Buying a performance european vehicle can be an incredibly exciting experience. From Beemers to Mercedes, the luxury cars from across Europe add a new thrill to the daily commute. But as Aunt May says on Spiderman, ‘with great power comes great responsibility.’
The last thing you want to do is spend the big bucks on a nice new foreign vehicle and then fail to keep it performing at its best.
The extra power and precision that comes with a hand made German vehicle like the famous BMW M3 requires additional support to maintain. As we discuss in the BMW service guide, one of the best ways to keep your car in shape is to find a favorite specialty european auto repair shop. These shops will normally specialize in all European auto brands, both classic and modern.
Some may be more specific, but you can often count on them knowing their way around Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and exotics.
Main Article Topics:
- Maintenance and Service
- Upgrading
- European Auto Repair
- Finding the Best European Auto Repair Shops
Maintenance and Service
Using a European auto repair shop for you regular maintenance will help ensure that nothing unusual or concerning pops up as you use your vehicle. A normal shop may be perfectly capable of changing your oil, and even do it pretty quickly, but they are unlikely to have seen your car model as frequently and will therefore not notice possible issues as easily.
Beyond the basic servicing like an oil change or filter update, one of the benefits of going to a shop is they have an opportunity to check under the vehicle and in the engine compartment for anything that is going awry.
If you drive your car anything like me, there’s always a chance that you end up wearing down some part of the suspension or drivetrain and will need to proactively service parts that aren’t normally suggested. Similar to how replacing your brake pads can help save your brake calipers, replacing small parts on the rest of your luxury performance car can help prevent larger issues.
Some of your typical preventive maintenance schedule includes regular brake inspections and brake replacements as well as suspension service and emission service. And don’t forget about your air conditioner. It can get hot during the summers and you’ll want to ensure that you stay comfortable in your car year-round with regular A/C service.
Upgrades
Another good reason to use a good local European auto repair shop is when you are looking to upgrade your vehicle. Have you ever taken apart a car? If you have, did you end up with any extra screws or pieces that you couldn’t place? I know I have. And the last thing I want is to have that happen on my nice new car versus my old project car.
The best way to avoid issues like that is have people who know the ins and outs of your vehicle. Specialty shops tend to be much better at not only getting upgrades done well, but also in foreseeing potential issues and suggesting required additional changes.
A friend of mine bought an ‘02 E46 M3 and ran into this problem first hand. He was trying to update the rear window trim pieces on the vehicle, which seemed like an easy task. Before they even started, though, the shop made it clear how complicated it actually is on his version M3 because they come as a large piece attached to other parts of the vehicle.
They knew exactly how the process went because they had lots of other enthusiasts with similar model M3s. They even had another E46 in the shop when my friend dropped it off. Practice makes perfect.
Repair
Many full-service European auto repair facilities have all the amenities and equipment of a luxury dealership and they have certified ASE and Bosch technicians for all your repairs.
They are often also cheaper than your typical dealership service department. With slimming new car sales margins, dealers are focusing on the service centers to drive profits. They lean on their connection to OEMs to overcharge on pretty much any service they render.
While they certainly know the vehicles, so should a good indie shop near you. During my tenure with a 991, I was charged $800 for a regular oil and filter change at the dealer. Pretty brutal if I may say so myself.
If you are still looking for a luxury car, Topmarq listings of european vehicles for sale by owner are verified and inspected to ensure you get the perfect ride.
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