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European Motor Works
Category: Automotive Auto Repair Auto Repair [Edit]
86 W Live Oak AveArcadia, CA 91007
(626) 445-6600
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8 am - 6 pm
Sat 8:30 am - 2 pm
37 reviews for European Motor Works
37 reviews in English
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Review from Lawrence L.
Covina, CA
12/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Building a relationship with your auto mechanic is something that I have always valued, since he is the person that you entrust to fix your car and everyone in SoCal knows that you just can't get around without a car. my understanding is that the shop owner John Handal has an European engineering background with a love for BMW's. I trust him to work on my '01 e39 540 when my previous BMW mechanic Ronin Autowerks lost my trust after replacing my aux fax and working on my rear brakes. The M Shop in Eagle Rock was servicing my car recently and I like them too, but the rub with them is that they usually only work on your car on an appointment basis and besides that, they're not open on Mondays and I broke down on a Sunday...
EMW has come through for me when I needed to put my trust in someone to fix a sudden unexpected engine coolant leak that left me stranded until it was repaired. I towed my car to Arcadia from my house a half hour away knowing that they could handle the job and trusting that they would be able to fit me into their schedule and they didn't disappoint...
They evaluated the problem and found that the cause was a cracked coolant expansion tank. I authorized the repair including all coolant system hoses, temp sensor, radiator cap, and coolant but I stopped him short of replacing the radiator tank(s)...
I brought the car in around 900am and the work was done by 400pm. EMW's shop rates are fairly high which I have heard to be one of their common complaints, but those of you reading this will be glad to know that there is a Yelp discount that mitigates some of the cost, I think it's about 10% off of parts and labor...
John and his staff routinely go through the car thoroughly to see if there are any other areas of concern, something that I would expect from my mechanic and appreciate. The staff including the family are very nice and have treated me with the utmost of courtesy. In fact, they went out of their way to drop me off at the nearby Santa Anita mall so that I could grab some lunch and picked me up afterward -- how's that for customer service? Btw, I have met Peter and found his demeanor to be perfunctory at times but a straight shooter nevertheless and never makes any misleading promises that you know he can't keep...
The shop is clean and I have found the service to be impeccable. The waiting area has a large television, bottled water, and even free wifi for clients to use...
I would recommend EMW for anyone looking for a good competent, independent BMW shop. I've been here a couple of times now and they now have my confidence and trust to do the job in a competent manner. If pricing is your main concern, remember to mention and ask for the Yelp discount... -
Review from Paul I.
Alhambra, CA
1/13/2012
After getting reemed a few times at the dealer for some small repairs to my 2000 M Roadster, I decided to look for an independent shop. I heard about John at European Motor Works through an online BMW forum and decided to give him a try. Now I always take my car to John. His team does great work and for a fair price. He is not pushy and always very friendly, and his wife and son in the office are very nice too. A couple times I brought the car in due to a check engine light or for a nail in the tire, and he didn't even charge me. I highly recommend European Motors works to anyone with a German car.
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Review from Nem M.
Los Angeles, CA
4/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
If you own a BMW and you want a good, honest mechanic (which is very hard to come by) I suggest you go to EMW. John and his crew are very friendly (except for some guy who answers the phone...he seems to get mad if you call to check up on your car...i didn't catch his name though) and knowledgeable. I walked in with a 318i that, according to another mechanic, was not worth the time and money to fix. A few days later, with a reasonable quote from John, I was peeling off on my way home! This guy is a surgeon when it comes to BMWs! Great Customer Service, Very Knowledgeable Staff, VERY CLEAN shop, Reasonable Prices! VERY Satisfied Customer. 5 Stars! I highly recommend them!
Thanks John! -
Review from Bryan C.
Moreno Valley, CA
John and his team here at EMW are amazing. Top notch customer service that keeps you informed all along the way. Everybody is polite and courteous but also very knowledgeable in their work.
They charge a $100 inspection fee, but they go over everything with a fine toothed comb, so you know what state you vehicle is in. the $100 is waived if you choose to do the work with them -- they will suggest fixes that are more important or critical fixes that must be done, but will _never_ try to upsell you on something you don't want to do or immediately need.
