A serious Problen in the South
Discussion
Hi all
What do you do, you buy a TVR and love them to death but as we all know at times they need to go into the menders and get pampered.
All is well so far, but what happens when the menders go away. STOP lets get to the point!!!
Did you all know that 7 dealers in the south have dropped their TVR dealership...yes 7.
My dealer, Brooklands in Exeter is about to drop theirs. The only one to my knowledge left is Westover. So what do I do. We all know or at least I think we do a service history is a must (is this correct). I used to use steve ??? in Slough of Thames Valley Racing but he upped and changed to Racetech again he isnt TVR approved but as far as Im concerned he did the best work ever on my previous TVR.
I suppose I just want to hear from you guys/girls, who in the south should I now use and is it necessary for the TVR stamp
HELP ME!!!
Mike Paglia
P4GGL
What do you do, you buy a TVR and love them to death but as we all know at times they need to go into the menders and get pampered.
All is well so far, but what happens when the menders go away. STOP lets get to the point!!!
Did you all know that 7 dealers in the south have dropped their TVR dealership...yes 7.
My dealer, Brooklands in Exeter is about to drop theirs. The only one to my knowledge left is Westover. So what do I do. We all know or at least I think we do a service history is a must (is this correct). I used to use steve ??? in Slough of Thames Valley Racing but he upped and changed to Racetech again he isnt TVR approved but as far as Im concerned he did the best work ever on my previous TVR.
I suppose I just want to hear from you guys/girls, who in the south should I now use and is it necessary for the TVR stamp
HELP ME!!!
Mike Paglia
P4GGL
Hi Mike,
I chose Dave Batty at The Garage just outside Guildford (Compton?) based on the recommendations of fellow PHers.
My car is out of warranty. However, I must say, that based on my experience with Dave, I would happily buy a car that had NEVER been serviced by a franchised dealer IF he had been doing the services.
I strongly believe that a passionate specialist mechanic is far better than a franchised dealer with all his overheads driving him to keep salaries lower and therefore unable to hang on to the good mechanics.
The TVR stamp is not a necessity as far as I am concerned. The reputation and track record of the man doing the work is the deciding factor. Especially with a specialist car like a TVR, enthusiasts buy them, and are more likely to have an informed opinion...
Looks like a rant, sorry...
Harrigan
Edited to add a number for The Garage: (01483) 811-995
>> Edited by Harrigan on Wednesday 11th September 22:28
I chose Dave Batty at The Garage just outside Guildford (Compton?) based on the recommendations of fellow PHers.
My car is out of warranty. However, I must say, that based on my experience with Dave, I would happily buy a car that had NEVER been serviced by a franchised dealer IF he had been doing the services.
I strongly believe that a passionate specialist mechanic is far better than a franchised dealer with all his overheads driving him to keep salaries lower and therefore unable to hang on to the good mechanics.
The TVR stamp is not a necessity as far as I am concerned. The reputation and track record of the man doing the work is the deciding factor. Especially with a specialist car like a TVR, enthusiasts buy them, and are more likely to have an informed opinion...
Looks like a rant, sorry...
Harrigan
Edited to add a number for The Garage: (01483) 811-995
>> Edited by Harrigan on Wednesday 11th September 22:28
100% agree with Harrigan ... obviously there is a risk that a potential buyer might prefer to see FTVRSH ... but anyone who does their homework before they buy will realise this is worth bugger all, and having a record of being serviced by a respected pro like David Batty should count for rather more.
I don't care about the dealer stamp, I'd much rather have someone who's passionate and thorough working on the car. The only problem is if your potential buyer doesn't see it that way. But look at this way -- it's you who's paying the maintenance in the meantime. Get whoever you trust to work on it.
Steve at TV Racetech does mine, for the record.
Steve at TV Racetech does mine, for the record.
I use Thames Valley RaceTech, who are now located in Sonning Common. They are recognized in this area as a TVR specialist and Steve Howard has looked after my car since I bought it in May 2001. I understand the importance of the "stamp" and a full TVRSH and I think anyone who is looking at buying one of these cars will be looking for the stamps/history as well. There are TVR owners on this site who will probably agree that a specialist stamp is as good as a dealer stamp, especially when your car reaches a certain age. And sometimes a good specialist will take better care of your car, too!!
Good topic.
I would highly recommend Andy at APM near Liphook. Hants. (0774 0723673). He is an ex Hawthorns guy with top AJP experience and has worked on my 4.5 Cerbera with great result and modest charge in my opinion. Adrian Blyth also recommends Andy as to other PHers.
I guess the core issue is one of value and reliability. At some point we must park the concept of dealer only stamps - and count what counts. That top-flight chaps like Joolz, Andy here and others get their work through reputation and repeat business from very satisfied customers.
The irony is that it is us – the ‘buyers’ - that place some much value in FTVRSH obsessions, and that ultimately does us all in!
OMO of course
Cheers
Simon.
Those 'in the know' will know that top independents are 'better' than the lesser franchised dealers. I suspect they are bailing out of TVR franchises because of (a) the amount of warranty work, (b) the amount - I think - that they are required to pay to be a TVR dealer. Hence they shake off those shackles but keep going no differently.
