Servicing - must it be a specialist?
Discussion
It comes down to two things:
1. Resale value - most of us would pay a premium for a well known, reputable garage doing the servicing unless you yourself had a good knowledge and reputation in the relevant circles for doing it yourself.
2. Quality of work and speed of diagnosis. If you have a problem the selected garage hasn't seen or doesn't understand they could end up spending more time and more of your cash than a specialist, or worse, make a problem more significant.
Chim's aren't particularly complicated but they can be sensitive to a dodgy hand.
Your previous posts suggest you're on a Peterborough/London axis. I personally wouldn't call that miles from a "dealer" (which haven't existed for nearly 10 years - they're all specialist indies now)
1. Resale value - most of us would pay a premium for a well known, reputable garage doing the servicing unless you yourself had a good knowledge and reputation in the relevant circles for doing it yourself.
2. Quality of work and speed of diagnosis. If you have a problem the selected garage hasn't seen or doesn't understand they could end up spending more time and more of your cash than a specialist, or worse, make a problem more significant.
Chim's aren't particularly complicated but they can be sensitive to a dodgy hand.
Your previous posts suggest you're on a Peterborough/London axis. I personally wouldn't call that miles from a "dealer" (which haven't existed for nearly 10 years - they're all specialist indies now)
They are all very easy to work on! If you can be bothered...
I work on both of mine and only get garages for do the stuff I really can't but that's not very often.
Servicing-it is an absolute piece of cake on my wedge, bit more of a pain on the Tuscan due to the stupid design of where the sump plug is, but certainly not rocket science.
Document the work and do it regularly.
I have know people not to have servicing done as they mileage isn't due and they don't want to spend lots on getting the stamp.
I service my wedge every 2000 miles or 8 months and have done since I got it 9 years and 38000 miles ago...!
I work on both of mine and only get garages for do the stuff I really can't but that's not very often.
Servicing-it is an absolute piece of cake on my wedge, bit more of a pain on the Tuscan due to the stupid design of where the sump plug is, but certainly not rocket science.
Document the work and do it regularly.
I have know people not to have servicing done as they mileage isn't due and they don't want to spend lots on getting the stamp.
I service my wedge every 2000 miles or 8 months and have done since I got it 9 years and 38000 miles ago...!
If you are, like me, not a dab hand with a spanner, then a good TVR indie is a good idea. They know what they are doing, and know where to look for issues when doing the thorough checkover that is essential for your safety and the car's health.
Where are you based? We can advise where to go if you can let us know that little nugget of info.
Where are you based? We can advise where to go if you can let us know that little nugget of info.
For the first 2 & half years of ownership ALL the work done on my car was carried out by a garage local to me who are a VAG (snigger) specialist and had never touched a TVR before. The trick is to find someone you trust & gives good service, not necessarily a specialist. The guys I used I knew from my previous Leon Cupra & I knew I could trust them, & they did a huge amount of research before touching anything remotely out of the ordinary, & didn't charge me a penny for the background work! They've done everything from oil & shim replacements to clutches, master & slave cylinders & even had the engine out to replace a section of engine casing, cams & half time bearings.
Don't get me wrong, I use a specialist more now for some work and he offers a very good service, indeed his customer service is excellent! But it all depends on how much you trust your local place & how well you regard their skills...
Don't get me wrong, I use a specialist more now for some work and he offers a very good service, indeed his customer service is excellent! But it all depends on how much you trust your local place & how well you regard their skills...
AD77 said:
It's more a time thing, only free weekends or late evening. How about Elmwood TVR near Epsom, are they well regarded?
They look after my Tuscan and I can certainly recommend them. You can drop you car off out of hours at the Jet station in front and they do collections locally.The first couple of years I had my Chimaera it went to a specialist for everything, due to reading a lot of things on here. Then the more time I spent with the TVRCC and with the car itself I realised that a lot of the jobs were pretty straight forward. Manifold gaskets, electric circuits, hot start kits, radiator replacement are some of the jobs I've now carried out myself and enjoyed some pleasant evenings carrying out the work. All I get the specialist to do are the jobs that cannot be accessed with out a lift.
I do keep every receipt for parts though plus a log of what I've done.
I do keep every receipt for parts though plus a log of what I've done.
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