Your BMW is designed to provide you with exceptional performance for years to come. Specialized technicians, quality BMW parts and tools are all keys to ensure your BMW performs at optimal performance. Finding a quality BMW repair shop that won’t put a dent in your pocket can be difficult, but they do exist. BMW owners should be mindful of the types of service centers out there, their experience and their overall quality of work. To help BMW owners find the perfect service center, we’ve created 10 things to look for when reviewing a BMW Service Center.
Here are the 10 Things to Look for When Reviewing a BMW Repair & Service Shop:
1. BMW Auto Experience: To properly service and repair your BMW, it’s critical for the technicians working on your vehicle to have the experience and specialized training specific to BMW. The same decision process on which dealership to buy your BMW model from should be used when selecting a BMW service and repair partner. In most cases, general auto repair shops are discouraged as they may not give the time and attention your BMW needs. For example, you wouldn’t go to a foot doctor for brain surgery.
2. Equipment and Tools: To properly work on your BMW vehicle, it’s critical that technicians have access to BMW specific diagnostic equipment and tools. The diagnostics and control systems on your BMW are specific to your vehicle and can only be accurately read with an up-to-date BMW diagnostic system. Many quality shops invest thousands of dollars to maintain BMW specific diagnostic equipment.
3. Time in Business: You should always consider how long a facility has been in business when selecting a BMW service partner. Many fly-by-night shops claim to have quality tools and facilities, however usually over price services and parts costing the customers much more.
4. Customer Feedback and Reviews: It’s recommended to look at what other BMW owners are saying when selecting a service partner. Ask around, check the websites, read online reviews and most importantly stop by and visit with the owner or manager of the facility.
5. Quality Parts: Be sure that your service partner has direct access to genuine BMW parts. Very few service providers that claim to use OEM parts have access to BMW genuine parts. A good question to ask a service provider is: Do you have access to all BMW parts including TRP or Theft Relevant Parts such as shifters, transmission and engine control modules and keys? These items must be programmed specifically to your vehicle and require special equipment and authorization from BMW.
6. Expert Staff: Take the time to meet the shop foreman and understand the experience of the service facility’s staff. This shouldn’t be a secret and most shop owners will gladly introduce you to the person working on your model.
7. Facility Type: Take the time to stop in and visit with the owner and look around the service facility. Is it neat, clean and organized? This is a good way to understand the efficiency of the service provider.
8. BBB Rating: Check their Better Business Bureau ratings and other certifications. Shops that maintain an AAA+ rating year after year are certainly places you can trust.
9. Convenience and Location: Being without your vehicle for service and repair is an inconvenience! Be sure to select a facility that provides complimentary concierge services or other accommodations to take you to and from work, home or where you need to be. Additionally, some advanced shops can provide you with a complimentary loaner vehicle by appointment or arrange rental vehicle services.
10. Warranty of BMW: In the event you should have an issue down the road, ensure that your service partner offers manufacturer warranties of at least 1-year on all parts. This can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars later on.
We would love to make you part of the German Auto Center family! German Auto Center specializes in BMW models as well as German make models and offers a full-line of services like those mentioned above. If you are looking for a BMW repair shop in Austin, TX, please come by as visit us! Len Gilmore is the owner and operator of German Auto Center of Austin.
Have a question about your luxury automobile or does your model need special work? Please call us at (512) 452-6437 or ask us using the comment box below or on our German Auto Center Facebook page.
Check out our reviews!
I trust my auto service to GAC. The team is professional, knowledgeable and pricing is fair. Customer service is exemplary!
First timer at German Auto and I will definitely be a returning customer. Brent provided excellent customer service and completed my 20k mile maintenance check in record time. I asked if Discount Tires next door could take a look at my tires because of a slow leak on my Audi and they repaired it with no extra charge. Unfortunately by the end of the day I was unable to pickup my car so Brent made sure to lock up my vehicle in their parking lot to keep it safe and secure until morning pickup. Great experience, I highly recommend German Auto Center.
I’ve taken my 2023 Porsche Macan S here twice and the service has been excellent. The work has been professionally performed and my car was ready for me sooner than I expected. I will be back.
I brought my Audi a5 in after hydroplaning and hitting the right side, mainly needing a wheel alignment. After the first alignment, the steering still pulled to the right whenever the wheel was straight. I called them back and brought the car in again. The second time, they checked more thoroughly and found suspension issues and an electrical alignment problem. They took care of it and only charged me once, even though they worked on it twice.
