South Carolina European Auto Repair

Reviews

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

  Sheree Richnow
a year ago
If there were a way to give a big fat ZERO--I would.When I first took my vintage '97 Jaguar XK8 to SCE Auto in late 2021, I entrusted Chris, the owner, with a pristine Concours winner. Unfortunately, what I got back was a filthy mess with numerous documentable scuffs and scratches. (See the attached photos.)Two months and $1,800 later, which I paid, I picked up the car and made it only a few miles from the shop when it stopped running, and it had to be towed back to his shop. Of course, he said it was 'something else' that had gone wrong.From there, it was a downhill ride. For seven months, he made endless excuses about not being able to find the alleged part the car needed. I even contacted several judges and Jaguar owners from JCNA and DVJC to help locate the part. (FYI, I am a former judge for AACA and DVJC.)To make a VERY long story short, another year went by. I made countless calls and sent emails and texts to obtain information regarding his progress. However, my communication efforts were ignored from August to December 2022. Finally, I had no choice but to file a complaint with SC Legal. Chris was finally compelled to respond when I contacted the Beaufort County Sheriff, who called to ask why he was not cooperating.Earlier this month, I had the car towed to a more reputable shop recommended by the Chief Judge of a local chapter of the Jaguar Club. It took only a couple of days to diagnose the problem correctly. IT NEEDED A NEW BATTERY! He didn't need the 'mystery part' at all. There is simply no excuse for such incompetence. Unfortunately, Chris is a nice guy who makes endless excuses for not doing his job.If you care about your prized vehicle--do not entrust it to this guy. You'll be sorry.Services: Electrical repair, Electrical

  Robert Todd
3 weeks ago
I have a 1998 Porsche Boxster, When I first reached out to SCEA, I talked to Rob and Chris about the service, I was actually interviewing them. I am very familiar with my car and have done my own maintenance on this classic car. I moved to HHI in January 2024 and now I do not have a facility to put my car on a lift and do the work myself.The service I wanted done sounds easy, transmission fluid and filter change. On old cars this job can go bad and the transmission Auto and Tiptronic is very sensitive to say the least.I felt Chris and Rob worked on my car like it was their own based on another conversation I had with Chris, I could tell they appreciated working on this classic car.I felt I called and emailed a bunch for no reason just to check in and they always got back to me. I love talking cars and performance. I found Chris and Rob are car enthusiasts and take pride in the service they provide. I understand things can be difficult and time consuming and you have to be patient. With all the info on the computers and diagnostics it will get figured out and get fixed. Just like other things in lifeI do recommend you give them a call and talk about the service you want done and get their feedback. If you feel comfortable after the conversation and feel like you can trust them with you vehicle then give them a try.Thank you Chris and your team in the pits.

  Beth Tomlinson
4 months ago
The first time I used this place to have work done on my car I was pleased. However; this time I took my car in for some bodywork and the experience was extremely frustrating . They kept my car for going on three weeks with absolutely no communication. When I would call to ask the status, they never got back with me. They kept it over two weekends without telling me, and when I drove there to check on my car, the doors were locked during business hours. When I did try to call, the voicemail box was full for five days in a row. When I commented about this to the owners, all they said was well it works now . Finally, I just I had to pick up my car since they never called to tell me whether it was ready or not. After all that time, the work was not even done!! It was a very frustrating experience and I hope no other customer has to go through this.Did not see a place to respond to the vendor's reply so putting it here. The 19 Cardinal address is the place that the car was dropped off at, where an estimate was written up, where calls went to, etc. This may not be the actual place that the bodywork is done but it was the only place where business was conducted. They also stated that they have no record on me but I am literally looking at a written estimate from them. Hope this provides some clarity.

  victoria shroyer
2 months ago
Rob and Chris are the absolute best! I have been through the worst with a local VW dealership and someone highly recommended SCE AUTO to me (and i'm glad they did). He was able to diagnose my vehicle while keeping me updated through the whole process. Not only was my invoice a fraction of what I already paid VW to fix ( that they clearly did not, just a band-aid) but they went above and beyond with customer service and quality of work. They now have a lifetime customer and I will send any import owners to Rob and his team.

