Stay on Schedule.

It is a tip from physicians for your health, and especially true for your car. German Car scheduled maintenance is the specialty of The German Car Shoppe of Littleton. Let them perform scheduled maintenance on your German car to give you more quality years of driving around the Denver area.

The German Car Shoppe has maintained BMW’s, Mercedes, Porsches, and Volkswagens for years. Maintenance includes oil changes and so much more, such as checking and repairing essential parts to ensure your German car’s longevity.

Unless you are one of the few who can afford to drive a new car every year you need regular German car maintenance from The German Car Shoppe! Check them out at 5115 South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton and call (303) 798-2287 to have your car properly maintained. You can also google thegermancarshoppe.com.

Three or Four…Better than Two.

That is usually the case in life.  As it pertains to our vehicles many of us often wonder whether it is really an advantage to have more than two valves per cylinder.  Do more valves really help the engine perform better…or is it just a gimmick like many other so-called technologies that some manufacturers ballyhoo?

Here is a very quick observation…a four-stroke internal combustion engine requires the air-fuel mixture inside the combustion chamber to burn well which delivers greater fuel efficiency.  The valves allow the air-fuel mixture to enter the combustion chamber. Naturally, if the intake valves allow for better flow of air into the combustion chamber, the engine would be able to breathe better, allowing for a more efficient burning of fuel.

The answer to faulty valves and engines in the greater Denver area is usually the same.  Have them checked and possibly replaced by The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.  People in this area have come to rely on The German Car Shoppe for foreign and domestic auto repair.  Call for an appointment (303) 798-2287.

Don’t Trust German Auto Repair to Just anyone.

The German Car Shoppe of Littleton, CO specializes in German manufactured vehicles including Mercedes Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen and Mini Cooper.  For decades that is what we concentrate on and we believe that we are more reliable, careful, and fairly priced as anyone in the Denver area.

Here are some reasons why –

1.  We know that every vehicle is NOT created equal.

2.  Your German car may have as many as 90 computers onboard!

3.  We use OEM parts.

4.  We know when to examine and replace each part.

5.  We want you to ask us any question you may have.

You see, confidence is bred from two things specifically…experience and feedback.  When you do the same things for each individual German car in the Denver area and people continue to praise you for the work that you do, you know that you must be doing something right.  Call us at The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton (303) 798-2287.

BMW vs. Audi vs. Mercedes.

That is a titanic battle in and of itself, but which costs more to maintain?  Before you decide which one to buy, we wanted you to know.  Let’s take a quick look at the question of which one of these German powerhouses are the most expensive to properly maintain and keep running smoothly on the roads around Denver. 

Here it is…Audi remains the most expensive to maintain when all factors are taken into consideration.  The gap between Audi and BMW is minimal, but Mercedes comes out much cheaper.  Mercedes was 24% cheaper than Audi and 20% cheaper than BMW…good to know before you make that final purchasing decision.

In the long run, it really does not make a whole lot of difference.  What IS essential is to know where to go when your Audi, BMW, or Mercedes needs maintenance in the Denver Metro.  The answer is always The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 S. Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.  Just call (303) 798-2287.

OEM vs. After-Market…Is it Worth it?

Generally speaking, if you take your car to an independent shop, you'll most likely get aftermarket car parts.  Is that okay with you?  Does a less expensive part mean a poorer-quality part?  In what situations should you use only OEM parts?  You need to know, so that you may make an informed decision.

What are the pros of using only parts that are made by the manufacturer?

1.  You never have to worry about quality…you will know it is right!

2.  You should notice the difference in your car’s performance.

3.  The warranty…it will be solid every time.

At The German Car Shoppe in Littleton they use ONLY original manufacturer parts.  That way, you have peace of mind after every repair!  Think of it this way, if you use an after-market part and then you have to come back because it is faulty, then you have doubled the price.  Trust The German Car Shoppe serving the Denver area at 5115 Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton.

