Brisbane's European car specialists

If you have a European car you’ll of course be aware of some of the differences like a larger reliance on technology and more specific parts. Going to a mechanic that specialises in European cars means that they’re more acquainted with the particulars with each of the cars. So when you’re having a specific issue with the function of a chip in your car, a dealer that has the right diagnostic tools will be much quicker to identify the problem and start working on a fix. This doesn’t just mean a quicker service due to a problem being identified quicker, but also a cheaper service.

Another great benefit of having a service done at a European car mechanic comes with knowledge of parts and availability. As you might be aware, there currently a few issues with sourcing parts for European cars and car parts due to “chippegeddon” and fewer cars making their way over to Australia from Europe. So what does this have to do with using a European focused mechanic? At LeMans, because we’re regularly dealing with European cars, it means that we’re able to find the problem quicker and there’s a better chance we may have some replacement parts already stocked.

Our mechanics don’t just service one type of European car either, and the knowledge that we build by having a diverse service range means that we’re able to approach problems with your car from multiple angles. We think having this knowledge and experience makes us more likely to give you a better service and find solutions quicker. But we’ll let you be the judge of that. Of course you can just have a look at our brilliant reviews if you’re interested.

What if I don’t have a European car?

Just because we regularly service European cars, that doesn’t mean that we discriminate against non-European cars! European cars are a little bit different from your Ford or Holden, but that doesn’t mean we can’t provide them with a full service and provide everything you need to feel safe on the road.

We certainly do. We specialise in European car servicing and repairs. We provide a high quality VW service for an economical price. Using the latest diagnostic equipment and genuine parts, your Volkswagen vehicle will remain in peak performance under our care. Whether you’re zipping around the city or exploring the rugged outback, your Volkswagen will receive expert service, care and attention. 

We’re the holistic car experts in Brisbane! If you have a car, we can service it. But it goes a bit deeper than that. There’s a few good reasons that we think that we’re a cut above the rest and we’re glad that you’re reading this to discover why!

We’re everywhere!

If you live in Brisbane, chances are you’ve driven past or seen one of our many locations. You can find your LeMans mechanics in Newstead, Milton, West End, Bulimba and Woollongabba. These handy Brisbane locations are perfectly situated for your inner city Brisbane life. They’re also handy for hanging around when you’re waiting for your car to be fixed up! There’s always plenty to do in these prime Brisbane locations and if you need any assistance our lovely team is more than willing to help out with a few recommendations.

We’ll never try and confuse you

One of our core values at LeMans is to make sure you’re completely around what we’re doing to your car and why. We’re not naive, we know that mechanics don’t necessarily have the best reputation and this is because some mechanics intentionally try to confuse you or use language which you don’t understand.

At LeMans we never use hard to understand language, and if we’re talking about a part that isn’t commonly discussed or involves a process that you haven’t heard of then it’s our job to guide you through the process. We’re not happy until you’re happy and you understand what’s going on.

This also extends to any updates in your service. If you’ve booked in for a check-up and we find something that’ll soon be a problem. We’re not going to just dive in and fix it and then whack you with a huge bill when you come to pick up your car. As soon as we discover something not as it should be, we’re going to get on a call to you, explain what the problem is or what it will become. We’ll tell you what the solution is and if there are any alternatives, and then we’ll actually listen to you, what your budget allows and provide you with time frames.

We want to work with you for a solution that suits you and will keep you safe on the road. Whenever you have any questions at all about what a part does, what the problem is, when it needs to be fixed or anything in between, our mechanics are more than happy to make you feel completely comfortable.

Did you know that you don’t have to keep using a dealership mechanic to keep your warranty? Despite what dealerships may tell you or may imply, you’re legally entitled to find a deal for your car. However, if you have a particular deal with your extended warranty, the fine print might have a few factors that you need to consider.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, also known as the ACCC has specified that a “manufacturer’s warranty is a promise to the consumer that the vehicle will be free from defects for a certain period of time”. So what does that actually mean?

Even if the language in your log book heavily implies that the only point of service can be your dealership, you don’t have to listen to this. If your dealership is ignoring the rules and bullying you into a service schedule with them then simply refer to the recommendations from the ACCC or even report them directly if what they’re saying is in direct violation of the law.

