San Francisco European Auto Repair

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Mon - Fri: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Call us:(415) 551-9930
FREE BRAKE INSPECTION ($99 Value)
Noisy brakes? Difficulty stopping? Bring your vehicle to our auto repair shop for our free brake inspection. ... [More] One special per customer. Cannot be combined with other special offers. ... [Hide]
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EXP 3/25/2024
$95 "Check Engine Light" Diagnostic
Check Engine Light on? Bring your car, truck or SUV to our auto repair shop for our $95 "Check Engine ... [More] Light" Diagnostic Special. This includes a road test, physical inspection and connection to our automotive diagnostic scanning tool for preliminary codes. Further inspection may require additional cost. Call and speak to a service tech if you have specific questions. One special per customer. Cannot be combined with other special offers. ... [Hide]
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EXP 3/25/2024
Save $50 on any service and/or mechanical repairs.
This offer is for new, first-time customers only. This offer is not good with any other offer. You must ... [More] present this coupon when you schedule your appointment for repairs or service. This offer is only good for repairs and/or service jobs that are at least $500 or more. Again, mention this offer when you schedule your appointment or you will forfeit the discount. One special per customer. Cannot be combined with other special offers. ... [Hide]
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EXP 3/25/2024

AAA Approved Auto RepairMercedes-Benz Service and Repair in San Francisco, CA

3 Year / 36,000 Mile Warranty
Need auto body repair? ISM also has a full auto body shop!

ISM is an Independent auto repair shop specializing in Mercedes Repair, Service and Maintenance. If you have problems with a "check engine" light or need oil change service we can help. We perform transmission service and use genuine Mercedes parts. We also provide a mileage maintenance guide for Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes fault codes for DIY repair here on our web site.


International Sport Motors has been performing top quality Mercedes repair in San Francisco, CA for over 30 years. We can handle all your Mercedes repair, service and maintenance needs with the kind of personalized service you can only get from an independent repair shop.

Mercedes-Benz | International Sport Motors

We perform all Mercedes-Benz maintenance services at affordable rates, using the latest diagnostic equipment to maintain and service your vehicle to factory specifications. And if any of your needed repairs are under factory warranty, we will refer you directly to the San Francisco Mercedes-Benz dealership.

International Sport Motors offers high quality service and repair of Mercedes vehicles in San Francisco, CA. Whether your Mercedes-Benz needs major repairs or routine maintenance, our expert team of certified technicians stands ready to provide the quality service your vehicle deserves.

Call International Sport Motors today to speak with our knowledgeable staff or stop in at 440 9th St., San Francisco, CA 94103, Mon - Fri: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM so that we can schedule an appointment for your Mercedes-Benz vehicle.


"Check Engine" Light (Mercedes)

What should I do if my Mercedes "Check Engine" light comes on?

First off, don’t panic. There is no need to pull off the road immediately.

The Mercedes-Benz "check engine" light covers a wide variety of problems, from a dirty air filter to serious engine and/or transmission issues. The light is designed to let you know that your car or SUV should be looked at by a Mercedes technician capable of diagnosing any specific problem(s). The "check engine" light will only come on when the engine management system has recorded a problem.

At International Sport Motors, we use the same computerized diagnostic equipment as the Mercedes-Benz dealerships. The first step in diagnosing any Mercedes issue, especially if your vehicle seems to be running fine, is to clear the engine management system's DTCs (diagnostic troubleshooting codes) and see if the DTCs return.

If the DTCs causing your "check engine" light to display do not return, the problem may have been previously resolved and your vehicle's engine fault management system never properly reset. The DTCs may also have been related to some errant short-term problem that has resolved itself.

However, if we clear the engine fault management system and the issue persists, the next step is to look up the DTCs and diagnose your vehicle's specific issue(s). Once we know exactly what the problem is, we can provide you with a detailed description of any issues and an estimate on what it will cost to fix.

 


Mercedes Oil Change Service

Keeping up with regular oil changes is the simplest, most cost effective way to maintain the longevity of your Mercedes. Here is what you get with our oil change service.

Comprehensive Mercedes oil change service includes...

  • Mercedes certified technicians
  • Mercedes certified lubricants
  • Brake inspection
  • Brake fluid level inspection
  • Transmission fluid level inspection
  • Engine coolant level inspection
  • Complete under-car inspection
  • Thorough hose and leak inspection
  • Complete belt inspection
  • Headlight inspection
  • Taillight inspection
  • Instrument inspection
  • Tire pressure and abnormal wear inspection

These days, you can get your car's oil changed just about anywhere, but at International Sport Motors you can rest easy knowing you are getting work done by our quality, Mercedes trained staff, and a far better customer service experience than you can expect from the local San Francisco Mercedes dealership.


