Chris loves BMW's. He Also loves people who love BMW's. I can highly recommend this shop for E30 service, Chris has handled some major correctives on my own car and has helped me with parts and pointers for DIY jobs. read more

I am SO THANKFUL for everyone down at German Auto Repair! My X5 had a screw loose that was keeping the trunk from shutting and I was in a huge time crunch, as I had to leave CA in a day and a half. They got back to me super quickly, and when I drove it in they fixed it for me right there. The whole thing took maybe 15 minutes tops. Thank you again! read more

Best shop ever... In the past we had a vw and a BMW ... When it was time to replace the vw... We knew our only choice would be to get another BMW so that we would never have to use any other mechanic's... (Also the ultimate driving machine) they also work on mini's ... Chris and his staff are honest, hard working, exceptional at their craft and you can't do better if u need an honest mechanic.... read more

I needed a part and didn't want to pay less online but wait a couple days, or pay more and get it from a dealer, so I called and was given a price nearly as low as the lowest I'd found online. I installed the part and it turned out my old one was good. Upon hearing this, Chris, the owner, told me to pull my car in and he'd see what he could do. He spent about 1/2 hour, mostly after closing time, to hook my car up to a diagnostic computer, clear fault codes, listen to my symptoms and offer advice. He did this all free of charge and asked me to come back sometime so he could check further into a chronic problem (not why I was there) to see what he could do. Most dealers charge a minimum of $200 just to run the diagnostics. Finding an honest and generous mechanic, especially for BMWs, isn't always easy, so I'm glad I found one so easily. I will be back! I'll update my review after I actually have work done, but so far I'm a fan. read more

I can't beat this place for getting work done on my older BMW. They are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. They were invaluable in getting my old car to pass smog (no small feat for a 27 year old car in CA). If you have a problem with a BMW his place is definitely worth the drive from San Francisco or surrounding areas. read more

I adore my car. So, you can understand my inherent hesitation and unwavering resistance to anyone driving, let alone, working on my car. It's not so much an issue of trust, but rather the belief that she'll be underappreciated and not cared for to my heightened expectations. That is of course until I met Chris. The best thing I can ever hope for in a BMW mechanic is for them to treat my car as if it was truly their own. Chris does exactly that and then some. He is a masterful engineer and an aficionado of his trade. As others have articulated, his passion for the business resonates through his work and quality of service. He is also extremely meticulous and his pursuit for perfection is uncanny and met with much gratitude on my part. After countless years of bouncing around, my car has finally found its second home. Good looking out Chris!! See you soon; I have to keep her purring! Thank.... you.... very..... much!!! read more

I have an 04 BMW 330CiC and I wanted to find a reputable BMW Independent Auto Shop to regularly service my car rather than tthe BMW Dealership in Concord or Berkeley, but I was stumped on who to go to. I checked out the Diamond Certified shops, and there was a few, but none of those Auto Shops got 5 star reviews like German Auto Sport! And that's how I found Chris.. (by all these 5 star reviews on yelp!!). And I agree with every one of these reviews! Chris is by far the most honest mechanic out there with expertise on BMW's! When I first made my appointment to see him, he made me feel very comfortable by taking the time to explain in detail about the BMW Service Intervals and I actually felt like I've known him for years! Very personable guy! He even gave me a ride to the Bart station before starting on my car and picked me back up when the work was done, (no lag time on his part, he finished at the time he told me he would be done). Its safe to say that I have found my shop to go to on a regular basis! I live in Fairfield, but distance does not matter when dealing with a BMW extraordinaire like Chris!! I have friends that religiously goes to BMW Concord and for sure I will recommend Chris to them! Thanks Chris and see u soon!! read more

