Sam's Import Auto Repair

Reviews

Reviews are sorted by relevance, with the most helpful and insightful feedback listed first for easy reference.

  Adnan Razzaque
3 months ago
Absolutely amazing experience here. I have a 2018 E400, and the dealership wanted $4500 to fix the weather-stripping around my doors and window (I had a small air leak around my passenger side window). I found Sam online, called him, and he reassured me he d take care of it. I dropped my car off late on a Friday evening and he had it ready by Monday morning. His partners even offered to do my regular service (normally costs $500-800 at the dealership). Sam fixed everything for $300. I was stunned. Basically a 94% discount from what the dealership would charge for my issue. I can t recommend Sam enough. I would trust him with any car I have and will buy in the future

  Brian Eskridge
a month ago
I was looking for someone knowledgeable and trustworthy to work on my wife's 09 VW. It has a 100k miles on it and we just needed some service work done. I wanted a new timing belt, water pump, battery, oil change, etc. We live in a rural area and local mechanics didn't want to mess with it because VW's require special tools and knowledge. I checked with the dealership and they quoted $4000 (!!!). I doubt this little car is even worth that but my wife really likes it so I kept looking. I contacted Sam and he quoted significantly less and he had great reviews so he was our choice.I am so glad we did! He is very professional and friendly. He explained what the car really needed and didn't charge me for unnecessary crap. Thanks Sam, you are the best!.

  Preston Thompson (BusinessRogue)
a year ago
Sam fixed my M5 when other boutique BMW shops turned me away. His knowledge of the brand, care for the client and honest pricing has earned a customer for life. I ll say I ve become good friends with Sam.If you want an honest, hard working mechanic who treats you like family - go here and don t look elsewhere.

  Imam Mazhar Mahmood
a year ago
Sam is one of the most honest mechanics that I know. He is caring, truthful, knows his stuff about cars and always passionate about what he does. More than anything, he looks out for what benefits the customer, their well being and the well-being of their vehicle. I would recommend him without any hesitance to anyone who needs servicing, fixing or just a genuine opinion on their vehicle... He's the best mechanic you'll ever find in Peoria!Services: Transmission, Air & cabin filter replacement, Steering & suspension repair, General repairs & maintenance, Electrical, Auto engine diagnostic, Brakes, Vehicle safety inspection, Auto maintenance, Battery, Oil change

  Nick Gibson
2 weeks ago
Sam is spot on, very awesome and more than fair...I just got a 2011 Audi S5...it was throwing a camshaft sensor code...Sam got it right in...and was very honest...the sensor was unplugged...i wasn't jerked around...i didnt pay for things that wasnt needed...now it's perfect...an awesome experience...very impressed with the whole experience...highly recommend...found my mechanic...

  Kevin Appel
7 months ago
Excellent experience. Sam is very knowledgeable about the brands he works on and does a great job at a fair price. I've been in the automotive business for 40 years and I highly recommend Sam's for your import car repair needs.

  Mitchell Melega
8 months ago
Talking to Sam you can tell he's different, a wealth of knowledge, unbelievably honest, and is invested in his customers. Sam flawessly replaced a Timing Chain on my Mom's 09' Honda Accord, offering a lifetime warranty and on top of it he performed the work at more than half of the quote received from Bob Lindsay Honda. The reviews speak for themselves, look no further than Sam's Import Auto Repair!

  William Starbuck
6 months ago
Sam is not only a great mechanic, he is an amazing person! I am so happy to have found him.Connie

  Chris Chapman
2 months ago
Got me in right away, diagnosed my issue and fixed it. It was minor, but he refused to take any payment. I'll be a customer for life now.

  Chris Covey
a year ago
Sam was awesome to work with and did a great job helping me keep my mercedes running smoothly. AC works well now and the electrical issues are resolved. And, Sam helped me save money on parts at the same time. Great experience and will return for sure.Services: Electrical, Air conditioning, Oil changeServices: Electrical, Air conditioning, Oil change

  Trent em
a year ago
I was dealing with an incorrect diagnosis on my Audi from another mechanic and took it to Sam two months ago advising him of my issue. Less than two blocks of driving and he confirmed my assumptions and he replaced my wheel bearing that day at a very reasonable price. I will be providing him future business. Recommended!

