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From the humble beginnings of a back yard garage in 1971, Zims Autotechnik has grown to become one of the most respected names in the German Automotive industry. Offering Service, Parts Sales, Pre-Purchase Inspections, Consignment Car Sales, Collector Car Appraisals and Mechanical Restorations, the company has remained true to its roots; A small, independently owned company offering exceptional customer service by employees equipped and empowered to assist our clients.

We are conveniently located in Bedford, at the east end of the 183 NE Tarrant Express, two minutes from Hurst or Euless, five minutes from D/FW Airport, ten minutes from Colleyville, Grapevine or Southlake and just twenty minutes from downtown Dallas or Ft.
Reviews (17)
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Victor Sanchez
May 25, 2022
Phenomenal customer service. I was looking to buy a pre-owned boxter. They gladly gave me information on previous maintenance and estimated cost of ownership.
D. W.
Oct 22, 2021
Waited literally 20 minutes to talk someone. Arrogant staff. Would rather pay dealer service prices than use them. But. Google maps showed me what turned out to be a worse shop (Excellence Auto Service) AND, more importantly, an outstanding shop (European Auto Service) about 2 miles away. Excellent diagnosis on my Mercedes sports car.
Southern Motor Company
Jul 25, 2021
Great service. They rebuilt a brake booter for us for a 1980 Porsche 911. Thanks again! Service: General repairs & maintenance
Bob Roose
Jun 04, 2020
Short version: I have used Zims for 11 years, but I will never take my car there again. They diagnosed a problem and I paid for the repair, but when I took the car back because the problem was not fixed, they told me there was nothing to worry about. They damaged my car while it was there and would not take responsibility. Complete Story: I have been using Zims since 2008 and if I would have written a couple of years ago, I would have also given five stars, but times change.

I recently had my BMW in to diagnose smoke coming from my exhaust on startup. They had trouble finding the cause but finally told me it was the PCV valve, and that the hose to the air filter had broken, and asked if I wanted to change the ignition coils and plugs. They had just been changed 35,000 miles before. I declined. They called and said that the coils were bad, so I told them to replace them.

When I picked up the car, it smelled like grease and body odor, but I didn't say anything. When I got home, I noticed that there was grease on the inside door handle, which I took photos of, and that the door handle had been damaged. I had to go out of town, but when I returned and started my car, a big cloud of smoke came out of the exhaust. I took the car back, told them about the smoke.

They kept the car overnight so they could see it, and then told me that it was nothing to worry about. As I left the shop, I noticed a scratch on the steering wheel right where I put my right hand. I went back, told them about this, and also told them about the smell, and forwarded the photos of the door handle. The service manager told me she would call the owner.

I received a call later that day telling me thanks for pointing this out and i could bring the car by and he would look at the scratch. He got an eraser and rubbed down the scratch. He told me there was nothing he could do about the door handle, and then gave me a story that if he put a dog in the car for 15 minutes, it wouldn't smell, so that they couldn't possibly be responsible for the smell.

I had to leave the windows open for three days to get the smell out of my car. I also noticed that the clock had been reset to 24 hour time rather than 12, so I asked about this. In their favor, they did determine that the battery was failing. When I asked the price to replace it, they told me a price that was the same as three new car dealers. So why would I pay the same price as the dealer charges to take my car to a shop that I no longer trust, damages my car, and doesn't fix what is broken. I have since found a new service shop.
Kyle R.
Aug 12, 2019
I've had them do work before and have never had a problem with the quality, nor the price of this shop. The mechanics themselves seem knowledgable and have turned me away from useless service needs and offered the real solutions (an intense and sudden rumbling road noise just needed new tires.) rather than alignment fixes, etc. Basically as with all things, you are only allowed to get 2 out of 3 fulfilled, Speed, Cost, and Quality.

They have the Cost and Quality mastered. Their service and cost is bar none, Fantastic. Their ticket/time management is a joke. I had a belt pop on the road, and even though I can replace it myself, I didn't want to deal with it, I'd pay somebody else to handle it and had the tow truck take it straight to them and I called to let them know what was going on.

This is a Friday morning when I called, they wouldn't be able to look at it until Monday. No problem. I was told it would be $600 just to replace belt, pulleys since we are in there, and also that the battery has technically "failed" and should be replaced. I decline the battery as I had plans to handle that myself anyways. The $600 number seems high, but at the same time I agree, it's pretty stupid not to handle those things.