I own an '89 325ix because unlike most modern BMW's these cars are still unique without being flashy. Unfortunately not too many are still on the road, as a result, parts, repairs, and knowledgeable shops are rare and expensive. I met Chris and the guys at German Auto Sport when I brought the ix in for a front right axle replacement. Excellent work, excellent communication with me on the phone, calling to give you updates, telling you what else they might have found, and a detailed report when the job is completed. Chris actually takes the time to show you the parts which were replaced. In my most recent visit (saga) Chris replaced the automatic transmission on the ix. But wait, something went wrong. Chris calls, explains the problem, transfer case was slightly damaged during the process. Now at this point every other shop owner will say, it's gonna cost you $$$$$$$$. Not Chris. If damage was done by the shop, the shop takes care of the work. So with the help of an excellent welding shop Chris solves the problem. Again, constant communication through phone and email. I pick up the car, car drives great. Next day the unthinkable, tranny fluid leaking all over the place. I take the car back to the shop and they immediately check it out although it's past closing time. Chris says they will take care of it and offers a rental car on the house. Wow! I jump on the offer since I need the car. Days later and constant communication continues, Chris or the receptionist calls to let me know the car's progress. Chris double-triple-quadruple test drives the car to make sure the repair is solid. I get a call, the car is finally ready. I come in with the rental car and Chris greets me, explains again all of the repair, and with a smile and very politely offers to return the rental so I can drive off straight home. Oh, and he asks to please bring in the car in a couple of days to check it again, then in a couple of weeks, then a few months at no charge. That's how awesome this shop is, the team is very professional, they know BMW's inside and out, and they know how to treat their customers. Needless to say German Auto Sport is the only shop that will ever touch my car as long as I own it. read more

Great job at a great price. I have been taking my 528i to a local BMW dealer, who always did great work, but at a sky high price. I believe that the dealer was honest, but not very cost conscious. Chris replaced a $5 part on the radiator, where I suspect the dealer would have replaced the $800 radiator. It is hard to compare, but I think I saved half today. Chris is a very nice guy in a scruffy shop, who cares about your car, delivers, and does it right. Smart right. read more

This is the best shop I have dealt with in the automotive business. Chris's expertise and enthusiasm in dealing with BMW's is unparalleled. I am particular when it comes to things with my car - Chris cares about the details and get's it right. Moreover, he has spent at least an hour of his time talking on the phone and in person, answering various questions I've had. This is exactly the shop I was looking for - no fancy waiting room, but the parking lot is like a museum (always a good sign). On a few different occasions going to GAS I've seen one or two 8 series, three or four e24's, countless m3's, m5's, and even a brand new 550. Whether it's an old BMW or a new one, German Auto Sport is your place if you are looking for top quality service. read more

All I have to say is Chris and his crew are Excellent Mechanics, Great Guys and Honest people and they know there stuff when it comes to BMW'S...They keep my 525i running smooth as ever....GERMAN AUTO IS THE PLACE TO GO!!!!!!!!! Thanks Guys......S. Moore read more

I've got nothing but good things to say about German Auto Sport. Over the last two and a half years that I've been bringing my '94 E36 here, Chris and the German Auto staff have consistently provided superlative service. They are genuinely knowledgeable about the cars, and seem to love what they do. Pricing has been fair, and the staff has always been unpretentious and friendly. I've never felt talked down to or pressured into paying for repairs that I didn't need. They've gone out of their way to educate me about each repair they've performed, and the quality of the work they've done for me has been outstanding. I can't recommend them highly enough. read more

Great service and repair as always. Chris is always very helpful and fair on his prices. Another happy customer

Amazing Amazing Amazing!!! I can't say enough positive things about Chris and the guys at German Auto Sport. They are intelligent, honest, prompt and thoughtful perfectionist. The active-steering feature burned out on my "newer" 2005 BMW 525i. After calling around and getting ridiculous (they'd better have a gun to my head if they think they're getting this type of money for me) quotes from other dealers - many of whom did not even properly diagnose the problem - i found Chris and team. Chris is not only an ace mechanic, but he's a hell of a businessman... the type of guy you'd want to have a beer with. Chris IMMEDIATELY knew what the problem was - no experimenting or trial and error. "I've seen this before. It shouldn't be happening. But it is. I'm 100% positive that this is the cause and confident we can fix it... and fix it right." And fix it they did - for much less than those other guys. While offering a level of customer service and personal attention that rivals any of the local "lux" dealerships. MY WORD! GOD BLESS Chris and his team at German Auto Sport! I wouldn't trust my BMW to any other. Working with these guys is like having your own pit crew. They'll make driving your "ultimate driving machine" fun again. read more

