Nightmare getting work done on my car

[jack54321]

I have an E46 M3 that unfortunately failed its MOT quite badly and needs rear driveshafts and some other bits. Being based near Bristol I thought that it would be relatively easy to get it booked in but it’s been horrendous. The obvious issue is wait times, one place I tried said they’re booked out for 2 months and that’s not uncommon.

But perhaps even worse in my eyes is the terrible customer service from some of these places. I’ve had multiple places say they’ll call back and never do, and a even a quote for the work, I call to get the car in and then they say they’ll call back and haven’t heard since.

I understand there may be a wait and I’m at peace with that now but I wish they were more transparent like the one place that said they had a 2 month wait for work. Anyone else in a similar situation?

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Have you tried Mill Lane Automotive or Redish?

[jack54321]

Yes nothing from mill lane and redish gave a quote and seemed enthusiastic about seeing the car but I,m having trouble getting anything back now

[Trevor555]

It's difficult to quote.

Ok if the job goes to plan, but with older cars it often doesn't.

It's never nice having to call the customer and saying "on taking it apart, we've found this"

If you're asking them to quote, it might be that they're not keen on taking the job on.

[jack54321]

Redish said this, basically I got a good breakdown of the scope of work from best to worst case scenario and it was explained really well, that’s why i was keen to take it to them.

[CMTMB]

It's one of the reasons I got rid of my old Z3. It needed quite a few jobs done but nobody would take the work on. Many garages can afford to pick and choose the jobs they like and it's mostly replacing easy parts on fairly new cars. The older cars where they find problems and rusty seized bolts on everything doesn't appeal.

[Trevor555]

jack54321 said:

Redish said this, basically I got a good breakdown of the scope of work from best to worst case scenario and it was explained really well, that s why i was keen to take it to them.

That's good.

They sound like a decent bunch then, not surprised they're booking weeks ahead.

All you can do is tell them you can drop the car in at short notice if they get a cancellation.

[Hoofy]

Weird. What if you say on the phone, Can you get my car in your diary then?

[Trevor555]

CMTMB said:

Many garages can afford to pick and choose the jobs they like and it's mostly replacing easy parts on fairly new cars. The older cars where they find problems and rusty seized bolts on everything doesn't appeal.

The newer cars, generally is job in, done, and job out.. And onto the next one.

The older cars can get stuck on the ramp waiting for parts that they didn't know they'd need.

Unless the workshop has spare ramps/lifts, they'll avoid this type of work.

[Hoofy]

Trevor555 said:

CMTMB said:

Many garages can afford to pick and choose the jobs they like and it's mostly replacing easy parts on fairly new cars. The older cars where they find problems and rusty seized bolts on everything doesn't appeal.

The newer cars, generally is job in, done, and job out.. And onto the next one.

The older cars can get stuck on the ramp waiting for parts that they didn't know they'd need.

Unless the workshop has spare ramps/lifts, they'll avoid this type of work.

Strange. My garage has wheeled my 20 year old TT out into the car park while waiting for whatever. Guess it depends on whether they have the space or not, I suppose. They were happy to work on it until the bitter end.

[De Sisti]

Does it have to be Bristol, or can you travel a bit further out? If so, Steve Rowley (BMW specialists) in Cheltenham will serve you well.

[bmwmike]

maybe focus on splitting the work if possible - do whatever is needed at a minimum just to get it though MOT - DIY if you're handy, or just any garage, and the longer stuff (driveshafts?) get booked in? Or is it all or nothing kind of thing

[darreni]

Given the reputation that Redish have, i'd suggest you'd be wise to hang on for them.

[SAS Tom]

Hoofy said:

Trevor555 said:

CMTMB said:

Many garages can afford to pick and choose the jobs they like and it's mostly replacing easy parts on fairly new cars. The older cars where they find problems and rusty seized bolts on everything doesn't appeal.

The newer cars, generally is job in, done, and job out.. And onto the next one.

The older cars can get stuck on the ramp waiting for parts that they didn't know they'd need.

Unless the workshop has spare ramps/lifts, they'll avoid this type of work.

Strange. My garage has wheeled my 20 year old TT out into the car park while waiting for whatever. Guess it depends on whether they have the space or not, I suppose. They were happy to work on it until the bitter end.

I have a friend with a garage and he will do the same but sometimes the yard is rammed with cars that are all waiting on something and that doesn’t earn money in the short term. It can take a while to start getting rid of cars again too.

[Hoofy]

SAS Tom said:

Hoofy said:

Trevor555 said:

CMTMB said:

Many garages can afford to pick and choose the jobs they like and it's mostly replacing easy parts on fairly new cars. The older cars where they find problems and rusty seized bolts on everything doesn't appeal.

The newer cars, generally is job in, done, and job out.. And onto the next one.

The older cars can get stuck on the ramp waiting for parts that they didn't know they'd need.

Unless the workshop has spare ramps/lifts, they'll avoid this type of work.

Strange. My garage has wheeled my 20 year old TT out into the car park while waiting for whatever. Guess it depends on whether they have the space or not, I suppose. They were happy to work on it until the bitter end.

I have a friend with a garage and he will do the same but sometimes the yard is rammed with cars that are all waiting on something and that doesn t earn money in the short term. It can take a while to start getting rid of cars again too.

Ah, my garage only has 2-3 cars awaiting something! Most are newer. I mean, even my old shed TT waited a week at most for a part.