Just think he deserves a mention...
Discussion
Took the Chim I am buying to Dave Batty at The Garage, nr Compton yesterday to get an inspection - Jeez does he know his stuff!!!
It was fascinating to watch someone who knows so much having a peer around a car I am about to buy and very re-assuring indeed!
I found out that it has 500 brakes all round (Bigger disc, vented at back) and a colour combo he has never seen before, and he seemed to really like the car!
Inferred that it was an absolute steal at the price I am paying, and pointed out one or two things I'll have to look at sooner rather then later..
Advised that the discs and pads will need doing soon, as it has been sat for a few months and has pad marks on the disc surface.
Advised to replace top front wishbones and clean/waxoyl the lowers as the coating has come off and they are starting to corrode.
Pointed out that someone had fitted a Range Rover sump gasket on rather then just using silicone as TVR do - All main dealer services so it must have been one of those... (Mole Valley did it last?)
Front splitter was missing - advised not to bother replacing it as I would probaly rip it off again in London!
All in all, nothing major, and his proces seem VERY reasonable...
Only cost £35 for an hour of his time and the best £35 I've spent I think!!!
Do you think I am going to damage the resale value of I use him for servicing rather than a main dealer, as I'd be surprised if they knew as much as he did??
Should be collecting it next week!!!!
For sale, 1995 BMW 318is M Tech. www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=132
TVR needed!
It was fascinating to watch someone who knows so much having a peer around a car I am about to buy and very re-assuring indeed!
I found out that it has 500 brakes all round (Bigger disc, vented at back) and a colour combo he has never seen before, and he seemed to really like the car!
Inferred that it was an absolute steal at the price I am paying, and pointed out one or two things I'll have to look at sooner rather then later..
Advised that the discs and pads will need doing soon, as it has been sat for a few months and has pad marks on the disc surface.
Advised to replace top front wishbones and clean/waxoyl the lowers as the coating has come off and they are starting to corrode.
Pointed out that someone had fitted a Range Rover sump gasket on rather then just using silicone as TVR do - All main dealer services so it must have been one of those... (Mole Valley did it last?)
Front splitter was missing - advised not to bother replacing it as I would probaly rip it off again in London!
All in all, nothing major, and his proces seem VERY reasonable...
Only cost £35 for an hour of his time and the best £35 I've spent I think!!!
Do you think I am going to damage the resale value of I use him for servicing rather than a main dealer, as I'd be surprised if they knew as much as he did??
Should be collecting it next week!!!!
For sale, 1995 BMW 318is M Tech. www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=132
TVR needed!
I am buying private too - 97R BRG 400 with AC, PAS and full two tone green hide, Griff 500 wheels and brakes and only 21k on the clock - I think I am saving much more than £2k on a main dealer price, so even if I get ALL the work done he recommended I'm laughing.....
Well worth the money for piece of mind, and to allow you to budget for what works will need doing in the near future...
For sale, 1995 BMW 318is M Tech. www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=132
TVR needed!
Well worth the money for piece of mind, and to allow you to budget for what works will need doing in the near future...
For sale, 1995 BMW 318is M Tech. www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=132
TVR needed!
sorry, I thought you said you were buying off mr Blyth.
Let me guess how much you've paid - if you say it was a steal - I'd say £15.6 - £16k - if it was in good condition (which it sounds like).
I won't let on how much I'm negotiating at - until deal concluded - but lets just say the dealers are doing private buyers a favour at the moment - they are giving people very low cash bids (probably as they know any sellers in January want a quick sale for whatever reason). I'm paying marginally above a garage cash bid price.
Let me guess how much you've paid - if you say it was a steal - I'd say £15.6 - £16k - if it was in good condition (which it sounds like).
I won't let on how much I'm negotiating at - until deal concluded - but lets just say the dealers are doing private buyers a favour at the moment - they are giving people very low cash bids (probably as they know any sellers in January want a quick sale for whatever reason). I'm paying marginally above a garage cash bid price.
Yep, I agree David is a good guy to deal with. I still take my griff to him even though I'm based in Essex. So far he has replaced the drive shaft, replaced the dashboard, replaced the manifold gaskets, treated the roof and serviced the car twice (as well as other smaller jobs) all which have been done to top standard and not expensive. I would reccomend him to anyone.
quote:
but lets just say the dealers are doing private buyers a favour at the moment - they are giving people very low cash bids (probably as they know any sellers in January want a quick sale for whatever reason). I'm paying marginally above a garage cash bid price.
Baldy, can I contact you. I am buying for cash at the moment and would very much apprecaite to hear more of your experiences. I am on email at langleyt@ebrd.com . Thanks.
We'd agreed at £16k but he has since been offered £16.750 by some dealers - Luckily, he is a man of his word so I am sorted 
!
There is a 97R on Adrianblyth.co.uk without AC or full hide and similar miles, for £19750 so I feel this is very good VFM....
I just can't wait to pick it up!!!!
For sale, 1995 BMW 318is M Tech. www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=132
TVR needed!
! There is a 97R on Adrianblyth.co.uk without AC or full hide and similar miles, for £19750 so I feel this is very good VFM....
I just can't wait to pick it up!!!!
For sale, 1995 BMW 318is M Tech. www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=132
TVR needed!
Got my car waxoiled by David this week, and must admit, had a bit of a shock when I turned up at 'The Garage' to see my baby running, bonnet up and enveloped in clouds of acrid smoke! 
'Only the wax oil burning off the exhaust manifolds,' David assured me, much to me relief!
He also fitted a new otter switch to the car, suggesting that I really should not be thinking about an override switch on the fans as the cars cooling system should be enough to keep everything cool! Asked him to check the car out, which he did. Seems the otter switch was original (the car's a '96) and was 'lazy'. Even on the short run home I noticed a difference in the running temperature of the car on 30 mph roads.