Mercedes Automatic Transmission Service

What is our Premium Automatic Transmissions Service?

At ISM we tap into your transmission cooler lines and mock the fluid flow to ensure we remove every last drop of contaminated fluid. This method is much better than most auto service shops who only siphon fluid or drop the transmission pan, removing just a fraction of the old transmission fluid.

Our premium transmission service uses a full 16 quarts of transmission fluid and a complete Mercedes transmission flush kit. The total service retails for $600 but mention this ad when you book your transmission service appointment and SAVE $50.

Automatic Transmission Sludge

How often should I change my automatic transmission fluid?

While Mercedes advertises that you will never need to change the automatic transmission fluid in your Mercedes-Benz, we suggest you change your transmission fluid every 60,000 miles.

We see many Mercedes come into our shop with transmission problems at around 100,000 miles. These problems are often extensive enough to require a rebuild. A good way to avoid this is by changing your transmission fluid before your transmission is having problems.

Clean transmission oil means longer life...

When we change your transmission fluid at around 60,000 miles, we consistently clean plenty of sludge from inside the transmission fluid pan, suggesting regular changes are worthwhile as a means to prolong the life of your transmission.

Mercedes-Benz Transmission

Even with regular service, transmissions still occasionally break down.

Mercedes are quality vehicles with excellent transmissions. If you take good care of your Mercedes you are far less likely to have any transmission difficulties.

If you do notice your transmission slipping there are some oil additives that we can sometimes use to prolong the life of your transmission. If you are already having problems with transmission slippage this might be the route to go.


We Use Genuine Mercedes Parts

We only use the best, brand-new, factory parts on your Mercedes. While other independent shops may use aftermarket parts, International Sport Motors maintains top quality workmanship by using the highest quality, factory certified parts on your car or SUV.

 


Mercedes Reviews

Rick S.
5-Star Review
I had my Mercedes 740il towed to ISM on a recommendation (ignition lock/tumblers unexpectedly seized up). The team at ISM were all very pleasant & helpful, from the front office to the shop floor. The quality of work on my car was top-notch, used genuine Mercedes parts, but saved me money by having lower—and much more reasonable—labor rates versus traditional Mercedes dealerships. Their communication & follow-through could serve as a textbook example of "how-to-do-it-right" in any industry. I highly recommend them and will be bringing my car back in the future, as I witnessed evidence of great mechanical & body work being performed on several other brands of vehicles.

Michelle M.
5-Star Review
I have to tell you they are one very affordable and they fixed my car for half of what the dealer said it would cost. took my Mercedes to the local dealer and was told i needed $3400 worth of mechanical repairs. My office mate recommended i go here. Regina helped me out. she told me the dealers tend to be over cautious and try to up sell you a bit much. After her mechanic looked at it he said i only need about half of what the dealer told me i needed. With that i was out of there for less than $1000 and my ride is strong as ever. Felt like they were honest and didn't pressure me into anything.

Linda D.
5-Star Review
Very impressed by this establishment. Giovanni will: (1) charge extremely competitive prices, (2) be honest when helping you evaluate your options, and (3) provide excellent customer service and probably throw in something complimentary, especially if you're having a bad day. He has enough loyal customers to keep his workshop full, and he clearly values his reputation and customer relationships more than any one-off profits he can gain. As someone who went to business school, I'd say Giovanni definitely has his business priorities straight.

I have a 2001 Mercedes that's been with me since college, and last weekend I experienced some slippage issues with my transmission. After quick searches on AAA and Yelp, I decided to take my car to ISM because of their AAA affiliation, good Yelp reviews, Saturday hours (10am-3pm, plus 24/7 phone reception), location (SoMa, less than a mile from where I live in downtown SF), and specialization in European cars.

Giovanni gave me a quote on the preliminary transmission diagnostic that was below market average, and in the end he charged me HALF of what he quoted me. This is unheard of. Giovanni also emailed me the full STAR diagnostic report in PDF form - something most auto shops are reluctant to do in case you decide to take the information and your business elsewhere.

