Mobile European auto repair services
Six common service categories, each performed on-site at your home or workplace, with the estimated price ranges and the questions owners ask about each.
Dealer-level work, in your driveway
Vorsprung Garage is mobile European auto repair, based in Lake Arrowhead, California. We come to your home or workplace across the San Bernardino Mountains and most of the Inland Empire with dealer-level diagnostics, for BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volkswagen and Mini. Jump to a service: On-Site Diagnostics, Scheduled Maintenance, Brake Service, Cooling System, Pre-Purchase Inspection, Engine & Electrical.
On-Site Diagnostics
What it covers
Dealer-level scan platform (Icon T7, coverage equivalent to ISTA, ODIS and XENTRY) plus OBD-II equipment, paired with hands-on experience to pinpoint warning lights, drivability issues, electrical faults and intermittent symptoms, at your driveway. Every visit closes with a fully documented findings report. Typical range: $100–$350, an estimate only (see the note on prices below).
What scan tools do you use?
Vorsprung Garage uses an Icon T7 dealer-level scan platform with coverage equivalent to BMW ISTA, Audi/VW ODIS, and Mercedes-Benz XENTRY, plus OBD-II equipment. That means access to fault codes, freeze-frame data, live module data, and bidirectional tests that generic code readers cannot perform. Module coding is not offered: diagnostic work that ends in a coding requirement is referred to a dealership.
Can a mobile diagnostic find what a dealership would find?
For electronic faults, drivability issues, and most warning lights, yes. The scan tool's coverage is equivalent to the dealer's, and the procedure is the same. The differences are physical: a dealership has a lift, an alignment rack, and specialty press tools that a mobile visit does not. If the diagnosis points to a repair that genuinely needs those, that is identified up front and coordinated separately.
How long does a typical diagnostic visit take?
Most diagnostic visits run between one and three hours on-site, depending on the complexity of the fault and whether a road test is required. Intermittent electrical issues may take longer or require a follow-up. Every visit closes with a fully documented findings report: what was checked, what was found, and what is recommended.
Scheduled Maintenance
What it covers
Factory-interval service. Oil and filter, brake fluid flush, coolant service, transmission fluid, spark plugs, cabin and engine filters, and a multi-point inspection. Service performed to the manufacturer's published schedule. Typical range: $180–$900, an estimate only (see the note on prices below).
Can scheduled maintenance be performed on-site without voiding my warranty?
Under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, an independent specialist can perform manufacturer-scheduled maintenance using OEM or equivalent-spec parts and fluids without voiding a new-vehicle warranty. Vorsprung Garage performs service to the manufacturer's published schedule and provides a written record of work performed, parts used, and mileage at the time of service.
Which fluids and filters do you use for European service?
OEM or OE-equivalent fluids meeting the manufacturer's specification (BMW Longlife-04, MB 229.5, VW 502 00 / 504 00, Porsche A40, etc.) and OEM, Mahle, Mann, Hengst, or equivalent OE-quality filters. Specific brand selection is discussed before service so the customer knows exactly what is going into the car.
Can you perform major-interval services like a BMW Inspection II or Mercedes Service B?
Yes. Major-interval factory services, including BMW Inspection I/II, Mercedes-Benz Service A/B, Audi/VW 40k and 80k services, and Porsche minor/major services, are performed on-site to the manufacturer's checklist. These visits take longer than a basic oil-and-filter service and are scheduled accordingly.
Brake Service
What it covers
Pad and rotor replacement, brake-fluid flush, electronic parking-brake service, and sensor replacement. OEM, OE-quality, or performance pads available depending on application. Typical range: $400–$1,600 per axle, an estimate only (see the note on prices below).
Do you replace pads only, or pads and rotors together?
It depends on rotor condition and manufacturer specification. Many European vehicles use rotors designed to be replaced with each pad set; in those cases, pads-only is a short-term repair that compromises braking performance. The rotors are measured against the manufacturer's minimum thickness and discard specifications and a recommendation is made before any work begins.
Can you service electronic parking brakes on-site?
Yes. Electronic parking-brake retraction and reset is supported on BMW, Audi, VW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Mini using the appropriate scan tool. Attempting to push back an EPB caliper without entering service mode will damage the actuator, so the correct procedure is non-negotiable on these systems.