I took in my M3 for some problems relating to the drivetrain (that apparently was faulty work done by the dealer that repaired my car last!) and John and his team had me in and out in just a few days. I would have been out sooner, but a specific part that was needed; only one was immediately available in the region, so it took a day or so to get their hands on it. However, they informed me of this immediately after they found there would be a delay. They also took care of a lot of small electrical problems for me for free, as I had a lot of work done on my car.
This is the only place I'll be taking my baby from now on :) -
Review from L L.
Pasadena, CA
1/8/2011
BE-CAREFUL! I like so many others was referred here after being cautious of the dealerships. Never again will I return here for my car to be serviced. Not only are they rude if you don't talk "car language" but they will take advantage of you!
Don't even bother going here.......it will be a waste of your time, terrible customer service and hidden fees left and right!
I had a repair done and it ended up being faulty, when I called to follow up I was treated like an idiot and accused of lying. Each element of the repair had not been documented (completely shady). Later I found out that the repair that was done was a lazy repair and that the issue was obvious if the proper steps had in fact been taken to fully correct the problem.
Never again will I give this man my money. Not only do they rob you blind but they are liars. -
Review from Edwin C.
Los Angeles, CA
Updated - 1/22/2011
Since my last visit, John, Peter and the rest of the indefatigable crew at EMW have only given me more reasons for a 5-star review: in the past few months,l I've taken in my car a grand total of 4-5 times, and not paid one cent towards repairs. They replaced both my tail lights, reattached the clips on my bottom side panels, added fully synthetic oil when it got low, and spent three hours going over my engine when it failed to start properly one morning -- all on the house. Why? Because the crew there are interested in getting your machine running at its fullest, not squeezing you for every available penny. H
eartfelt thanks to all there.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/7/2010
As good as it gets -- I''ve had a few bad experiences elsewhere but EMW restored my faith (Pep Boys… Read more »
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Review from Richard C.
Los Angeles, CA
5/11/2010
European Motor Works is Amazing! This place should be your one stop mechanic shop for your BMW!
If you're like me and love your bimmer to death to the point that you have a fear of leaving it in the hands of the wrong mechanic who would do more damage to it than when you took it in, European Motor Works is the remedy to that fear!
John, the owner and mechanic, has the most BMW experience and knowledge for any mechanic that I have come across. He has completed numerous BMW certifications and trainings essentially knowing all the ins and outs of all BMW models. Not only is he BMW-certified but his racing experience also exemplifies this point. Being a racer himself (and a highly skilled one I might add), he specializes in high performance and what better way to understand the necessary components of your car than from one who has personally been on the track knowing what's best for your bimmer whether you are a normal driver or racing enthusiast.
He will not cheat you out of your money. There is no gimmick when you bring your bimmer in. You won't get that cliche 'I came in for an oil change but now I need to replace my transmission, engine, etc' experience. I'm not suggesting that he won't inspect your car, because he does, but he won't pressure you to repairing it instantaneously if it isn't urgent. He will notify you if there are repairs that should be made in the future and suggest you return whenever you are ready to fix it - no pressure, no scam. He also uses only original genuine BMW and/or high performance parts. There is no cutting corners to save a buck on his part to rip you off. John's honesty and experience make him the perfect mechanic for my bimmer.
As I said before, coming to John and EMW has been the antidote to my fears. Not only does this place have my earnest trust and confidence but the staff (Mondaya, Joel, Jessie, Peter, and some guy named Ivan) are very knowledgeable and friendly and the environment is relaxing and pleasant (not loud and dirty like other auto mechanic shops). This will be the place I will be relying on for all of my car troubles for years to come. I would not take the time to write this review if I did not feel strongly about this shop. EMW is the perfect all-around BMW auto mechanic shop - a professional yet casual and comfortable atmosphere with a highly trained staff of mechanics in which their reputation precedes them. -
Review from Joan B.
South Pasadena, CA
8/8/2011
My husband and I both have BMWs. The service is great. My husband's car needed to get his tires changed and they were reasonably priced. My car later needed tires changed too and we went back to them. The owner himself found an even better deal on the tires than what my husband had to pay early this year. My tires were the same good quality. I love how the staff at EMW are very professional and timely in delivering promises.
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Review from Andy W.