Go to pick the vehicle up (The following Thursday from the original Friday drop off) and it's only $350 because some of the pulleys didn't need changing. Great! Again, quality and cost, excellent. I got into the car and apparently the AC had decided to stop working and the car is blowing HOT air. I hadn't left the parking lot, walked back in and explained the situation.

It wasn't like that before I left the vehicle, the AC was working just fine so I'd like them to figure out what's going on. At this point, to me, my car should still be next in line; You haven't completed service on it/there is an issue with your service. Yes you changed the belt, but you were supposed to inspect the pulleys, I don't think asking for inspection of systems involved would be too much of a stretch to be included.

The AC compressor is involved with the pulley/belt system. This is a Thursday afternoon, I'm told it will be next Tuesday (5 days, 3 business, or a week and a half since I originally dropped it off) before It can be looked at? That just doesn't seem right to me. We insisted the vehicle at least be looked at the next day so we could be told what was generally wrong with it, am I going to be needing to spend $1000 dollars on a full AC service, compressor replacement, etc? or is it something more like, ah - that hose is cracking and we need to change it out.

They tell me on Friday that the vehicle does not have power at the compressor and would need further diagnosis. Ok fine, but still, the following Tuesday would be when they could look further at it. Whatever. Tuesday comes, mid-afternoon I call to check in because we hadn't heard from them and I am told "Oh we won't be able to look at it until Thursday". what? wrong.

At this point I'm tired of the delays, and honestly don't really want to deal with them anymore. I've already paid $350 to have my vehicle be returned to me in worse condition than when I dropped it off for work that I could have done myself entirely. So I showed up around 5:15p (unannounced, they close at 5:30p) and ask for my vehicle back. I'm told that the techs are gone for the day, my car is on the lift still (from Friday? it's Tuesday?) and there's nobody that can bring it down for me. It's emphasized again that 'they told me Thursday' from the beginning.

I called that lie on the carpet immediately, Tuesday was what they said and I would not have left the vehicle with them! I would have taken it somewhere else. I explain I will be picking the vehicle up at opening time the following day, have it ready, I will be there at 8am (opening). The next day I'm told the battery is dead. Yes, that's what happens when you don't do anything for almost 2 weeks, apparently it's been sitting on a lift for almost a week, it has to be jumped.

The car is pulled around, I go outside, the tech drives past me in the parking lot, TURNS THE CAR OFF? and hands me the key. YOU JUST HAD TO JUMP IT? Jerk move. I immediately get in and turn it on (It did turn on). I would have called AAA before walking back in. That's how done I was with their lack of service. The kicker? A friend dropped their car off that Monday to this place and a lengthy, involved repair was completed by Weds, 2 day turn-around for them. why?

For my car, a Fuse had popped killing power to the compressor (they diagnosed), Bigger though, the AC clutch/coil needed to be replaced, why was that missed?. $60 Amazon purchase. 3 hours of my life taking the belt off they just put on to swap the clutch assembly and put belt back on. So basically, I regret not having my car for 2 weeks and paying them $350 for doing something I should have done myself apparently. Then I would have been out $250 for the whole fix. I won't be back.
Stephen K.
Jul 15, 2019
I have owned three different Porsche vehicles in the last 18 years and have found that the service at Zims is faster and less expensive than the Porsche dealerships. The dealership people are good for everything but if you are the kind of person who always wants the highest quality and the best price you can rely on Zims to be very competitive. For example, I recently changed out the battery on my 2009 911 Turbo.

In doing so, the keys both lost synchronization with the onboard computer and I could not remotely unlock the doors or remotely open the trunk. The park Place Porsche dealership said I had to bring the vehicle in to synchronize the keys at $90 per key. Because I am frugal, I called Zims to compare prices. They told me how to resynchronize the keys by inserting them into the ignition, do not turn the key, and hold the unlock button for five seconds. Boom! It worked. Both keys resynched for free! That saved me a few hours in going to the dealership and $180 for two keys! Thank you Zims!
Todd C.
May 24, 2019
This shop has some talented people. They are very good at diagnosing hard to find issues. I have wasted money at other shops in NRH. And found this one to be the best in the area.
Samantha H.
Dec 22, 2018
6 -- no, TEN STARS! This mechanic shop for German cars is, unequivocally, the most honest and inexpensive place to get your car repaired then anywhere within a 25-mile radius. This from an owner of German cars for the last 25 years, who has been to numerous other auto repair facilities before discovering Zim's. They're kind, extremely thorough, and accurate.

You NEVER feel rushed, and they've never intimated that ANY question I asked was a dumb question--they patiently and thoroughly answer every question. Without being asked, they make a point to take the time to educate you about your car's particular needs. (Example: I thought that I would be fine just taking my car to Jiffy Lube for oil changes. WRONG!

