Hatem Automotive

So I had to replace my battery myself just to get my car running. I learned that the battery needs to be relearned to the computer system in order to clear off the service lights. Hattem told me that they had the proper equipment to do the relearning and quoted me 30min labor or $ 56. They finally call me stating that they weren’t able to clear the codes and that further diagnostics would need to be done. This after charging me for a full hour of service $ 115. Bottom line is, I bit the bullet and took it to the dealership were it was fixed without haggle.

Dishonest and deceitful.
Blagois recommended that I take my 335d to Hatem for an alignment, calling it the best quality (at a big price) in town for my particular car. I called and scheduled the appointment a week ahead of time, and arranged for my wife to follow me to the shop on the morning of the alignment. The service writer, a bearded gentleman likely in his mid-​60s, asked when I would like to have the car done. I asked if it was possible by 1pm, and I was told that would not be a problem, plenty of time to include the oil change and DEF top-​off.
At 12:30, I receive a call informing me that they’re just getting around to it, and I’m due for a brake fluid flush and am close on the rear brakes. I okayed the brake fluid, said no to brakes, and asked when it would be done. «As quickly as possible.»
At 3:00 I called and asked for a status update, as I had already canceled an appointment and was nearing doing so for another. He said I could come in now, they weren’t far from wrapping up.
When I arrive, the car is not done, but this was expected. I paid my invoice and waited at the counter. While waiting, a separate gentleman comes out of the back and tells my service writer that «the fluid has finally arrived.» My mouth dropped as I listened to the service writer hush this other man and quietly explain that he «got it taken care of.»
I intruded on the conversation explaining that I felt rude for eavesdropping, but what fluid was he speaking about? The service writer said it was nothing. So I opened my $ 600 invoice and said, «It looks like I paid full price here, and it sounds like you’re cutting me short on something and being dishonest about it. This is very disheartening, and I’ll tell you right now that I’ll never come back here again.» He then explained that it was «just the diesel exhaust fluid, and he knew that I was already running late.» I said that I appreciated his sudden concern with my timeline, but one of two things should happen; either I’m not charged for a service not rendered, or the situation is explained to me and I’m asked to swing back by for the DEF later. Either way, you sure as heck don’t lie to me about it, and let me leave none the wiser. I waited for them to pull my car back in and fill the fluid, and told them they would never have me as a customer again.
Even if I didn’t catch this at the shop, it would have been a short time before my car informed me that limp mode was impending.

I believe this is the best German car mechanic in the city and I wouldn’t take my BMW wagon anywhere else, but they don’t come cheap. Amazing (like they are) and less expensive (like they are not) would have yielded 5 stars. But, hey, good German car work always seems to come at a premium…
The good: My ’99 is still running like a top, thanks to regular service at Hatem Automotive. I have no excuse to buy a new car.
The bad: My ’99 is still running like a top, thanks to regular service at Hatem Automotive. I have no excuse to buy a new car.

I went to leave work, and my BMW started roughly and had an obvious miss… and the engine light came on. I had a scanner, and it told me coil pack #2 was out. Living 30 miles away, I did not want to risk driving the car that far, so I went to Hatems… just a few blocks from my office. I didnt have an appointment, and they said they were closing soon, but after I explained I had scanned it, and new what the problem was, they would try to get a peak at it.
The tech hooked up his own machine, verified the coil pack was bad, but they didnt have anew one… all they had was a used one, so i opted for it. It took the tech literally 5 minutes to change the pack.
I then was handed the bill…$ 225. I asked why it was that amount, and they told me a one hour labor charge is minimum (@$ 110), and to run the diag machine was another $ 40 (even tho I had already told them what was wrong). They also charged me $ 75 for the used coil pack.
So for good service in taking care of me on the spot, 5 stars. For charging me $ 225 for a used coil pack and 10 minutes of labor, 1 star. That meets in the middle at 3 stars, and I probably wouldnt go back.

The Hatem family has always done a superb job of taking care of my family’s cars over the last 20+ years. They have always clearly explained what needs to be done and what I can expect to have to be done in the near future. Their technicians are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about German cars and do all they can to have my car in top condition.
I feel Tom Hatem always does what is best for the customer. I have never heard anyone there speak poorly about dealers or competition which impressed me with their professionalism.
There is always a mix of cars there; classic to current, well-​worn and loved, to top end $ 100,000+ cars. Many in the race community use Hatem for their tuning and this gives me comfort knowing that they have the tools and expertise to get the most out of my car. Even when I just take my car in for an oil change, they inspect things and give me the heads up on what else to take care of soon.
There is no other car repair place that I trust as much as Tom and Pat Hatem and their team. So much so, that my two most recent car purchases were German brands so that I knew Hatem would be able to take care of them. My two children drive BMWs that are serviced by Hatem.
I have also bought parts over the counter from them and often at considerable savings over the dealer that offers with a car club discount. Hatem should advertise they are a great place to get parts too!

Ah. The joys of German car ownership.
The driving exhilaration. The refined comfort. The cool Bavarian styling. The repair bills that dwarf the national debt of Paraguay.
My Krautwagon needed new tires. The cheapest route was to order the tires on line, and have them shipped to an installer. The tires for my car (rears anyway) are ¹⁹⁄₂₉₅ (that’s technical tire speak for ‘freaking huge’). They can be difficult to get on/​off, and stories of less than skilled installers damaging peoples rims are not uncommon. Hatem’s shop was at the top of the installers list on the tire vendors website. They had good reviews, so I had them shipped there.
It was a good experience. I also had them change the oil, and it was done correctly and for a fair price.
When they were doing the work, they spotted a problem that needed repair (a bad water pump), and gave me an estimate to repair the issue that was on target. I did confirm what they reported with my own eyes.
I will take my car to Hatem again. Please note that they only work on German cars.