About Us

Precision and Excellence

The experience, knowledge, and expertise to properly care for your BMW or Mini

We are a specialized shop that focuses on technical excellence and unparalleled customer service. Outfitted with the latest high-tech equipment and precision tools, we offer the best service for your BMW or Mini. Our technicians have been serving the North Valley for over 30 years. Rion left behind his 10 years as a BMW Dealer Master Technician in 1989, to start his independent BMW (only) service and repair business. Having more combined BMW experience and BMW-specific training than any other service facility in Northern California, we offer you service that stands out far above the rest. Please ask to see our credentials – they are based on fact – not “hearsay” or wishful thinking. Based on our reputation, even our name has been “imitated” locally, but of course, our level of service, knowledge and expertise has never been “duplicated”.

Meet our Staff:

Rion Groh (Founder/Master Technician)

  • The top ranked BMW Master Technician in the U.S. by BMW for two consecutive years (1985-1986)
  • University of Hawaii honors graduate of:
    • Automotive Technology/Mechanics Training program (1977), and
    • Automotive Technical School (over 1336 hours), and
    • U of H’s “On-The-Job” training/apprenticeship program
  • ASE Certified Master Technician since 1979.
  • Completed 432 hours of BMW-specific training and BMW technical and engineering seminars in the U.S and Germany (starting in 1980 thru 1988)
  • One of the original 53 BMW Master Technicians of the U.S. in 1983
  • Journey-level Master BMW technician since 1983
  • Appointed as one of the eleven original members of the BMW Master’s Guild District Master winners in the 1987 and 1988 BMW national competitions
  • Founder of the international BMW technician and also the international MINI technician networks: the “Bimmer Tech Group”* and the “MINI Tech Group”*
  • Continuing Education through BIMRS.ORG, WTI and Autologic (40 to 60 hours per year).
  • Continuing Education with BMW Factory ST Training Courses, Online: ST-
  • BMW ActiveHybrid Service and Technology (2014 – Arlington, VA)
  • BMW Fuel Trim Operation and Diagnosis (2014 – Arlington, VA)
  • BMW CIP (Coding, Individualization and Programming) (2014 – Arlington, VA) BMW/Mini Information Systems (3G, 3GIO, ISTA/D/P/AIR) (2014 – Arlington, VA)
  • BMW NG Naturally Aspirated Engines (2014 – Arlington, VA)
  • Framework for Complex Testing and Diagnostics (2014 – Arlington, VA)
  • BMW and Mini 3G Information Technology (2014 – Sunnyvale, CA)
  • BMW and Mini 3G Hands-on Diagnostics (2014 – Sunnyvale, CA)
  • BMW Turbocharged Engine Technology (2014 – Orlando, FL)
  • BMW Motorsports III (2014 – Orlando, FL)
  • BMW Body Electronics 4 (advanced systems) (2014 – Orlando, FL)
  • BMW Brakes and Suspension Systems (2014 – Orlando, FL)
  • Intro to BMW F10 Series (5 Series Vehicles) (2013 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • Fuel Trim as a Diagnostic Tool (2013 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW Chassis Dynamics (2013 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW ActiveHybrid Intro and Service Guidelines (2013 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW MOST, Byteflight and ISIS Bus Systems (2013 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW/Mini Information Systems (& Multi-gen DME Codes) (2013 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW Power Management (2015 – Orlando, FL)
  • BMW Advanced Engine Testing (2015 – Orlando, FL)
  • BMW Autologic AssistPlus 2015 & Beyond (2015 – Orlando, FL)
  • BMW Turbo Valvetronic/ Direct Injection (2015 – Orlando, FL)
  • Mini N16/N18 Engine (2015 – Orlando, FL)
  • Mini N14 Timing Chain & N16/ N18 New Technology (2015 – Orlando, FL)
  • BMW Information Systems – ISTA-D, ISTA-P, ISTA-AIR (2016 – Arlington, VA)
  • Mini F56 Complete Vehicle (2016 – Arlington, VA)
  • BMW Fuel Trim (2016 – Arlington, VA)
  • BMW Energy Management – Efficient Dynamic (2016 – Arlington, VA)
  • BMW Hybrid Vehicle Technology (2016 – Arlington, VA)
  • Mode $06 (2017 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW/Mini Bus Advanced Systems (2017 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW/Mini Fuel Trim & Misfire Diagnosis (2017 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW Chassis Dynamics (2017 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW SMG & DCT (2017 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW Diesel II (2017 – Scottsdale, AZ)
  • BMW iCars (2018 – Dallas, TX)
  • BMW/Mini Energy Management (2018 – Dallas, TX)
  • BMW Intro to G-Chassis Vehicles (2018 – Dallas, TX)BMW Motorsports 4 (2018 – Dallas, TX)
  • BMW New Engine Technology 6&8 Cyl. (2018 – Dallas, TX)