  Malcolm Maclennan (MNMM)
4 weeks ago
Buyer BewareI don t usually post negative reviews but this one is necessary.I d previously used the services of SCE Automotive on Cardinal Road for my two foreign cars and thought I was dealing with a straight shooter who did good work. That is until the week on August 14th, 2023 when I took one car in to have about $3,500 worth of work done on the hydraulic suspension.The SCE website says We offer high quality service with integrity .The work was to remove the hydraulic suspension and install coil springs and shocks. The drop off day was to be Tuesday for this extensive reworking of the suspension and it was to be a 2-day effort.I took the car in on Monday giving them an extra day. I had mentioned I wanted to see how they did this conversion. Each day I stopped by to see what was going on my car was in the parking lot. Strange I thought, since that job was 15 man hours. (Strange too that it was never in the shop when I stopped by).In one visit I was told that the front right and both rear shocks had been changed over and the power steering pump had been switched out leaving only the front, left to done in order to get the car back on Friday. Now a 4-day job in elapsed time. That happens.On Friday mid-afternoon I was told "to come and pick up the car".When I arrived to pick up the car I was told "this car was very difficult to work on. That the left control arm was bent, that the car had been involved in serious left front damage and right rear damage. And that all the work that had been done on the car during the week had been undone and the car was restored to its original condition." All undone on Friday. My Thursday update indicated no issues. (Before I bought the car from a Naples dealer I had it inspected by a reputable independent German car repair facility and it received a 9.5 out of 10 rating and no reported damage in CARFAX.I was also told there would be no charge for the work that was done during the week. What?I immediately took the car to Mercedes Benz on Saturday, morning, August 19th to give a good look with qualified eyes and was told "there was no evidence of any suspension work being done and "the hydraulic pump had not been removed and replaced . Pictures were taken to document this fact.This charade about work done and work not done reeks of more serious issues and consequences. I ll let the reader reach their own conclusions. I have reached mine and after this experience it is buyer beware"Additionally and before having the 70,000 mile service done I asked SCE to give the car a good once over to see it was worth spending the $3,500 on the suspension change. On a more serious note I received an SCE quote to replace both front and rear brake rotors and pads and I approved the brake work to be done. Mercedes pointed out my rear brakes were at the dangerous level as SCE did not replace the rear brakes. SCE also did not point out that the engine and transmission mounts were torn.On Monday August 21st I dropped off a draft email to Mr. Arnold of SCE outlining all of my above concerns, asked for my service records, and have not heard a word back from them.

  Joe Darwal
a month ago
Take both my Mini Cooper S and VW Jetta to him for service. My Mini mechanic in Ohio recommended SCE auto when we relocated to the island, and Chris lived up to his reputation.

  Aaron Fisher
6 months ago
With a heavy heart I am writing this review. I enjoy supporting local business, even if it is a little more expensive and because you can build a relationship and trust (which I feel is very important with a mechanic). Over the years I have had some good experiences with Chris the owner and have never taken my truck somewhere else for a second opinion. I trust my mechanic. Even after having a simple brake job done last year and while driving home I had parts falling off my vehicle and a terrible grinding noise. I took it back to Chris and he said the new guy did it and he was sorry and fixed it (no discount for the aggravation or extra time). Even with that happening I still continued to go to him thinking that was a once off. But here I am writing this after just giving Chris $2000 to replace my valve cover gaskets that took extra time because halfway through the job he realized he didn't have all the gaskets and had to wait for delivery. So I waited an extra day but figured as long as it was fixed properly I didn't care. Well during that repair I went to my truck to get something out of it at night to find that half my engine was laying on the sidewalk (picture attached) and my hood left ajar for anybody to take or tamper with. I still didn't say anything because I like Chris and figured as long as it was fixed properly and nobody stoled my engine it would be ok. Well I finally picked up my "properly repaired" and pointed out to Chris that I still see oil coming out of the motor and he said "that was from before and it will burn off". Well 2 weeks later it's not burnt off because it is still leaking. I take it back to him and he says "oh I couldn"t see that it was also leaking from the camshaft cap seal". Of course its something different that needs the motor to be torn apart again and it will cost $3200 in labor but because he is being generous he will take $1200 off (so $2000 more to me). The part is $80 so this is just labor. So now my trust is wavering and I take my truck to Chevy dealership and tell them simply that I have an oil leak (nothing about having repairs done). They tell me that it is leaking from the valve cover gasket (yes the one that is 2 weeks old) and its leaking from the camshaft cap seal and the labor to do both is $1700 ($300 less than what I have already paid Chris). But yet Chris wants me to give him $2000 more with the discount to remedy the problem.I still feel like Chris will do the right thing so I go to him and explain the situation expecting that he will stand behind his work and make the repairs for no cost (since I have already paid him $300 more than Chevy would charge to have repaired both) or refund my money for a job that wasn't done properly (not to much to ask from a reputable business). Nope "deny, deny, deny that the valve cover is leaking, and I guess it's just my bad luck that he didn't see the other leak while the motor already completely torn apart and laying on an unsecured sidewalk. So at this point I can either give him $2000 to maybe fix it correctly or give Chevy $1700 to fix it. I'm going with Chevy. I know they will stand behind their work and at the very least my engine won't be left out on a sidewalk (heck I'm not a mechanic but that might be why its leaking again for all I know). This isn't me bashing anyone it is just a personal account of what has happened to me and how my loyalty and trust was not reciprocated.Service: General repairs & maintenance

  Frances Lipe
a year ago
Chris is my personal hero! Was able to get the parts I needed for my 13 year-old Audi, and charge me $1000 less than what I was quoted from another shop. He took great care to gently work loose and not break bolts that were stuck tight by New England salt and corrosion. He's a bit busy, so be patient. He's worth it!Service: Steering & suspension repairService: Steering & suspension repair

  Dennis LOCKWOOD
a year ago
2009 VW PassatThey keep my 13 yo Passat running like new.Really appreciate their service. They know their trade.Services: General repairs & maintenance, Auto engine diagnostic, Engine repair, Auto maintenance

  Richard Moniuszko
a week ago
Mechanic is Volvo trained and knows their cars. Much more reasonably priced than the dealership.