Alhambra, CA
Updated - 5/4/2011
gotta do an update on this place.
1st visit) great service
2nd visit) got an oil change, then dude says we need some "bushings" which cost $500, uhh, no thanks
3rd visit) got another oil change, now we got a leak which would cost $400+. i declined the fix again. dude says i should be fix because it would cost "collateral" damaged. uhh, ok, thanks for the warning.
took my car back to new century. its actually cheaper to get an oil change service there. it cost $68 to get an oil change at new century, which is slightly cheaper than EMW. plus, i got a full car inspection. guess what, no oil leaks!
the cost to service your car at EMW is not cheap, and at times more expensive than the dealer. i say go back to New Century. service is great and you get a car wash.
i will never come back. can you say shady?1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2010
very friendly staff but beware. i went there 3 times. the 1st time, small fix, so it was cool. 2nd… Read more »
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Review from Vince S.
West Los Angeles, CA
1/31/2007 1 photo
5 stars. Yes, 5 stars. Here's why.
EMW (european motorworks) is run by John Handal. Back when I know John, he worked at New Century BMW. I witnessed his transition from a master tech at a dealership to a proud owner of a small independent shop. Today, he is in charged of a well managed and bigger independent shop.
John is an expert on anything BMWs. He's the no BS kind of guy. Very straight forward. He will tell you right away if something is worth fixing or not.
John upholds his job quality/standards he carried over from the dealership. He has 3 helpers in his shop: Joe, Jesse and Ivan. All 3 of them acquired their skills from John. Neat, clean job everytime. And most importantly decently priced.
This day and age, it is difficult to find a tech that is trustworthy. We all have somehow been fooled by techs but let me assure you that EMW is not one of those shops.
Tell John, that Vincent sent you. You will love their work.Listed in: Automotive Related.
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Review from Jesse W.
Fremont, CA
4/18/2008
As a knowledgeable BMW owner, I think it is in everyone's best interest to learn whatever you can about your car and service it yourself to save yourself some money and gain some knowledge seeing as you already plopped down some decent cash for that brand spanking new E90. For the love of all things sexy you drive the "Ultimate Driving Machine" shouldn't you be the "Ultimate omnipotent owner?"
All kidding aside. John Handel is a master technician. This guy knows his craft and somehow manages to remember your name even though you only come in once a year. For the jobs you can't tackle in your garage because you don't want to spend $200 on some stupid exclusive BMW tool that you will probably only use once, take it straight over to my man John.
He won't try to sell you anything you don't want, because heaven forbid that a BMW owner tries to save a few bucks here and there. He performs excellent work with constant communication if your car is in need of any other services. If you don't want it or you think you can handle it, thank him for giving you the heads up, unlike many shady mechanics out there that wouldn't tell you if your rotors were about to warp or your engine was about to explode.
He is the best around, great prices, friendly service, knowledgeable staff, and all around cool guys. I can waste a whole day talking BMW's with them. Not to mention the cool enthusiast crowd that hangs around at times. -
Review from Mervin L.
Arcadia, CA
3/29/2010
This is my second time bringing my car to John. The first time, my car had a million problems and he fixed them all for a pretty reasonable fee. Don't get me wrong, it's still expensive, but that's what you get for owning "The ultimate driving machine". All I know is, my next car will be Japanese. I've never had so many problems with a car, as with my 325i. I must have gotten a lemon from the beginning. I hope I can get this thing running well for another couple years until I can save up some money for a new car. I've haven't had to do anything but routine check ups and oil changes for my toyota. Man... I'm kicking myself for buying German, but I wanted the experience. Now I've had it.
Anyways... that's beside the point. This morning my battery died and I called John to see if I could bring it in. He found the battery bad and when it still didn't work, he recommended replacing the starter. I guess some other shops may have just told me it was the starter first and tried to rip me off.
So, I dropped it off and his son even gave me a ride to work. That was a nice touch. I didn't expect that from a small shop.
He also found a problem with my tires and wanted me to change them too, but I found it cheaper at another place. He simply said, " Cool, do it there." No pressure. I like that.
So, like all the other reviewers have said, if you gotta have a BMW and you want dealer like service without the dealer price, go to EMW. Sounds like a commercial, but I swear, I don't work for John nor did I ever know him before. -
Review from brian h.
