Coming to EMD Auto is about as easy as taking a walk in the park. Quick, relaxed, straightforward,…read moreand you leave satisfied. No unnecessary headaches, no sitting around wondering when someone is finally going to pull your car in.
This is our second time bringing our 2025 Audi RS3 to EMD for maintenance, and both experiences have been great. Both times we've worked with Thomas, and he's genuinely one of the reasons coming here is so easy. He's down to earth, easy to talk to, and scheduling is always a breeze. You do have to call to make an appointment, but I actually prefer it this way because when you arrive and check in, they're ready for you. They pulled our car in almost immediately. No appointment at 9:00 just to watch your car sit outside until 9:30 like you sometimes experience at a dealership.
Parking is another small thing that makes a difference. There's plenty of space, so you're not circling a packed dealership lot or squeezing between cars just to drop yours off.
What I really like about EMD is that they're not limited to basic maintenance and repairs. Yes, you can bring your car here for regular service, but the exciting part is the modifications. Intake, intercooler, downpipe, exhaust installs, Stage 2 setups and more. This is definitely a place for enthusiasts, but you don't need to be a car expert to come here.
That's where Thomas really stands out. You can tell him what you're trying to accomplish with the car and he'll take the time to explain the different options, what you actually need, what makes sense for your goals, and what doesn't. There's no attitude or expectation that you should already know everything because you own a performance car. Ask questions and he'll explain it.
That is especially important to us with an RS3 because once you start modifying these cars, one change can lead into another. It's nice being able to have an actual conversation about what you're trying to accomplish instead of feeling like someone is just trying to sell you the next expensive part.
The waiting area is also surprisingly comfortable. It's clean, open, and has plenty of room to sit. There's a TV, comfortable chairs, and most importantly when Southern California decides to cook everyone outside, it's nice and cool inside. You can actually relax while you wait instead of feeling like you're sitting in the corner of a repair shop.
Then there's the pricing. Compared with what we're used to seeing at dealerships, EMD's prices are significantly more reasonable. More importantly, you don't get that feeling that you're about to receive a list of mysterious "recommended services" and random charges you weren't expecting. Bring the car in for what it needs, talk through the work, get it done, and move on with your day.
For anyone with an Audi or VW, especially someone who has a performance model or plans on modifying it, EMD is absolutely worth knowing about. We're particular about who touches our RS3, and after two visits, we've had a consistently good experience here.
We'll definitely continue bringing the RS3 back for maintenance, and knowing they can also handle the fun stuff makes that decision even easier.
Now the only dangerous part is coming in for maintenance and leaving with ideas for the next modification.