  Josh Hammond
9 months ago
Came from out of town with Ferrari and the car started clicking/shaking when driving. Showed up unannounced and they had it in immediately. Couldn't repair and will be towed to Orlando but the guys were class act. Very impressed. Tried to not charge me as well.

  Nathan Nix
5 months ago
These guys were great, delivered as promised, super friendly staff, definitely will be back for any of their services I may need. Top notch service! Thanks you guys!Service: TiresService: Tires

  Ronin Roper
2 months ago
They charge more than a dealership to repair vehicles here....... literally. Do not go here. Update: Yes, you charged $300 to look at my Uncles BMW.......after we waited 2 weeks for the only guy who could work on the car to come back to work.

  Mark Horton
2 years ago
Chris & the Team were incredible. Very professional. Just moved to the Island 12 weeks ago. We are very fortunate to have found a top notchplace to take all our cars.Thanks again for a great Job. We appreciate your services.Thanks, MarkService: Oil change

  rex hunter
a year ago
They were kind enough to work on my 21 year old van that has sentimental value to me. They went over and above literally. They repaired issues without a charge in some instances and I'm beyond grateful. Decorum and class. I really appreciate the patience and professionals courtesy.

  Richard Klingaman
a year ago
These guys are great! They figured out how to replace the starter without pulling the engine in an Audi S6 V10 which would have been VERY expensive. Very busy so you must be patient.Services: Wheel alignment, Auto maintenance, Oil changeServices: Wheel alignment, Auto maintenance, Oil change

  Mary Allen
a year ago
Chris is a knowledgeable competent honest mechanic. My car is 15 years old and because of him I expect I will be able to drive it another 15 years!Services: Exhaust, General repairs & maintenance, Auto exhaust system replacement, Brakes, BatteryServices: Exhaust, General repairs & maintenance, Auto exhaust system replacement, Brakes, Battery

  Leia Esser
2 years ago
We traveled from Wisconsin and our car was acting up on the way. Concerned about driving home, we brought the vehicle to SEC Auto. Chris was relentless in diagnosing the issue, extremely communicative, reasonably priced, and timely. We could not be more grateful for SEC Auto.Side note: If you ever find yourself in this position, consider renting a bike; it was a lovely way to enjoy HHI sans vehicle.Service: Auto engine diagnostic

  Stephen Hall
2 years ago
We were vacationing in Hilton Head when our AC went out. Chris diagnosed the issue in about ten minutes and gave us an estimate. The parts arrived in one day and the repair was accomplished the next day. Nice work!Service: Air conditioningService: Air conditioning

  C.M. Shook
2 years ago
My 2014 Mercedes E350 Wagon with 210,000 was about on its last leg. Fortunately found Chris and he has been able to fix and correct everything with my Benz Wagon and I'm sure I'll see 300,000 miles!!!Services: Air & cabin filter replacement, Steering & suspension repair, Tire rotations, Wheel alignment, Auto brake replacement, Battery, Oil changeServices: Air & cabin filter replacement, Steering & suspension repair, Tire rotations, Wheel alignment, Auto brake replacement, Battery, Oil change

  Brad Kelpien
2 years ago
Very helpful - broke the bad news to me that a prepackaged stage one tune wasn't available for my A6 (odd ECU), although he tried hard to find one. He suggested a dyno tune up in Charleston, or taking it directly to one of the tune providers, since some of them will do it in their own shop. Didn't charge for the time he spent.

  William Higinbotham
2 years ago
I was on HHI for vacation in August when my AC quit. Chris got me right in, diagnosed the problem and scoured the web to find me a part in time to drive home on Saturday. The part came in at 4:30 on Friday and they had me out the door by 5:30. Definitely a life saver. I highly recommend SCE.Services: Electrical, Air conditioningServices: Electrical, Air conditioning

  Andy Borgmeier
2 years ago
So glad I found Chris, recently purchased a VW Jetta and really wanted to bring the car to a VW Specialist Chris is the man for the job!He took care of what the car needed in a timely minor and a fair price...Service: Engine repairService: Engine repair

  Claire Gudewich
a year ago
Friendly and timely service. Went for an oil change on my Audi Q5 and will be back if I need anything else.

  Frank Sutton
a year ago
Had a battery of 9 months go bad replaced without question. Great service overall and great pricing.Service: General repairs & maintenanceService: General repairs & maintenance

  Pete White
2 years ago
Excellent service, much more reasonable than dealer. Very accommodating.Service: Auto engine tuningService: Auto engine tuning

  Dave Taylor
a year ago
Nice folks. Got my car fixed and back on the road quickly

  Donna Varner
2 years ago
Convenient and honest, straightforward service. I'll be back.Services: Auto engine diagnostic, Tire rotations, Oil changeServices: Auto engine diagnostic, Tire rotations, Oil change

  Mike Walsh
3 years ago
Very pleased with their excellent service

  ferenc bukta
a year ago
My a/c is working again !Service: Air conditioningService: Air conditioning