Auto inspection service near Shakopee, MN

Did the diagnostic on Friday morning at 7:30am 9/22 and never received the estimate to get repairs. It took the entire day to get the car back and still no idea on how much it will cost. Called yesterday and asked for the estimate, said they emailed it. That didn't happen. Would be nice to know what the price would be for repairs!

Overall the work on my vehicle was flawless, but the communication was below standard. I had schedule an appointment for an oil change and for a service check an my rear breaks. I dropped my truck off a day ahead of schedule as requested so they didn't have to wait for the vehicle to arrive to start work. On my appointment day I received an estimate in the afternoon which was great but greatly over estimated. I then called a few hours before the shop closed because I was wondering what the status was. I was told "I was just about to call you, are you okay with the estimate? We have the parts in shop, and would be ready Friday." I agreed and denied some of the other work requested because I didn't feel it was needed and waited till Friday. I expected a phone call when the vehicle was ready. I never received that call. I called them an hour before the shop was closing, I was worried or thought I did something wrong. I was shockingly told "We decided to pull two vehicles ahead of yours due to them having more severe damage. We figured you could pick your vehicle up and drive it this weekend and return it Monday as the work is minor and your vehicle is drivable." After that conversation, I decided to let them keep it because I was so worried about it getting bumped or even worse inadequate service(a rush job) to get it in on Monday. Monday morning I finally got the call that my vehicle was ready. Overall so far the work has held up and no problems. Knowledgeable mechanics that I believe could address and fix any problem you might have with your vehicle. I would say my experience. Stay close to your appointment. Call frequently to make sure the shop is working on your vehicle, and giving updates during your appointment window. To make sure your vehicle is being worked on. It took a week to do an oil change, and replace only the rear breaks/rotors, with all parts in the shop.

Was told we needed new filters when TGK just changed them at our last visit. To top it off the car was dropped off at 7am and didn’t get worked on till late afternoon. Then told to pick up at 5:30 pm and had to wait 30 minutes for the vehicle. Come on this place can do better customer service.

With no notice Bernie did a inspection on a Volvo that we were thinking to buy even though he had just got home from the airport. Wonderful service and a great sense of humor. Saved us the cost of a transmission.

I have been coming here for a long time. Maybe 7 years. The service is always great, but they are pretty expensive. There was a time I needed some major engine work, and they quoted me over 5 grand to do something that I got an independent mechanic to do for about 1500, including parts. I will only go there as a matter of convenience now and for smaller repairs. Anything major, bring it elsewhere. I would love to give Steve at Southcross the business, but he prices himself out of the market.

David Brink, Owner, is truly a stand up guy. He gave a fair and thorough evaluation of all my cars needs, rated order of importance and told me all prices ahead of time. I highly recommend him and his business to all my friends. We need this kind of full service auto service in Hopkins.

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE - DRIVER BEWARE. I own a 2002 Audi A6 Quattro - 161k miles on it. Sunday 4th of January as I was coming to a stoplight in Bloomington all of a sudden my car started running really bad, it felt like it was shaking under the hood, the engine light was flashing and something smelled like burning. So, I took it to South Imports in Bloomington, from a recommendation. I walked in on Monday the 5th of January and told them my car’s symptom. My car started shaking + the engine light flashing, car smelled like burning. I think it's the coil, can you check that for me please and replace the coils if it is? Then two days later said they didn't know what was wrong with it. Said they wanted to do a $380 diagnostic (me, figuring I had no other choice, said ok), then I didn't hear from them. Then they said they'd do a compression test (I didn't ask how much that would be, but should have). The next day. They said the compression checked out good. Still said they didn't know what was wrong with it. Then next 3 days (Thurs-Fri-Sat) I had work, so not sure if they tried to call but I was not available to call them. I talked to them like on Thurs or Fri and say, oh... "We see there is a burned up coil and we will test something just for fun." After $200+ in rental cars I really don't know what they mean by just for fun. Especially upset after I came in there with a burned up coil and I thought that was the problem *based on Google searches and the codes*. So they told me my timing was off… I had the timing belt replaced a few months ago. They replaced the coil, but I asked why they didn't check the coil first like I had asked them instead go into $610 in diagnostics and tell me I need to buy a new car because mine isn't worth anything and will cost more to fix it than what it's worth. I told them this didn't seem ethical to do all these tests without telling me upfront what they were doing and what the cost were and then taking this much time and every time I talked to them they seemed to not know what was going on. Told them I was considering contacting the Attorney General of MN about it and the owner was saying I don't care if you call the president of the US. Went to pay them and get my car and asked about the diagnostic and what it found. They said, “there’s tons wrong with your car, more than just the timing belt and the coil.” They showed me the burnt coil. They gave me a one page invoice that just said compression good, valves good. What about a full diagnostic report for the $610 less the $30 coil? So, I said, okay, then what will that cost to fix the timing? and why wasn't I able to have this choice to have it fixed as I had a rental car for a week and they had the "valve gasket covers off"? They said... "Oh so much money, thousands." I said I would like an estimate - they said $800 something (using the current parts). ... I asked what the numbers on the cylinders were they wouldn't even tell me said acceptable Audi standards... I called three other mechanics and then went to Nur Technik in Burnsville where a friendly owner ran the codes and looked at it and said if I wanted they could adjust timing $570 and use my parts.... Said I can drive it like that but I rather wouldn't and he said wouldn't suggest driving thousands more with it like that.... Anyway it's done, I just feel like they were rude and not upfront with me. I then called around, I even called a local Audi Dealership to get a quote on a diagnostic, mind you it was SIGNIFICANTLY less than what South Imports charged me. Plus they told me they look to find what’s wrong with it, the cheapest thing first. The Audi dealership quoted me: Coil: $130, diagnostic $130, compression test (which they usually wouldn’t do) $130. = $390. I just wanted my car to be fixed so I could continue driving it. I was without a car for nearly week when I brought mine into South Imports. Another thing that I find really odd, under "parts" on the invoice from South Imports it says $40 - Identifix - TECH LINE ASSISTANCE: Next to parts it says "identifix" gee guess that's the "just for fun" part? "In 1987, Identifix started out as an auto repair hotline offering live technical assistance to professional shop owners and technicians seeking a trusted second opinion and additional expertise on various vehicle issues. More than 4 million calls later, our Repair Hotline is still providing personal service to customers across North America with over 45 OE factory-trained, ASE Master, L1 Carline Specialists. These hotline interactions have enabled us to compile an exclusive database of short-cut tests and confirmed fixes which have been documented and made available in our award-winning online tool." After $610 I found out my compression was good. My timing belt off and “lots of other stuff wrong” with my car, oh and guess what, they gave me a new $30 coil. Here’s my invoice from South Imports: http://oi59.tinypic.com/2h7fkfc.jpg Anyway it's done, I just feel like they were rude and not upfront with me. Driver beware!

You guys screwed my car all up. I will not be going back and I have another appointment with a different shop to fix what you did to it. I feel you caused this and your shop is costing me a lot of extra money for something that wasn't wrong but now it is. And right around Christmas is this how you real operate. I so regret going in to your establishment. And won't ever go back. I just hope it can be fixed right. I will be turning you in to the BBB and a lawyer. Screwing people over is not right. I have heard nothing but bad things from people about your place you call a business. You should be ashamed of yourself.