I brought in my BMW 325i for headlamp replacement. Chris and his team did a great job, and the charge was less than 1/3 of what the BMW dealership wanted to charge. They also did an inspection let me know what my priorities were. The dealership had made a long list of very expensive "priorities," but Chris & his team merely replaced an air filter and told me my car was good to go. What a relief - I have found my mechanic! Thanks so much for your good work. read more

This is my 3rd review of GAS and again, Chris consistently proves to me that he runs an excellent business. You can confidently trust him and his team with your BMW or Mini Cooper. The enthusiasm Chis obviously has for these cars is what every owner should seek out. It sounds trite, but he is a mechanic who cares and knows his cars. Recently my 2003 M3 was rear ended. With excellent customer service in mind, after the body repair, Chris gave the car "the once over twice" assuring me that the car was in a good shape as before the accident. This peace of mind is invaluable. He always fairly prices his work and it is always work performed with excellence. If you have a BMW or a Mini Cooper, I highly recommend to give his shop a try. You will not be .disappointed. read more

So I have been driving my Dad's old 528e (the one he drove off the lot in '84!) for about eight years now. When I first inherited it, there was a number of issues left over from having sat on his property for a few years. I went through several different mechanics and tried to learn a few things on my own to get the different ailments worked out. The main issue that occurred was that the linkage broke in the shifter. After spending $800 dollars at a "BMW certified" mechanic, I picked up the car to discover that the 5th gear was gone! When I returned I was informed that the transmission was shot and would have to spend another $1200 or so. I knew that this wasn't the case but being a naive kid I backed away instead of fighting them on their negligence. Sadly I drove the poor car for the preceding 7 years without a 5th gear. Anytime I would find a new mechanic, I would explain the situation, and always would get a hesitant response at best and general unwillingness to investigate for fear of unraveling a larger issue. That is until I found Chris at German Auto Sport! This last summer, after living in the Bay for two years, my car was due for it's general maintenance. Chris had been recommended to me from people in the foothills where I am from, as well as my landlord in Oakland. When I took it in, the first thing he said was, "That's the best car ever made, the more I can keep on the road, the happier I am", (I agree!) And besides hooking me up with a really affordable deal for a ton of odd job stuff (you know how old beamers can be), when I mentioned the 5th gear dilemma, he basically said, "bet I know exactly what that is", an hour later I got a call saying that a bolt roughly 1/8 cm too long had been wrongly installed, and simply put, 5th gear was back! I am so happy to have found this shop. I love my car, but it's old and cranky and now I feel much more sure to know that when it is in need, I have somewhere friendly and reliable to take it! read more

This place is great! I brought my car there and found the owner and staff to be extremely helpful, friendly and kind! They truly know what they are doing there and are a pleasure to do business with!!! I HIGHLY recomend them. The owner, Chris, knows his cars and wont streer you in the wrong direction. He is honest and trustworthy something that is hard to find as a woman. read more

Been going here for years not only for parts but also for awesome advise. This is the only place i will ever take my e30 to get worked on. Chris and his staff are awesome, wouldn't trust my car with anybody else. What i like best is that i can go in there and ask questions and they don't treat you like you are stupid, they are all about helping you. So much to say.......................Thanks Chris! read more

i found a 1988 528e, black on black, in pristine condition but with a lot of miles on it. previous owner took great care of it but i needed to change timing belt and water pump and get an assessment of what work needed to be done. Yelp lead me to German Auto Sport and the reviews looked very good. I called Chris, he told me the costs and parts and what work they would do. I dropped off the car and picked it up later that day. They gave me little discounts here and there which was great. but more importantly, these guys give YOU the knowledge and parts to do your own work if you want to. They said if anything breaks to give them a call, they'll visit the pick and pull and get three of the part to pick the best one! Incredible service and skill. I owned a Honda before with the same mechanic for 8 years that i trusted implicitly. Chris at G.A.S. is my new trusted mechanic. Take your bimmer there... you won't be sorry. read more

