German Motors Collision Center is a full service vehicle repair destination.  With over 78,000 square feet of shop space and over 50 employees, we are the largest collision repair center in the San Francisco Bay Area.  All of our level one body technicians are certified welders and 100% of our technicians receive training from both BMW of North America and The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Repair (I-CAR).  Repairs are assessed using our proven “triage” process for damage identification and analysis.  This ensures that an accurate “blue print” plan of the repair process is created prior to repairs beginning.

A complete parts order is made the instant that the estimate is ready.  Parts acquisition usually consumes the largest portion of the repair time.  Every effort is made to keep this aspect of the job moving as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Being a “Full Service” facility, we find it necessary to employ mechanics in addition to our body technicians.  We have three mechanics on staff.  This allows us to perform nearly every aspect of collision repair.  All wheel and tire work, alignments, suspension replacement, engine removal or replacement, and all general service work are done in-house.

German Motors Collision utilizes two complete refinish systems.  This is very atypical.  All BMW and MINI products are refinished using BMW’s factory branded system known as “BMW Colorsystem”.  We are the only facility in San Francisco using this product and it is the only product whose usage is required by BMW and MINI to maintain the factory warranty.  All other vehicle makes are refinished using the Spies-Hecker paint system.  Manufacturers’ approval lists for Spies-Hecker include but are not limited to: Acura, Audi, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota, VW, and Volvo.

Economic and environmental factors are the top reasons for considering electric vehicles as a primary source of transportation.  EV’s generally cost less in total to own, operate and maintain than conventional fossil fueled vehicles.  Electric Vehicle motors tend to be more reliable and quieter, and emit no pollutants from a tailpipe.  Harmful emissions associated with operating EV’s  are typically much lower than that of gasoline or diesel vehicles.   The preferred charging method of most EV’s is overnight when system demand for electricity is lower.

The BMW ActiveE achieves emission-free mobility without compromising BMW trademark performance and paves the way for electric mobility for future generations in a car inspired by the athleticism of today’s ever-popular 1 Series Coupe.  Do not trust your EV or Hybrid vehicle repairs to anyone untrained in handling their unique characteristics.

German Motors Collision Center is ready for future automobile technology.   Today, tomorrow and beyond!    We are the only collision center in San Francisco with access to highly specialized, specific repair procedures for the all-electric BMW ActiveE.  To date, we have performed dozens of repairs on electric vehicles including Fisker Karma, Nissan Leaf, MINI-E, Tesla Roadster, and BMW ActiveE.

Did you know that High-Voltage Battery Cells must not be exposed to high heat?  All electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle manufacturers have specific guidelines regarding the temperature and duration that their vehicles may be baked in an automotive paint booth.  German Motors Collision Center has prepared a comprehensive data guide that profiles all of the major electric vehicle manufacturers’ emergency shut-down procedure, high-voltage battery disconnect, and safety precautions (including heat exposure).  This is an integral tool for dealing with electric vehicles that have been in a collision.

We are the only collision repair center in San Francisco with an EV Charging Station on-site.

View the BMW i3 and BMW i8 concept trailer here…

Nearly every car is the unlucky recipient of some kind of body or paint damage: door dings, paint scratches, bumper dents, broken glass, and minor scrapes among other things. These unsightly marks make a vehicle in otherwise excellent condition look used and abused. The good news is they can usually be easily repaired quickly and easily, with the affected area being completely undetectable.

GERMAN MOTORS COSMETIC SOLUTIONS:

PDR
Paint-less Dent Repair or PDR, involves a highly skilled technician who gently yet completely massages out the dent. If the dent is minor, the panel can be pushed back into place from behind and smoothed out until it is completely unnoticeable. If the paint finish has been compromised, sometimes just a dab of touch up paint is sufficient.

Exterior Finishes

For more serious scrapes or dents, a conventional body repair must be performed.  The damaged area is straightened and scratches removed.  Modern sealer, primer and paint is then used completely erasing any signs of damage.

Bumpers

Damaged polyurethane bumpers are often the most visible part of your car. If they are dented or chipped, they can look unsightly – and actually invite further damage. The solution is easy.  Bumper paint can easily be blended, or if the damage is serious enough, the bumper cover can be replaced and repainted to match the factory finish.

Vandalism

Thieves and vandals cause a wide variety of damage to cars. Ripped convertible tops, broken window glass, key scratches, acid spills, and spray-painting are all problems that we can fix – often within a few days. Bring your vehicle in for an estimate. If the damage is severe, we can direct bill your insurance company.

Interior

Rips, burn holes and stains not only look unsightly, they can also get bigger through continued use of the affected area. German Motors can repair the damage, or replace the entire panel if necessary.

At German Motors Collision Center, we offer complete appearance reconditioning of luxury vehicles in addition to our Collision and Cosmetic Repair Services.  We specialize in all makes and models of passenger cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUV).  All vehicles are washed by hand and if needed a mild solvent can be applied to remove environmental grime and dirt.  The exterior finish is polished to remove any fine scratches.  Black or  dark colored vehicles are our specialty and can be made to look showroom quality again.  Clearguard Paint Sealant can be applied to the exterior finish to reduce the risk of damage from tree sap, bugs, tar and bird droppings.  We revitalize interiors by applying conditioner to the leather.     We can also apply Clearguard Interior Protectant Products to reduce the likely hood of staining  on leather and carpet areas.  A freshly detailed car can restore pride in your investment!

