Sam Smyth Imported Car Service Inc

Allow me to inform you about the best mechanic in at least the Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Loveland, Madeira, Indian Hill areas. It has been my pleasure to know Sam Smyth for over twenty-five years. In the age of just get it done and on to the next one, Sam is a master mechanic, who cares as much as you do about your car (maybe more).

Whether your luxury car was mass-produced, or is a one of a kind show car, your car could not be in better hands. Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, Land Rover, Audi, Acura, Infinity, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and MG are just a few of the fine luxury makes that standardly cavalcade through Sams extraordinary old-world shop. Where words like craftsmanship, reliability, and pride of workmanship are not only spoken - but are practiced on every vehicle and every turn of every nut, bolt and wrench.

Big job or small, full restoration or correctly done tune-up, trust your car to a dependable, reasonably priced, 5-star service shop where the work performed upon your car will be to the standards you would perform - if you, like Sam, had three generations of turning wrenches on the finest motor cars in the world.

Trust Sam and let him fix your car, and he will be your trusted mechanic, as he has been mine for more than 25 years. Let your dealer quote you a price, but let Sam fix your car, you will be glad you did! Call Sam at (513) 793-0434

Your day-to-day transportation or your extreemly rare and exotic Bentley, Rolls-Royce or other classic, you will be thrilled when your vehicle works the way the designer intended, because you had Sam Smyth fix it correctly.

Bob McManus

Posted 11/07/09 | Report Abuse

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When my wife and I decided to take our 1957 Metropolitan to a higher level car show competition, I sought an experienced mechanic with a deep background in British car mechanics. The car was cosmetically good, but mechanically subpar. Since most mechanics don't even know that Metropolitans were built in Britain, it's not easy to find a mechanic to work on one, at all, much less an automobile that's over 50 years old. Even though he usually works on Rolls Royce, Bentley and jaguar autos, Sam Smyth took this car through a major mechanical restoration that remedied years of neglect and abuse. It operates so well now that we have decided to finish out the car for Concours Class competition. Mr. Smyth's work was methodical and impeccable. Defect after defect, wrong parts and shoddy work were discovered and remedied. I can't imagine finding better workmanship, fairer costs, or more passion for a project, than i found at Sam Smyth Auto Imports.

Posted 09/17/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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I am the owner of a 1968 Jaguar E-type XKE 4.2 liter roadster that I have had for over 40 years, and I have relied on Sam Smyth Imports for essentially all my repair, maintenance, and restoration work. Sam has been a consistently first-rate mechanic and his prices are always fair and quite reasonable. Sam is currently going over the entire car for me, replacing a few parts where necessary to be sure it will remain in top running condition, as I am considering putting it up for sale later this year. If you have a foreign or vintage car that needs a little maintenance or repair work, be sure to stop in and talk your problems over with Sam. I feel certain that you could not find any better foreign car service anywhere in the Cincinnati area, and I am sure you will come away very satisfied.

Posted 08/27/09 | Report Abuse

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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As the owner of a low-mileage '99 BMW M3 Convertible, I plan to keep the car for a very long time. After a couple of sensor failures and some terrible experiences at the BMW factory shop, I learned about Mr. Smyth. He was exceptionally helpful, and worked with me to perform several necessary service items on the car. Due to the performance level of the car, I was concerned about taking it to a different shop than an authorized BMW dealer. However, after working with Mr. Smyth, I learned that he does better quality serice, is more conscientious, and provides excellent follow-up after the sale. He did all of this while saving me SERIOUS money compared to the dealer estimates. I'd recommend Sam's service to anyone, particularly owners of high-end vehicles who want to be sure the work is done right.

Posted 08/23/09 | Report Abuse

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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If you are tired of paying top dollar at Lexus to cover their overheads then consider Smyth for your maintenance and repairs. Huge savings & quality workmanship. Provides transparency on costs for labor and materials. Honest.

