I hate having work done by garages

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Poptop2, Sep 7, 2019.

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  1. IZZYBAY

    IZZYBAY

    I am in the same club as you but have a great vw type 2 specialist just 2 miles away (check out his web site www.haryharpics@.co.uk ) he has a beetle that runs on su carbs and does 120mph! I can still get under the bus for the odd repair but find the MG a bit of a struggle getting under it and in and out of it!
     
    IZZYBAY, Sep 7, 2019
    #41
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  2. Gooders

    Gooders

    I am a time served diagnostic Technician now in my autumn years at work. I am not blowing my own trumpet but it is very true there are not as many knowledgeabe techs out there as there used to be. Not sure if it’s because of the lack of apprenticeships in the last decade or just the lack of passion in the job but it seems many now are no more than fitters.
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2019
    Gooders, Sep 7, 2019
    #42
    F_Pantos, Surfari, Soggz and 8 others like this.
  3. Youngdub

    Youngdub Supporter

    Recent comparisons on work done to two of our daily drivers over last year....

    Bmw F11 front discs/pads/sensor - dealer £600 - me £300 with all gen parts
    Mini clubman rear brakes - dealer £200 - me £30 gen mini parts
    Mini waterpump - dealer £900 - me £40 plus some new flexi ratchet spanners :)
    BMW F11 rear airsprings - dealer £900 per side - me less than £300 for both sides with superior replacements

    Forums/internet and a bit of confidence - brilliant :)
     
    Youngdub, Sep 7, 2019
    #43
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  4. Moons

    Moons Supporter

    I’m a big fan of DIY however all of this scuppers your warranty and service history if the car is relatively new.
     
    Moons, Sep 7, 2019
    #44
    IZZYBAY likes this.
  5. mgbman

    mgbman

    That's another dealer rip off. Not sure its legally enforceable these days.
     
    mgbman, Sep 8, 2019
    #45
  6. Gooders

    Gooders

    You can have servicing done at any reputable garage while the car is under manufacturers warranty so long as they use genuine parts (keep the receipts). However when it comes to goodwill after the warranty expires manufacturers are reluctant to contribute towards the repair if its not got main dealer service history.
     
    Gooders, Sep 8, 2019
    #46
  7. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    I haven’t mentioned the gearbox refurbishment on the T5. Disaster city.

    Took it in to a GB specialist who has a good name locally to have the 2nd gear issue sorted, refurbish the box and while he had it out could he replace the water pump as it’s easier with the gb out. He told me 4 days and I’d have it back. I had it back in two weeks after numerous phone calls from me and a terse reply off from him for ringing every other day.

    Two weeks later he said it was done, but he hadn’t time to do the water pump. Grr.

    I collected late on the Friday and got two miles and 2nd gear went. I took it back carefully limping in just before he closed and wasn’t frugal with my words.

    A week later I had it back and he had changed the water pump without labour charge. He did eventually do a very good job, but I won’t be going there again voluntarily. I just hope the gb or clutch doesn’t need any warranty work.

    I won’t tell you the price of a six speed T5 gb refurb and clutch assembly replacement it’s expensive!
     
    Poptop2, Sep 8, 2019
    #47
  8. rustic loaf

    rustic loaf

    This all sounds so common. My brother runs his own garage and has to deal with other garages mess all the time. He suffers with people not trusting his industry as a result. He is a good source of knowledge and very well versed in all vehicles if you're in the Gloucestershire area. VAG specialist.
     
    rustic loaf, Sep 8, 2019
    #48
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  9. Betty the Bay

    Betty the Bay Supporter

    I'm regularly in Gloucestershire....can you give his details?
     
    Betty the Bay, Sep 8, 2019
    #49
    rustic loaf and Dub and Dubber like this.
  10. Dub and Dubber

    Dub and Dubber Supporter

    Would have been better if they'd have offered you a gearbox from any other car!
     
    Dub and Dubber, Sep 8, 2019
    #50
    rustic loaf likes this.
  11. Dub and Dubber

    Dub and Dubber Supporter

    I'm almost permanently in Gloucestershire, so ........ can you give his details?!
     
    Dub and Dubber, Sep 8, 2019
    #51
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  12. Louey

    Louey Moderator

    Got to say I was very impressed with the Recovery driver who came to my aid today. He was fantastic.
    First off he calmed me down - I was sat on the kerb by the front of the camper stressing and I have to say close to tears (memories of last summer came flooding back).
    It was clear to see he was a seasoned mechanic as he plugged in the diagnostics and I'm so bloomin glad it came up clear.

    Anyway, it put a bit more confidence into me for mechanics and the camper isn't bloomin broken

    ...
     
    Louey, Sep 8, 2019
    #52
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  13. Soggz

    Soggz Supporter

    Wow! You got it back yet? Did they charge for storage?
     
    Soggz, Sep 9, 2019
    #53
  14. Soggz

    Soggz Supporter

    Only joking...



    I was thrown on the Yoof Training Scheme, by my dad in 1985, I worked for Ford,and shown how to use the new ‘plug in’ diagnostic machine.
    Crown Tours coach garage, where I learnt to take out, strip down and rebuild a bloody great coach engine, and a little place called PM Motors, which was a little tin Nissan hut behind our local railway station.First job in that place, was to light the fire in the morning. Sooo cold in there.
    Little garages were great, loved my YTS, but wouldn’t want to be a mechanic, what with all the oil, solvents and other cancer enducing elements, apparently.
    I kept the mechanics up as a hobby. Yup, it ain’t the same.
     
    Soggz, Sep 9, 2019
    #54
  15. pkrboo

    pkrboo

    I told you who you should have used for the gearbox recon.
     
    pkrboo, Sep 9, 2019
    #55
  16. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    The logistics weren’t right and the garage that I was going to use to remove it and take it up had just lost my trust. It would have worked out roughly the same price wise too.

    The way I did it meant it was all done in one place and didn’t have to deal with 2 garages and 2 courier jobs. I must admit though, your mate was much more approachable
     
    Poptop2, Sep 9, 2019
    #56
  17. Poptop2

    Poptop2 Administrator

    I’m just going to go back to doing things myself, not that I want to, it’s just finding a trustworthy garage locally that actually knows what they’re doing that’s putting me off.

    It’s too expensive trusting them, and their warranties are usually a load of pants.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2019
    Poptop2, Sep 9, 2019
    #57
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  18. pkrboo

    pkrboo

    are you going to TE in the carcavelle? i can take a look at the interior lights, and even sort the double locking issue(unless you want to keep it that way)
     
    pkrboo, Sep 9, 2019
    #58
    Poptop2 likes this.
  19. Merlin Cat

    Merlin Cat Moderator

    Is that the one near Centertainment in Sheffield?
     
    Merlin Cat, Sep 9, 2019
    #59
  20. Betty the Bay

    Betty the Bay Supporter

    Yes.
     
    Betty the Bay, Sep 9, 2019
    #60
    Merlin Cat likes this.
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