“One Stop Shop” Service Menu:

German Motors Collision Center can also handle all of your service needs.  Take advantage of the time your vehicle is in for bodywork to perform needed service items.  An assessment can be made based on vehicle age and mileage. Avoid costly repairs or inconvenient breakdowns and perform preventative maintenance today.  Contact one of our advisers for an inspection and estimate.

Engine Oil Service:  Oil changes are the most important service for your vehicle and are quite often delayed or missed. Pay a little now or a lot later.

Brake Replacement:  If you notice a spongy pedal, excessive pedal travel, squeaking or vibration, it may be time for brakes.

Brake Fluid Flush:  Brake fluid flush allows the removal of contaminants that can cause poor performance or the failure of key components over time.

Tire Replacement:  Tire inspection and care can be a confusing and daunting task.  Let our trained staff get you the right information.

Wheel Alignment:  This is also known as “drivability”.  Minor impacts can affect suspension settings.  We can restore your vehicle’s “drivability”.

Windshield Repair and Replacement:  Minor rock chips or “stars” on windshields can usually be repaired.  If this option isn’t sufficient, we can replace it.

Windshield Wiper Replacement:  Don’t be fooled by aftermarket windshield wipers that promise better performance at a cheaper price, use the factory choice.

Air Conditioning re-charge:  Air conditioning systems can gradually lose their charge.  If your system isn’t performing properly, it may need service.

“Check Engine” Lamp Reset and Fault Diagnosis:  Smog checks require that the “check engine” lamp not be lit.  Avoid hassles or excessive costs and have it checked out today.

Pre-purchase Safety Inspection:  Before spending a large sum on a used vehicle, have us perform a pre-purchase safety and collision inspection.

1. Qualified Technicians

All of our technicians and estimators are in receipt of constant training as required by BMW of North America (BMW) and the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).  This means mandatory training for all employees annually.   Our body men have model specific repair training as well as welding certification.  Our painters have thorough training in two complete refinish systems.  Our mechanics hold certificates from WyoTech, UTI, ASE, I-CAR, Hunter and BMW qualifying us to handle most mechanical repairs in-house.  In addition to our BMW Certified Collision Repair status, we hold I-CAR Gold Classification which requires two I-CAR tested points annually.

2. Best Materials

German Motors Collision utilizes two complete refinish systems.  This is very atypical.  All BMW and MINI products are refinished using BMW’s factory branded system known as “BMW Colorsystem”.  We are the only facility in San Francisco using this product and it is the only product whose usage is required by BMW and MINI to maintain the factory warranty.  All other vehicle makes are refinished using the Spies-Hecker paint system.  Manufacturers’ approval lists for Spies-Hecker include but are not limited to: Acura, Audi, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes, Porsche, Toyota, VW, and Volvo.

3. Best Equipment

Since our expansion in 2005, our goal has been to purchase and maintain the highest quality special tools and equipment the industry has to offer.  From our state-of-the-art paint booths designed to maximize the required water-borne basecoats, to our specialized dedicated fixture bench frame straightening system, to our in-house laser wheel alignment machine and our computerized resistance spot-welding equipment, our goal is to utilize technology that exceeds manufacturer certified guidelines.  We view these equipment purchases as an investment in our own future and would consider using nothing less when repairing our customer’s vehicles.

4. Specialization

We repair an average of 300 vehicles per month in our 78,000 square foot facility. Our large size allows us to compartmentalize the repairs.  That is, the entire repair is completed by several individuals each specializing in certain aspects of the repair. Unlike a smaller shop, where the Jack-of-all-trades technician performs the frame straightening, welding, sanding and painting – our technicians perform only their trained skill – thereby providing you with the best work possible.  This process theme has been proven successful time and again in manufacturing and other service industries.

5. Factory Authorized Repair

German Motors Collision Center began life as an exclusive BMW repair facility. In fact, we were the first BMW dealership body shop in the country to receive BMW Certified status.  The rigorous standards set forth by BMW of North America for training, equipment, and materials used means that your vehicle receives the very best treatment.  Up to four times annually a third party consulting firm performs a site inspection and folder audit along with financial review to verify that we are compliant with BMW’s certified shop program and adhering to its guidelines.

German Motors Collision Center is one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading proponents of “Green” minded commerce. Nearly every aspect of our business has been scrutinized to ensure that we are doing our part to protect the environment. Junk sheet metal and damaged plastic bumpers are recycled. Airborne and hazardous waste toxins are reduced through the use of water-borne paint by our paint department. Exhaust air from our paint booths is filtered. Internal documents are processed electronically or, when necessary, printed on recycled paper. Local recyclers process waste oil and paint. Cardboard is stacked and saved for salvage pickup. We participate in San Francisco’s Waste Management recycling program, which reduces the amount of debris going into landfills.

We partner with Pacific Gas and ElectricCo. to monitor and manage our gas and electricity usage in an efficient manner. Volatile Organic Compound amounts are monitored and checked for all chemicals and compounds on our premises. We own a thinner “cooker” that allows us to recycle our waste thinner on site rather than having to transport it by truck. German Motors Collision Center is in full compliance with the Bay Area Air Quality Management Board. These are but a few of the ways that we strive for ultimate “Green” business status.

We are located at 1140 Harrison between 7th and 8th.

From the Oakland Bay Bridge:

Exit at 5th street and bear left off the freeway onto Harrison.

Harrison is a one-way street and we are on the right side between 7th and 8th.

From Northbound 80:

Exit at 7th street and turn left on 7th.

Turn left on Harrison.

Harrison is a one-way street and we are on the right side between 7th and 8th.