Independent advice - are you qualified?

[Dr Strangelove]

After reading many threads on here regarding 'Independents', i have decided to eschew the overrated, over-shiney, overpriced OPC's and take my beloved chariot to an independent for it's next 'oil n filters' refresh...

This decision was arrived at through a combination of bitter experience of one particular bunch of barbarians' OPC around the M25 (the one with the nauseating big nosed 'Swiss Tony' aftersales manager...), and relatively glowing comments about certain Indies', but this has prompted a question. Apart from comparing your OPC experience against your Indie' experience as an ordinary punter, are any of you fellas actually 'qualified' to judge the quality of an indies work. This is not intended to be an offensive question in any way, i guess i'm just looking for extra reassurance that some of you that recommend an Indie actually know a bit more about your porker's than it's BHP output, etc. In other words are there any qualified mechanics or technicals here that happen to own a porker that happen to use independents?, and are able to speak with some authority?

[verysideways]

Highlights:
I built my first engine at 13, does that count?

I've worked on Gurney-Weslake Cobra engines for historic sports (a Mk2 1964 and a Mk3 1966).

I rebuilt a Fiesta engine for my girlfriend in 8 hours and it still runs great now, 18 months later (she needed her car back quick and wouldn't let me just buy her another car!).

But i work in IT, so it's just a hobby

[aceparts_com]

er, 6 years as south east's number 1 (probably) diagnostic auto electrician, rebuilt my 964 including engine (still leaked oil so lots to learn!).

If you don't have the inclination to look at what's been done then you'll be very happy with an OPC.

[Dr Strangelove]

aceparts_com said:

er, 6 years as south east's number 1 (probably) diagnostic auto electrician, rebuilt my 964 including engine (still leaked oil so lots to learn!). If you don't have the inclination to look at what's been done then you'll be very happy with an OPC.

I very much have the inclination to look at the work they do, but I'm not technically qualified, and somewhat out of my depth when it comes to 'adjudicating' over the work OPC's, or indies do. (as i said, the last thing i want to do is insult anybody here), It's just that I thought, how can I realistically tell one outfit from another. For all I know, the Indie I'm taking it to could be as bad as the OPC's i have used in the past. the whole business has left me very paranoid, and it would be nice to know that, say JZ's for example really are as good as people say they are, from a position of technical authority, if you get my gist?

[Roshambo]

Not qualified one jot, wouldn't know a big end from a sump plug.....but when my car came back from a brake fluid change & major service from an OPC with the brake caliper nipple left off resulting in brake fluid being pissed all over & ruining my alloy & the inner wheel arch, then I know enough to spot negligence & a complete lack of basic quality control, from the so-called "experts"

What makes me laugh is that they thought that a free service next time would sort things out ! Er how about a free service somewhere else next time !

Ro.

>> Edited by Roshambo on Saturday 16th April 11:02

[Paul Tolliday]

[quote=Dr Strangelove]After reading many threads on here regarding 'Independents', i have decided to eschew the overrated, over-shiney, overpriced OPC's and take my beloved chariot to an independent for it's next 'oil n filters' refresh...

This decision was arrived at through a combination of bitter experience of one particular bunch of barbarians' OPC around the M25 (the one with the nauseating big nosed 'Swiss Tony' aftersales manager...), and relatively glowing comments about certain Indies', but this has prompted a question. Apart from comparing your OPC experience against your Indie' experience as an ordinary punter, are any of you fellas actually 'qualified' to judge the quality of an indies work. This is not intended to be an offensive question in any way, i guess i'm just looking for extra reassurance that some of you that recommend an Indie actually know a bit more about your porker's than it's BHP output, etc. In other words are there any qualified mechanics or technicals here that happen to own a porker that happen to use independents?, and are able to speak with some authority?

I'm another with no technical expert knowledge but - bought my Boxster Jan first service last month. I live in the middle of nowhere so took my car to a local indie. Everything done that needed doing, fantastic service, phoned with queries over whether I wanted work done or not, all costings as phone calls, all for £1K. I would not hesitate to go back next year for annual service but I had no recommendations beforehand. I was lucky I guess - a recommendation would be good for you - maybe ask the indie if they have anyone you can speak to for recommendation - not their brother or uncle!!