The vehicle I needed help with is a 2018 Audi Q5 that needed its routine oil change - reverse light was damaged - tire pressure sensors needed to be reset - and a general inspection.
The issue was finding someone that would be qualified to work on German automobiles without having to break the bank yet still receive quality work.
Until now, all servicing had been done at the dealership due to its extended warranty of all repairs and parts from the Audi of North Miami.
Once the warranty expired and the pricing on these services became clear, it was time to find someone who would be:
#1- Closer than Audi (West Kendall Area)
#2- Dependable and Responsible
#3- Knowledgeable of these types of vehicles
#4- Economically priced to the best of his ability during these times of inflation.
Well, after careful research online and word of mouth from friends who have Volkswagen Group vehicles, I was led me to this small shop, privately owned, privately operated right behind Tamiami Airport. Conveniently, a 10 minute drive away from the house. On yelp he has a solid 5-star rating, however a very low amount of reviews. So it definitely sounded appealing and promising.
The Phone Call
Before venturing off to the actual location, I decided to call and gather further information on Robert's availability and pricing beforehand.
He answered the phone for the first time very courteous, speaking professionally about the type of vehicle and demonstrating his knowledge of Audis. He sounded confident and so I thanked him and made plans to visit his shop with my vehicle.
The Initial Meeting
Early the next morning, we dropped off the vehicle and met Robert, who was friendly about meeting new customers. And he took our information and assured us that a thorough inspection, in addition to the repairs needed, would be performed. He also said he would call with an estimate of all parts and labor needed in the car.
That afternoon, as promised, he called and offered Zelle as a form of payment which made paying easy. His inspection had also discovered something that could turn into a serious problem. A small puncture had been made in the CV joint boot, the part of the vehicle that holds together the axels and helps in turning your vehicle. This repair was approximately $590 dollars. This was a shock, but compared to Audi's price of $2000 plus labor to replace the part, it was a no-brainer.
The Work
Robert took pictures of the issue with the CV joint boot, he also sent pictures of the back of the car demonstrating how the reverse light was out. He was able to replace the light, reset the MMI computer on the vehicle to reflect the correct tire pressures, as well as all the lights being functional. He completed the CV joint boot replacement several days later when the part arrived direct from Audi.
His oil change was a little more than most places due to his usage of Liquid Moli, research it and you will know why, it is one of the only oil manufacturers of synthetic motor engine oils in the world. The rest purchase Liquid Moli and fill it with their own additives. So it put into perspective what we fill our cars with when we drop it off at the Jiffy Lube.
The pickup
Robert made everything simple in picking up the car right after he was done completing all the repairs. He also has alternate pickup and drop off options for people just needing to drop their cars off for repairs. But we enjoyed learning all about this RS Auto Specialist upon pickup.
Robert finished a full day of working and decided to share some of his career experience:
He worked at The Collection, a second-floor, air-conditioned, automotive, full-service repair shop for the most expensive cars in Miami! Ferraris, Porsche, Alfa Romeros, etc. Cars worth hundreds of thousands of dollars were in this man's hands!
He also worked at the official Volkswagen dealership, where he gained a lot of experience working on the VW Group automobiles.
He decided to open his own specialty shop after working so many years for these larger corporate structures and dedicate his time and energy to servicing quality vehicles with quality experience.
Conclusion
Robert has made this experience easy and cost-effective in the long run. Visiting his shop and getting to know Robert made us feel comfortable in knowing where to take the Audi when anything mechanical occurs. No longer are we slaves to the dealership and their ridiculous prices. That being said, Robert is very thorough and you should take him serious on his information. If there is an unplanned service or repair he is recommending, keep in mind it is meant to help save you money in the long run. This CV joint repair was costly, but compared to the alternative scenario, it was much appreciated to take care of it now and not wait.
Take this review for what it is, an honest, unbiased report on one of Miami's top German automobile mechanics. Working out of his little shop in West Kendall.
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