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Gainesville, Florida · European specialists since 1978

Engineered in Europe.

Factory diagnostics for seven European marques

Serviced like it.

Independent European service in Gainesville since 1978

The dealer's tools. Without the dealer.

48years on South Main
4.8★1,164 Google reviews
2yr/24kmile warranty, nationwide
12marques, one roof
18 service bays on five acres7 marques, factory diagnosticsLoaners and after-hours key drop8:30 to 6 Monday to Friday1219 S. Main St., Gainesville
Service by marque

One roof. Twelve marques.

Each make has its own tools, its own service logic and its own habits. We hold factory diagnostic tools for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi, Saab, Jaguar and Land Rover, and lead technicians by marque. Every emblem opens that make's page.

All marques
Mercedes-Benz emblemMercedes-BenzStar Diagnosis, A to F servicesBMW emblemBMWISTA, ISPI NEXT, DINANPorsche emblemPorscheIMS retrofit, PDIAudi emblemAudiODIS, GEKO, keysVolkswagen emblemVolkswagenODIS, timing belts, keysMINI emblemMINIISPI NEXT, run-flatsJaguar emblemJaguarAutologic, main toolLand Rover emblemLand RoverAutologic, 4WDVolvo emblemVolvoTiming belts, diagnosticsSaab emblemSaabGenuine parts, keysRolls-Royce emblemRolls-RoyceMaintenance, diagnostics
Japanese makesSelect Japanese makes
Factory diagnostic systems for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MINI, Porsche, Audi, Volkswagen, Jaguar and Land RoverEmblems identify the makes we service; see the disclaimer in the footer
Diagnostics

The dealer's tools. Without the dealer.

Fewer than a hundred independent shops in the country own factory diagnostic systems for Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Porsche. Continental has them for seven European marques.

Named tools, not generic scanners.

ISTA and ISPI NEXT for BMW and MINI. Star Diagnosis and Compact4 for Mercedes-Benz. ODIS with GEKO access for Audi and Volkswagen. Autologic and the Jaguar main tool for Jaguar and Land Rover.

Which is why we can code, program and cut keys the way the dealer does.

Module programming, battery registration, network configuration and locksmith-certified key work, as a dealer alternative at a reasonable price.

How we diagnose
Rare credentials

Four credentials worth the drive.

DINAN
DINAN · since 2012One of Florida's select authorized DINAN BMW Performance facilities.Engine and transmission software, intakes, exhausts, suspension and Brembo brake kits, warranted with coverage matched to BMW's own.
BMW performance
LN Engineering+IMS Retrofit
Porsche IMS · since 2015One of only two LN Engineering Preferred Installers for the IMS retrofit in North Central Florida.The one job every 996, 997 and Boxster owner eventually needs, done to LN's procedure.
Porsche
Audi+Volkswagen
Keys and securityThe only non-dealer in Gainesville that can cut and code Audi and VW keys.Licensed locksmith, GEKO server access, ODIS on the factory tablet.
Audi and Volkswagen
Bosch
Bosch · since 1986A Bosch Authorized Service facility since 1986.One of the first in Florida, and still one of about 1,650 in the country. Factory training and equipment only Bosch supplies.
Electrical and fuel systems
Continental Imports on South Main Street at dusk
Since May 1, 1978

Two technicians, a dirt lot, and Gainesville's first German-car specialist.

Walter Bodendorf and Steve Brotherton met turning wrenches at the Mercedes dealer. In 1978 they opened on South Main Street with three employees. In 1986 they were added to the first group of US Bosch Service Centers; by the late nineties they had the region's only drive-cycle chassis dyno and factory diagnostic computers.

Read the whole story
1978Opens at 16th and S Main
1980First computer alignment in Gainesville
1986First group of US Bosch Service Centers
1990Buys the 1200 block of South Main
2012DINAN authorized, Michelin dealer
2015LN Engineering IMS installer
While we have your car

Loaner cars, rides, and an after-hours key drop.

A repair should not cost you a day. Ask for a loaner from the shop's fleet when you book, take a ride if that suits you better, drop the key after hours, and let the advisors handle the extended-warranty paperwork. It is the part of the visit owners write about almost as much as the work.

Schedule and request a loanerAll the conveniences
Loaner cars

A loaner from the shop's own fleet, arranged by your advisor when you book. Owners write about it more than anything except the work itself.

Ask when you book
Rides and ride-share

A ride to work or home, or a paid ride-share, when a loaner is not the right fit.

Included
After-hours drop box

Front right side of the building. Park in the front lot, fill out a service envelope, drop the key. An advisor calls the next business day.

24 hours
Extended-warranty paperwork handled

We work with virtually all extended warranty companies. Bring the contract when you drop off.

We handle it
24-hour towing

Shelby's Towing brings the car to us around the clock; during business hours call the shop and we arrange it.

352-331-4444
Pickup and delivery

Vehicle pickup and delivery, by arrangement with your advisor.

By arrangement
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Worth the drive

One address in Gainesville, serving North Central Florida and the southeast.

South Main Street, a few minutes off I-75. Approximate drive times below.

Ocalaabout 40 min
Lake Cityabout 50 min
Jacksonvilleabout 1 h 20 min
St. Augustineabout 1 h 30 min
Daytona Beachabout 1 h 45 min
Orlandoabout 1 h 50 min
Tampaabout 2 h
Tallahasseeabout 2 h 15 min
Get directionsContact and hours

Serving Gainesville, Alachua, Newberry, High Springs, Archer, Micanopy, Hawthorne, Waldo, Melrose, Keystone Heights, Starke, Ocala, Lake City, Williston and the rest of North Central Florida. Areas we serve

The Continental Imports team in the shop
The team

Lead technicians by marque.

Lead technicians by marque, ASE certified across the board, and advisors who explain the work before it starts. Continuing education is subsidized so the crew stays current with cars that change every year.

Meet the teamHonors and affiliations
Peace of mind

Every repair. Two years or 24,000 miles. Nationwide.

Factory-warranty maintenance with your book stamped. Extended warranties accepted from virtually every provider. Financing through the Bosch Service Credit Card and Synchrony on approved credit.

Warranty detailsFinancing options
Owners

Customers for thirty years, still driving down from Alabama.

4.8★★★★★
1,164 Google reviews
Read more

“For 30 years we have been sending our cars to Continental Imports. We moved eight hours north, and we still drive down from Alabama every year for a check-up.”

Carolyn C. · Mercedes-Benz C230 owner★★★★★

“They provide either a loaner from their first-class fleet, a ride or a paid Uber. Excellent, fast service, accurate diagnostic and repair.”

Google review · July 2026★★★★★

“As a competing shop owner who is very often overloaded and must refer customers to another shop, Continental Imports has earned my respect and confidence over and over again.”

Schedule

Pick a time. We'll take it from here.

Book online, or call and talk to a service advisor. Ask for a loaner when you book. Drop the car after hours if that's easier: the key drop is on the front right of the building.

Address
1219 S. Main St., Gainesville, FL 32601 · Directions
Hours
Mon to Fri 8:30 to 6:00 · closed weekends
Phone
(352) 377-6604
Towing
24-hour through Shelby's Towing · 352-331-4444
Online schedulingAutoOps

Car, service or symptom, preferred time, loaner if you need one.

Open the schedulerOpens over this page · powered by AutoOps