We’re pretty passionate about this, because it’s dealerships like this that bully people who are the ones that give us mechanics a bad name. Dealerships are so keen to get more people to use their services because it’s actually where they make the majority of their profit. So that’s where those high prices come from!

In 2016 Choice conducted a study across 24 Toyota, Mazda and Holden dealerships across Australia to see what dealerships would tell their customers about servicing requirements. They found that a few dealerships gave them completely wrong advice and only told them they could use an independent mechanic after it was pushed significantly.

Dealership mechanics will also try to spin some tales around independent servicers saying that perhaps we can’t do the proper software updates for specific European cars. However, there is a voluntary agreement on access to service and repair information. So if you want to know about software updates, give us a call and we’ll be able to help you out and give you the right information you need to get the results you want.

This is an interesting question and one that we actually get a fair bit. Honestly, it depends on what type of car you’re comparing what to. Not all European cars are the same and not all non-European cars are the same either. It doesn’t do much good to compare a Toyota or a Nissan to a Chevrolet or a Dodge even though these aren’t European cars.

So why do we group European cars together?
It’s because of the left hand indicator right? Yep that’s it! Actually, European cars do tend to have a few consistencies with build and technology that we refer to. It’s a lot to get into so if you want to hear model specific comparisons it’s probably better to just give us a call.

For the sake of servicing European cars we do group them together because often European car dealerships are quite exclusive with what services they offer and we want to provide an alternative to this. This is because European cars have specific technology and software requirements which dealerships had previously had a monopoly over. At LeMans we offer all the service of European cars at a fraction of the cost from our dealership counterparts.

Yes we can service your Toyota, Nissan, Holden, Mustang, Chevrolet and any other car that isn’t European. If you ever have any questions about what specific services we provide or if you want to ask more about car specifications, please don’t hesitate to give us a call and test our knowledge. If there’s one thing we love more than servicing cars, it’s talking about them!

Some mechanics don’t service European cars
Because of the technology components of European cars, this is an investment that some mechanics aren’t willing to make and that’s why they don’t service European cars. At LeMan’s, we happen to love European cars so making this investment to have the right tools available was an easy decision for us to make.

We’re definitely up there. As a specialist in European car servicing and repairs, our qualified and highly experienced Audi mechanics provide log book servicing, diagnostics, repairs and performance upgrades for all Audi makes and models.

The simple answer to this question is all of them! If you have a car, we’ll service it. If you have a unique car that you’re really not sure about you’re welcome to give us a call and double check it!

What cars do you service regularly?

If you want a bit more information about which cars we see frequenting our garage then we’re happy to oblige. The most popular models to visit our Brisbane mechanics are: Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes Benz, MINI, Peugeot , Renault, Skoda, Volkswagen and Volvo.

But just because these are the most popular cars it doesn’t mean we can’t service your car if it’s not one of these. It simply means that we might be more likely to have replacement parts handy.

This is a question we get asked quite a bit. It’s also a question that doesn’t necessarily have one correct answer to it because the cost of a service is based so heavily on the variables. Much like how a Mazda and a BMW differ in price, so too will the service and part replacement of them cost.

A big dependence is also if your car is due for a major or minor service. We always refer to log books for what service your car is due for and if you have any questions about what the cost will be prior, give us a ring and we’ll be able to give you a quote. At LeMans we don’t mess you around on price and we always let you know the reason for that price.

If you’re looking for a regular check in or to see what a new noise is, an average price range that you can expect from a good Brisbane mechanic would be somewhere between $188 and $270. This of course will vary greatly depending on if new parts are needed or if there is any fine tuning needed.

There are also estimated prices that we can provide for major services but we’d prefer to give those estimates over the phone because these ones vary depending on the make and model of the car.

If you want to know how much certain replacement parts will cost to order and install, we are also willing to give you timing estimates and pricings for these ones as well. If you haven’t picked up on it yet, we really love explaining what we do and why we do it, so any queries you have we’re more than happy to answer. That’s the LeMans way!

You should always book in your car for a service whenever specified in your logbook. But there are a few other circumstances that we think you should be on the lookout for.