German Auto Sport has been there every time I needed a repair on the 1982 528e I purchased and often gave me free advice rather than charge me for unnecessary work. Needless to say this is the best, most down to earth BMW shop ever started. Chris, Sheila, and Shahryar always provided top notch friendly service in a non-intimidating environment. The 528e is gone now and I've upgraded to a 1988 535is and will continue to have every BMW I buy(oh yes there will be a lot more) to Chris's shop. So if you're tired of dealing with Weatherford BMW and getting overcharged for every little service, roll on over to German Auto Sport and you'll never look back. read more

I cross the San Rafael bridge to get to GAS even though Southern Marin is full of BMW shops. Chris is the one I trust because everything he has ever told me about my car has turned out to be spote on and all of the work he has ever done has been supurb. If you really like your car and especially if you have to depend on it to perform EVERY time. Take it to Chris and stop worrying read more

************ PHENOMENAL BMW SERVICE ************* Are you looking for honest, knowledgeable and friendly advice for your BMW ... all at reasonable prices too? Be sure to check out Chris at GERMAN AUTO SPORT (GAS). These guys do ONLY BMWs and MINIs (it's Feb 2010) and collectively have several decades of experience - which makes them INCREDIBLY KNOWLEDGEABLE, even down to the quirks of various BMW models/years. My former mechanic (who got my 1992 BMW 3-series to 243,000 miles so far - thankfully without driving me into debt) retired last year so I was concerned about finding another affordable AND honest BMW mechanic. After searching the entire bay area, I fortunately found these guys right in Berkeley, CA near highway 580/80. I showed up this morning with no appointment, and Chris squeezed my girl in. He said they'd start on my car in an hour, and his time estimate could not have been more on target. My car had been squeaking so they checked my brakes and did a general mechanical inspection. Despite the 243,000 miles on the odometer, they confirmed that my girl was in great mechanical condition. They did recommend a few fixes in order of priority to consider in the future, (all substantiated by showing me the issues), but assured me that I needn't spend any money on her in the near future. Even after spending time with me on the phone, time inspecting my brakes and car generally up on the rack, and another 30 minutes reviewing my car's status with me (from under the undercarriage), they charged me nothing! Well, this was no surprise because this was our agreement from the beginning, but still, I appreciated it nonetheless. Chris and Shahryar are true BMW enthusiasts (minus the snob attitude) and even encourage us owners to keep costs down by performing work that we are comfortable with on our own babies. Although Chris is the official boss, it was great to see him treat his employees with the utmost in respect (they used to be co-workers before Chris bought the shop from the prior owner). I echo the other reviews in that it really does feel like you are taking your baby to a friend's house for some TLC by people who care about her nearly as much as you do. This shop is well-organized with a number of racks (unlike some independents who only have one or two racks). If you're looking for pastries and elevator music, you won't find it at GAS - and you also won't find me there. Why on earth would I want to pay higher prices for stuff I can easily do without. And yes, they did install their license plate cover on her front end, but only after asking me first and it was a definite improvement to my previously frameless front plate. Although I hope my girl keeps running well into the 300,000 mile range (like one of Shahryar's), Chris was kind enough to let me pick his brain on what cars he'd recommend and more importantly why. So for highly competent, friendly and affordable service on your BMW, call on Chris at GERMAN AUTO SPORT in Berkeley CA. Signed, GAS's Newest Appreciative Customer P.S. - Make sure you check the shop name because you'll get the opposite of what makes GAS so great if you by mistake go to German Auto 'Care' in San Ramon. read more

Got my 2002 E39 serviced here a few times and all i got to say, these guys are GREAT! Can't find anothing machanic more up front and fair! Sean who answers the phone got excellent service!!! Chris and his team this this on lock! Will always use them when i can't work on my car. read more

Chris and his crew at German Auto Sport are top notch. I've read previous reviews that state you get special treatment if you're a friend or regular... well guess what? It's really not hard to be friends with these guys. I've felt like I've had special treatment since day 1 when I brought my '99 M3 in. A couple conversations and a handshake is all it takes. I've been to other BMW shops in the area and really feel I've found a genuine group of people to do business with. I've brought my M3 in for numerous issues and have had them all resolved promptly and at a cost that I felt was extremely fair. These guys continue to impress me with every visit. True BMW enthusiasts with a passion for customer service. read more