I think this is the same with any car. I can never understand why a dealer stamp is so desirable - in all my years of owning cars I have been far more impressed with the service and honesty of independents than of dealers, although I acknowledge that the more specialised the car gets, the more the gap narrows.
However, many to the TVR fold are new buyers who have no idea what they are getting themsleves into. The 'FTVRSH' and all the pretty stamps gives them some degree of comfort. I still maintain that anyone with good mechanical sense can maintain any TVR up to and including the V8 models. It's hardly cutting edge technology, is it?!
However, many to the TVR fold are new buyers who have no idea what they are getting themsleves into. The 'FTVRSH' and all the pretty stamps gives them some degree of comfort. I still maintain that anyone with good mechanical sense can maintain any TVR up to and including the V8 models. It's hardly cutting edge technology, is it?!
I've never heard a bad word said about David Batty, nothing but praise in fact!
He looked after my car before I bought it, did a buyers report before I parted with the cash for it and is now the only person allowed to touch it with a spanner.
Always takes the time to talk over any problems despite being incredibly busy (always a large collection of cars awaiting attention on the forecourt).
Hmmm thats a point... please don't go there, its a 2-3 week queue already!
He looked after my car before I bought it, did a buyers report before I parted with the cash for it and is now the only person allowed to touch it with a spanner.
Always takes the time to talk over any problems despite being incredibly busy (always a large collection of cars awaiting attention on the forecourt).
Hmmm thats a point... please don't go there, its a 2-3 week queue already!
My take on the subject:
When I bought the Griff I knew nothing about TVRs, ,this site, the yahoo email list or any of the specialists. A full TVR service history meant a lot to me.
I now know the car,specialists, where to look for advice etc & fully realise that the independants offer much more VFM (I use Peninsula - who are 200 odd miles from me) & probably better service.
I am an Engineer by trade & have an inbuilt misstrust of main dealers, but none the less when I purchased I put a lot of faith in the TVRSH.
Unfortunately a lot of potential buyer will probably feel the same IMHO.
You pays yer money, you takes etc....
Spelling edit due p1ssed!
>> Edited by Leadfoot on Thursday 12th September 01:28
When I bought the Griff I knew nothing about TVRs, ,this site, the yahoo email list or any of the specialists. A full TVR service history meant a lot to me.
I now know the car,specialists, where to look for advice etc & fully realise that the independants offer much more VFM (I use Peninsula - who are 200 odd miles from me) & probably better service.
I am an Engineer by trade & have an inbuilt misstrust of main dealers, but none the less when I purchased I put a lot of faith in the TVRSH.
Unfortunately a lot of potential buyer will probably feel the same IMHO.
You pays yer money, you takes etc....
Spelling edit due p1ssed!
>> Edited by Leadfoot on Thursday 12th September 01:28
Although not of use in this case because of location, I faced a similar problem when I lived in West Wales. I found the chap below who is a motorsport enthusiast and prepares cars for competition. He was a fraction of the TVR price and many times better.
Giles Beck, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire
01646 621184
Giles Beck, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire
01646 621184
Leadfoot
You couldn't have said it any better (even if Keying Under the Influence)!
First time TVR buyers are more likely to want FTVRSH than a previous TVR-owner. Steve's book sets out a very clear value distinction between independent, specialist TVR servicing versus non-TVR specialists.
My Chim has been serviced since new in 99 by the TVR Center - they seem to have done an exceptional job. But I live the other side of London so in March I anticipate either a visit to Mole Valley, Fernhurst's or perhaps more likely to Dave Batty.
Hutch
You couldn't have said it any better (even if Keying Under the Influence)!
First time TVR buyers are more likely to want FTVRSH than a previous TVR-owner. Steve's book sets out a very clear value distinction between independent, specialist TVR servicing versus non-TVR specialists.
My Chim has been serviced since new in 99 by the TVR Center - they seem to have done an exceptional job. But I live the other side of London so in March I anticipate either a visit to Mole Valley, Fernhurst's or perhaps more likely to Dave Batty.
Hutch
Another vote for Peninsula. They are ex-Brooklands people so you may know them anyway. If yours is a "P" reg then I really can see no benefit in a main dealer over a specialist other than perhaps convenience - if you live next to one. When it comes to sell, just ask the buyer to speak to the garage thats been looking after your car. If they are good it will put any buyer's mind at rest.
Another vote for Peninsula - my Chim 450 is now 15 months old and out of warranty. I took it down to Peninsula last weekend for its 12k service and took advantage of their weekend service break - two nights B&B and a loan car for an all up price of £440 inc vat.
More importantly, I watched some of the work they were doing on the car and was very impressed - they know their stuff and the car came back running like a dream and they've got a pretty stamp as well!!
More importantly, I watched some of the work they were doing on the car and was very impressed - they know their stuff and the car came back running like a dream and they've got a pretty stamp as well!!
quote:
We all know or at least I think we do a service history is a must (is this correct). I used to use steve ??? in Slough of Thames Valley Racing but he upped and changed to Racetech again he isnt TVR approved but as far as Im concerned he did the best work ever on my previous TVR.
Mike,
Thames Valley Racetech is just the new name for Thames Valley Racing. I use them for my servicing and would suggest that any of the 'known specialists' are as good as a main dealer history when it comes to selling.
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