Kyle Groh (BMW/Mini Journeyman Technician):

  • AS Degree – Automotive Technology, Butte College
  • ASE Certified Technician (2016)
  • BMW/Mini Maintenance and Service (June, 2020 – online)
  • 6 Years of BMW and Mini Experience

Kenny Groh (Manager/ Director of Operations):

  • AS Degree: Aviation Airframe; Aviation Powerplant; Aviation Air Traffic Controller; Aviation Dispatcher; Aviation Flight Technician
  • Certification in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
  • Certified A & P Mechanic, Aircraft Dispatcher, Helicopter Pilot, Advanced Ground Instructor, Instrument Ground Instructor
  • Seven Years Experience with BMW and Mini Automobiles
  • “Building a Winning Culture (Oct 2018, Spartanburg, NC)
  • “Strategies for Effective Leadership” (Oct 2018, Spartanburg, NC)
  • “Why price Doesn’t Matter, the Truth about Labor rates” (Oct 2018, Spartanburg, NC)
  • “Increasing efficiency” (Oct 2018, Spartanburg, NC)
  • “Fishing for Millenials, attracting them with SEO” (Oct 2018, Spartanburg, NC)
  • “The Future of Social Media Marketing” (Oct 2018, Spartanburg, NC)
  • “Team Coaching” (Oct 2019, San Diego)
  • Service Management – “Management is Dead” (Oct 2019, San Diego)
  • “Becoming a Talent Magnet” (Oct 2019, San Diego)
  • “Wages and Hourly Laws” (Oct 2019, San Diego)
  • “Your Path to Profit” (Oct 2019, San Diego)

Devin Hight (BMW/Mini Journeymen Technician):

  • BMW Master Tech with extensive experience and training (too much to list here now)

Bryson Groh (BMW/Mini Apprentice Technician):

  • 6 years of BMW and Mini Experience (exclusive)
  • Introduction to Engineering Design (Inspire School of Arts & Sciences)
  • 3D Modeling w/ Computer Design (Inspire School of Arts & Sciences)
  • Principles of Engineering (Inspire School of Arts & Sciences)
  • Basics of Civil and Mechanical Design (Inspire School of Arts & Sciences)
  • Computer Science Engineering (Inspire School of Arts & Sciences)
  • Programming and Coding (Inspire School of Arts & Sciences)
  • Electrical/Electronic Diagnosis (4 years study, Inspire School of Arts & Sciences)
  • Digital Electronics (Inspire School of Arts & Sciences)
  • BMW and Mini ISTA-D (2019 – San Diego, CA)
  • BMW Turbocharging Systems (2019 – San Diego, CA)
  • BMW Fuel Management Systems (2019 – San Diego, CA)
  • BMW Body Electronics (2019 – San Diego, CA)

Our facility maintains the latest technical information on BMWs and Minis: BMW Web-ISTA, ISTA/D, ISTA/P (full-time/365 days per year), BMW AIR, all BMW factory repair instructions and service bulletins (including TIS & WebTIS), parts catalogs (EPC/ETK & WebETK), and other BMW/Mini-specific CD and web-based information systems (EBA, KSD2, WDS, ETM’s). We have an elaborate collection of BMW/Mini special tools and state-of-the-art test equipment, including the BMW/Mini DIS+ system, Multi-Mode ISTA, along with four other BMW/Mini diagnostic module interface systems (ICOM A2+B+C and ICOM NEXT A2/A3 – A+B+C).  In other words, we offer dealer-level diagnostics and programming. European Motorsport was the first independent BMW service facility in the US to subscribe full-time to the BMWTIS website. Our estimates, work orders, extensive parts inventory, customer service history, and customized maintenance schedule/checklist forms, are all fully computerized for increased operating efficiency. We use comprehensive service inspection checklists that follow BMW/Mini’s recommended maintenance schedules.

* European Motorsport is an independent BMW service facility and is not affiliated with BMWNA or BMWAG. The Bimmer-Tech Group, Mini-Tech Group and BIMRS.ORG are international resource groups for BMW/Mini technicians and have no direct affiliation with BMWNA or BMWAG.