I got water into the engine compartment of my 1995 530i and had to have my BMW towed to German Auto Sport. Chris Lingle the owner quoted me a price, told me that it would take about 2-3 hours. 2 hours later 530i was done and he charged me below his quote. Thank you for all your help. read more

German Auto Sport seriously knows their stuff! The owner, Chris, really knows his stuff and is happy to explain all he knows. I had to deal with a ton of back and forth at another shop that didn't know BMWs, and they never figured out the problem! Chris? He figured it out on the first guess. BMW's are special cars, and German Auto Sport is the shop that knows how to care for them. read more

My 1999 BMW 318ti has over 200,000 miles on it and I don't think it would be on the road now if it was not for German Auto Sport. It's the only place that can put a trip computer in a 318ti. I have been going there for years and I will never go anywhere else. I took my car in last week because it needed an oil change and the driver side window was not working right, the interior door panel was also broken. They were not only able to fix the window but they were also able to fix the door panel without having to order a new one. I think that's pretty impressive and it saved me a lot of time and money. read more

I had to do a minor repair on my Mini: the strip below my right fender was torn off. Chris determined that all I needed was replacement clips, and though he didn't have them in stock, he directed me to a BMW dealership just a mile away. When I came back with the clips, he fixed me up at no charge and wouldn't even accept "pizza money." He worked fast, and had a great bedside manner. I obviously can't speak to their prices, but my experience today (together with these other good reviews I'm reading right now) leaves me confident that I've found the shop for my Mini should I ever need more serious body work. read more

I HAVE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT GERMAN AUTO SPORTS!!!! I'm all about first impressions. When I first walked into German Auto Sports I was really impressed with how clean and organized everything was (Not only the waiting area but the shop as well) after spending a few minutes talking with some of the guys there I quickly realized I brought my Bmw e30 to the right place not only because they are very knowledgeable on German automobiles but I could tell that they really enjoy they're work and have a passion for it. I brought my E30 in because I was hearing strange noises coming from under the hood. They quickly located and fixed the problem. they also top off my fluids and threw in a window switch for free! and on top of that they also located a few other issues with my car that I did not know about. It feels great knowing that I now have a place where I can take my car to people that I know I can trust and not have to worry about the job getting done correctly. I highly recommend German Auto Sports to anyone that is in need of service on their automobile!!! read more

Long overdue YELP! review. About six months ago, I had gotten my BMW broken into from the passenger side window. Needless to say I was devastated and the frustrations of insurance policies were aggravating. Luckily, the awesome team at German Auto Sport were understanding, helpful and quick with their services as I did not want to wait for my insurance to cover the costs or select a random shop for the repair. Chris and his team made me feel like my (Baby) was in great hands! Definitely have and will continue to come back when my Baby's in trouble! read more

I went here for the first time last week for my Diesel X5. My check engine light came on the day after it was at the dealership for 2 days. I finally decided to try elsewhere and I am glad I did. Chris was honest, friendly, and straightforward. While my car was at his shop, he kept me updated on what they were learning and how long it would take. He would call and discuss it with me. Normally, when I take it to dealership I have to hunt down my service advisor hours after he says he would update me so this was refreshing. In the end, Chris thought multiple fault codes had been triggered for whatever reason but that my car was running fine. He reset them and drove it to see if they would be triggered again, thereby deciphering whether there was a real problem or something had just been triggered for unknown reason. Nothing triggered again. He told me he didn't have to fix anything and that maybe the light would come on again and that then we'd know. He let me pick up my car after ensuring it was safe to drive. He didn't charge me for the diagnostics because he felt like he wasn't actually fixing anything! He could have easily charged me for the diagnostics, the time, and the labor, but he did not. I was amazed. The next day he even texted me to make sure everything was still ok. My car continues to drive great. The light has not turned on again. I sincerely appreciate his honesty and professionalism. I will undoubtedly be returning for my future service needs. read more

