Recommend me an MR2 specialist in Leicestershire...

[Road Pest]

Hi PH,

Looking for a specialist in Leicester to replace the exhaust manifold gasket on my '93 MR2. Toyota have the part for £14 plus VAT but it's a 3.5 hour job at £75 per hour. It's an old car and therefore I think it needs some TLC on this particular "op" so want to be careful where I take it. I get the felling the potential for something else to break during removal of the old gasket is quite high.

Any help greatly appreciated. Can't wait to get it sounding like it should again.

Mr Pest

[alfa pint]

I had a 1990 Mk1 MR2 and had no dramas with the trusted local garage sorting things out like engine replacement, exhaust + manifold replacement. Don't expect the Mk2 to be much more complicated or tight for space.

They're not technical cars particularly, unless it's a turbo. So I'd just use a £35 hour mechanic that you either know, or has been recommended to you.

[RobCrezz]

Better off asking on one of the MR2 forums.

[MilleniumFalcon]

Closest specialist i know to you (and is still a trip out) is Rogue Motorsport.

http://www.roguesystems.co.uk/static/home.aspx

[snotrag]

Changing an exhaust manifold gasket should be do-able by anyone who calls themselves a mechanic, particularly if its not a turbo (that might in fairness complicate matters).

Dont you have a half-decent local garage who can do it for you? As above, I'd expect about £35 an hour, I wouldnt expect to pay more than £100 for that all in.

( I wouldnt actually pay anyone to do anything like that, as £100 goes a long way to everything you need to do it yourself on the driveway. And then your next job is free.)

[Speedracer329]

MilleniumFalcon said:

Closest specialist i know to you (and is still a trip out) is Rogue Motorsport.

http://www.roguesystems.co.uk/static/home.aspx

If you can't do the job yourself then these guys are the best there are, highly recommended.

[Road Pest]

Just got quoted £90 from Wilton Street Regal, local garage that aren't exactly MR2 specialists but kinda confirms what you've all said.

Thanks, think I'll take a look myself first as suggested.

The place in Southam is a useful one to know about, thanks again.

[Road Pest]

Well now I need a body specialist too! Attempting to sand down the rear of the skirts revealed a 2inch long patch of rust, which is now a hole. Taking off a bolt it sheered straight off so maybe thinking that I'll take it to someone who does this for a living.