Using a "normal" garage for certain jobs?

[rossyl]

Hi

Following on from the other thread where someone has been quoted extremely high prices by a recognised Aston Independent Garage.

Other than extortionate prices my biggest concern from that thread was an erosion of trust.

In that thread a number of people remarked that any competent mechanic could do certain tasks and that they use them for these tasks.

Just wondered:
1- Other than brake discs/pads what other jobs, for example, does everyone go to Aston for A/C top up?

2- Recommendations for competent mechanics would be great.

Thanks
R

[davek_964]

For air con recharge I'd use an air con specialist.

A few months back, I posted on the local (Thames valley) forum asking for competent local mechanics for the same reason. The replies surprised me - they were basically : £100 an hour is the going rate these days anyway (that's what my Indy charges) so I would save very little.

So now, unless it's something complicated, simple jobs (which definitely includes brakes) get done by me.

[divetheworld]

Aston's really are not that hard to work on, quite easy really. They come apart quite easy and parts are readily available from various sources. Getting your hands dirty is not something to be afraid of if you have the time and basic mechanical skills. Chances are, when you do jobs yourself, you tend to put a bit more care and attention to detail into the work and end up better than a paid mechanic.

Anything that isn't warranty work or getting a service book stamp is DIY for us in a 'not so normal' garage.

[avinalarf]

davek_964 said:

For air con recharge I'd use an air con specialist.

A few months back, I posted on the local (Thames valley) forum asking for competent local mechanics for the same reason. The replies surprised me - they were basically : £100 an hour is the going rate these days anyway (that's what my Indy charges) so I would save very little.

So now, unless it's something complicated, simple jobs (which definitely includes brakes) get done by me.

Obviously if you are mechanically competent and confident to do the "simple jobs" then that's the way to go.
For those of us that are neither competent or confident it's not a choice.
No doubt if I took a course in car mechanics I could do those jobs and when I can afford to retire at 95 that's what I'll do.
When I had my 1991 Virage I was lucky enough to find a competent local mechanic that did those "simple jobs" but when the car developed a slight oil leak that needed further investigation it meant a lot of work to determine the cause and then I wasn't confident enough to trust that my mechanic had the skills to satisfactorily do the job ,maybe he was but I wouldn't have had any comeback if it went tits up.
A couple of years ago I used a respected Indie but the price difference was not that much different from my MD.
Some say that indies like BR are more competent than MDs and for those that have built up a relationship of trust ,with such,that's fine.
Unfortunately those indies are a two hour drive from me and then I've got to get home and then spend another half day picking the car up,so it's really not a reasonable option for me.

[rovcallum]

Maybe the best solution for the "less mechanically minded" of owners would be to get together with some mechanically minded Aston PHers in your local area (weekend mechanics), then plan a job for the weekend like changing brake pads, discs, etc.
You could do the BBQ and a few beers in return as well as picking up a bit of knowledge. Always good to have a social element.

[V12JDC]

Hi

As some of you will have seen I am a 10 year time served technician that now pushes a pen round more than a spanner, I love doing work on my DB9 and a bit sadly, fastidiously recording it via photos and reciepts.

I live in Staffordshire and would gladly help anyone who doesn't have a warranty related item on an Aston. I have some diagnostic kit, a garage and full set of tools, so shout if anyone needs any help

John

[rossyl]

V12JDC said:

Hi

As some of you will have seen I am a 10 year time served technician that now pushes a pen round more than a spanner, I love doing work on my DB9 and a bit sadly, fastidiously recording it via photos and reciepts.

I live in Staffordshire and would gladly help anyone who doesn't have a warranty related item on an Aston. I have some diagnostic kit, a garage and full set of tools, so shout if anyone needs any help

John

John, that is incredibly kind. Thank you. However, would you consider moving to the South East?!