If you currently own or want to buy a European vehicle, you likely have concerns about the cost of European auto repair in Winston-Salem. Although Euro imports and domestics are similar in many ways, these two types of vehicles certainly have their differences. Imports typically have unique aspects to their systems, parts quality and mechanic training. These differences often translate to differing costs at the auto repair shop. In fact, many buyers stay away from Audis, VWs, Mercedes and BMWs because they fear steep maintenance and repair bills.
European Auto Repair Can Cost More
If you buy an Audi, Mercedes, VW or BMW, you can expect to sometimes pay more for European auto repair and maintenance than for domestic vehicles. This is because German automakers focus on making vehicles with higher engineering precision than American automakers. American manufacturers focus more on utility, reliability and economy.
It is not that one type of vehicle is better than the other. German imports just have unique attributes that make them less economical in some ways. For example, parts for BMWs, VWs, Mercedes and Audis are known for being higher quality than parts for other types of automobiles. With this quality comes a higher price tag, whether for repair, maintenance or OEM parts.
Historically, European auto repair cost more because these cars were designed to last longer than Japanese or American vehicles. This has changed in recent years. But up until the 2000s, BMWs, VWs, Mercedes and Audis were known for lasting longer than most other brands, given you regularly maintained your vehicle. But now that American vehicles also last more than 150,000 miles, the quality gap has tightened. As a result, European auto repair costs are now closer to the costs of American auto repair.
Transmission Service of European Auto Repair
European auto repair more regularly requires specialized knowledge of manual transmissions than American auto repair. In Europe, most vehicles operate with a clutch and stick shift. But in America, we drive mostly automatic transmission vehicles.
This means that your European auto repair shop must have advanced knowledge of standard transmissions and clutch repair. While not all Audis, VWs, Mercedes and BMWs in the U.S. are manual, many drivers still enjoy the feeling of standard transmissions. If you have a manual vehicle, regular clutch repair is very important. If your auto repair shop does not routinely service these types of vehicles, they are not your best bet for quality maintenance and repair. Instead, you need an auto shop with the knowledge and experience to properly fix your European car.
European Auto Repair for German Suspension
Steering and suspension on your German vehicle is more intricate than for American vehicles. This makes suspension parts and service a bit more expensive than domestic owners experience. But when you drive your Euro import, you certainly enjoy the exhilarating feeling of greater control on curves and around corners. This enjoyment makes the experience worth the cost for most BMW, VW, Mercedes and Audi owners.
High performance requires routine maintenance. This is certainly true with a European auto suspension system. They require more care from experienced European auto repair mechanics due to their higher-level calibration.
Specialized Training for European Import Mechanics
Mechanics who specialize in European auto repair require specialized training. This training is more expensive than for domestic vehicles. As a result, your Euro vehicle repair can cost more than your neighbor’s domestic car repair, even at the same repair shop.
You can save some money by taking your BMW, VW, Mercedes or Audi to an auto repair shop that provides maintenance and repair services for domestics and specific types of imports. Generalists like these have the right training and are better able to keep repair costs lower. For example, Cloverdale Auto in Winston-Salem, North Carolina repairs domestics like Jeeps and Chevys, but also fixes German automobiles. We have mechanics trained in the precision calibration of Euro imports, as well as the nuances of domestics.
European Auto Repair Winston-Salem Trusts
Owners of German automobiles in Winston-Salem trust Cloverdale Auto for their maintenance and repair needs. Our highly trained mechanics specialize in domestics and European imports. Euro imports we service include:
Through our focused care, you can keep your domestic or import vehicle running for hundreds of thousands of miles. Schedule your auto repair or maintenance at Cloverdale Auto in Winston-Salem by calling 336-331-3448.
