Bimmer PhD Motorsports - BMW Repair in Pasadena, South Pasadena, Altadena and La Canada Ca

Yiping Li

Inspection is thorough and detailed, but the prices for labor and parts might be a little bit too high… They recommended me to service on the coolant at an unacceptable price (at least to me), I had this issue double checked at local BMW certified dealer, and they said the coolant is completely fine to be used. But people are kind, I would say if you are driving a very old BMW model and would like some customized services that cannot be acquired at dealers, this is probably the better place for you to go. But for me, a random BMW driver for fun, dealer might be more convenient.

MARTIN V (Mayan)

My 2019 BMW required 60K service and other services. I took my chances with Bimmer Doc. They conducted thorough assessment of the car's overall health; made recommendations; sent me the report; and followed through with the repairs. Took me 2 1/2 days to get the car back. Got a bag of gifts for 1st visit. Kevin, the manager, was professional and resourceful. Staff are friendly. The car runs like new. I'm pleased with the results. Will return for the next service. Thanks Kevin and Bimmer Doc team.

Sergio Vega

I came in with my 2017 M3 and had severeal maintenance items done like spark plugs, brake fluid, etc. and upkeep and maintenance are often forgotten or pushed aside. If you take care of your car, it'll do the same for you. I had the pleasure of working with Kevin who showed me my vehicle report and what things were needed. I also got a loaner too since it would be stay overnight. My experience was amazing, linear, and kept me updated. Its been a month after and car has been nothing short of fantastic. Thanks PhD team!

Mike Baker

I’ve been looking for a trustworthy BMW mechanic for a long time & am so glad I found the team at Bimmer PHD. It's obvious quickly that the team here loves what they do and are true experts. I drive a 2020 X3 and was frankly tired of the 'dealership experience.' My service lead, Jesse, took the time to explain every detail, walked me through a strategic plan, and never pressured me into unnecessary work. Communication was excellent throughout the process, something I hold in high regard. My vehicle is running as good as the day I bought it, and I left feeling confident that the work was done right. If you’re looking a great team, I highly recommend giving them a call.

Simon Wang

I rarely leave negative reviews, but after spending over $9,000 with Bimmer PhD in less than a year, I feel obligated to share my experience. I brought my 2014 BMW 535i in because it would occasionally stall, especially when the fuel level was low. After their inspection, Jesse recommended over $6,000 in engine repairs and told me the stalling issue was likely caused by my aftermarket battery. Trusting their expertise, I paid $641 to replace the battery, and approved all $6,000+ worth of repairs. Unfortunately, just three days after picking up the car, it stalled again on the freeway and had to be towed back to the shop. They then told me the real problem was in the fuel system and recommended another $2,300 repair, followed by a $2,600 coolant pump replacement. I approved the fuel system repair but declined the coolant pump because I was already feeling ripped off. To their credit, they did offer some discounts after the initial misdiagnosis. Later, I asked them to quote the remaining items from their inspection report, which were mostly suspension, transmission, and differential work. Their estimate came to nearly $12,000. I then obtained quotes from several other BMW specialty shops and ultimately had the remaining work completed by another highly rated independent BMW shop for $6,000 flat—about half the cost. I personally observed the work being performed, and the level of care impressed me. Parts were thoroughly cleaned, new hardware was used where appropriate, and every fastener was properly torqued and marked. This work was completed around November 2025. A few weeks ago, I started smelling gasoline inside the cabin. Since Bimmer PhD had previously worked on the fuel system, I brought the car back for a warranty inspection. The owner, Tim, personally confirmed the fuel smell during our test drive and explained that if it was related to their work, it would be covered under warranty. After keeping my car for five days, Kevin called and told me there was no fuel leak, yet I was still responsible a $375 diagnostic fee. If I wanted further diagnosis, I had to pay extra for their time. On top of that, they charged $472 for an oil service when I’ve done it myself for less than $100 in material. When I called to discuss my concerns, Kevin was dismissive and told me I was a difficult customer and that no one in the world would want to work with me. When I returned to the shop, Tim raised his voice and insisted they had done nothing wrong. He claimed the other shop had caused the fuel leak—even though that shop had only performed work on the water pump, oil pan, transmission, suspension, and differential, not the fuel system. At the same time, Bimmer PhD maintained that they could not find any fuel leak after reportedly spending about 10 hours inspecting the car, despite Tim having confirmed the fuel smell with me during the initial test drive. I understand that diagnosing intermittent automotive problems can be difficult, and I can accept honest mistakes. What I cannot accept is paying thousands of dollars following an incorrect initial diagnosis, being presented with repeated expensive repair recommendations, receiving estimates that were dramatically higher than other reputable BMW specialists, and being treated disrespectfully when I raised legitimate concerns.