Now the alignment feels about 95% straight — not perfect like before the accident, but definitely much better than after the first visit. Overall, they were fair, honest about what needed fixing, and didn’t overcharge me. Took a couple tries, but I appreciate that they made it right.
Excellent service as always! The team completed my annual maintenance efficiently and thoroughly, checking everything from fluids to brakes. They explained what was done and provided clear recommendations for upcoming needs. My Porsche runs like new again, and I appreciate their honest, professional approach. Will definitely be back next year - highly recommend their maintenance services to anyone looking for reliable auto care.
I have been coming to German Auto Center for a while now, but I have to say that, having been a few places in town, this is far and away the best service you will receive anywhere. Technically they are amazing, but actually doing right by their customers is what sets them apart. Keep up the great work, Chris and team!
The appointment scheduling was easy to use. The team was able to assess the issue quickly and perform the work timely. They were very professional. I am very happy with the work and the process as a whole.
Chris is an amazing human. He is a skilled problem solver, a man of action, a man of his word, patient, kind and German Auto Center is lucky to have this good human as their GM. We recently had an issue with a Porsche repair completed by another company known to Chris. We were unsure how to handle the situation and sought out Chris's counsel. He quickly recognized and acknowledged our concerns and went way beyond by offering to help negotiate the negotiated resolution. We were so relieved to have him as our advocate. He advocated and got results. We are very grateful to Chris and the folks at German Auto.
German Auto Center has been great with my 2019 VW Atlas. They’ve handled some tricky, hard-to-diagnose issues with a pragmatic approach—never rushing to unnecessary repairs or running up the bill. Brant, the service manager, has been especially helpful with clear communication and flexibility throughout the process. Highly recommend them to other VW owners, especially if your only experience has been with the dealership.
Amazing service every time!
Knowledgable, efficient, honest, communicative, thorough. Great overall experience. Even brought me to work after I dropped off my car.
GAC was able to diagnose an almost impossible issue with my X5. The entire team was communicative and thorough and I will never take my imports anywhere else. Highly Recommend!
Chris and his team do a great job with our cars! Always completed on time!
This review is on the heels of my 3rd visit to German Auto and I’m out of words for how good they’ve been to me. I’ve experienced 3 freak occurrences and they’ve come through in the clutch every time, but this most recent is the one I’m here to talk about.
In black and white, my car gave me a not so favorable fallback, so I did the usual routine of reaching out to them and setting up an appointment to get my darling looked at. The code produced via an ODB reader showed as some pretty pricey damage to some of the more vital components in my whip. The initial estimate was $2500+. It wasn’t going to feel good coughing up that much dough, but if it had to be done it had to be done. In the midst of getting to aforementioned components, they discovered it wasn’t as severe as they thought but merely corroded wires due to rodent nibbles.
The discovery saved me more than half of the estimate and my darling is running smooth again. They could have easily finessed me as I wouldn’t have known any different, but to see how they lead with integrity just really sold me on the greatness of this shop. Now while I don’t hope to have to see a shop soon, should I have to, they have me for life. Thank yall so much. Shout out to my man Chris for always being communicative and helpful.
Chris is the best! Knows his stuff! Honest and efficient! Takes care of my families Beemers!
This place is the place to take your car for repairs. I have taken my car to German Auto Center for years and have consistanly had excellent customer service as well as excellent car service. Hands down a 10 out of 10!! Chris is the absolute best!
Very knowledgeable and extremely well priced. Had them put some mods in on my car and am more than happy with how it turned out. absolutely coming back for more!
They quickly repaired a mount on my BMW’s engine and I am impressed with all of their employees!
I can't recommend GAC highly enough! I went to them for a second opinion about a very costly repair recommendation from the dealership, and it turned out to be completely unnecessary. With quick, honest, and affordable service, they've earned a customer for life!
Перше місце в аустині де мене не спробували заскамити. Дякую за сервіс. Буду повертатися сюди кожного разу
I have been taking my Porsche to German Auto Center for the past 5 years. Chris is an outstanding individual. He is very prompt with his follow up and only recommends what is needed to keep my Porsche running smoothly. I highly recommend their services.
German Auto Center was very quick with my Audi’s brake flush and did a great job! Friendly service as well! I will definitely go back there to service my Audi!
Excellent service and easy to work with. I had complete engine replacement on my Audi Q7 and Andrew and Brandt were great to work with.