Glendale, CA
2/14/2009
This is an outstanding shop! The staff are friendly, the waiting room very comfortable, and John Handal is not only extremely knowledgeable, but a very nice, personable man.
I had quite a bit of work done to my 92 325ic and am very happy with the service, price, explanation of the issues, and suggestions for resolutions to concerns.
The combination of knowledge, service, cost, and personality of this business is top-of-the-line and hard to find anywhere else. -
Review from J T.
Rowland Heights, CA
Updated - 8/4/2010
Follow up to the AC issue.
I brought the car in as mentioned. John took a quick look and saw that the AC belt broke off. Gave me a fair quote, and I followed up on another previous recommendation of replacing my tranmission fluid. Another fair quote, and off he went to make the repairs.
One thing that bugged me is that, I told his staff that I'll be back when closing at 2pm as I'll be running some errands. The car was fixed, and received a call by one of employees saying to come pick up your car. As mentioned previously, I'll be back at 2pm. When I called back when I got the message, the same guy answered the phone and was snippy with me saying "we've been trying to call you to come get your car" in a rude tone. I didn't appreciate that. - 1 star.
However, John and is mechanical wisdom = 5 Stars!
Other than the issue I experienced, I'll stil keep my business there. I'm not going to let one issue ruin a good mechanic. Its already hard to find.
Hopefully, that guy was straighten out by now.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/16/2010
EMW was referred thru a friend of a friend. While I checked out the reviews on YELP, I was… Read more »
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Review from Lydia S.
Pasadena, CA
9/10/2010
Tired of sketchy independent mechanics but not a fan of being gouged at the local BMW dealership? Yeah, we were too. So on someone's recommendation, we went to EMW. Whatever skepticism we initially had is gone, and we are now lifetime clients.
Why? The people are great, and when they were done, our BMW felt like a new car off the lot. A young man named Peter helped us throughout the entire process and was very clear/helpful whenever they found ANOTHER problem; we took it in because of the AC, but expected this because the previous owner didn't take care of it at all.
In addition to all the internal problems, we had to get three of four wheels replaced, and when we asked him about cost efficiency, he actually told us to get the tires at Costco then bring it back for them to do the work. Nice way to earn our trust there.
He gave us a small discount on the final fee (still lower than going to a dealership), and they even replaced the grill for free (apparently it was loose). He later introduced us to the other mechanics, and John, the owner, took a moment to introduce himself -- he probably lets very few customers go without meeting them first.
The free beverages and candy were pretty nice, too. We're never going anywhere else.
Update: Since writing this review, I noticed BMW dealerships in the area have begun offering deals on maintenance and oil change, so bear that in mind before heading to these guys or any other private mechanic. -
Review from Courtney D.
Los Feliz, CA
12/22/2007
So, I love this place!
John is not only very up front and honest, he loves E30's as much as my boyfriend and I do! John will take the time to personally discuss what he has found wrong on your car, and he's very fair on pricing.
He'll talk with you as if you are his personal friend and he'll even show you around his incredible clean shop. He has top of the line equipment and his employees are very personable.
As most of you know, without going to a dealership, it's very difficult to find an independent BWM repair shop that isn't ran out of a shoddy building, with shady characters.
I will MOST definitely go back to EMW for all my repairs! -
Review from Mike C.
Pasadena, CA
4/19/2010
I've been bringing my BMW to John for about 3 years now. I decided to go to him after hearing all the rave reviews that he was getting from the BMW forum sites. I was looking for a reliable, trustworthy mechanic instead of going to the BMW dealership, who loves to charge an arm and a leg.
John is very thorough in his work and his prices are fair and reasonable. He likes to take his time when servicing your car, which I admire because I know that he wants to do a good job on the service and it gives me the feeling that my car is in good hands. He is really honest when telling you what needs to be done to keep your car in tip-top shape.
Because of his excellent work, I don't bother looking for another mechanic. I'll know that him and his staff will always do a good job on my car. -
Review from Kent H.
Arcadia, CA
5/15/2009
John and his staff are definitely a stand up guys! His shop has excellent and knowledgeable staff with some of the best tools available. EMW did the Auto to Manual conversion on my car with zero problems.
