Maintenance and Inspections
Service intervals consist of two main service groups:
The following maintenance items should be performed as recommended by the manufacturer. The intervals vary by brand of vehicle. Please contact us for information on your vehicle.
- Coolant fluid flush
- Brake fluid flush
- Timing belt replacement
German Car Repair, Inc. also offers the following services:
Minor Scheduled Services
Certain manufacturers include a maintenance plan with the purchase of the vehicle. German Car Repair, Inc. can perform interim minor services, including oil and filter changes, to complement your maintenance plan.
Oil and Filter Service
Since automobile manufacturers began offering free scheduled maintenance during the warranty period, oil change intervals have increased from 5,000 miles to up to 15,000 miles. Although these long service intervals may be sufficient for engines to operate reliably while under warranty, they are a major contributor to internal engine damage resulting from contaminated oil and sludge build up, which becomes evident after warranty expiration.
Bringing your car to us for interim oil changes every 5,000 to 7,000 miles (depending on vehicle) will enable us to monitor and check for any warranty concerns that may arise. The manufacturers’ maintenance schedules do not, in our opinion, ensure the long-term health of your car.
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Crankcase of a properly
maintained vehicle. |
Crankcase of a vehicle
not maintained properly. |
Changing your car’s oil at interim intervals of 5,000 to 7,000 miles will not jeopardize your manufacturer’s warranty, and we will not reset your maintenance interval reminder. This ensures that your maintenance plan remains on track.
Major Scheduled Services
German Car Repair, Inc. can perform all scheduled inspections and major services on your German automobile whether it is under the manufacturer’s warranty or not.
Certain maintenance requirements have been deleted from the manufacturers’ maintenance schedules, such as transmission services, fuel filter changes, etc., due in part to car makers offering “free maintenance” for the first few years of ownership. German Car Repair, Inc. still recommends periodic replacement of these items in the interest of increased longevity of components, such as fuel pumps, transmissions, cooling systems, etc.
Our service estimates reflect our more intensive maintenance regimen. An important part of any maintenance service, major or minor, includes a thorough inspection of your car. Any needs that it may have are documented. An estimate is then prepared and e-mailed or faxed to you, followed by a phone call from us. We can also e-mail photos of defects found, or repairs recommended.
No work is performed without your prior authorization. This ensures that you are always current and informed about what is being done to your car during the repair process.
Click here to email Alan with any questions or concerns about your car.
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Major Service and Intake Manifold Reseal, 1993 BMW 850 Ci |
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Other Services
If you are in the market for a pre-owned Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, or Mini, the most important thing you can do before completing your transaction is to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified third party. Our Pre-Purchase Inspection includes an exhaustive check of all aspects of the vehicle, from drive-train components and safety systems, cosmetic condition, to structural integrity, and overall appearance. German Car Repair, Inc. will prepare a complete report on the vehicle based on our checklist.
Pre-Warranty Expiration Inspection
German Car Repair, Inc. honors most extended warranty policies. Let us conduct a Pre-Warranty Expiration Inspection on your vehicle for items that would be covered under your manufacturer’s warranty. Why pay for a repair that could have been covered by your warranty? German Car Repair, Inc. will prepare a report of any warrantable defects for you to present to your dealer for repair. Many third party extended warranty companies also require a vehicle inspection report before underwriting a policy, and if you are considering purchasing an extended warranty, this would be a perfect time to have your car inspected by us. Extended warranty companies are more comfortable underwriting a vehicle that is still under the manufacturer’s warranty. It poses a smaller risk to them (pre-existing defects are less likely to be present), so the length of the warranty and scope of coverage available to you are greater and cost less compared with purchasing a policy on a vehicle already out of warranty.
