.
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I would have ditched that BMW a lot sooner if I had not discovered German Auto Sport. After buying a used '95 325i convertible and driving it for a couple of years, I started to realize that BMW mechanics, from dealerships to little garages, were pretty much *EVIL* through and through.
But then I moved to Berkeley and found German Auto Sport, and I realized that I could keep that gorgeous car on the road without providing financial support to the sort of bastards that usually work on BMWs. German Auto Sport was honest and knew what they were doing. They would sell me aftermarket or used parts for those times when I really didn't need a more expensive OEM part for my 10+ year old car, and they'd recommend I use an original part if the aftermarket one was known to be inferior.
Bottom line, if you're still enjoying that BMW, German Auto Sport will help you keep it going. Plus they are friendly, a good resource for parts, and they provide great customer service.
Postscript: Last year, the car's damned electrical system went on the fritz, so I donated that ton and a half of 92-octane-loving steel to Animal Rescue Foundation and bought a Prius, which saves me over $200 a month in gasoline.
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First-rate customer service here -- the complete opposite of the aggravating experiences I've had at a number of local dealerships.
Chris, Sheila and team were a pleasure to deal with. They even went the extra mile and removed some paint from the ragtop of my convertible. I had tried and tried myself but with no luck. Thanks guys! I'll be back to see you for the future service we discussed.
I was thinking about having a kid and forcing him tor her to be a mechanic just so I can have someone I trust to work on my cars. That is until I found German Auto Sport. You don't have to manage your expectations after reading these reviews because you won't be disappointed. Chris and his wife are awesome, I am so glad I found them, thanks to Yelp. My only fear now is if for whatever reason, they move out of the area!!! I have a 2002 BMW 330i. It has never had major issues (knock on wood) but since it is getting older, some of the warning lights came on and needed some TLC. The thought of having to go to a dealership just turned my stomach so thanks to the reviews on Yelp, I was elated to find German Auto Sport. But I did have my reservations - it sounded too good to be true. Chris is friendly, knowledgeble, trustworthy, open and honest. The services and the quality of the work is worth every penny.
Chris is AWESOME. He is honest, friendly, knowledgeable, and goes way beyond the extra mile to satisfy his customers and develop long-term relationships. I called him for emergency help at 7pm the night before we were going out of town, and he was actually in the shop and ready to walk me through a solution. He didn't talk down to me and was extremely patient, and insisted on not charging me for his time to address the emergency. Of course, the repair was more involved and Chris and his partner took care of it expertly when we returned home from our trip. He's totally on top of EVERYTHING BMW. Best shop around, by far.
Chris is the man!!!!
He has saved me so many times I've lost count. Always courteous, helpful and very knowledgeable. I always feel like I'm being taken care of. It's hard to find a good HONEST mechanic. I'm glad I found German Auto Sport. WOOT!!!
Ok, so here is how the story goes: I fall in love with a 1987 E30 BMW and buy it, without taking it to a mechanic first. Normally I would never do this, always take it in for the 10-point inspection was my motto. I don't take my own advice and I drive down the road in my new car.
So late that night when I can't figure out why my windows won't go up (its not the fuse) and the internet is of no help I search Yelp for the first time and find out about German Auto Sport. Bright and early in the morning I call the guys at German Auto and tell them about my window that worked fine all day until I pulled over to pick up my friend (using the emergency flashers of course). The patient gentleman asks if the button to the right of the flashers is showing red.
"Yes."
"Ok, push that button in."
"Ok, done."
"Do your windows work?"
"YES!"
"That is the circuit breaker for you windows. This happens to new owners all the time."
This was the beginning of my relationship with this awesome shop. They are always helpful and willing to describe in great detail why something is doing what it is. I ask a lot of questions and they always make time for me. Chris has created an environment where you trust the advice they give. I can buy a part and call for help when I can't figure which way it goes in. Or they will say, "Just come by and we will show you how. No charge for that."
I have had to do some major work to this car and I feel sure that every penny I spent at German Auto Sport was not only necessary but well worth it for the quality of work.
I would suggest this shop to anyone looking for a mechanic or parts.
These guys rule.