To get 200K+ miles out of most BMWs, you must use a specific type of oil) They keep you abreast of what is the most likely repair that will be needed next on your car, approximately when that will be, and the approximate cost of that repair. So, I highly recommend that you get two estimates: One from Zim's, and one from ANYWHERE else in the metroplex* Be sure to get the estimate from Zim's SECOND, as you'll undoubtedly end up there. You'll see what I mean.
Lisa Fairweather
May 24, 2018
I've driven older BMWs for many years, and have (unfortunately/mistakenly) taken them to various repair shops around the HEB area for the last few years. I was finally recommended (by Eagle Transmission--see my RAVE review on Eagle Transmission--they are THE BEST for non-european cars) to take my auto to Zims Autotechnik in Bedford. I'd had repairs done on my (always older) european cars at various places, for what seemed (although, admittedly, not being a car-repair-expert myself) exorbitant prices.

I assumed the prices were simply part of the deal for driving older european cars, BUT. Once I started using Zims, I was, in all seriousness, AMAZED at their honesty, and the fact that their rates are SO low compared to general repair facilities. I'm angry, though. Angry that I wasted so much money prior to discovering Zims. They're PASSIONATE about BMWs and Porches, and the care about (and respect) you, and they're honest almost to a fault. WISH I COULD GIVE A 6-STAR RATING!
Johnny Nelson
Mar 23, 2018
If you own a porsche in the area than you most likely already know about this place! I've brought my boxster here since I got it and honestly I can say they are incredible. Service is amazing, prices are competitive, and the staff is by far the the most knowledgeable friendly guys I've ever dealt with. If you're new to the area and drive a porsche or BMW do yourself a favor and start coming here. (if you live in the area and you aren't bringing your car to them. Start. Seriously. Right now start.)
Peter Shepherd
Dec 28, 2017
Just dropped off my '87 Mercedes Benz SDL for repairs for the first time. I think it's a good sign when the original owner of a this shiny red 1985 Mercedes has been taking their car here exclusively for over 15 years.
John M.
Nov 08, 2017
Top notch mechanics and a service advisor you can trust. I found them 10+ yrs ago when they serviced my old BMW 325i. Since then I go there exclusively for all my service including my 2012 BMW335i. All of my visits have been a positive experience.
Amir Bagshahi
Jun 23, 2017
Brian gave me an estimate of $380 over the phone to change the slave and master cylinder including the labor, '91 318is. Called around and price was reasonable for a german specialty shop so I had it towed there. He called back and said it will actually be $690! Said, "they underestimated the labor time." WHATEVER! Was not willing to adjust the price or offer any form of discount for such a huge discrepency.

And as expected of course tried to sell extra service like brake flush for $165 and new brake lines for $355 after I just got jacked for 2.5 extra hours of labor at $110/hour. Clutch is working fine now so I will say that but can't help feeling I got taken for a ride!
Chris B.
Mar 22, 2016
These guys have been serving my C4 Cab for nearly 4 yrs, and they're great! Ive never been disappointed with a service charge or diagnosis. I had an issue with a bad replacement part last year on a 106F day, which caused me to wait in the heat for a couple hours during rush hour, then the wrecker overheated on my way here. Dennis waited for over 2 hours passed closing time for my car to arrive. They definitely go out of their way to ensure im a happy customer.
Alan Tong
Dec 27, 2015
I recently purchased a used car local to Zim's, but from out of my home state (found over the Internet). They came highly recommended and did a very thorough pre-purchase inspection and major service on the car. Brian was very patient with my many phone calls, as I was nervous about driving a car sight unseen 400 + miles from the Dallas area back to my home. Their prices were very fair. I would recommend them without hesitation.
Mike S.
Jan 07, 2014
My 944 needed a new belt kit and water pump. I had been told good reviews about them so I called them up and ordered my parts. Fast service and very smart guys that have obviously worked on 944's for a long time. The only issue is that they sent me the wrong water pump but I could understand since it's the holidays and mix ups happen. I get a letter in the mail with my invoice and it shows a negative 202.98 balance!

They ended up refunding me my waterpump! That's crazy! I truly appreciate that kind service and I have never seen a company do that for a minor issue! I will from now on buy all my maintence parts from Zims. Excellent company that care more about the client than making money!
Byron S.
Sep 11, 2013
Zim's has serviced my Mercedes and BMW for years. They are very professional and have amazing knowledge of German automobiles. I highly recommend these guys.