  Melissa Motionless
2 years ago
I can't speak highly enough about this shop. Sam does amazing work and has very reasonable prices. I originally took my Audi to Kauth and Meyeur. They wanted to charge me over 4 thousand dollars to replace my timing chain, and water pump. They also quoted me over 900 dollars for my front brake pads. I thought that seemed high so i looked online for other shops and found Sam. He got me in right away and didn't charge me for a diagnosis. He replaced my timing chain kit with upper timing chain gasket, put a new water pump in, and he replaced my front brake pads and did an oil change at no additional cost. My car runs like new. He also is giving me my next 2 oil changes for free. Will definitely be going to him for any future repairs!

  Lueshand Nunn
a year ago
Sam is a GREAT gentleman. He did not screw me over like BMW & Kauth & Mauyer. He was able to fix my car with an excellent price. Thanks ,GREATLY APPRECiATE IT.Service: Auto maintenanceService: Auto maintenance

  88chevy Silverado
3 years ago
Sam is awesome! Took my Audi S4 in with shifting issues and Sam recommend a transmission flush. Car feels so much better now. Super fast service and very reasonable pricing. I don t trust anyone else with my S4!!

  Mallik B
5 years ago
Sam is very reasonable on his pricing and honest on the repair issues. Had my BMW X3 that went dead in my garage. He came down to my place and did a diagnostic check. I had to tow it down to his garage and he did a detail inspection. Needed a major overhaul on the engine and I took it to the dealer as it needed major parts replacement that was partly covered under previous warranty. Sam charged me a minimal inspection fee as a good will. He is very knowledgeable on BMW car issues. Went to his garage based on a customer reference from my workplace.

  Clifforf williamd
7 years ago
Sam does all the work on my BMW he is a good mechanic. He explains the problem and recommends solutions. Cost for repair very reasonable and warranty for work and parts are very fair. I would recommend his shop for your auto repairs. I seen Maserati, Mercedes Benz, being worked on at his place of business. Sam is there really deal

  Cindy Grant
4 years ago
Sam s Import Auto Repair is my go to place for all of my maintenance and repairs. They get my car in and looked at fairly quickly. They let me know and show me the problem before they do any work. When I give them the go ahead; they do a great job and their prices are very fair.

  Meia Clayborn
3 years ago
It would be an understatement if I said the service I received here was any less than Immaculate!! Let me just say- my car was there less than 5 mins and had already been diagnosed (that may not mean anything to you but coming from other places where I would leave my car for days for a quote and service then having my car still have the same issue.. this is a blessing to me). Sam is so prompt, so attentive, so informative, so fairly priced (charges less than 1/3 of what I would have paid elsewhere). I only visited there once but I almost cried when he told me he was moving to Florida! Haha.. it was a joke! I can already go on and on about how amazing my experience was- and experiencing the trust and confidence his other clients- FRIENDS that were present displayed- puts the icing on the cake... THESE REVIEWS ARE ACCURATE!! I feel so confident about my new mechanic!!!! I can actually see myself keeping my BMW now!! Seriously, if you need work on your foreign and you need someone who cares that you can trust... TRY THIS GUY!! I guarantee you will not be disappointed!!!

  Phenomenal Phil Raso
7 years ago
Sam is an honest auto repair person. That's all I really need to say. He's worked on my A6 and my Passat. He recently saved me over $2000. The local Audi dealer (you know who) wanted over $2000 for a steering column replacement. Sam found one used for $149. Since my A6 is a 2005 a used column is just fine.He is highly recommended!

  jack parsons
5 years ago
I couldn't recommend Sam enough. My single turbo 135i was having a few issues after an engine build and Sam took care of them all in a timely, cost efficient manner. He is extremely knowledgeable and is the only person In the area I trust to work on my car.

  Bob B
7 years ago
I made a new friend at Sam's Import Auto Repair. They did major repairs on my M3 in record time and at a cost that was very reasonable. I will definitely be a returnUp front estimate, completed in record time on a Saturday. Great place for great service on a car that is over twenty years old. Amazing knowledge with bimmers.