Storefront of BMW specialists European Motorsport service Chico CA
European Motorsport owner Rion Groh
Just another day at European Motorsport
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"Rion and his team have worked on all of my family's BMW's for decades. One of the best equipped shops I have ever seen. If my friends knew how little it costs to keep a BMW on the road they would be surprised, but that can be my little secret. No hard sell, only what

Jeff S. May 22, 2015

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"Fantastic Experience! It's always a gamble when visiting European mechanics but Kenny and Rion made me feel super comfortable as soon as I hit the door. It seems my X5 had a power surge which set off my service engine light, and a list of archaic codes. These guys are very straightforward and honest, and

Greg C. May 22, 2015

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"European Motorsport has been servicing my car for 14 years--over 400,000 miles.  Their maintenance standards, unlike those of the manufacturer, are designed to keep cars running indefinitely.  They are proactive, too--they let you know when something is going to need to be serviced soon.  However, they are not pushy; they are not trying to get

May 22, 2015

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"Here's a top flight review and with our great gratitude. I have been working on military funerals for four decades.  Some of my friends from the entertainment business in Santa Monica donated a BMW 7 Series to use for chauffeuring the parent during the funeral for their lost sons.. I THANK GOD FOR EUROPEAN MOTORSPORT REPAIR

Donald D. May 22, 2015

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"Great job by European Motorsport.  My 04 330i had a fuel pump go out and would not start.  I called and was given a few tips for trying to get the car running, but it did not work.  I then called him back to say the car would be towed to the shop, but told them I needed

Charles B. May 22, 2015

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"This is the only bmw place in town that would replace my time-cert insert on short notice,  all other places told me not even to bring my car in for a week or 2. It took them overnight to fit it in their schedule. This is the best place to go in town if you are

Dan C. May 22, 2015

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"This place is amazing and so very helpful and understanding!! After going to almost every auto shop in this town and constantly being ripped off I came here, I stopped by unexpectedly, was kindly seen right away and was told what my issues were within minutes of being there, no jokes or tests to run

Ashlee L. May 22, 2015

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"I had a very positive experience with European Motorsports.  They provided excellent service and at a fair price.  They worked with me on putting together an older BMW that went from a car that sat for a few years to a daily driver that I can rely on.  Their expertise and willingness to go the

Jason P. May 22, 2015

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"I have been very pleased with the service at European Motorsport. They are reasonably priced and they make sure to explain everything in terms I can understand. I like that they do not recommend work that does not need to be done to the car. I really recommend European Motorsport for all repairs on your car"

Crystal G. May 22, 2015

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"2006 bmw 330i was serviced with excellent work. The price for repairs where fair and cheaper than local bmw dealerships. The customer service was polite and friendly. Demonstrating the value and importance of me the customer. I left feeling like a winner based on Quality service and saving money. I recommend coming in to service

David T. May 22, 2015

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"I can't speak highly enough about European Motorsports.  The check engine light was on in my older BMW, and would not pass smog.  They ran a diagnostic test on it, and I was told it was likely my gas cap (loose).  No unnecessary work was recommended.  They were very friendly, professional, efficient, inexpensive, and the car

Janice S. May 22, 2015

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"The team at European Motorsport took a genuine interest in solving the problem. They used cutting-edge technology to diagnose the issue (since the ecu didn't throw any codes). Very impressive."

Kyle W. March 13, 2015

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"I am very happy with the service on my 2003 BMW 325. Being a single woman with no automotive sense, it's nice to know I was in good hands with this establishment. Thank you!"

Mary T. May 22, 2015

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"AWESOME EXPERIENCE!!! Theses guys are the real deal. They are capable of doing everything the dealership can but the cost is significantly lower!  I took my 08 335i in for some programing to modify some of the features on my car, They invited me into to the shop, got me involved and went through all

Ben W. May 22, 2015

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"I've used European Motorsport for years, taking my 3 and 5 series BMW's to them when the need arises. Rion and his team have always been fair and fully explain the issues and alternatives and the cost/benefit of possible solutions. That's what i expect from a shop, not a bunch of mystery and increased repair

Dale P. May 22, 2015

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"Awesome service and friendly people. I walked away feeling good about what I pay for repairs. Didn't feel taken advantage of. Highly recommend. My 2007 650i is running like a champ.  Thank you!"

Miguel C. May 22, 2015

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"I've been taking my 1974 2002 BMW to European Motorsport for 15 years now. They are very professional and very reasonably priced."

Rebecca R. March 16, 2015

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"After calling multiple BMW specialist in the Chico area and being unsatisfied with the price to do my service, I called European Motorsports. Not only did they give me an affordable price, but they set up an appointment to my convenience the very next morning. Couldn't be any more satisfied!"

Christian R. May 22, 2015

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"I was pleasantly surprised with the service and this price of this BMW repair shop!"

Janine E. May 20, 2015

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