EMW is the first place I think of when I don't want to DIY ( Do It Yourself ). -
Review from maker o.
Los Angeles, CA
2/2/2009
After reading several reviews on here and other sites about EMW, I decided to give this shop a try.
Great service, very friendly people and very good rates.
I was very please with the work done on my BMW.
The shop is a little bit outside of LA, but the quality of the service makes it worth the trip.
Thumbs up for EMW. -
Review from Kathy N.
Diamond Bar, CA
1/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
trying to find a reliable mechanic for ur bimmer is hard..who else can u trust besides the dealers (who rip u off and charge u an arm and a leg for 10 minutes ot "service") ..well, you can trust EMW!!
i gave them a call after I called 2 dealerships about my issue..i just replaced my battery and needed it to be registered..forums said it cost about $26..i got a price quote from monrovia at $70...seriously?! O_O..and shelly didnt even return my call..pssh..
so i decided to call EMW..peter and john gave me a great deal and i was in and out of there in 20 minutes..they were very professional and troubleshooted since my previously registered battery was not the one being listed..
the place is a little hard to find and on a semi-busy street..so be careful!!..besides that..i would come back again for those things that I can't do/get done by myself..definitely trustworthy guys here..thanks again for all the help and you'll prob see me again since my car is no longer under warranty..=/ -
Review from Kevin C.
Sunnyvale, CA
2/22/2009
John and his team really know what they're doing with when it comes to your BMW. I had some issues with starting my car and was recommended to see EMW. As some of the past yelpers have pointed out, he is one of the very few mechanics I'll trust with my ride. It took them two visits to figure out what was wrong with my car (I had one of the weirdest starter issues that involved a weird nut in the engine bay) but he fixed it the second time around without question I'm almost geeked out everytime I visit the shop from seeing all the different types of BMWs he services. You can tell he is well respected in the BMW community.
2011 Updated Review
I've been taking my e46 to EMW for the past two years now. Peter who works in the front always takes care of me. Him and John both know every customer's names, cars and services that they have performed without looking at records. Amazing. It really shows how much they care about everyone's car and the attention to detail they take into consideration. I highly recommend this place if you own a BMW. -
Review from Leroy L.
San Gabriel, CA
11/21/2010
This shop is the only reason I decided to purchase another BMW. A trusted mechanic is priceless. No one likes the cost of maintaining these machines but at least you know that it will run smoothly and for a long long time with the proper care. I really appreciate them giving me rides back and forth from my house so I don't get stuck waiting all day at an inconvenient place.
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Review from Mel S.
Mountain View, CA
3/12/2007
I was referred to John via an adviser from the Alhambra BMW where I bought my car. John is one of the few honest mechanics out there who is truly passionate about working on BMWs. He and his crew are very knowledgeable and thorough. His wife is also very nice and works the lobby area which actually feels like their home's living room needless to say...it's very welcoming. If I didn't move from the area, I would still go to John. I also recommend window tinting here, they did a great job!!
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Review from kyle d.
San Marino, CA
5/4/2007
John Handal is a prince. I used to bring my old '87 325 to him for everything. And no matter how small the issue, John always made time to chat and share his passion for BMW's in particular and cars in general. Even in the middle of 5 figure job on a $100k Bimmer, he always has a moment to chat. He kept my old Bimmer going way past it's day and he always charged a fair, honest rate. Top notch, no doubt. When I finally replace my old Bimmer, I'll be going right back to EMW.
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Review from Steve M.
Hollywood, CA
3/6/2007
I have to agree. 1st class service. My 330ci needed work and I didn't want to get ripped of by the stealership. They charged half the price and did twice as good of work. A+++
Listed in: Born to Shop
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Review from Spencer Y.
Westwood, CA
4/28/2009
EMW takes good care of you with zero BS.
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Review from Mike L.
Monterey Park, CA
6/17/2010
I did a little shopping around before coming here for an oil change. As you all know oil changes elsewhere or at a dealership is a rip. But EMW offers oil changes at a great price. I met Peter and a few of his workers, really nice people as they made me feel like I was at home while waiting for my oil change to be done. They offered me drinks numerous of times, and even a breakfast burrito! I had other problems with my hood and the technicians showed me the problem instead of just telling me like other places. A week later, I got a card from John thanking me for coming to his shop. It's really nice to have a place where they take their time to write out a card for their "thanks". A+++ service and I would recommend all my friends/family to this place to get anything serviced.