Posted 08/20/09 | Report Abuse

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Sam Smyth Imports is the place you need to go if you have a fine or vintage automobile. He keeps my Landrover Defender up and running better then the dealer, and at lower cost. He uses the best parts and is extremely knowledgeable and is a world class mechanic.

Posted 06/09/09 | Report Abuse

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Smyth Imports has been established since 1934 and still has the same integrity and service today as the first day it opened. I am thankful they are here. Sam has serviced both my BMW's for years and there are no surprises or hidden cost with him. I know up front exactly what is needed and the cost. Thanks for always being honest.

Posted 06/07/09 | Report Abuse

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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Took my E320 to Sam. Bought brake parts, but had waited a month for a fault light that never turned on. Sounds from the brakes started becoming rather metallic. By the time I got it to Sam, both rotors were so overheated, he had to press the rotors off the hubs, and one of the four front pads was down to metal. The sensor had never tripped! Most of his time was pressing the old rotors from the hubs and rebuilding them. The rest of the job was under "book" time from dealer. What would have cost me much less than the dealer a month earlier, ended up costing more because the sensor didn't sense. Sam saved me from having to replace hubs and calipers. I will return with next service... whatever that might be.

Posted 05/27/09 | Report Abuse

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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Sam and Sams son has been an independent Jaguar service specialist now for over 3 plus decades! Sam Smyth Imports has been in the same greater Cincinnati (Reds!) Tristate location; serving Symms Township, Indian Hill, Loveland, Madeira and Milford for 25 years. Now recently I learned some really neat Cincinnati car history on my most recent visit today to Sam Smyths imported Car Service. Framed on the wall in his office is an article from the Cincinnati Post & Times Star, dated December 1959 Automotive News, page 46, with the news of a new auto agency opening, that was devoted exclusively to sell the Jaguar line and SAAB from Sweden. The name of the company was the Imported Car Center located at 1635 Reading Road, with some of the officers of the firm being Robert A. Cline Jr., as president, J. Grayden de Camp as vice president (in his day, editor of the Enquirer) and Samuel M. Smyth (Sams dad) as vice president and general manager. A complete service department had been set up for all imported cars. Sams dads company was also appointed as distributor for BAP, British Auto Parts, importers of parts for all foreign autos. They were distributors for parts for dealers in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia. Talk about history! Their showroom had been decorated by Samuel Aronoff!
The tradition continues today. In addition to being an independent Jaguar and imported car service center, Sam Smyths son is the local parts distributor for the Moss Nisonger Car Group, supplying a comprehensive list of car parts, and premier car parts such as Spax, Lucas, Novus and K&N to name a few. Sams business has a lot of history, being established in Ireland in 1934, and his quality of work certainly reflects it. Certainly, old school quality that you will not find anywhere else today!
Today, Sam still has factory Churchill Tools for repairing Jaguar automobiles from 1959 and earlier. This tools are no longer available!
To me, Sam Smyth Imported Car Service has become a Greater Cincinnati Icon, like the Cincinnati Reds & Bengals, Montgomery Inn, Skyline Chili, White Castle, Saks Department Store, The Flying Pig Marathon, Lindner Cincinnati Arts Museum, Union Terminal, University of Cincinnati, Xavier University and Octoberfest!
On a personal note, I did not know that Sam is an honorary member of all the Shriner Temples in Ohio, except for the Syrian Temple, in which he is a life time member! Sam has also devoted time to raise money for the Childrens Burns Institute located here in Cincinnati!