Firstly, why are log book services so important?
If you ever want to claim something about your car on warranty, then you’re going to need to keep your logbook services completely up to date. If you can’t prove that you’ve maintained your car to the correct specifications then the car company has a greater reason to refute your claim and leave you out of pocket.

It may be a bit costly to keep up to date on all the required services for your car, but in the event you ever need to claim, it’ll be worth it in the long run. Also, we talk about it a bit in these FAQs but we think it’s really important to mention, getting a car service at a local independent mechanic will not lock you out of your warranty. So don’t hesitate to give us a call and we will give you all the information you need.

Keeping up to date with your logo book servicing is also a great way to maintain value in your car. Chances are, if you have a car you’re probably planning on selling it one day right? So naturally you’ll want to get the best price possible for it. A great way that you can ensure this is to keep your logbook up to date and provide all the services as necessary. This is will make you some cash in the long run

Apart from your log book services, it’s a good idea to get your car serviced every six months or around 10,000kms you drive. These are both a good yardstick for initiating preventative measures before anything gets too late. If your car is a bit older and a few things have gone wrong, it’s a good idea to get it serviced around every 3 months or every 5000kms.

Additionally, if anything goes wrong with your car or if you notice something isn’t working quite right then it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

When you notice:

• Pulls in your steering
• Strange sounds
• Bad smells
• Squeaky brakes
• Air conditioning not working as well as it used to
• Your car starts vibrating
• Your engine light is on
• There’s an issue with ignition or trouble starting your car
• Anything else not working as it should

Then it’s absolutely time to book in with a mechanic and get your car looked at.

Absolutely. Whether you have an 1 series or an M6, our team of technicians have you covered. As Brisbane European specialists, we understand the nuances of BMW’s German engineering. Our team of factory-trained auto technicians can maintain the comfort, safety and ultimate performance of your BMW. From coolant and oil leaks to brake pad replacements,  we service and repair a wide range of BMW models.

It can be quite alarming when you pull out of your garage and you find that your car has left a pool of fluid behind. Particularly when you’re not familiar with cars and you don’t know what it could be

Firstly, if you’ve noticed a leak in your car then there’s a good chance that it’s not a proper “issue” yet. If there’s a small leak in your engine it’s important to get it looked at before that small leak grows into a large one. Because we’re mechanics that guide you along with the process, we’re going to give you a few handy tips on how you can identify the mystery fluid.

Identify the fluid
A great way to identify the fluid that’s leaking from your car is to pop a piece of clean white paper underneath the leak and grab a sample of whatever it is.

Engine oil leak
Engine oil will have a greasy texture with a darkish brown appearance and it’ll be found underneath your engine. Oil leaks can be caused by a few issues like a worn out gasket, an incorrectly fitted oil filter, a corroded oil line or even an incorrectly secured oil plug. If you find this leak in your car, make sure your oil is topped up until you can get to a mechanic, which should be your next priority.

Water leak
When you pull your piece of paper out it will have a watery texture and will usually be found underneath the air conditioner. This is the fluid that is probably the best outcome for finding a leak and can be quite common in the Australian climate. That’s because we have to use our air conditioners! Water leak is usually condensation that melts after your air conditioner has turned off. If you’re concerned about this feel free to book in for a check.

Coolant leak
If you have a coolant leak, the fluid on your paper will be watery and slippery in texture and will have a green, red or blue colouring. The fluid leak will be found underneath your engine. Coolant is usually green in colour but it can come in blue or red colours as well. If you have this leark, make sure your coolant is topped up and visit a mechanic as soon as you can.

Fuel leak
A fuel leak will have a slightly yellowed appearance and will smell like petrol or diesel, it’ll be found underneath the engine or towards the centre of the vehicle. IT can be a bit difficult to track the root cause of a fuel leak due to how fuel travels throughout your car. Due to the unstable nature of fuel we recommend getting your car to a mechanic as soon as you can.

Auto transmission fluid leak
This will have a greasy texture, be red or pinkish and located underneath your engine. The colour of this fluid will greatly depend on its age. If it’s been replaced recently it will have a more pink look to it whereas the older it is the deeper it’s colour will be until it reaches a dark red brownish colour. Your auto transmission fluid is vital to protecting your transmission, it works as both a lubricant and a coolant to your transmission. So if it’s leaking you run the risk of burning or grinding your transmission which will soon become quite a costly issue to fix. This is an issue that you’ll want to get looked at soon rather than later if you want to keep more cash in your wallet.

