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South Central Imports South Central Imports is a Volkswagen and Audi specialist and provides VW and Audi auto repair services to Minneapolis, MN. Our low pressure environment is geared towards identifying your vehicle's issue and resolving it as quickly as possible without the sales tactics of the dealer shops. Whether your vehicle requires major repairs or is due for maintenance checks, SCI Performance is qualified to handle it all. All our technicians are highly experienced and trained and know exactly how to address all auto repairs, VW and Audi services.
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South Central Imports/SCI Performance is located in South Minneapolis. In 1976 we opened our doors as a neighborhood Volkswagen and Audi repair shop. In the past 44 years we have remained a VW/Audi exclusive repair and performance shop to better serve our customers. As a family owned business we try to ensure that you understand the services you are receiving and will take the time to explain the repairs needed to you. We believe that specializing helps us maintain and grow a thorough knowledge of your vw/audi.
Reviews (21)
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David Yeager
Jun 16, 2021
My son and I have used SCI for many years for all of our VW/Audi needs. 2005.5 A4, 2011 Jetta, 2004 r32, 2013 GLI. Worth the 30+ minute drive from Andover. Always a fair price for excellent work! Don't waste your time with the dealer if your car is out of warranty! SCI IS THE BEST
Mitch S.
Apr 22, 2021
Chad and SCI is my go to for any repair on my Audi and VW's. Chad also works me in when I have an emergency repair on my cars to fit me in to his schedule. Top notch repairs from oil changes to timing belts. Chad/SCI is the Best!
Jeffrey Dypwick
Apr 16, 2021
I've had my 2003 Golf GLS since it was new. I was referred to SCI after all of my warranties expired and for the past 7.5 years have found no need to go anywhere else. Chad Erickson has always done excellent work and has never "sold me" on services I didn't need. He's also been very accommodating when I've found myself in unexpected "urgent situations". I can not recommend SCI highly enough. Jeffrey D. Minneapolis 10 Feb 21
Gabriel Garduno
Feb 23, 2021
I've been a customer of SCI for a couple of decades. They've always performed excellent work on my cars. Everything from normal maintenance, to performance components installations. Very professional and service oriented. Services: Oil change, General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic
Jeff Brown
Feb 12, 2021
SCI Performance has been the standard in VW care for as long as memory serves. If you are looking for value, quality, integrity, fairness, and frankly someone who looks out of your wallet, SCI Performance will not disappoint. I have trusted Chad and his team for so many years I lost track. Their knowledge of VW/Audi is vast, and there isn't an issue they can't solve.

What I do know is that if my budget is tight, he will do what he can to get my car running in top shape, while keeping the invoice inline. In this day and age, a service shop like this is rare. Don't hesitate to have your vehicle serviced here!
Robb Wilson
Nov 02, 2020
Since my last review eight months ago I sold one of my VW TDI's. SCI recommended a place to get the car detailed for sale, well worth the money. They found an oil leak on my Tiguan while changing the oil, ordered the part and had it done the same day. They also helped me get my Audi A4 back on the road with a list of things to fix now and later.
Joe
Jan 14, 2020
SCI has been my go to mechanic for regular maintenance and repair on my Audi A4 for a few years. Everything from routine oil changes, timing belt, brakes, and even installing after market sport suspension has been done here. I have always owned VW/Audi vehicles and choose to go here because I know I will receive the best technical diagnosis with a practical repair.
Rick S.
Dec 09, 2017
The guys held off on a blown head gasket only to charge for an oil change and a slight adjustment to the oil filter gasket. They added die to the oil to check where the oil leak was coming from. We will come back after 500 miles and they check the engine for any leaks. The dealership was pushing for the $2500 head gasket without doing any other investigation.