Posted 02/23/09 | Report Abuse

9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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I own a Land Rover and quickly grew tired of paying a dealer's outrageous costs for normal maintenance services. I went on-line, and thank goodness I found Sam Smyth Imports. Sam and his shop are truly a one of a kind blessing. Sam had Lenny check out a "Service Engine Soon" light, troubleshot the offending code and had it fixed in minutes. While there, Sam gave me the "tour" of the shop and introduced me to a rare 1957 Bentley, 1970 high performance MGB, Sunbeam Tiger, in full view of other Rolls-Royce's, Land Rovers, and other imports. Truly an amazing shop. I can only say, that in today's day and age, being able to find a competent, trustworthy, dedicated and "down to earth" maintenance shop for imports is (I thought) impossible. Not anymore...they are located right in Cincinnati. No other maintenance shop will ever touch my Land Rover again. If you have an issue (any issue) with your import, Rolls Royce, Land Rover, Porsche, Mercedes, BMW, ANY import, Try Sam Smyth. The shop is amazing. I am a true believer and after one meeting with Sam, you will be also. Thank you Sam!

Posted 02/02/09 | Report Abuse

11 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

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I recently purchased a 2000 Land Rover Discovery. Unfortunately it developed a leak before I owned it more than two weeks. I found Sam Smyth Imports after some research. I read the reviews and decided to see for myself. What great customer service ! Sam's honest approach to doing business is hard to find. Go see him and find out for yourself.

Posted 01/25/09 | Report Abuse

14 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

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The first time I met Sam he assured me that the problem I was having with my 1988 Mercedes 300SE was no big deal. He calmly smiled and told me he'd figure it out. And he did. Right away! Something that no mechanic I had ever consulted could do. I was amazed and so relieved that I brought the car to him exclusively from then on. What I like about Sam and the men who do work for him is of course the attention they pay to the minutest detail down to the bolt, the cool cars like Bentleys, Rolls and others that they work onand the clean shop and the ties they wear to work. Most of all though, its Sam's air of complete confidence that he's going to fix whatever the problem is, at a reasonable price and it won't ever happen again. He doesn't scratch his head. As long as you do what he says. He's like a car doctor. He just knows these cars.So now I bring him my used Range Rover knowing that for one thing I'll be able to afford to drive it. The cars Sam services are the finest automobiles out there and he knows what they're all about, what makes them go, what makes them happy. He knows them intimately. I can see why people trust him with their 4 million dollar cars.

Posted 01/13/09 | Report Abuse

14 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

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The guys at Sam Smyth Imported Car Service Inc. are awesome. They are very honest and reasonable. I am a woman who has experienced some very dishonest mechanics. These guys are the best. They are fast, reliable,and great,When I was at Sam Smyth Car Service I was surprised by some of the types of cars they work on such as Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, Porsche, I myself own a 1998 Land Rover Discovery. I am so lucky to have stopped in on a whim one day for service of my vehicle. I will faithfully be a repeat customer, and will refer any one to give these guys . Give these guys a shot, you will not be disappointed.

Posted 12/22/08 | Report Abuse

17 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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Sam Smyth has a real passion for fine cars and his family owned business offers great service for a fair price. Sam helped me out with new brakes on my 2006 Land Rover LR3 and by using Sam Smyth Imports I saved $1000 over the price quoted to me by the dealer. I dropped my Rover off after work on a Friday and the work was comleted before noon the following Saturday. I highly recommend Sam Smyth Imports.

Brad

Posted 12/20/08 | Report Abuse

17 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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GO TO SAM SMYTH IMPORTS!

My Top 5 Reasons:

5. They know what they are talking about and what they are doing.
4. Their business has been around for a long time (just check out the pictures in the office!)
3. Imports are their passion, and it shows in the work they do!
2. You can trust them to be honest, fair, and give you the best quality of work around.
1. Who doesn't enjoy walking into a shop and seeing beautifully restored Rolls Royces, MGs, Bentleys, and others that I can only hope I can afford one day!?!? It is like a car show without an entrance fee.

Now how did I come about Sam Smyth Imports? I am a female, with a 2003 BMW 325i, who needed brake pads, rotors, and wear sensors installed. I would have gone to the BMW store, but I find that going there means lots of waiting and a huge bill. On the other hand, I do not let just anyone work on my car. Since I had some work done at Dave Orr's Autobody a while ago, I called them and asked for a referral. The first place they recommended was Sam Smyth Imports. I gave Sam a call, not really knowing what to expect, and from that first call I became a customer for life.

