Full TVRSH?

[matdraper]

I'm confused - most people seem to advise "Don't buy a TVR without a full TVR service history", but then they go on to say "Don't get your TVR serviced at a TVR dealer, get it done at an independent specialist instead".

So should you go independent to save cash and hassle, or go to a dealer for servicing so that you can keep your full TVRSH, so you can sell your car in later life?

-Mat

[whatever]

At the time I bought mine I was pleased that it had a full TVRSH, so independent servicing never came into it. Although it was an independent who I had do the inspection for me (i.e. not a dealer).

Knowing what I do now, it wouldn't bother me, but I would investigate the reputation of everyone who'd done the servicing, whether independent or franchise to determine the likely quality of the work. I say likely, as every place had bad days (or flukey good ones, I suppose )

It just depends on who you'd be selling to at the end of the day. I've had mine serviced by an independent since I got it and I'm quite comfortable with that, re-sale wise.

[leszekg]

I had the same dilemma since buying my Cerbera earlier this year. I did buy one with a FTVRSH (though would equally have considered one with a FSH from a reputable independent preferably accompanied by some TVR history).

Whilst running the car I have opted to take the car to a dealer for the regular services (having selected one who has a good reputation amongst the TVR community) and am using a good independent for the bits of work imbetween services that inevitably are required from time to time. This seems to work well providing that TVR diagnostics are not required for the work - the independents can't seem to be able to get hold of these so a trip to a dealer is normally required when diagnostics are involved.

>> Edited by leszekg on Wednesday 26th June 18:16

[nubbin]

I think it depends which independent - e.g. Colin Blower Motorsport are recognised for warranty work, and are superb by all accounts. If a car is out of warranty, and you are a knowledgeable TVR nut, and the log book is filled with the names of well known quality independents, I reckon the car has been well looked after, properly serviced, and may even be in better nick than if attacked by some of our rather more notorious dealer friends out there. TVR's inhabit a small world, and it's not like the dealer stamp has the same value over and above that of a well-known independent. It's different for a Mondeo/Vectra clone - if their book is filled with unknown service stamps, do you know what you're getting? At least with small TVR shops, they stand and fall on a reputation - if they screw up, word will get round pretty smartish!

[Schazzar]

I reckon its got to be who you know when it comes to service history. TVRs are not complicated bits of machinery and their kudos in terms of resale is not up there with the likes of the big boys such as Merc or BM etc as no 2 cars are ever built the same. That's why there are never book prices 2nd hand. A TVR should always be bought on its condition and provided that services have been carried out at the correct intervals by people who know what they are doing you shouldn't have a problem. The dealers are a good place to buy new and sort out the initial problems as such, but when it comes to aftersale service forget them unless you can afford it as their prices are extortionate in relation to what you're getting in terms of machinery.

I'd be happy buying a car with or without FSH provided there's proof its been well cared for by people that know about TVR regardless of whether they are a dealer or not.

Take for example Team Central - I've never used them before, but now they're independent - should it mean that my car shouldn't be fixed by them because they are no longer main agents?

One of things I love about TVR is that they're well within the fixing and servicing range of anyone with a bit of car techno knowledge should they go wrong. In then end, it's what brings you piece of mind dealer or independent? Someone who knows that'll cost you mega bucks or someone who knows that'll cost half the price.

As they say, you pay your money, you take the choice.

[GreenV8S]

I think the best advise is make sure it's been looked after properly by a TVR specialist - that could be a TVR authorised dealer, or any of the well known independant TVR specialists around the country.

[simpo one]

I suspect that the best independents are better than some of the dealers. Independents don't have the kudos of a franchise and therefore a certain amount of automatic business to rest on, so they have to rely on reputation and word of mouth to survive. I heard that franchised dealers have to pay a large amount to TVR, 'sponsor' the Tuscan Challenge etc - which might explain why they charge so much for everything. For example, an Inspection 2 (the biggie) on a vastly more complex 7-Series BMW is maybe £350, yet a 12,000 mile service on a 'simple' TVR from a TVR dealer can be double that. Barking.