The employees and the owner seem to really care about customer satisfaction. I have had my BMW serviced here many times and have been impressed every time. They are the only people I have allowed to touch my vehicle other than myself. They always impress me with their wealth of knowledge concerning my BMW. They tell me information about my vehicle before it starts happening so I can do preventative maintenance that won't leave me on the side of the road. When I haven't taken their advice in timely manner, without fail, I have had to come back to get it repaired. In short, they are concerned about my well-being and my wife's well-being by making sure that neither of us end up stranded. Finally a mechanic that understands that that my time is money and the less I spend dealing with car issues, the more time I can focus on the things I need/want to do! read more

Wow! What a pleasant and professional experience we had working with the friendly and knowledgable staff. We brought our car in and gave a very loose explanation of our cars problem. Something to the effect of 'You know... when you are going 30 or so it starts to make this strange kind of eeeeeeeehhhslslggkkkkkkkkkkkkk sound." WIth a smile, Chris took the car and within the day had a very detailed (and passionate) explanation of exactly what might be the problem. He then explained to me (in English - not BMWese) what it would take to fix it in terms of time and expense. He helped us set up a plan on immediate and long term repairs and maintenance at a price that was VERY reasonable. It was clear that the folks down at German Auto Sport (GAS - check out the artwork on the register counter) are passionate about BMW's and the work they do for their clients! Thanks so much to the folks over there! read more

Chris's shop does good mechanical work but his shop needs work on customer service. I had a Vasek Polak BMW license plate frame on my daughters E30. While the car was in the shop for maintenance, they took the VP frame off and tossed it in the trash and put their own license plate frame on without her or my permission. Vasek Polak BMW was the oldest BMW dealer west of the Mississippi and their frames are hard to find. Not happy about that to say the least. read more

I heard about this shop from some of my friends in town who have actually been friends with him for a long long time. I also found out he has known my best friends family for years and years. We also grew up in the same town! After sharing thoughts about our common friends and town he went straight into diagnosing my problem. Him and his team does great work and they are all great people. He did the work for a very very great price. With the work he did and how quick it was done i would expect to pay up the ass, but i didnt. he also gave me two sweet german autosport lisence plate frames on the house! Keep up the good work Chris and i will always come back! read more

The only place I trust with our BMW. Chris and the guys and girls at German Auto Sport really are the best around. Trustworthy and knowledgeable they really do deserve 5 stars. Being a bit of a shade-tree mechanic myself I love the fact that I can get good advice from these guys for working on my car without pressure to always bring the car to the shop, as is common with most mechanics. These guys know bimmers back and forth and have built their business the old fashioned way, by treating their customers right. read more

WARNING! Several years ago I bought a used Mini that had been serviced by German Auto Sport in Berkeley (GAS) and stayed with them for regular servicing. The car began overheating about 18 months ago and simultaneously the air conditioning became weak. I took it in. GAS replaced a small plactic part and recharged the freon, and they charged me several hundred dollars for this work. The car promptly overheated again and there was no improvement in the air conditioning. I controlled the overheating for several months by turning up the heat and opening the windows, and finally I took it in again. This time they claimed the car needs a cylinder head repacement and estimated $7000 to $8,000, a figure that is close to the car's Bluebook value. They charged me another $130 for this diagnosis. I told them I would come and pick up the car and go get a second opinion. A few minutes later (while I was on the way over on BART) they called to tell me that now the car won't start so I needed to pick up a rental instead of driving my car away. I told them to fix it because the car has absolutely no history of not starting so it must have been something they did to it. When I arrived (about 10 minutes later), the car started just fine. They then repeated the $7,000-$8,000 estimate and told me a story about a customer who had decided to abandon his car to them because the cost of repair exceeded its value (hint hint). I drove the car to another shop (one with higher Yelp ratings), told them about the overheating and AC issues, and asked them to thoroughly examine the car. They diagnosed the problem as the radiator and power steering pump fans both burned out and the thermostat and housing needed replacing. Total cost: $1,213. The engine is fine - no need for any costly cylinder head work. The car now runs fine, no more overheating, and the AC works like new. The facts speak for themselves. read more