At Sam Smyth Imports they treat you like a neighbor. Since I was interested in saving some cash, but not willing to compromise quality, they talked to me about the least expensive way to get all of the parts and told me they could do the labor. Of course, for those of you just wanting to drop your car off and pick it up when it is done, they also can order your parts.

I know there are some women out there who just go to their dealer for service because they are nervous about getting ripped off if they do not know what they are talking about. I am here to tell you that, while I don't know a ton about cars, I do know that I would have probably been paying close to double at the BMW Store for the same service. Also, Sam's team will talk you through your issues and take a look at your car to really identify what needs to be done. This helped me because there were a few other things I had questions about and they told me the easiest way to fix each thing.

I highly recommend Sam Smyth Imports to anyone who wants high quality work at an affordable price!

Posted 12/19/08 | Report Abuse

16 out of 16 people found this review helpful.

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While I worked with Sam to rebuild and supercharge my 1977 MGB, I saw him rebuild and repair Jaguars, show-quality Rolls Royces, Mercedes Benzes, Ferraris, BMWs, Triumphs, MGs, Land Rovers, Corvettes, Bentleys and any other import or domestic brand. The guy is a genius in diagnostics and repair. He often finds and fixes problems that have stumped the dealerships, and he does it at far less than dealer repair prices. Maybe best of all, Sam is old school -- he will not take shortcuts, he will not compromise -- he insists on doing the job right the first time. There's not a better value for imported, exotic and performance car repair in Cincinnati.

Posted 12/06/08 | Report Abuse

13 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

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Where do I start? Sam Smyth the proprietor of Sam Smyth Imports is the most honest, genuine, fair, brilliant auto mechanic that I have ever met since owning my 1999 Land Rover Discovery Series II. I have been relying on Sams excellent service since 2006. Sam is extremely knowledgeable and is willing to educate you on the issue at hand, walk you through the entire repair process, and get you vehicle back on the road fast and better than before. He offers one of the lowest labors rates around, especially for a British import. Another cost saving option, he allows you to purchase the required parts separately and have it shipped directly to his shop; saving you big bucks on parts. Sam is not condescending and will refrain from using fancy auto shop jargon that may confuse even the most erudite individual. He is honest and straightforward unlike the dealerships and respects your car as if it were his own. For goodness sakes, he repairs Bentleys, Rolls Royces, MGs, and an array of other British cars; I am certain he will respect your measly $40-$80K Land Rover. Sams has worked on Rovers almost his entire life and his father was a Rover mechanic. My Disco has been serviced at dealerships located in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Akron, and Solon (Cleveland) and none compare to Sams expertise and no nonsense approach. I currently live in Northeast Columbus and make the 1.45 hr trek to Indian Hill (east Cincinnati) for service. He is willing to offer weekend drop off; very accommodating. You will not only gain a quality, trusting mechanic; you will also gain a genuine friend. In summation, Sam will not only prolong the life of your vehicle; he will also extend the buying power of your dollar during these desperate times. Please visit his website at smythimports.com for more information. Thanks so much Sam, you are a lifesaver.

Posted 12/03/08 | Report Abuse

17 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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I am amazed by the quality of service provided to me when they fixed my cars(mercedes, BMW, and Rover). Always they saved me lots of $$$. I trust these guys with my cars. They are reasonably priced, more importantly, they are very dependable. I am not aware of professionals like them are still around. Try it for your self.

Thanks to Sam and Lani

Posted 11/14/08 | Report Abuse

17 out of 17 people found this review helpful.

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My newly delivered 1999 355F1 suddenly wouldn't idle. My web search for local Ferrari service yielded Sam Smyth He said to bring the car right out..and after two hours running perfect ($35 bill). Also there's lots of eye candy on his lot and service bays...restoring Bentleys, RR's and a perfect MGTD.

Posted 09/08/07 | Report Abuse

19 out of 19 people found this review helpful.

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