Moreover, Giovanni was honest and candid with his recommendations and walked me through several possible cost scenarios (e.g., replacing the conductor plates vs. replacing the entire transmission, whether he thought the fix would last / was worth it, etc.). He was very professional in his advisory role and at no point did he slip into a sales role. He did not pressure me to make a decision; he simply asked me to call him back when I was ready. He was also very gracious with holding my car in his garage as a complimentary service while I took a few days to figure out what to do.

In the end, I decided not to bother fixing this car -- keeping a car in the city is honestly more of a liability for me than anything else, what with parking, congestion, and all the speeding/parking/miscellaneous traffic tickets I keep getting. When I do get my next car, however, I will definitely be back. This place gives off such a cozy, small-town, mom-and-pop feel -- makes me want to go back and bring them some cupcakes and cookies, LOL.

James H.
5-Star Review
The fuel problem on my E55 AMG could not be repaired by two MB dealers. The staff at ISM took the time to read a 10 year old bulletin issued be MB about the obscure problem. They replaced the fuel tank and cracked splash bowl and the car is now running perfectly. It changed my mind about buying a $90K Tesla. I would highly recommend their repair service.

Makina W.
5-Star Review
I needed a Mercedes mechanic after my dealer warranty expired and I didn't know where to take my car to repair the AC. I consulted with my uncle who is a mechanic down in So. CA and he recommended taking my car to an AAA approved mechanic. After determining that ISM is an AAA approved mechanic and having received many excellent reviews on Yelp, I decided to take my car in and have it serviced here. Their diagnostic fee was very reasonable, $120 (compared to dealer pricing). The parts that needed replacing and labor hours charged, as I described them to my uncle before proceeding with the entire repair order were very reasonable and in line with the possible causes of my AC problem. My car was repaired to my satisfaction. The owner, Giovanni, has been operating this business for 20+ years and runs a top notch shop. The staff is friendly and helpful. I got a lift back to work after dropping off my car and I was pleasantly surprised when I picked up my car and they washed it for me. I got my car serviced on a Friday and the following Monday, Giovanni called me to see how my car was doing. Talk about follow up on service! I never received a call from the dealer service dept following my repairs. I am happy that I have found a reliable and trustworthy mechanic for my car.

Veronica M.
5-Star Review
WOW!!! What great service! I drove up to SF for a week to visit with my friend. By the time I got here, my mercedes was making a horrible noise...I called the dealer, they couldn't see me for 3 days :( My friend recommened I call International Sport Motors...Talk about service. They offered to tow my car right away and get it checked out. So efficient. Within hours I got a follow-up call. They got me back on the road the very next day...And didn't try to overcharge me or sell me things I didnt need. Just honest, perfect service. Thank you Giovanni!

Adam D.
5-Star Review
I can not recommend highly enough a better place to take your car for any type of service be it mechanical or auto body. I found International Motor Sports (ISM) through Yelp! and, based on the reviews, decided to bring my car there for service. I had just bought a used 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300D Turbo Diesel with unknown milage and needed a good mechanic because I was going to use the car to commute from San Francisco to Santa Rosa on a daily basis, so I needed my car reliable.

I brought my newly bought car in for a thorough inspection (which I should have done before I bought it) and ISM gave me a laundry list of problems. They were very nice however and well aware that I didn't have a lot of money, so they kindly told me what absolutely needed to be repaired and then helped me form a plan to take care of the other repairs in the future.

Long story short, the Mercedes ended up being a money pit and I sold it. Then, I bought a 2009 VW New Beetle and decided to continue to use ISM as my repair shop rather than the dealer just because of their superior customer service.

Regina, Matt, Giovianni, and the rest of the team are great. They know me by name and remember little details about me which really makes a difference. They always address me as Mr. Decker and are always enthusiastic when they greet me.

I'm picky when it comes to my car, so when I requested a specific type of oil be used during an oil change that ISM didn't carry, Giovianni went out of his way to special order the oil for me and get the oil change done within a matter of hours.

Then, I got into an accident with my new car and did some body damage and damage to the rear axel. I took my car to ISM and they arranged everything with my insurance company and got the job done efficiently. The work was spectacular and you wouldn't even know that I had gotten into an accident. At the time, I also had them change the oil in my car since it was at the shop anyway and Giovianni was kind enough to give me a discount on those services since I just dropped close to $4000 in repairs at their shop.

Trust me guys and gals, ISM is the place to go to get your car serviced! They are staffed by wonderful people, expert technicians, and do exceptional work. ISM is definitely THE one stop shop for all of your auto repair needs.

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