Power steering fluid leak
This fluid will be oily and have a pink red or clear appearance and will be found towards the front of your car just under the engine. This flud keeps your driving experience nice and smooth and if your steering has any pulls or difficulties this could be a sign of a power steering fluid leak. A risk with this comes when the lack of fluid damages your fluid pump which can be costly to repair. It’s best to get this one looked at by a mechanic sooner rather than later to save you money in the long run.

Brake fluid leak
This fluid will have a light oil texture and will usually be clear in appearance though occasionally will be slightly brown. This leak will be found either at the front or back of your car. If you identify this leak it’s important to call your mechanic ASAP as your car may not be safe to drive and you may need to get it towed to the mechanic.

Brakes run on a hydraulic pressure system and the fluid is what creates the pressure so your car can come to a complete stop. So when there isn’t fluid working, your brakes won’t work.

It’s a well known fact that smaller cars are probably going to be cheaper for you on a weekly basis due to their more efficient use of fuel. It sure does take a lot of power to get loaded up utes on the roads. This is also true for costs associated with registration and also insurance.

But why does this also carry across into your servicing costs? Parts for larger cars are naturally going to cost more as they’re bigger in size, but the servicing of these cars will also be more due to the labor associated with the larger size.

Diesel cars certainly have plenty of benefits when compared to their petrol counterparts. Diesels are more fuel efficient than petrol engines and they emit less CO2 which is great news for the environment. They also torque or pulling power which is great for larger cars. Some diesel cars are also more economical than hybrids which is great news for your wallet if you have one of them!

The engine usually doesn’t have as many parts as petrol ones, which begs the question, why is it more expensive to service and maintain? This can be because the fuel system components generally cost a lot more than the petrol engine components. Even when you’re not getting these particular parts removed, it can be more expensive due to the labor involved with servicing a larger vehicle.

Like we mentioned in our logbook question, it’s always important to get your car serviced at the proper intervals so that you can keep your warranty documentation in check and maintain the best selling price possible for when you want to upgrade your ride. Even though you’re told you should leave around 10,000kms between each service or six months, doesn’t mean you can only wait for the 10,000kms to come around.

So what happens when you’re not using it as much?

Firstly, it’s always important to keep your car running even when you’re not using it every day. Much like your dog, your car will benefit greatly from having a long run every now and again. Try to run your car at least once a week. What this achieves is getting your engine’s fluids pumping throughout the car so they’re not sitting and stagnating.

Ideally you should take your car out for a drive to help the wheels keep their shape. Charging your battery is also a great reason to get your car out for a nice long drive. As your car gets a bit older, you’ll want to drive it a bit further so that your battery gets a greater charge.

So, especially if you’re not driving often, the fluids will become dirty and won’t serve your car the same as fresh oil and coolant will.

There’s plenty of choice around for mechanics and also with dealerships, so how do I choose the right one? Firstly, there’s a few things you should consider when you’re choosing a mechanic to use. You should make sure that your mechanic has the right qualifications and specialisation to deal with your car. When you’re booking a service with a mechanic, make sure you ask them what they specialise in and if they provide a service to your car make and model.

Along with the specifics, it’s also best to pick a mechanic that you feel comfortable with and will work well with. You use your car to drive your family from place to place and for your day to day life. Of course you want your car to be kept as safe as possible so that you can keep yourself and your family safe. If you get a bad feeling about a mechanic you’ll be handing over your car to then you may want to think about taking your car to someone you feel more comfortable around.

It’s also a good idea to find a mechanic who will be upfront with costs associated with your car service. You never want to walk away from a car service feeling like you’ve been ripped off or taken advantage of. Mechanics should also touch base with you before making changes to your car that weren’t previously discussed.

Why choose a dealership?

It can be a hassle driving all the way to a dealership to get your car serviced. But this is rarely the greatest frustration. Dealership services are often more expensive and may not leave you with having the best customer experience possible. Those who work at dealerships have a very technical understanding of the makes and models and are given specific training to service that particular type of vehicle. However that’s not to say that they are the be all and end all of mechanics. As we’re sure you’re aware, knowledge and practice are two very different things. There’s also a high chance that you won’t get to meet the actual mechanics that will be working on your car.