After 20 years of driving VW's and BMW's I've FINALLY found a mechanic that I can trust! Honest, dependable, and reasonable and they don't BS you, unlike Concord BMW. Chris is great and so is Sharyar I take my BMW 528e there. Highly recommended if you drive a BMW. They are straight up honest.
OK, so I heard that ownership had changed and was worried because I have been going here on and off for many years. But, I went in and the same patient guy (don't know his name) helped me as always and gave out valuable information freely as usual - they are really into helping you fix your car yourself here. This is THE place to go for parts if you have an '80's VW like me. Anywhere else will charge you up the butt AND give you attitude at the same time. Last time I brought my rabbit pickup in, the mechanic made her run like a racehorse - don't know how! On the downside, repairs aren't cheap and they're nowhere near a BART station which is why I have been trying out San Francisco mechanics here and there. Sometimes I just don't have time for the 45 minute walk, 45 minute BART ride, MUNI ride, etc.
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I'd give this place 10 stars If I could.
If you have a VW, this is your spot. (they also do Audis and Bimmers, but that's it). I have an '86 Jetta GLi which needs occasional love and attention, and when I can't fix it myself, I bring it here.
When I can fix it myself, this is where I come for parts: new, used, or aftermarket. The prices are great, and they guys there will take the time to talk to you, help you figure out your problem, sell you the parts, and show you how to put them in.
I buy my oil filters here, always pay $5 cash, and get a free drain plug washer. I bought a coolant overflow reservoir there, it failed within a year, I brought it back, and they replaced it for free.
It's just so rare to find mechanics and parts guys this knowledgable, this passionate, and this honest. And at a great price. If I ever move away from Berkeley, this will probably be the place I miss the most.
They also have some great mechanics and have been expanding their service department over the past few years. Just last week, one of my rear wheel bearings went. They scheduled me for the next day and had the car done by 4. And, when I dropped it off, Walt (the service manager, I think) offered to drop me off anywhere in Berkeley.
This is car repair like it should be done. They respect cars, respect customers, and respect their customers wallets.
(I've been a customer for 7 years)
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VWs are not the most well engineered cars. As soon as your warranty is up, everything starts to break. Little things, but annoying nonetheless.
As of 70,000 miles, the following things have broken:
The spring that controls the passenger's seat just popped out one day with a loud bang. The entire seat will have to be removed to put it back in.
My coffee cup just fell through the cupholder one day. Coffee everywhere. Only holds one cup now.
The folding back seat broke from its hinge. Due to the fact that the only part of the car I use more than this folding seat is the steering wheel, I had to get it fixed.
The center console latch broke apart.
Been through 3 sets of glow plugs. I just ignore the check engine light when it comes on.
Leaking fuel injector pump, there goes my "emergency fund"!
And, VW headlamps, brake lamps and parking lights burn out ALL. THE. TIME. This is all in three years owning a five year old car.
It would probably cost upwards of a thousand bucks to get all this crap fixed so I allow myself one thing each time I go in. What's a girl to do?
German Auto Salvage has all my parts, and at way better prices than dealers. I walk in and they have my new wipers, and generously show me how to put them on. The first time one of my taillights went out, they brought the new bulb out and showed me how to open the housing and insert the bulb, so now I can do it by myself. I can't recommend them highly enough, every time I come here they are friendly, nice, and respectful- and honest!
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This place is great! I brought my car there and found the owner and staff to be extremely helpful, friendly and kind! They truly know what they are doing there and are a pleasure to do business with!!! I HIGHLY recomend them. The owner, Chris, knows his cars and wont streer you in the wrong direction. He is honest and trustworthy something that is hard to find as a woman.
these guys time and time again provide 5 star service! they are the most knowledgeable group of mechanics i have ever interacted with. that's saying a lot because i used to be an office manager for a mechanic.
i have never felt like i was being like i was being swindled or being taken for a ride. in fact, they try to make sure you do not spend more money than you need to fix your ride. they are really easy to talk to and really responsive to your needs and situation.
i told myself that if something ever happened to my '85 bmw i would buy another one just so i can still use these guys for my mechanics.