Do You Own a Porsche in the Denver Area?

If so, you are one of the lucky ones and the people that you trust to do the scheduled (and other) maintenance on your vehicle need to have your implicit trust.  Do you own a Porsche from the 1960’s, 70’s, or 80,s?  These are some of the vintage Porsches that are still on the road performing in top condition.

Air-cooled Porsches have become a popular vehicle in recent times.  We know what it takes to make these cars handle well now and for many years in the future.  The important thing to remember is that when you own a Porsche in the Denver area you either need to keep going back to the dealership, or get the same professional work done for less.

That is what we are all about at The German Car Shoppe in Littleton.  We service Porsches from every era with pride and expertise…guaranteed!  You don’t have to pay more at the dealership to get this kind of TLC for your Porsche.  The next time you need service come into our shop located at 5115 Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton or call for an appointment at (303) 798-2287.

Pass or Fail…That is the Question.

It is true in school and true when you hope to have your vehicle’s registration renewed at the DMV.  Given that motor vehicles are among the leading sources of air pollution, keeping tailpipe emissions to a minimum is crucial for improving air quality and reducing negative environmental impact.  That’s exactly why the EPA prescribes strict emission standards.

Emissions tests are aimed at ensuring that the levels of toxic gases produced by vehicles on the roads around Denver do not exceed the defined limits.  These tests measure the amount of tailpipe emissions produced by car engines (German or American), in order to check whether a vehicle meets the regulations that restrict emissions of specific pollutants.

Whether you agree with emissions testing or not as a right to continue operating your vehicle legally around the Mile High City, they are today’s reality.  To help you pass the test you should have a check-up at The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton, CO.  As someone once said…failure is NOT an option!  Call The German Car Shoppe at (303) 798-2287.

Repairing and Maintaining your Audi.

Ah, that wonderful Audi.  Take pride in owning one…you should!  Audis are prized possessions, but like most other luxury cars they have common maintenance issues.  Some of them are unique to Audi but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying them.  Here are some of the most common issues with Audi.

1.  Failure of electrical components

2.  Issues with the ignition coil and spark plugs

3.  Catalytic converters due to carbon build-up

4.  Oil leaks

5.  Loose fuel caps causing low mileage

Protect your baby by having your Audi serviced regularly by The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton CO.  For years, The German Car Shoppe has maintained and repaired Audis, BMWs, Porsches, Mercedes, etc. throughout the Denver area.  Always trust them with your German car.  Make an appointment by calling (303) 798-2287.

When to Change the Oil.

If you drive a fine German car, you’ve probably been told that you need an oil change every 3,000 miles.  This is a widely accepted standard when it comes to oil changes, but do you really need to change your engine oil after traveling exactly 3,000 miles?  Recommended oil-change intervals actually vary greatly from one vehicle manufacturer to another.

Years ago, it was a good idea to change your engine oil and oil filter frequently, but because of advances in engine materials and tighter tolerances, as well as the quality of the oil that goes into engines, today most manufacturers recommend intervals of 7,500 miles or more.  Volkswagen and Porsche, for example, recommend oil changes every 10,000 miles.

Keeping your German car in tip-top condition is all that you care about.  You invested in it in the first place because you expect to still be driving it many years from now.  So, keep it humming along by having it maintained at the Denver area’s best…The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.  Just call ahead at (303) 798-2287.

Is it Okay to Drive with a Faulty Heater Core?

Well, first of all, it may be okay now, but what about when winter hits with full force in the Denver area?  A leaking heater core will reduce the amount of coolant in the cooling system. Low coolant will then cause an engine to run at a higher temperature, and that can result in extensive engine damage.