  H. Tak Cheung
6 years ago
My son brought a 1996 BMW 318i convertible when he saw the car in a dealership. He loves the car, but as in any car that has been around for over 20 years, many problems came with it. After we moved to Peoria, we found Sam s Import Auto Repairs on University Ave. We went that and met Sam, who was the most knowledgeable mechanics on BMW I have ever met. He was also a great guy, respectful and easy to talk to. Since then, he has performed several repairs and maintenance on our three BMWs to our utter satisfaction. His charges are significantly lower than the BMW dealers both in Urbana, where we bought the car, as well as in Peoria. More importantly, Sam is a most trustworthy person, and he is honest in his assessment and fair in his charges. I met several of his customers and they all gave him rave reviews of his work and highest regards of his integrity. If you have a German or other import cars, you would not go wrong to check out Sam s Import Auto Repairs when you have your next mechanic problem.

  Joni St. John
6 years ago
So happy with the service and pricing at Sam's. As a woman, I have often not felt comfortable dealing with mechanics but was treated with respect here. Sam takes the time to explain things and I appreciate his honesty. I wish all mechanics were as good, and I hope he stays around for a long time.

  Sameer Syed
3 years ago
The check engine light was on with 3 different engine codes on my Toyota Sienna - MAF and 2 Oxygen sensors. I took it to two other mechanics, before I took it to Sam's auto. They both replaced the part but the light still wasn't going away. One mechanic said, take it to the dealer as it might be wiring issues, but couldn't really give an exact diagnosis. The other said it could be a wiring or computer board issue and said he can fix it, but it will cost up to $1,300. I then went to SAM's auto and he found out that the real issue was a fuse, not wiring issues or anything to do with the computer board. He fixed it for a much more reasonable price, replacing the fuse and the oxygen sensors and MAF. At last, the check engine light went away and my van runs like a charm. He was my savior, saving me hundreds of dollars and knew exactly what the problem was and how to fix it. I would definitely recommend him.Service: Auto engine diagnostic

  Tim Disbro
2 years ago
After taking my 740i to Kauth and Mayer or the local BMW dealership, I was lucky enough to find Sam's Import Auto Repair. He fixes things in far less time for far less money, treats everyone like family and gets things done right the first time. Highly recommend to anyone with an import in central Illinois.

  Sreeram sreeram
4 years ago
Sam is a great mechanic. He knows what is he doing. Have his as my mechanic since four years, no hazzle or questions on his skill set. Very reasonably priced too for the work and advice he gives.

  Khaireddin Mohamad
11 months ago
Sam is a very good mechanic and very friendlySometimes he is busy because has too many costumersYou should be patient if you want a good workThanks again

  Isaiah Thornton
5 years ago
Sam is GREAT guy and an AMAZINGmechanic. I just moved back to Peoria and had great mechanics in California who worked on my BMW & Range Rover and Sam has filled that spot to the highest expectations! Great prices, very informative and the staff is friendly and helpful!!!!!!!!!!

  brahmaji rao Kadium
5 years ago
Very dishonest and unethical business experience. I took my car in to Sam's import for replacing my alternator , after replacing alternator Sam said that there are heavy oil leaks and quoted $400 but nothing about a known minor coolant leaks. When I returned home the coolant is leaking very rapidly, I thought it is a coincidence and I took it in again, this time they said the coolant expansion tank and I agreed to change it. After an hour I got a call saying that now my radiator is leaking and needs changed and quoted $400 for parts and labor. I asked them not to fix it as it is an old car and the leaks are minor compared to the one we just fixed and I want to observe for sometime. When I returned home I lost all the coolant so this time I suspected Sam's job and took my car to my go to mechanic, guess what, my radiator is fine my mechanic said radiator is solid and I can survive it even in today's -40F temperature. My mechanic found a heater coolant hose thats busted and leaking coolant (not sure if it is a coincidence or an intentional problem created by Sams import for generating more business). My mechanic replaced that heater hose for $150 parts and labor and all coolant leaks are stopped. Sam wanted to change my good radiator for $400 and when I refused to change , the heater coolant hose problem sprung out as a surprise. I believe I wouldn't have incurred the expansion tank and heater coolant hose repairs had I waited and gone to my mechanic for alternator replacement in the first place. I would never go to Sams import again, please be aware. I gave a 1 star because it is not letting me post the review without it.

  susi428
7 years ago
My A4 was having issues as I was trying to get to Chicago. Sam fit me in last minute and was able to get everything fixed the same day. Sam was super friendly and helpful. He showed and explained everything he did. Very transparent and honest, highly recommended.