We’ve been taking our cars to Sam Dawood at Drive European for 20+ years. Sam provides excellent and personalized service, including searching for affordable or less expensive alternatives for an older vehicle. We trust Sam’s expertise and workmanship, and have never been disappointed. Plus Sam is a really nice person. We highly recommend this business.
I have used Dive European for all service on my BMW 328xi for three years now. Switched from over-priced and under-responsive dealership. I get excellent overall service for a much more reasonable price. I especially like the email text and photo description of the work to be done and why it is needed.
Sam and his team have been servicing my familys cars and mine for over 5 years now. I have never been disappointed with their service. They put a lot of work into my suspension recently and they could have returned my car after a few days, however, Sam wasnt happy with the final product. He genuinely cared about how the car looked and drove to the point where they went back to square one. To see someone care about your car as much as you do is refreshing. Drive European isnt cheap, but it is a better value then getting work done at the dealership. I highly recommend.
Looking for a good mechanic when you move to a new area can be daunting. Luckily I found one. I appreciate Sams advice that saved me money, and the mechanics taking care of my 1999 BMW 528iT, did a great job. Reasonably priced and work done in a timely matter. Very Happy! Thank You!
My VW Passat wagon always sounds so good after service at Drive European. Sam took the time to explain to me that the leaves I had allowed to accumulate in the engine compartment risked serious system damage. I always learn something from him about my car!
I got a pre-purchase inspection on a 2013 Audi Allroad here and the service was phenomenal. Timely detailed report and awesome customer service. I even called back a week later asking about a specific part of the report and he told me exactly what to have done. Excellent all round experience.
This is the best auto repair shop in the DC metro area. Sam has been working on my cars since 1990, when he was head mechanic and the shop was in Arlington and called Imported Car Service. I have always been impressed with the care and service Sam and his team provide. I go to Drive European for all my auto needs.
This place is fantastic. Saved me a lot of money over the VW dealership. Definitely try them before going somewhere else.
Needed a bushing replaced so made appointment. Then noticed transmission seemed to shift hard so asked Sam to check it out. And, the fog light error. Kept adding on issues. They checked and fixed what needed to me, reassured me about the ones that were fine. Hard to find a mechanic with integrity these days! Highly recommend!
These guys are pros. From appointment logistics to diagnostics, explanation and execution, Sam and his team are great. Thanks.
I have been a 20 year+ customer of Sams at Drive European. I have always been extremely impressed by the quality of the work. Sam is extremely honest, knowledgeable and professional to deal with. I feel like I get great value for what I pay for service. Sam is always on top of things anticipating what can go wrong with the car in the future.
I have used Driven European for 20 years years and they are always professional, and their work is of the highest quality.
Sam and his team are always on point, professional and knowledgeable about the automobiles they service. They take the time to explain, in detail, any issues your cars may have and what the best solutions are. If you are an owner of a BMW, Porsche, Audi/VW, Jag or Mercedes, dont waste your time going anyplace else.
Great contactless experience with transparency. Always my first call for my vehicle.
As ever, a detailed and expert estimate up front with a choice of now or later for optional repairs. No pressure, just the facts followed up with a more than competent job. Super choice for keeping a favorite BMW on the road!
Great service and outstanding customer relations.
Sam and the team saved me about $800 by being honest and telling me that my water pump was likely still covered by the dealership. Im super appreciative and glad they’re now helping me with my 2nd car. They’ve always be been honest, upfront, and clear in their communication. I look forward to working with them in the future if I have any car troubles.
We trust Sam and his team with all our cars, not just the European ones. Their advice is honest and up front. The cost is reasonable, especially if you consider that they are only going to recommend doing what your car actually needs, and not a bunch of optional or unimportant stuff to pad the bill. Our family has been doing business with Drive European for over a decade and will never switch!
We’ve been going to Drive European for 20+ years. Sam is the best!
I have been taking my car to Drive European for about 2 years now and they never disappointment. Sam provides exceptional customer service, always finds time to fit services into the schedule no matter what. Great pricing with no hidden or extra costs. I would highly recommend for European cars.
Our vehicle service manager Sam has been excellent in all respects, he always takes the time to explain to us why certain work was done and when it needs to be done in order to avoid extra expense and time lost. He has gone out of his way numerous times, for this I thank him and the Drive European staff. Khalil Khatib
Absolutely the most honest and transparent mechanic shop you’ll find anywhere... I’ve been a customer for over 20 years now!!! Sam is a gem, he’s very knowledgeable and a perfectionist. They’re not cheap but they’re a great deal because the price to value you’re getting with them is well worth it. Also you will never have to go back twice for the same thing. Highly recommended.
