German Auto Service LTD — Local services in Walker

I heard good things about German Auto so I thought I would give them a try. I brought my vehicle in to them, it was a crank no start condition. They got the vehicle running (poorly) which was fine for the situation. They told me the vehicle fires right up, idles, and they even drove it around the block. I went to pick it up (25 minute drive for me) after they have had it for 2 weeks, I went to start it and the battery was dead, they got me a jump pack and the vehicle was a crank no start still. So I waited 2 hours in their parking lot for them while they were messing with it. Ended up not taking it home that night, they called me next day said it was good to go, I drove to get it again, it fired right up- I drove it to trailer and it stalled, tried to start it again and it was a crank no start again!! 2 weeks and nearly $1000 later I still had to push my vehicle on the trailer, they said it wasn’t running well enough??? Why did it ever start in the first place? What did they do to get it going the first and second time?? They know I am not happy with the service and didn’t seem to care, I would have thought the decent thing to do is at least give me some sort of break on my bill- this was not the case! I was not impressed!

EDIT- So if you had no plans of getting the vehicle to start %100 of the time why was I told to come back the next day when I tried to pick it up? Why was I called and told it’s good to go? And yes I was lead to believe it would at least start for me, you guys had it starting multiple times with no issues in your yard. When I went to pick it up the first time there was nowhere in the work order that stated there is still a starting problem. You messed with it and now it won’t. Like you said a new problem developed at your shop, how is that my issue?? I needed it to start reliably so when my base mechanical issue was warrantied by the builder I would have a running engine, now you just want me to bring it back again for a no start issue so you can keep charging me. Also the mechanic that was working on it is also an owner of the place, those after hours are on him, not me, because I was waiting to take it home that night and it should have been ready to go, but he’s a business owner and probably understands sometimes you have to do those things to keep happy/returning customers. Unfortunately this one didn’t work out, but doesn’t look very good when that’s your excuse for not giving me some of...

Update: Just wanted to add a commendation to the German Auto crew in that they are committed to customer service and did everything they could to make up for the minor mistake in the repair. Like I said, it's a good small business and I recommend taking your German car here.

Ben and crew know their stuff when it comes to German cars. And with that said, they (and hopefully you) know these fixes can be expensive. They are upfront with costs and typically very competitive price wise. It's important to note that most times diagnosing the problem is a standard flat fee of one hour of labor, and while understandable, it adds up quick and it would be my only nitpick of the process. But it is fair, just a little grind on the great experience.

As to experience, I kind of had a bit of a bad time that, I think is out of character, but has to be noted. Got my car back after extensive fixes to all of the engine gaskets to repair a slow oil leak in the engine. After picking the car up, all seemed fine and well. Car was clean and in fine order. Got on the road for a work meeting in Ann Arbor and right around Portland, my car lost almost all of its power at any RPM range. Pulled over off the highway and (luckily) i have some tools in the trunk. So, with a shirt and a tie on I looked over the engine to see if there was something immediately noticeable as loose or disconnected so I would have to get my car towed all the way back to GR or wait for a fix in Portland (stranded). Found that the return line for the turbo charger had not been properly secured with a hose clamp, so I was able to replace it in short order and be on my way. Perhaps other customers would not have been as lucky. Additionally, I found two small tools left behind in the air intake for the cabin air under the windshield that, mercifully had not fallen into anything moving mechanically. That lack of attention to detail are my only reservations about giving them 5 stars. I would prefer this be a 3.5 star review, but since that is not an option, 4 it is since I respect and value small business owners and I am sure my experience was an outlier.

Also, and perhaps this is part of the total Teutonic experience, but some of the guys behind the counter can be a little less...

Why did I give them five stars? Because this firm understands customer care and service. How did this happen? Let me tell you the facts... I have a 2008 Audi A4/b7 quattro. It has 123k on it. The most expensive investment made an was well cared for all it's life. On a visit to family in GR area, I lost all the oil after arriving. The dreaded "low oil pressure " warning. I added oil as this car uses a quarter every 6 weeks. That solved no problem as the leak was under pressure and would empty the oil pan lickety split. It was suggested i let GAS look at the car. I spoke to Ben and he made room for the Audi on CHRISMAS EVE! To clarify. I am an out of towner, stranded in GR and looking at who knows what for a repair. Ben assured me that they woul diagnose it and then estimate in good faith on a repair time. I put my trust in Ben and the shop. THEY delivered and even fixed the car to be reliable and saved me from having to rent a car!. The cause was a failed O-ring on the cup which holds the oil filter cartridge. GAS and Ben's team saved a Christmas, saved us money and demonstrated what many businesses fail to deliver, honest service. Finally, what greets you when you enter their facility is how clean and immaculate the shop is. It is not a garage or junk yard. The floors are clean and uncluttered. Their tech nicians (not grease jockeys) have a respectable place to work. It shows over and again that this is a shop which will treat you fairly and honestly. If you bypass them even just for an oil change, you are cheating yourself. Even the dealership cannot compete with GAS. This is integrity on display! Where did old fashioned methods go to? Look to German Auto Service.

John...