Guess I'll be using him for servicing from now on too!
Duncan
'Only the wax oil burning off the exhaust manifolds,' David assured me, much to me relief!
He also fitted a new otter switch to the car, suggesting that I really should not be thinking about an override switch on the fans as the cars cooling system should be enough to keep everything cool! Asked him to check the car out, which he did. Seems the otter switch was original (the car's a '96) and was 'lazy'. Even on the short run home I noticed a difference in the running temperature of the car on 30 mph roads.
Guess I'll be using him for servicing from now on too!
Duncan
So do you lot think I will effect the resale value by much if I use him for servcing?
I estimate I will save over £500 a year or so using him. (he said I should see change from £150 for a minor service, and change from £350 for a major service)
For sale, 1995 BMW 318is M Tech. www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=132
TVR needed!
I estimate I will save over £500 a year or so using him. (he said I should see change from £150 for a minor service, and change from £350 for a major service)
For sale, 1995 BMW 318is M Tech. www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=132
TVR needed!
quote:
So do you lot think I will effect the resale value by much if I use him for servcing?
I don't own a TVR yet
but i wouldn't think twice about buying one that had been serviced by David Batty and i am sure that there are lots of like minded people out there. Why should you pay two to three times the cost if you don't get two to three times the amount of service!. Save some money on the servicing and get some bits from leven technology with the savings.
I think anyone coming to view my car (if I was going to sell) would hopefully realise that David was very good as I have to take the car down to him, get collected and then dropped off to collect the car (about 200 miles). I wouldn't do that if he wasn't good.
(My nearest TVR dealer is 15miles away).
Edited by darrenlens on Friday 18th January 15:32
(My nearest TVR dealer is 15miles away).
Edited by darrenlens on Friday 18th January 15:32
Whether resale value would be affected if not services by a main dealer.. hmmm that's my position:
The TVR World is rather small and people like David are well known and reputed. I assume if you try to resale your car to a main dealer he would use this as an argument to offer a lower price. Poeple who byu privately however tend to do their homework before forking out the money. Chances are they will have heard about David Batty themselves and would feel quite confident about buying a car looked after by him. In a few weeks I'll have to take the car for service, and I must say David's offer is rather compelling ! Booked in on Tuesday to sort out a few bits and bobs - and do a chassis clean + waxoil. Wanted a fan overide switch installed as well and Dave told me the same: "if I do my job you shouldn't have to worry about it !".
Roms
Antigua Blue Chimaera 450
MCC Smart Passion Grey with Bungee Red interior ;o)
The TVR World is rather small and people like David are well known and reputed. I assume if you try to resale your car to a main dealer he would use this as an argument to offer a lower price. Poeple who byu privately however tend to do their homework before forking out the money. Chances are they will have heard about David Batty themselves and would feel quite confident about buying a car looked after by him. In a few weeks I'll have to take the car for service, and I must say David's offer is rather compelling ! Booked in on Tuesday to sort out a few bits and bobs - and do a chassis clean + waxoil. Wanted a fan overide switch installed as well and Dave told me the same: "if I do my job you shouldn't have to worry about it !".
Roms
Antigua Blue Chimaera 450
MCC Smart Passion Grey with Bungee Red interior ;o)
quote:
I assume if you try to resale your car to a main dealer he would use this as an argument to offer a lower price
Absolutlly - went in the TVr dealers in Farnham just before Christmas just for a look, and asked what they would give me for my car if I were to trade up ... the guy did ask if I had the full TVR history, and indicated that this would impact the trade-in price, although was unwilling to indicate by how much. The other alternaltive I have considered if I wanted to trade up would be to do it through Adrian Blyth - I bought my car from him, and as he uses david Batty for PDIs etc, a Batty maintained car could hardly be an issue. Could it???
Overall, I suppose, the key thing to consider is how much confidence you have in the people who are maintaining you car!
quote:
Jeeez... I spent over £250 getting the AA to inspect my Tiv a few years ago. Bloke sort of knew his stuff but wasn't that inspiring...
me 2, they spot an awful lot of little things ( The Tiniest mark in the hood ) but didn`t notice the main problems that the car had. I will use a specialist next time I reckon.
quote:
through Adrian Blyth - I bought my car from him, and as he uses david Batty for PDIs etc, a Batty maintained car could hardly be an issue. Could it???
Thought all cars sold by Blyth's were subject to a thorough inspection by DB and not just a PDI (ie that sounds like an inspection after the sale but before delivery.)
Mike
TVR owner in 2002
Edited by MikeyT on Sunday 20th January 19:58
I can only agree with all the positive stuff about DB on this thread.
I have now decided to use him for my servicing and the 400 is booked in for an interim service tomorrow. David impressed my with his attitude and knowledge (as I know sod all)and having had other works done, I have absolutely no doubt about his ability and integrity.
OK there may be an issue RE Service Histories but with prices being quoted out there, could it really make prices any worse!
Just an example, I asked David about the car being lumpy! In addition to the service he recommended an engine tune at a cost of, wait fot it, £17.00, ie half an hours labour! Looks like the kidney doesn't have to go just yet!
Great value and a top bloke!
Lee
I have now decided to use him for my servicing and the 400 is booked in for an interim service tomorrow. David impressed my with his attitude and knowledge (as I know sod all)and having had other works done, I have absolutely no doubt about his ability and integrity.
OK there may be an issue RE Service Histories but with prices being quoted out there, could it really make prices any worse!
Just an example, I asked David about the car being lumpy! In addition to the service he recommended an engine tune at a cost of, wait fot it, £17.00, ie half an hours labour! Looks like the kidney doesn't have to go just yet!
Great value and a top bloke!
Lee
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