A friend recommended German Auto when my dealer gave me an outrageous quote for brakes. It was super easy to get another opinion/quote using their website which ended up being way less expensive. Kicker is that once I dropped off my car, they called to tell after a more thorough inspection, my brakes didn’t need replacing yet. I couldn’t be more grateful to hear this news. I will definitely take my car back when the time comes. I can’t recommend these honest guys enough! Thanks German Auto Center!
German Auto Center is a truly professional establishment, specializing in BMW and Volkswagen. The customer service was excellent - friendly and first class. The directions to customers was first rate - courteous and specific. I was very happy to be referred to this establishment by a customer. Thank you all! My 2017Volkswagen Golf drives like a new.
I have been doing business with Chris and German Auto for a few years now. Hands down the absolute best shop/mechanics in town. It is extremely hard to find honest people in that industry. You can rest easy when you leave your car with German Auto. They are always honest and will work with each customer. I just wish they had more locations only because I want to see them grow and drown out some of these rip off artist here in Austin. Ask for Chris, dudes a modern day Harry Potter and makes the magic happen with your car.
Very professional very reasonable with the prices very quick on the job definitely recommend to anybody that has a BMW I had the name for that was worked on yesterday they did an amazing job the owner was very kind and explain everything to me definitely recommend it and definitely have me has a new customer thank you
The team at German Auto Center is outstanding! I’m especially grateful to Chris Wofford—he’s consistently helpful, honest, transparent and extremely knowledgeable. He sets clear expectations and follows through every time. This is my go-to place for all service and repair needs on my BMW X3. I have no plans to take my car anywhere else.
The team at German Auto Center did an incredible job with the performance upgrades on my new BMW M3. Some custom work was required and they did a perfect job with the installation. The customer service and expertise was excellent. It’s great to know that there’s an auto center that specializes in my type of car that I can rely on in the future.
I appreciate the straightforward communication and knowledgeable staff. I've trusted this shop with both my Porsche and Audi. Highly recommend
German Auto is my go-to place for car repairs. As a woman, dealing with car trouble can be intimidating, but the staff here make it easy — they’re knowledgeable, professional, and treat you with respect. Their pricing is fair, and I’ve never felt pressured or upsold. I brought my 2011 BMW in a couple of times last year as it started having more and more issues, and each visit was smooth and honest. Just wanted to finally leave a review to show my appreciation. This is definitely where I’ll be going for any future car problems!
I’m so grateful I was referred to German Auto Center! After visiting two other shops and getting different diagnoses each time, it was a relief to finally find a team that truly knew what they were doing. Brant took the time to clearly explain everything my car needed and kept me informed throughout the entire process. Thank you all for the excellent service and for getting my car back in shape!
I cannot thank Chris and Andrew enough. From the moment I reached out to them via email wanting to do a few mods, to bringing up some dents I had and hoping they could be fixed with PDR, and it turning into an insurance fix at Berli's, they managed it from start to finish with complete professionalism and care. I knew my car was in good hands. I feel like I got lucky with how everything turned out and how they interfaced between the body shop and me to get my car fixed up, and back in my hands as fast as they could. They had amazing and timely communication! I will continue to bring my car here for any future mods, and I HIGHLY recommend this place to anyone looking to do cool stuff to their cars. They went above and beyond to help me get my dents fixed, and did an amazing job installing the new lights, spoiler, and Valvetronic exhaust system. I could not be happier with bringing my vehicle to German Auto Center!!!!!
Thank you Chris, Andrew, and the whole team behind this awesome place. Expect to see me around more!
They went above and beyond to make sure they get the best price for my car’s service and parts. They were extremely fast and very kind and helpful. Would highly recommend!
I couldn’t be happier with the exceptional service I received! The team was professional, efficient, and truly went above and beyond. A special shout-out to Brant, who was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and made the entire experience seamless.
Thank you for such a positive experience, I’ll definitely be returning and recommending you to others!
Had a fantastic experience with German Auto Center on my Porsche. They quickly diagnosed and resolved a minor issue that another well-known Porsche specialist couldn’t figure out and wanted to charge over $1,000 just to diagnose. Best part? German Auto Center did it for free, with a same-day turnaround, and provided clear, objective advice on future maintenance. I won’t be going anywhere else.
Clearly know their German cars. They have been great to work with and good price for the level of service. Highly recommend.
Go service completed before commitment
German automotive did a great Service job on my Audi. They were professional, got the job done in a timely manner for a fair price.