Sam and the crew at Drive European took good care of me and my nearly 40-year-old Mercedes after being struck from behind while stopped at a traffic light resulted in some drivetrain damage. As is always the case, I really appreciated the explanation I received about needed repairs, the communication I received during the process, and the timeliness in completing the repairs. But, as always (I’ve been a customer for nearly six years), I am especially thankful that they appreciate how much I love my car and that they treat me and my car accordingly.
Im very happy to have found this mechanic so close to my house. I love their process, detailed reports, transparent and friendly service, and the prices are reasonable. I wish I had been coming to them for years. I plan to use Drive European for the life if all my future cars, European or otherwise.
Outstanding service, integrity and most of all, HONEST. Ive been doing business with Sam (the owner) since he started as a mechanic with another superb mechanic and owner of Imported Car Sales and Service in Arlington, Va., Rick Haywood. Sam has come a long way from those days. He learned well and is making an excellent niche for himself in the Washington Metro area. My mother is 93 years old and has also been going to Sam for as long as I have (maybe 30/35 years ). I can trust that he will treat her as hes treated me for all those years. Thank you Sam and staff for always treating mom and I honestly.
I have taken four cars to Drive European (and before when it was Imported Car Service.) I wouldnt trust anybody but Sam and his crew to take care of my car. They dont do unnecessary repairs and always stand behind their work.
These mechanics are the best anywhere. I would not take my MINI Cooper to another place. Their pricing is competitive and fair. They send you a PDF with the estimate, which lets you know exactly what they plan to do and how much it will cost. I love the way they do business. They are true experts at what they do. Once you go to Drive European, you will not be happy anywhere else. So, call Sam and make an appointment!
Ive been using Drive European for several years. I even bought my last BMW from them. What I appreciate most is their great service, honesty, and integrity. It is hard to find trustworthy mechanics! I greatly value Sam and the team at Drive European!
I bought a 2008 Mercedes Benz C300 from Drive European and have really been happy with my decision so far. The sales process was very easy and professional, and the service I receive at this dealership is exceptional. This is truly the best place to purchase or service your car needs. The owner (Sam) was outstanding. I have sent my car there twice and courtesies were superb. The proximity to Washington DC makes it very easy for me to service my Mercedes when needed. Well to say the least, everything about the place is awesome.
Have been taking my cars here for years. Sam and the entire team at Drive European are extremely knowledgeable and professional. If you are the owner of European automobile, dont go anyplace else.
Very professional. Explains things well and get the work done right.
As a new transplant to the Northern Virginia area, and a single woman, I was very nervous about finding a good mechanic for my older Saab (which is already hard enough to work on!). I had such a great experience with Drive European, however, and would not hesitate to recommend it, especially for tricky European models. When I took my car for the first time, I had several previously diagnosed problems including an oil leak, power steering problems, coolant hose deterioration, etc. I thought that Drive Europeans prices were very fair, and everyone who I spoke with was unfailingly nice and more than happy to explain every proposed fix/part to me in detail (as I know very little about cars in general). Additionally, my car can be very difficult to both find parts for and actually work on, but Drive European did not have any problems with either.I loved that Drive European also stood by all of their repairs/work. I had a concern after getting my car back, and they were more than happy to reexamine free of charge. It has been a few weeks since getting my car back after extensive repairs due to the shape that it was in, and so far it drives great with no problems. My car has not driven this well in many, many years. I cannot recommend Drive European enough!
I am a serious car person - I find Sam and the people at Drive European expert and totally trustworthy. Sam, the owner, is always willing to go the extra mile to help me decide what I need to do to make my cars better. I highly recommend them. Our recent experience with Drive European simply conformed this long standing impression. Sam and Drive uropean are now looking after my wifes nearly 20 year old MB E320 wagon - again reliable and trustworthy service. Thanks.
Ive personally known Sam for years and have known him to always be a person of great integrity. I was fortunate to learn of his shop a few years ago and after taking my car to the dealership for years and being ripped off I decided to give his business a try. Would never take my car anywhere else! So rare to find such professional and dependable businesses these days!
Weve been taking our cars to Sam for over 25 years. We trust him and his crew to recommend what we need and to do the work competently and efficiently. We drive our cars as long as reasonable and Sams care has saved us a lot of car replacement money! One of our cars is 18 years old and it still runs like a top thanks to Drive European! Its great to know they have our backs!
Have been taking my cars to Sam for many years. Always reasonable prices and great work.
Quality, integrity, professionalism. Drive European takes care of the entire vehicle. Surprisingly, for my older BMWs, obtaining parts has never been a significant challenge. Best of all, they test drive the car(s) upon completion to verify that everything is complete, and that no warning lights illuminate.
I just picked up my 2001 Porsche Boxter S and after a major electrical problem due to water damage, Sam has managed to breathe it new life! I know it took considerable time and effort on his part, as my problem required going through the manufacturer. This is my third repair for this vehicle (due to my neglect) and Sam has exceeded my expectations.It is obvious he cares for the car almost as much as I do. I appreciate his honesty and his friendly demeanor and recommend his shop highly, without reservation.