Why independent?

With an independent mechanic, you know what you’re getting because you can speak with the person who will be servicing your car. At LeMans, we always make sure that you feel comfortable with what a service entails and if there are any adjustments that we feel should be made, you’ll be our first point of contact.

Independent mechanics give you an opportunity to deviate away from the traditional dealership service by providing a quality local service at a fraction of the price. We also tell you what the service involves and we don’t lock you into anything you don’t want. At Lemans we want to give you an option that doesn’t make you drive 40mins away to the other side of the city and a service that you feel comfortable receiving.

That’s why we think independent mechanics are the best option for you and your car.

A premium car such as a Mercedes-Benz deserves the best auto technicians familiar with the brand’s engines and technology. All of our workshops are equipped with the latest diagnostic tools to investigate any potential issues you may experience with your Mercedes. We offer expert log book servicing that will not void your car’s warranty and will keep your car in peak condition. We repair and service all Mercedes makes and models, both old and new. Our technicians are highly experienced and European factory trained to deliver expert service for your Mercedes.

What a great question! This is a question that we love to answer because we always answer your questions. Mechanics have a reputation for being a bit dodgy and a lot of this comes back to a few stories we’ve all heard about people being ripped off. This could happen in a number of ways, either the mechanic makes changes to the service you agreed on because they found something wrong and fixed it immediately leaving you with a bill that’s a lot larger than expected. We think those that do this aren’t great mechanics.

A good mechanic will leave you feeling safe in your vehicle with an understanding of what the service entails and why it was necessary. A great mechanic will give you a comprehensive overview of any issue and timelines for you to fix whatever the problem is.

At LeMans we always make an effort to talk you through what’s happening with your vehicle so that you can make the best decision. Whenever we find something during a service that is of note, we always call up and see if there’s anything you want us to do to fix it. We will also answer all of your queries about the issue we’ve found and won’t leave until you feel comfortable with the path forward.

If people are telling you to get your timing belt changed, you should probably listen to them! If you have noticed the following problems with your car:

• Engine has been misfiring
• There are oil leaks underneath the engine in your car
• There is any sign of smoke
• The engine won’t turn over
• A strange ticking noise is coming from your cars engine
• Your car is putting out more fumes than usual

Then it’s time to book in and see if the timing belt is an issue.

A timing belt helps your vehicle’s valves stay synced up. So when this is out of line it can really damage the pistons inside of your car leaving you with a hefty bill off the back of your next service. In your log book there will be certain recommendations for when you should get your timing belt changed. If you think that this is an issue for your car, it’s best to get it booked in sooner rather than later.

The classic cheeky engine light! If it’s flashing on your car, it doesn’t just mean you should pop the lid of your engine and have a look, particularly if you’re not familiar with how engines work and what you should be looking for. If your engine light starts to flash, this could be indicating quite a severe problem and you will want to pull over immediately and call a towing service.

Driving your car when your engine light is flashing could cause some irreversible damage to the eternal mechanics of your vehicle which will probably leave you with a hefty bill. The most common cause for an engine light to start flashing is usually an engine misfire.

What is an engine misfire?
An engine misfire happens when one or more cylinders have failed and is no longer doing its job of supplying power to the engine. This could be for a number of reasons. There could be a few issues with your car’s ignition system. Ignition parts aren’t perfect, they will age and degrade over time and that’s why it’s important to get your car checked up regularly. The parts that will need to be replaced for this will most likely be the spark plugs and the ignition coils.

There might be some issues with fuel mixture. Every cylinder in your car requires it to be supplied with the proper ratio of fuel and air. If there is too much of either of these substances it can cause your car to have slow acceleration, backfiring or it may have a lot of issues starting. You will need to get fuel injectors and pumps looked at for this problem.
Another reason your car might misfire could be because of low compression. This occurs when one or more of your car’s cylinders leak fuel or air and the pressure isn’t right for your cylinders. This is often caused by aged valves, some holes in your engines pistons, a bad timing belt or gasket leaks.

Make sure that when your engine light is flashing you call a service to get it fixed as soon as possible. If your engine light is ever on, give us a call and we’ll talk you through some next steps.