Chimaera Servicing costs....

[chimster]

I have just been obtaining some quotes for a full 12,000 mile service for the Chim in readiness for the summer. I naturally expected some variance in cost from one garage to another (especially between Specialist and Franchised dealer)but was quite shocked at the degree of variation experienced.


I am based in Ipswich, Suffolk and my nearest TVR dealer (now a TVR specialist and no longer francised)is Kerridges in Needham Market who quoted me £620.00 including parts and labour. My next ports of call were Offords (TVR specialist also) in Cambridgeshire who quoted £360.00 inclusive of all parts, labour and car collection/delivery, and Castles (TVR francised dealer)in Stansted, Essex who firstly quoted £1045.00. After I picked myself off the ground! and after further querying, they then admitted that was in fact the Speed Six price and the cost for a Chim was actually £845.00, so I fell down again!


As you can see the variance in the apparent hourly labour rates appears vast, and personally, I am not sure that it is entirely justifiable!


I would welcome any comments, thoughts,recommendations or experiences regarding RV8 servicing to help me decide who to finally go with,



Cheers,

Keith

[bossdrew]

i have just paid £520.oo at TMS in Melton Mowbray, that included new rear brake pads.

[M808CLR]

Since owing a Chimeara I have used Offords and apart from the fact the the car is never returned cleaned, I have no complaints what so ever. There certainly know what they are doing and will always give advice on work etc required before undertaking repairs (which for my 95 model seem too regular for my liking!). Like wise to their servicing, parts costs are also reasonable.

[FunkyGibbon]

I've been using Offords for over 3 years now. No problems at all.

It's true that they don't clean the car, but I'd much rather save the money and do that bit myself.

[M@H]

..and yet I've heard the exact opposite. I was going to take my Chim there for a service and changed my mind.


I think thats clear of the name and shame boundaries as I haven't said anything bad

>> Edited by M@H on Thursday 5th May 13:05

[chimburt]

i know of one dealer who's labour rate has nearly doubled since i started using them.

[tobeee]

Use David Batty! Good value servicing, and all round good guy.

[PeterC]

When considering using a collection and delivery service linked to your servicing. You need to ask all the right questions and get answers in WRITING with regard to insurance cover whilst your car is in the garages or their agents possession.

Ideally you might prefer collection and return by covered trailer, rather than your pride and joy being driven by someone with questionable credentials.

We all know that accidents do happen, but there is no point in courting unnecessary risks. I would simply suggest that the lowest quote is not always the cheapest in the long run.

[mongoose]

chimster,quality of servicing is certainly very variable in tvr land,thats for sure.ive only had experience of one of the places you mention,and that was truly awfull.i cant say ive heard good or bad things about any of the others,and on that basis if i was in you position i'd probably try kerridges.the price doesnt seem too bad given that its a 12k service and its including vat.if you want to know which one i definately wont be using ever again,then e-mail me.

[chimster]

PeterC said:

When considering using a collection and delivery service linked to your servicing. You need to ask all the right questions and get answers in WRITING with regard to insurance cover whilst your car is in the garages or their agents possession. Ideally you might prefer collection and return by covered trailer, rather than your pride and joy being driven by someone with questionable credentials. We all know that accidents do happen, but there is no point in courting unnecessary risks. I would simply suggest that the lowest quote is not always the cheapest in the long run.

Thanks for your thoughts Peter...

I must confess I was a little uncomfortable with the prospect of having the P&J driven to and from another County by person(s)as yet unknown, rather than it being taken on a trailer but I hadn't really thought about the possible insurance implications....certainly food for thought!

Cheers,

Keith

[AlexB]

People in the past have suggested Scole Engineering on the A140. They are supposed to know their TVRs. I've not used them, but was considering them or Offords for the next service.

I used Kerridges for the first service of the Chim in my ownership and they seemed very good (but they were costly as you've found out!).

I was hoping that Kerridges would drop their prices now that they aren't 'official' TVR dealers, but it seems I was being a bit hopeful

I'll have to keep my eyes open for you as I'm based in Martlesham Heath

Alex

[anonymous-user]

Have you tried Leven's in Basildon?

[Podie]

There is a name mentioned on here that, put politely, I wouldn't touch with a telescopic barge pole... and indeed another where I was left standing for nearly an hour and then asked to leave as they were closing (oh, and I'm not exactly shy about letting people know I want to talk to them).

I've taken the Chim to Leven, and although not cheap (see profile for costs and breakdown), I haven't had a problem with the car... 7000 miles in 7 months... (finding some wood to touch here just in case!).

Oh, and if you pick one of the garages I've had a run in with, let me know if they tell you that you need poly bushes...

[rooster]

I have been going to Offords for three years now. Faultless, great crew and very helpful, even patiently put up with me asking all manner of daft questions. Best value for money all round!!

[puffsorted]

How about a nice spring days drive to Crawley and Austec Racing

[Podie]

tobeee said:

Use David Batty! Good value servicing, and all round good guy.

David serviced the S I had... was extremely happy with the way her cared for the car too - just a long way for me to go now I only have one car.

[pepsi_x]

Hi,

The places I've used for servicing my Chim are:

TMS - Used once, probably won't use again, who charged me around £730 for a service with no other work, and that was only 3K miles after I bought the car.

Offord - Used twice, charged me £360 each time, no real complaints except they overtighened one of the wheel hub screws which meant it had to be drilled out and replaced, a little sloppy perhapes, but these things happen. I would use these guys again.

Havign had a few recommendations and given that they are close, I'll be giving Scole a call when the next one is due.

[aaandy]

Fernhursts charged me £505 inc VAT. Very thourough job and had a couple of little extra sorted, eg. windscreen seal re-done and they just include it in the price. Looks like some other's on here charge for these little extras when doing the service. Also valet it and give you a coutesy car, all in relatively good value. Used them twice so far and will go back next time it is due.

[gazzad]

My 93 Chimaera is in at Offords as we speak for an MOT & service, also fan needs fixing, manual override fan switch supplied and fitted,required new number plates for MOT pass and a few other odds n' sods. Total £550.00 inc VAT. Rear wishbones replaced. Total £440.00 plus VAT. Yes it is just over 1K, but this is the first time I have put the car in for servicing etc, so I see it more as repairing the previous owners "misdemeanors" and as I'm no mechanic I am perfectly happy with their service. BUT I would hope that next year the car will just require a standard service with no problems, as I don't use her much in Winter or the wet. But then again it is a TVR so you pay's your money.....
Oh & they have given me a free courtesy car.
I trust them, and think I am getting a good service I certainly would kick up a fuss otherwise.
Simon and the rest of the guy's are OK with me!

[flintstone]

I've only had the p&j serviced once so far and that was at Offords.

Car not washed? Not a problem, I'd rather do it myself. More than offset by free courtesy car.

Quality of work? Seems ok. They traced and fixed, free of charge, a brake squeak that appeared after the service and was probably due to my pads and discs being worn.

It's said you gets what you pays for but Castles charge eight hundred quid for a 12,000 mile service and on the occasions I've been there (originally looking to buy a car and then for some spares)I've been left standing around for over 10 minutes and even walked out once.

I'll stick with Offords thanks.