Sam and his team have maintained our familys cars for over 20 years. Ive always felt like Drive European has done a great job taking care of our cars. They take time to explain what has gone wrong with the car and why (we drive older, used cars). I drive away with a better sense of how the car is working and what to keep an eye out for. I recommended to a couple of my friends who ended up buying cars them.. Its a great shop and a great group of guys.
Sam and his personnel really work hard and well together. This was my first time visiting his shop. I thought I needed a transmission and was quoted a price of $5800 from one of his competitors and it turned out that I did not need a transmission and my final bill to him was $385.00. My wife and I were truly thankful to God for this good news. I highly recommend this facility for your car needs.
When my BMW was out of its original warranty period I was very concerned about the quality of service I’d receive if I discontinued service at a dealer. I did my due diligence and checked out several shops that specialized in German autos. I read what reviews were available online and decided to try Drive European. It was the right decision. I could not be more pleased with the quality of auto and customer service I receive from Sam and his staff. These guys go the extra mile to make sure all required work is completed properly and to customer satisfaction. My last service was minimal but the car was washed and shining when I arrived. Even more amazing was finding the paint scuff on the side of my car was buffed almost beyond sight as part of the courtesy car wash. That extra loving care on their part almost brought tears to this motor head’s eyes. If you love your German car, Drive European is the place to take it.
If I were to use two words to describe their service it would be honesty and integrity. These guys do a terrific job and Sam is truly trustworthy. Having dealt with the Audi dealership, its prices and less than clear diagnoses, I am really glad to have found Drive European and will continue taking my car there for service.
Outstanding and trustworthy as always for the past 30 years!
Sam Dawood has taken care of our foreign for many years and he and his team are wonderful and very informative on what your car needs.
Your first thought when you see a 5.0 rating is: they must have had a promotion or something...no way they earned 5 stars. Im here to let you know that I could give them 10 stars BY GOLLY I would! From my initial conversation down to the signing of the receipt, I had an immaculate experience!I was immediately impressed with their website. Thats your first impression and they had me intrigued. I called and Bee informed me they would get back to me the next day. I missed their call but he emailed me the detailed quote. Their price was SUBSTANTIALLY less than their competitors. I called at least 6 other places. I gave in and scheduled an appt. Bright and early, I was greeted by Bee. He was friendly and I felt like Id known him for years the way we conversed. He shuttled me to the metro and my car was in their hands. The next day Bee called and told me everything was good to go. He picked me up from the metro and drove me back to the shop. Thats where I met Sam. Sam explain what was going on with my car and things that he wanted me to look out for.Being a independent female, I appreciated that both Sam and Bee didnt talk down to me. They even replaced a bulb that went out!!Between Sam and Bee I felt like I was getting A+ service. They both give you a calming feeling that you are not getting bamboozled. Which, with owning a European car, you find happens all the time. I have absolutely doubt in my mind that Drive European is my new repair shop!Thanks guys!
After many disheartening and frustrating experiences with Virginia and DC-based auto repair and maintenance shops, I have found true love with Drive European! WOW. Sam and his team prove, with every encounter, that we can expect and receive honest, high-quality and speedy customer service and car work. THANK YOU, SAM! Im a customer for life and highly recommend Drive European to everyone looking for a trusted partner in taking care of your car.
Sam and the crew at Drive European are hands down the best! There has never been another shop that I trust with my car more.Sam and Marcus are always willing to take the time to explain exactly what happened and spell out your options. They are driven by customer satisfaction not money!If you decide to go to Sam I can promise that you will find yourself right in this spot recommending them too.
Great experience. Sam recently made a modification on a clutch master cylinder from an earlier year model to keep my manual transmission 1994 Jaguar XJS going. They also did the best wheel balance job Ive ever had for this car. He once diagnosed a problem on my BMW that I had complained about to the dealer several times while it was still under warranty and they had always said there was no problem. I recommend Drive European to everyone I know with a European car.
This is the best repair shop Ive ever been to. It was recommended by Joyce Motors since they didnt have the correct software to diagnose a problem with my Volvo, and I will definitely be returning and recommending all my friends and family to do the same. The entire staff is really nice and considerate, on top of being foreign car experts.I was quoted a price to scan the SRS Airbag system and when I picked the car up, I was charged LESS than the quoted price because the problem was easier to fix than expected. You dont see that everyday.I definitely appreciate that Sam, the owner, acts more as an advisor rather than a salesman pushing additional services/repairs on you.