Here are some signs to note that your heater core is not functioning properly –

1.  There is little or no heat inside the car.  You may want to test it before it gets cold.

2.  There is an odor of coolant within the vehicle.

3.  Your windows are fogging up.

4.  Under the dashboard there could be a leak beneath the dashboard.

5.  The engine is running hot.

Wouldn’t it be nice to troubleshoot these problems BEFORE you need maximum heat within your car?  It sure would!  That is why we are here.  Preventative maintenance is our specialty.  We are The German Car Shoppe located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.  If you live in the Denver area, please call us at (303) 798-2287.

Should I Buy this Car or Not.

The toughest part of buying a used car (especially if it is your first German pre-owned vehicle) is that you are not a qualified auto mechanic.  There could be something wrong with this beautiful looking car and you would not even be aware of it.  Is there someone who is imminently qualified to inspect vehicles (especially German ones) completely and honestly?

Often times a used car makes no outward noises which would lead the novice to believe that it is in tip-top condition.  When a qualified mechanic puts that vehicle on a hoist they can see in and out, as well as up and down if anything is about to go wrong and warn you accordingly.  That is the ultimate peace of mind!

At The German Car Shoppe in Littleton, CO we are more than happy to assess your potential purchase before you make your final decision.  We will do so, without obligation so that you know we will not be insisting that you have it fixed here.  Of course, we hope if you live in the Denver area that you will think of us for the best care of your car be it German-manufactured or not.  We are at 5115 Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton.  Call (303) 798-2287. 

Give Me a Valve Job to Go.

Say what?  What constitutes a valve job in your German owned car?  It might sound a bit weird, but it is an important major step of automotive maintenance.  The reason is that most engines will last at least 80,000 miles before you might even need a valve job.  How can you tell when that time has come?

The condition of your engine’s cylinder head valves can have a significant impact on your vehicle’s performance. The valves take a lot of abuse from the extreme conditions in which they operate.  As mileage increases, your valves’ performance degrades from heat and wear.  This can cause your engine to experience lower compression and higher oil consumption.

Cleaning the valves is often an option.  After the valves are cleaned, the valve seats and everything else under the cylinder head should be inspected simultaneously.  That’s where we come in.  We are The German Car Shoppe…valve job professional mechanics serving Denver.  Call (303) 798-2287 for an appointment at our shop located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.

Your Car’s Condenser.

We want you to be educated about your car’s climate control system…especially with summer arriving.  The compressor is the power unit of your vehicle’s air-conditioning system that puts the refrigerant under high pressure before it pumps it into the condenser, where it then changes from a gas to a liquid. 

A fully functioning compressor is necessary for the air-conditioning system to provide peak performance.  In most cars, A/C compressors are driven by an engine-accessory belt.  If the belt is worn, the compressor won’t operate at full strength. Compressors can also leak refrigerant, resulting in less cold air going into the interior.  Internal parts can also fail equaling no cold air.

At The German Car Shoppe we know that you can’t face a Denver area summer without a fully functional air conditioning system in your German or domestic vehicle.  Before things really heat up in our area, make an appointment at The German Car Shoppe for an a/c check-up by calling (303) 798-2287.  You’ll find us at 5115 Santa Fe Dr. in Littleton.

It’s Your Mercedes First Birthday!

Your Mercedes IS a bit like your child isn’t it.  And…just like a human baby it needs some TLC during and at its one-year anniversary.  If you care about your Benz as much as we do, you have consulted your owner’s manual and know exactly what a qualified Mercedes mechanic needs to do by the one-year mark.

Here are some reminders –

1.  Have the oil and filter changed.

2.  Clean and drain the air/water duct.

3.  Check the thickness of the brake pads.

4.  Correct the tire pressure.

5.  Adjust the cable slack on the parking brakes.

There are others, of course which are all part of the one-year maintenance of your Mercedes vehicle.  No one in the Denver area is better qualified to execute ALL of the steps than The German Car Shoppe.  They are located at 5115 Santa Fe Drive in Littleton.  Make an appointment for your Mercedes’ annual maintenance by calling (303) 798-2287.