What brake pad options are available?
OEM pads or OE-quality equivalents, with performance compounds available where the vehicle and use case justify them. Specific brand selection is discussed before service. Wear sensors are replaced as required by the system.
Cooling System
What it covers
Water pump, thermostat, expansion tank, hose, and radiator service. Pressure testing and proper bleeding for European cooling systems, including BMW's notoriously specific bleed procedures. Typical range: $300–$2,500, an estimate only (see the note on prices below).
Can a BMW cooling system really be bled properly in a driveway?
Yes. The bleed procedure for BMW, Audi, VW, and Mercedes-Benz cooling systems is a software-driven sequence (electric water pump activation, thermostat cycling, and bleed-screw venting in a specific order) and is performed with a scan tool whose coverage is equivalent to the dealer's. The job is not about a special location. It is about following the correct sequence with the correct tool.
Do you pressure-test the cooling system before and after repair?
Yes. A cooling-system pressure test before the repair confirms the source of the leak. After the repair, a second pressure test and a thermal soak verify that the system holds pressure cold and hot, and that the new components are sealing under operating conditions.
What coolant do you use in European vehicles?
Manufacturer-specified coolant only: BMW/Mini LL coolant, VW/Audi G12evo or G13, Mercedes-Benz MB 325.x, and Porsche-specific blends. Mixing the wrong coolant chemistry causes electrolysis and gasket damage in European systems, so the correct chemistry is non-negotiable.
Pre-Purchase Inspection
What it covers
Comprehensive evaluation before you buy a used European vehicle: scan-tool fault history, fluid condition, brakes, suspension, undercarriage, body condition, and a written summary. Performed at the seller's location within service area. Typical range: $200–$450, an estimate only (see the note on prices below).
What does a pre-purchase inspection include?
Scan-tool fault history across all modules (including stored and intermittent codes), fluid condition and level assessment, brake pad and rotor measurement, suspension and steering inspection, undercarriage and body condition review, tire condition and DOT-date check, and a written summary. The goal is enough information to make an informed buying decision.
Can you perform a PPI at a private seller's home or a dealer lot?
Yes, both. Pre-purchase inspections are performed at the seller's location within the service area. For private-party sales the visit is straightforward; for dealer lots the dealer's authorization is typically required and most reputable dealers cooperate willingly. Travel beyond the standard service area may add cost.
Will a PPI give me a buy or don't-buy recommendation?
The PPI summary categorizes findings as urgent, near-term, or normal-wear, and identifies anything that would meaningfully affect the value of the vehicle. The buying decision belongs to the buyer, but the report is written to make that decision an informed one. Contact us for estimated repair costs on anything the inspection flags.
Engine & Electrical
What it covers
From sensor replacement and timing service to complex driveability and electrical diagnosis. Heavy-duty work (transmission, engine, or front-end removal) can be scheduled when the customer can provide adequate workspace. Module coding is not offered; coding work is referred to a dealership. Typical range: $300–$5,000+, an estimate only (see the note on prices below).
What kinds of engine and electrical repairs can be done on-site?
Sensor replacement, ignition coils, spark plugs, intake manifold service, valve cover gaskets on most engines, alternator and starter replacement, battery service, wiring repair, and most CAN-bus diagnosis. Heavy-duty work (transmission removal, engine removal, or extensive front-end disassembly) can be scheduled when the customer can provide adequate space for the work. Module coding is not offered.
Can you do timing chain or timing belt service on-site?
For most vehicles, yes. Timing chain and timing belt service can be scheduled on-site, provided the customer can supply adequate space for the work. Specific tooling requirements and time commitment are confirmed vehicle-by-vehicle before the appointment.
Do you offer module coding or dealer programming?
No. Vorsprung Garage does not perform module coding, software flashing, or dealer programming. Diagnostic findings that end in a coding requirement are clearly identified and referred to a dealership.
A note on prices
Estimated ranges only. Final pricing depends on the vehicle, its year and engine, parts availability, the scope of the work and travel distance. A firm written estimate is provided before any repair begins, and no work is performed without your authorization.
Get In Touch
Ready When You Are
Call or text. A firm written estimate before any work begins.