In addition to going above and beyond with the quality of work, the thorough explanation and honesty really shines through from Sam and his guys at Drive European. They recently completed major service at 100K on time and on budget. My 2005 e46 3-series is driving like new, and I look forward to coming back to Drive European to keep it running properly for another 100K.
Took a month to receive a call back with a high estimate of 1422$ for a timing belt service job that will take him 2 days. I’ve never had work done by his shop and will never take the chance due to his poor customer service. It seems like every review here has been written by friends and family members of Sam’s which is very biased when it comes to true businesses providing services for true customers.
Sam is a stand up guy! and the service is the best. I have a 1997 Audi that he has kept running against all odds. I cant wait for the warranty to run out on my newer Audi so I can take it back to Driver European.
I have serviced my car at Drive European for over 5 years and have bought 2 cars there as well. I am very pleased with the service and sales experience over the years. I trust their knowledge and ability. Keep it up!James C.
Honest, competent mechanics at a fair price. Highly recommended
Sam of Drive European diagnosed and explained the repair process with patients. I appreciate his professionalism in explaining the issues and various possible solutions.Great job. My Jaguar is running strong and steady.
I have been using Sam Dawood and his crew for many years to service my automobiles. They consistently provide excellent customer service and a high level of technical expertise and flexibility to accommodate customer needs.
I have been going to Drive European for the past 22-years and have never been disappointed by Sam and his associates. Also, I have bought my last four cars for our family from Drive European; two BMWs and two Mercedes all of which were in pristine condition from both a mechanical and esthetic perspective. I cannot recommend anyone better in the automotive field than Drive European. I just had my new, from Sam, Mercedes serviced by Drive European and was done professionally, on-time and at a most reasonable cost. Outstanding job.
I went in due to an issue with my auxiliary battery and a nail in the tire- Drive european took care of my issue in one day and noted that the main battery was also due to be replaced and took care of both issues saving me the time and money. Can’t say enough good things about them!
I have been using drive European for the past 12 years approx.They have been nothing but honest straight forward and extremely competent in maintaining my BMWs.Great service with a smile :)
This team is one of the most recent Brel life The and capable teams of auto enthusiasts and mechanics Ive ever met. They are extremely adept at what is unfortunately a lost art in the world of mechanicing these days.... troubleshooting. It seems most mechanics these days would rather replace than repair, and costs seem to shoot up as mechanics use a guess-and-check strategy of having you pay to replace various stuff one after the other until the problem goes away. The team at Drive European, led by the extremely friendly Sam, are a pleasure to work with. They are fair, capable and earn your trust. I have finally found the right place for my limited edition German car.
These guys are GREAT! I have a 1999 SL500 that needs TLC and Sam and his team provide it. They have worked on Lil Blackie about six or seven times in the last couple of years, providing routine oil changes and maintenance as well as BIG JOBS, such as replacing soft-top hydraulics, replacing AC unit, and brakes. They are always priced at least 25% below Mercedes Benz dealership service department and they always provide top-notch service. Mike drops me off and picks me up at Metro station (when they need the car for more than a few hours). Just recently, they even provided a couple of no-cost quick fixes!
Always great services, efficient and friendly.
Great service, honest, on-time, professional!
Sam and company are just the best. Integrity, superb workmanship. A class operation through and through.
This is the only shop that I trust to lay their hands on my Mercedes, which Sam has maintained for 20 years. My favorite story about Drive European concerns a problem with the A/C in my E-class, which the Mercedes dealer in Bethesda quoted me over $3k, claiming that all of the major components required replacement. Instead, Sam took the time to diagnose that the problem was with poor electrical connections and a control module, charging me a fraction of the dealers estimate and properly fixing the A/C. Ive referred dozens of friends who now bring their cars to Drive European including late model Porsches, BMWs, and Mercedes. Theyve also serviced friends Toyotas, Acuras, and Mazdas.
Outstanding service at affordable prices. We bring all four of our cars to Drive European!
Overall my experience with Drive European has been very positive. Their communication skills are very good. I took in my 2001 Golf TDI for a whole list of problems: AC Compressor, Front Brake replacement, Glow Plugs fault, Replace Timing Belt, Hatchback lock replacement, Headlight left on warning chime and dash board lights fault. It wasnt cheap to fix these problems and a lot of troubleshooting was required. However, throughout I was given precise technical details of the fault diagnoses and remedial actions along with prices for each item before any work or parts were ordered. They also focussed on equipment repair rather than the easier parts replacement route used by less experienced workshops. I was given a break on some of the labor to soften the blow a little. That was a very smart customer service move on a bill approaching 4k dollars. Recommended! Note: Do not click on Demand review policies to check their terms as when you click back to the review all the text disappears - very irritating but not Drive Europeans fault
Sam and his team were prompt and honest. Two things most auto shops lack.....we will continue to take our car to Sam for future service.
Excellent work, done on time, fair prices
Highly recommended