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Review from Jason J.
Arcadia, CA
8/4/2009
The owner John seems to be lacking on the Customer Service level.
Basically the owner told me to take a hike and called me cheap when I asked him about his detailed labor cost, since I wanted to source my own (OE) parts. And this was only for a simple oil change + some windshield gasket replacement.
To me that screams 1 star. Customer Service should always be #1 regardless. And the fact that I asked him nicely via email (less intrusive than a phone call) didn't help.
In all fairness, EMW1 does offer competitive pricing over your stealers for BMW maintenance and aftermarket installation. However check out "The M Shop" in West LA for even better pricing and "better service"Comment from John H. of European Motor Works 8/8/2009
To set the record staight I never called him cheap.My… More » -
Review from Bryan D.
Los Angeles, CA
2/27/2010
I was referred to EMW by my brother who takes his car there because his classmate from college works there. I am critical about who repairs my BMW. For the most part I try to do it myself. But this time I needed help. It was comforting to know that John was a certified master tech prior to starting his own business, and that the people he hires are BMW fanatics as well. Repairs were done correctly and finished on time as promised. Keep up the great work!
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Review from Rob S.
Pasadena, CA
1/21/2009
I love this place! Everyone was incredibly friendly and competent. The waiting room is very comfy. John gave me great advice, and his wife brought all the customers amazing pastries! This is my new garage of choice near Pasadena.
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Review from Renee S.
Culver City, CA
7/28/2010
I won't trust anyone else to work on my mini. John and the boys have done nearly all the work on my car. They put the care in my car as if it is their own.
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Review from Greg N.
San Marino, CA
1/3/2008
John really takes his time to explain everything that is being done to your car. When I came to pick up my car he even had one of the mechanics put the car on a lift to show the work. The service offered here is not the kind that the dealer can offer. Johns service is the best I have received from any mechanic.
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Review from Scott M.
Sierra Madre, CA
1/6/2010
I was thinking of purchasing a used BMW 325xi and called to see if they would look at it. They have a pre purchase inspection costing $100 and for those of you looking at buying a used BMW, I would suggest taking it to John. Both he and his wife were very friendly and from what I could tell very honest about my planned purchase. My only gripe and it really isn't even a gripe is that they kept the car a little longer than I had planned. However when I came to pick up the car he told me and wrote down all of what was wrong with my car. His suggestion.....look for another car.....this one needed too much work. Thanks John for the honesty and if you know of anyone that would like to buy this car....well I have a deal for you!!
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Review from Buck R.
Los Angeles, CA
12/12/2010
These guys have really shown that they are willing to go the extra mile to fix our BMW. Previously we'd taken our BMW to the dealer and all we got was poor vehicle service at premium pricing. John and his team did an impressive job solving a complicated electrical problem that even the dealer was unable to figure out. I felt their pricing was extremely reasonable and was able to get our car back in short time. Its really nice to find a good shop that you feel confident taking these technical cars to. The staff has also been very welcoming and they help us right away. Thank you guys over at EMW and we'll be sure to bring our car back for its maintenance!
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Review from Nikunj C.
Los Angeles, CA
10/24/2007
I heard about this place through one of the online BMW communities (bimmerfest), and it was well recommended. I live about 30min (much longer with traffic) from this place, and it's worth the drive. The service is top notch, the staff is awesome, and it's obvious that John cares a lot about his work. He did my brakes and tires for far less than it would have cost me anywhere else. I'm glad I found this place.
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Review from SON L.
Los Angeles, CA
10/19/2009
This is one auto specialist you can come to with PEACE OF MIND. As many other reviews say, John and his staff are extremely knowledgeable and trustworthy of your business. They did an awesome job on my bumper repair that looks as good as new! They also performed some mechanical work that was quoted at triple the price at the dealer. EMW has proven their credibility to me by not performing services that are still covered by my extended maintenence with BMW. Now THAT is commendable! You'd be a fool NOT to come here! Great job, EMW!
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Review from George Y.
Arcadia, CA
10/20/2008
nice people, not quality service.