They were pushing my daughter to get it done now. Honest, great to deal with Chad and Ben are great guys. I was recommended by a very good friend - NISH - He said that I could trust them. He was right. Thanks to South Central Imports for putting trust back in my mind as it relates to independent car shops. See you dealerships. I'm out with you and in with the South Central Imports Team.
BananaPancaking
Feb 09, 2017
It's not often you find someone as honest and knowledgeable as Chad is with older Volkswagens. I had him go through the motor, transmission and brakes on my Mk1 Cabriolet and he did an amazing job. I will gladly bring my car back and recommend SCI to anyone I know
C. Classic P.
Mar 28, 2016
I have had work done on a Golf, 3 series and my current Jetta in a 10+yr. time span with SCI. Nothing but good, honest, reliable work and folks there. I highly recommend them for general maintenance/repair & performance work; they have saved me hundreds and keeping it local is always a win-win.
Jack E.
Feb 10, 2016
Last summer I recieved a phone call from my wife saying that her 2004 Audi had stalled out on the side of the road in Edina. She called to ask me what to do and I called South Central Imports based on a friends suggestion. I told them what had happened, after a few questions back and forth from Chad, he suggested letting the car sit for a short period and seeing if it would restart.

I relayed the info to my wife and picked her up for lunch. When we returned, sure enough the car restarted just as Chad had guessed it would. We drove the car straight to the shop worried that it would die again and dropped the car off at SCI. We were told that it most likely needed a fuel pump but they would have to get the car warm and see if they could duplicate the issue since the check engine light wasn't even on. Ben called just before they closed and said that the car had died again for them and that he could get the pump the next day now that they had verified the pump was the issue.

The team at SCI made a point to get the car fixed before lunch time so we could coordinate picking the car up at an easy time again. It was done on time and the car has not had the issue since that day. I can easily say that Chad saved us time because he is so familiar with the issues these cars have. Chad also saved us money because his experience saved us the tow fee had we had it towed immediately. As an owner of two aging Audi's I am super happy to have found an experienced and honest shop I can trust.
Chrissy B.
Jan 27, 2016
I have been going to SCI since 2000 back when Volksport was a thing and I had a 1988 Jetta that seemed to have a different issue every other week. Chad earned my trust right away on the MKII and three VW's and an Audi later and I am still going to SCI for all of my maintenance and repair needs. The guys there are awesome and always helpful! And they are a huge resource for any modifications or projects that you might need an extra hand with. Seriously, I would not trust anyone but the guys at SCI with any of my VW or Audi's! They are that great!
Stefanie T.
Dec 19, 2015
After Mike from Mike's Import Auto Repair retired, I was nervous about having to find a new repair shop for my VW. I ventured onto Yelp to find a shop easily accessible by public transportation that also had overall positive reviews. SCI stood out to me and I made an appointment for an oil change and for them to take a look at a few other things.

As I waited for my car, Ben fostered perhaps the most genuine hospitality I've ever experienced at a shop. Once Chase had identified what was going wrong with my Jetta, he invited me back to the garage to take a look. He and Ben detailed what was in need of repair and advised me on a few things to look for down the road. Look, I'm never quick to trust others while doing business (especially as a woman who knows very little about cars who depends heavily upon a mechanic's word) but with Ben and Chase, I was immediately at ease and trusted their judgment.

I made my second visit to their shop today and couldn't be more impressed by their continued quality service and their mindfulness about cost. When you own a VW, you need a trusted repair team and I've definitely found mine in Ben and Chase. Thanks, dudes.
Michael F.
Apr 17, 2015
I've been taking my vws to South Central since the 90s. Chad is the best vw mechanic in the state - perhaps the best in the country. If you want better than dealer service at half the price from someone you can trust ( and who doesn't) why go anywhere else?
Peter G.
Nov 01, 2013
I got my timing belt replaced by them and the service all appeared to be good. That is until my skid plate in the front of my car came off when I was driving because they "forgot" to put the screws back in to replace it after fixing the timing belt. Inattention to detail could have made for a worse situation than thankfully it was
Gina C.
Sep 08, 2011
I feel lucky to have access to mechanic like Chad. He is a unique combination of being an expert at his work and totally honest. Finding a mechanic can be a fraught experience, but Chad has earned my trust, without question. He worked on my husband's VW for years, and even though we had a few intervening non-VW years, when I got a VW of my own, Chad not only remembered us, but treated us as old friends.

I actually got a dressing down for owning a Volkswagen at another mechanic, and they quoted me far higher prices for the same work that Chad does better. From now on, I'm not going anywhere else.
Alexandra H.
Jul 21, 2011
Life can be hard for a lady in an auto body shop.or a lady who suddenly finds herself in a crappy damsel-in-distress situation on the side of the road in the rain on the way to said auto body shop; but fortunately, the gentlemen of SCI came to my aid. Even though SCI had just opened for the morning, Chad immediately sent Dan over to help so I wouldn't have to call for a tow truck to drag me 5 blocks.

