If you are looking for a reputable shop in Houston that specializes in German car repair, consider Today’s European Cars located at 6261 Richmond Avenue in Houston, Texas. They specialize in BMW Maintenance and Mercedes repair, as well as the repair of other imports such as Audi, Volkswagen and Mini Cooper. They are staffed with certified technicians who are trained in German car repair and have been servicing and repairing foreign cars for over 26 years.

The German car repair business is a specialized field of expertise. Within the category of foreign cars, each make comes with its own set of problems, quirks, and service needs. A skilled technician trained to work on a specific make of vehicle, such as Mercedes, will be familiar with common problems that typically occur within the different year models, as well as having the proper tools and diagnostic equipment manufactured for repairing and servicing specific makes. This is why it is important for import owners never to take their cars into a domestic shop.
German car repair is completely different compared to domestic repair so the two should be kept separate. If you own a BMW, find a place that has extensive experience with BMW. Just because a place may advertise that they are an import repair shop does not necessarily mean they can cover all imports. A German Audi and an Italian Lamborghini, although both are imported, are as different from one another as the Countries from which they came.

Finding a mechanic that specializes in German car repair will help protect your car and save you a lot of money in the long run. Unfortunately, a common problem among consumers is being charged for additional repairs that their mechanic did not foresee but deemed “necessary”. Why this happens is that due to the complexity of cars these days, many mediocre mechanics can get baffled by a repair and he or she will probably keep replacing suspect parts until the problem is finally solved. Many of these parts are unnecessary and have nothing to do with the problem and sadly, you are left with the extra costs anyway.

It is recommended that if your car is new and under warranty that you bring it to the dealership if you are having a problem. Dealership technicians tend to be more familiar with ironing out the kinks that come from a brand new vehicle. Local repair shops receive most of their traffic from older model vehicles and have more experience fixing problems intrinsic to used cars. Another thing to think about is whether you want to go to a chain automotive shop or a small and local one. Chains are less apt to carry the OEM parts that German cars need, so your vehicle may sit longer waiting for repairs than it would at an independent establishment.

Today’s European Cars is independently owned and is trained and equipped for small service procedures to large engine rebuilds. Their decades of combined experience will offer you peace-of-mind that your luxury car will be in good hands. Give them a call today and they will be happy to assist you with all of your German car repair needs.

If you think you had a bad year, try being in the shoes of the automobile industry as of late.  Car makers are restructuring the way they build to accommodate the changing of the times but the great debate over whether to buy American or Import still rages on. Staunch American patriots will continue to insist that we, as a country, should only buy American made vehicles.  But American international car buyers love their foreign imports as much as this country loves their baseball.  With the help of Hollywood motion pictures such as “The Fast and the Furious”, and the growing popularity of foreign car shows such as “Hot Import Nights” with over 20 events across the US, reaching over 250,000, the import car business  is still hot, and the  foreign auto repair industry…well they have no complaints.

Foreign auto repair shops come in different shapes and sizes.  One, for example, may only specialize in a particular maker such as BMW and Mercedes.  Others may work on strictly Italian made luxury cars.  Still others cover them all under one big roof.  The key is finding one that is certified in the industry standards specific to your flavor of vehicle.  Do they have the right diagnostic equipment to read the codes that are unique to your car?  Are they ASE certified so that you can expect quality repair and services?  Do they pride themselves on excellence with a good track record over years of dealing with such a sophisticated clientele?  Can they spot a good German beer or Italian leather when they see it?  No, seriously though, aside from the latter, these are all valid points to expect from a reputable foreign auto repair establishment.

These repair shops can perform everything from a simple scheduled maintenance visit to a complete engine rebuild, but no matter how simple or complex the issue is, it is still equally important they treat every procedure with the utmost care and expertise.  Because foreign cars are a whole other animal compared to American cars in their complexities, it takes a specialist to be able to work on them effectively.  From understanding the European metric measurements, to the unique tools and diagnostic computers specialized for your nationality of car, your foreign auto repair shop knows exactly the right procedures to perform to have you back on the road in no time.

The foreign repair industry has gotten a bad reputation due to low-quality repair shops.  From jacked up, costly repair quotes, to outrageously long itemized lists of repairs, it’s no wonder consumers are frustrated with the foreign market.  Find a place that will prioritize your repairs, while explaining the costs in fixing your problems now vs. later.  This is a smart approach when shopping for your foreign auto repair.  Your knowledge is your power.  Do your research.  Talk to the technicians on the floor and get a feel for their character and dedication to their work.  At the end of the day, your luxury car will thank you.

We are conveniently located in Houston TX just west of the Galleria, and service mainly the Memorial, West University, Mid Town, Heights, Downtown, River Oaks, Sugarland and Bellaire areas.

