Need a new Dealer… opinions welcomed

[Chris Hinds]

I’ve just seen on the Facebook AM group that Cambridge Aston Martin is closing at the end of March. I bought mine there in 2018 and it’s never been anywhere else for service, despite having closer dealerships. Now it seems I have to use someplace else.

Due to bad experiences I don’t want to use my nearest (Nottingham), so what are peoples experiences of either Grange Aston Martin Birmingham or Works at Newport Pagnell?

Thanks

Chris

[Vet Guru]

Must be one that will be announced locally if they are closing,
Is Sevenoaks also closing which is part of the same group?

[scampbird]

Works Service are superb in my experience. Shocked Cambridge dealer is shutting - surely not a good sign?

[David W.]

scampbird said:

Works Service are superb in my experience. Shocked Cambridge dealer is shutting - surely not a good sign?

They’ve never had enough space. Talk was of the Porsche side moving but I think that fell through, I assumed Aston would have occupied the whole site but that’s only my speculation.
Other Jardine Porsche sites have a massive footprint compared to Cambridge which is in the middle of Harston village and worth a lot as residential.

[nickv12]

HWM do a “roving mechanic” service. Others do as well, perhaps?

I have not used HWM for servicing, but based on their sales service, I can thoroughly recommend them.

[alscar]

I have had no complaints about using Works at all with 4 different cars owned.
Happy to offer fixed price servicing and negotiate on things like tyres.

[jarpot]

nickv12 said:

HWM do a “roving mechanic” service. Others do as well, perhaps?

I have not used HWM for servicing, but based on their sales service, I can thoroughly recommend them.

I'm in Devon and use HWM's flying technician. It is a fantastic service.

[Simpo Two]

Rats, I had Jardine Cambridge lined up for when mine's due its next service. There were very helpful on the phone. That means there's no AM dealer in the whole of East Anglia (other than Grange Brentwood which is more 'outer London').

I wonder where the staff will go? Room for a new indy perhaps?

The 'flying technician' idea is interesting but surely limited for facilities, unless he has an F1-style juggernaut...

[LTP]

+1 for Works.

Sorted out another dealer's cock-up on my V8V, plus their trimshop fixed some leather that had come adrift on the airbag cover. Cannot fault the organisation running up to the visit (they obtained all the non-stock parts that they might need ahead of the visit, saying that they would just return stuff they didn't use). I spent the day there while they fixed my car, got a tour of the facilities then drank their coffee.

They do a collect/return service that's free for the first 50 miles and not super-expensive thereafter. Might be worth giving them a call

[RSbandit]

Used Grange Hatfield when I had my V12VS and couldn't say a bad word about them, funnily enough I've gotten to know the their Mclaren service team next door quite well since I changed cars two yrs ago!

[ian448]

Another vote for HWM mobile service , they do charge an extra £79 on top of the service charge but it’s still well worth it . To be able to have a chat and run things bye the tech working on your car instead of a bloke behind a service desk is the bonus for me

[macdeb]

I used Grange in B'ham when I had my Vantage. Nice bunch of very helpful people and would deffo use again.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 11th February 09:16

[Chris Hinds]

Thanks everyone, sounds like I need a drive to Newport Pagnell and Birmingham to see how I get on! Hope everyone else who used Cambridge also finds a place they like and that the team there all find new roles… know some of them read PH

[Minglar]

I saw the news about Cambridge yesterday too. A real shame to see, although personally I’ve never had any dealings with them. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the whole team at Grange Brentwood. I’ve bought two cars from them and have always used them for my servicing, and as an added bonus they aren’t too far away from my home either.

Best Regards

Minglar

[GT3ZZZ]

Email received from Aston UK this morning. They are pointing people towards AM Hatfield as a replacement.

[lukeharding]

Well thats a pain in the backside! Took my car to Cambridge last year after not wanting to take it back to Grange Brentwood. Cambridge was a bit of a trek but worth it for the service. HWM is a couple of hours at best.

[qwick69]

Gutted. Just received the e mail saying they are closing. I have used them for years and found everything about them 1st class. They are only a few miles away from me as well.
I really do hope that the team are looked after and they get other jobs soon, especially in these challanging times.

[kevin_cambs_uk]

There’s a news article from 2019 when they were turned down for planning permission for a new better site near duxford for both a new AM dealership and Porsche, who are next door in Cambridge.

So maybe they have had enough of the small site and decided to just shut up shop and return all AM business back to Sevenoaks

Shame, I live and work very near and when I drive past, I always think to myself, one day…

[David W.]

kevin_cambs_uk said:

There’s a news article from 2019 when they were turned down for planning permission for a new better site near duxford for both a new AM dealership and Porsche, who are next door in Cambridge.

So maybe they have had enough of the small site and decided to just shut up shop and return all AM business back to Sevenoaks

Shame, I live and work very near and when I drive past, I always think to myself, one day…

I’m looking forward to an email explaining future plans for the Porsche side. The Aston bit won’t add hugely to the Porsche area when you think Colchester and East London sized outlets seem to be the norm now.

[Wicker Man]

Cambridge is my ‘local’ AM dealership, so I’ll try to get a service done before they turn the lights out.
Hopefully, their experienced mechanics will not yet have jumped ship.

Failing that, I think I’ll give Stratton Motor Company near Norwich a try.