It took 3 hours of labor to fix the internal glitches in my car and Chad called to update me so I knew exactly what they were working on and replacing. (Even though I barely speak car, I appreciated being treated as though I do.) They even suggested I replace a $9 piece at the time so I wouldn't have to pay labor fees again at a later date! Needless to say, I'm very impressed with the courteous, prompt and expert service I received. Finger's crossed I don't have to go back anytime soon, but when I do, I can at least be assured that my car & I are in good hands!
Julia S.
Apr 07, 2011
These guys are the best! They are down to earth, accommodating, easy to work with, and honest. Yes honest! I took my VW Jetta in to service the "check engine light". After doing a diagnostic, SCI said it would cost me hundreds of dollars for them to do the repair. They recommended instead that I would be better served by going to the dealer for a warranty repair.

They even hooked me up with a VW dealer who was expecting my call. My car is fixed thanks to their knowledge and expertise; they steered me to the right direction. I totally trust these guys, they are the best! I will be back.
Eric J.
Dec 08, 2010
I started going to SCI over a decade ago after hearing about them on a VW car forum. I brought my (then brand new) car to have an aftermarket exhaust installed. It was a brand new part that they were not familiar with so there were a couple little hiccups - but they made sure all was right in the end. Fast forward to last night: I just picked up that same car again after a buddy of mine brought it there to get it checked out pre-purchase. SCI found some issues and they were very accommodating (recognizing I wanted to balance fixing it right and not spending too much on a car I am selling).

They determined I probably needed a new tranny due to a leak they discovered - so they worked and found a junkyard part with some miles on it but in good condition to save me some bucks. Once they dug into the problem, they discovered it was just a bad seal - so even though they had already bought the part from the junkyard (and were "stuck" with it) - they told me about their new discovery and how I had the option of saving $800 on the part. Obviously, I was super pleased.

When I picked up the car, Chad showed me the part where the seal had broken. These guys work really hard to explain to you and show you why each fix is necessary. I highly recommend SCI. They have a lot of passion for these cars and they are not out to rip anyone off. The work is extremely high quality and I am super pleased with my 10+ year old, 137.5k+ mile vehicle's performance after they got done with it.

My only lament is that I live in the West Metro so it can be quite a drive (especially during rush hour to pick up your vehicle at the end of the day) - but honestly, it's worth any drive to have the kind of peace of mind that I get with having my VW serviced there.
Megan D.
Jun 17, 2009
I've been taking my 2002 Golf to SCI for years after a recommendation from a friend. I wish I knew more people who owned a VW or Audi so that I could send them here! Ben and Chad remember me by name and remember my car. On top of being very fast, very accommodating to my schedule and very nice, they are very affordable. (Dealer quoted me $600, at SCI I paid $285!) I completely trust them and know they're not trying to sell me anything I don't need. In fact, they bend over backwards to get parts, deals on tires, etc. They're the best!
Matt C.
Jul 23, 2008
Alright, I was in a bind. I was moving to Minnesota and my Audi wouldn't fit on the trailer behind the Uhaul. No worries, put the company car on there and pick the Audi up later. Well, when I went back to get it, the Audi had a worrying squeak in the front end. I had no option but to drive, as I did not have the time to come back to pick it up later. Chicago to SW MI, SW MI to Minneapolis. 650 miles, nerve racking squeak.

With the move, I no longer have a large garage or a plethora of tools to access and do the work myself. Good thing, because this was over my head. I went to SCI on recommendation a local car forum I frequent. They diagnosed the problem as a crack suspension cross member. They were able to weld it back up and showing me pictures. The weld was kinda sloppy, but looked like it will do the trick just fine.

They also let me know my CV boot had torn, and I had them replace it. Communication with Ben was good, and he stayed late to accommodate me picking the car up. They did seem to charge slightly too much, after referencing the book times, but I have no problem paying a little extra to an Indy shop (still leaps and bounds more affordable than a dealer).

If you have a VW or Audi, you should not hesitate to bring your car to them. Its nice to know I have an Indy shop in the city I moved to already, as we all know how Audis (and VWs) like to break down.