A great import car repair center is not always easy to find, but it is ALWAYS worth your time to seek one out. The following characteristics of a reliable import car repair shop can help you know whether or not to entrust your fine import to a local import center’s care.

Certified Service Technicians specializing in your type of car or import are a must. European imports are all made to different standards. Trained and certified specialists will know which fluids and parts to use and how to maintain your import at its maximum performance. European imports are not like domestic cars, nor are they identical to each other.

Regular maintenance, as well as warranty repairs can usually be done by a dependable import car repair center without affecting your warranty.

Replacement Parts and Work Warranties. If your local import car repair shop doesn’t offer warranties on their parts and work, look elsewhere. A shop that seeks excellence will always offer a warranty on their work as well as on any parts they install. Though some shops will provide only certified OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts, but this is not always necessary. High quality after-market parts will sometimes work fine for your import at a lower cost to you. Always ask your honest, certified foreign specialist which parts he recommends.

Written estimates provided for all work prior to your authorization. It is also a good idea to compare estimates from several shops when searching for one to do your maintenance or repairs, since local import car repair shops often charge exorbitant rates to owners of European imports seeking regular maintenance or repairs.

Loaner cars and shuffle service are other services often provided by many import repair car centers for your convenience whenever your European import is in the shop for maintenance or repairs, or by appointment.

Looking to stretch the family budget, many owners often skip or postpone regularly scheduled maintenance on their imports. This is counterproductive, however, as diligent routine maintenance is one of the best ways to avoid costly breakdowns and repairs down the road. Postponing tune-ups and fluid changes, neglecting tire rotations not lead to breakdowns and flats, but also shorten the lifespan and resale value of your European import notably.

The best way to avoid high costs is by comparing estimates at several import car repair centers before authorizing any service or repairs, as well as through diligent routine maintenance of your car. Gas mileage is also significantly reduced by not changing air filters, failing to maintain your tires in good condition, or doing and other routine maintenance, thereby increasing your fuel costs over time.

A nearby import car center may be convenient, but if your local shop is not reliable or certified for your vehicle, it is better to make the effort and go to a good shop. Regular routine maintenance at a quality import car repair center is the most cost effective to increase your car’s efficiency, its longevity, and minimize auto repair costs costly breakdowns.

We are conveniently located in Houston TX just west of the Galleria, and service mainly the Memorial, West University, Mid Town, Heights, Downtown, River Oaks, Sugarland and Bellaire areas.

Foreign car repair shops are a dime a dozen nowadays. Once you’ve invested in a high quality foreign car which keeps a good resale value and runs like a charm, some people find their troubles have just begun. Dealerships are not always, or even usually, the best place to get good value for your money on routine maintenance, or getting out the door without 2 or 3 other problems cropping up that weren’t evident before you drove in.

You know you can’t take your prime machine to just any domestic auto repair shop, but how do you choose a good quality shop out of all the foreign car repair shops out there?

It’s important to find a good repair center BEFORE you need one. No one can make a sound decision based on facts when dealing with a broken down vehicle needed to take you to work and transport your family. Emergencies leaded to clouded judgment, and too often regrets.

A good starting place is to ask friends or neighbors who also drive imports like yours, whether Japanese or European, about their experiences with the local foreign car repair shops.

Next, call the recommended foreign car repair shops, and survey them as to the certification their technicians have, looking for a shop which has technicians certified for your make of import, as well as ASA (Automotive Service Association) or ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) or comparable certifications. These certifications are known for the rigorous yearly inspections they make of the shops they endorse. It’s also a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to make sure there aren’t any complaints outstanding against the shop or shops you are considering, as well as to search online to see if there are any online reviews of the foreign car repair shop.

Now it’s time to visit the shops remaining on your list. Ask any customers there several questions: Why do you your bring your car here; in the past, have they completed the work on time; was the estimate accurate compared to the final bill; was the job done right the first time?

While there, look around: does the shop have state-of-the-art equipment suitable for your import? Quality foreign car repair shops don’t necessarily have to look like the Ritz, but they should be clean and orderly. Is there a comfortable, pleasant, and clean place for you to wait? Do they offer a shuttle service or loaner car program?

What warranties do they offer on the parts they supply and on the work that they do? Most car repair centers focused on quality and customer satisfaction will offer at least a 1-year/12,000 mile warranty on parts and service. A high-quality shop will offer a 2-year/24,000 mile warranty as a sign of the confidence they have in their parts and their work.

Foreign car repair shops may be a dime a dozen these days, but a quality repair shop is still a pearl beyond price. Once you find one, you’ll really be able to enjoy your fine European import, knowing you’ll be able to keep it in peak condition for many years to come.

We are conveniently located in Houston TX just west of the Galleria, and service mainly the Memorial, West University, Mid Town, Heights, Downtown, River Oaks, Sugarland and Bellaire areas.