Bergman's European Autoworks is a Audi repair shop located in the center of Brandon, Florida. We have several Master ASE certified techs, as well as extensive factory training and tooling from Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volvo, and VW. Our warranty is the best in the business; 24 months, UNLIMITED miles (most repairs). We offer free 6 month same as cash financing, with approved credit! Stop by for a tour of our state-of-the-art Audi repair facility!
I write this review to warn other European car owners that this place is a joke. You can take it or leave it but if you have a bad experience and they overcharge you don't say you weren't warned. About a month ago I had my 2006 Audi A4 towed into Bergmans garage because my coolant system was leaking and the car was overheating. I usually take my vehicle to a European garage in Tampa but because it was being towed by AAA, (and I live in Riverview) I took a chance and had it towed to Bergmans in Brandon which is closer. I was quoted about $1300 to replace a ruptured flange and replace a battery and replace coolant. The parts totaled less than $400 and the labor made up the rest. I inquired about a military discount, and it was like pulling teeth, I figured since the owner was prior military that they would look out for military...not the case ,they offered me a $30 discount off of $1300 quoted price (that's like 2%). I pick up my vehicle 5 days later after paying about $1500. I wasn't very good at math but over $1000 in labor to replace a hose and put in a battery seems extremely high to me. When I picked up my vehicle there was no explanation of the work that was done and the paperwork had no break-down of the actual per hour labor cost. So here is the issue, if you want to charge prices like a dealer you sure as hell better fix my vehicle like a dealer. I drive away and realize that my display is showing my trunk as open...so i get out and close it but the display indicator is still showing the trunk open. I also notice that as I'm driving down the road my power door locks are flickering on and off. So I called Bergman's and explained the issue...which I'm guessing he already knew but decided not to tell me...because if they completed the repairs... did they not test drive the vehicle to make sure the initial problem was resolved. So I return the vehicle and he (owner)diagnoses the problem as a bad computer module that must have gotten wet because my convertible top had separation in the lining and somehow the rain must gotten in through my top and went to my driver's side floor board and destroyed the computer module. So I ask myself how and when did this occur...because my car is always garaged at home...so did it occur while it was at the shop for 5 days? Was my vehicle left outside and not garaged while it was being repaired? So the owner quickly advised me that this issue was something he could not fix and that I had to take my car to dealer. So now we have Bergman's returning my vehicle to me with new problems that were not present when I initially brought in vehicle and I was definitely ripped-off by the repair work of $1500.00. So I take it to the dealer (Reeves Import Audi Tampa) and they confirm that the issue is the computer module and they told me that Bergman's had called them to figure out the problem. Bergman's also mentioned that he had to watch youtube videos to repair my vehicle. So now Im already(ripped-off) $1500 and had to take it to the dealer for additional repairs which cost me about $1200...$860 for the computer module and about $420 for labor and they(dealer) gave me a 15% military discount without me asking for it...because they knew from my previous visit that I was military. So the moral of the story is I guess I should have just taken it to the dealer to get it fixed right in the first place. I would not recommend Bergman's and I know they overcharged me. To the others who provided good reviews I'm glad you had a good experience that was not my case....so I'm writing this review to share my experience.
We were not informed the customer was aware the car had a water leak. This information would have been helpful. The car was here for several days, and it did rain during that time. We bring in all cars at night, but during the day cars are in the shop only if they are being worked on.
We did call Audi, to check on prices. Dealers DO NOT HAVE A TECH HELP LINE!
I am unsure about the perceived difficulty in applying a military discount. We do ask for ID the first time, as we have had non-vets asking for the discount. It is then saved in the customer's file.
The description of what was done simplifies things a bit. If anyone would like an actual copy of this repair order, to draw your own conclusions, we will be happy to provide it.
We were searching for answers after the water damage, and found some info on Youtube to give to the customer so he could better understand how a leak in his soft top can cause water intrusion into sensitive electronics.
We can't be responsible for defects a car arrives at our shop with. This customer knew his soft top had a leak beforehand and did not inform us.
The car had an undisclosed water leak upon arrival.
I am sorry for his issues, but in reviewing the entire situation we performed ethically and professionally. Thanks, Stephen Bergman