TVR garage or normal garage for getting work done?

[4Lmike]

For something simple like replacing a wishbone where would you go to get this done? Can normal garages get these parts easily enough? Or do people always go to TVR specialists for any and all work that needs doing?

[G20RG B]

If you have a specialist near by then I would use them as they will have a better understanding or the marque and the hourly rate won't be much different either. If you need to change the wishbones it ain't that difficult a job I've just done it in my SP6 Cerb, so any garage could do it but personally I would use a specialist.

[V8NRG]

It's not a difficult job so virtually any garage could probably do it....BUT.... I suspect most PHers would go to a TVR specialist. Its better to use some one who you can trust to do a good job and that knows their way around TVRs.

Some would probably suggest doing it yourself, if your ok with a spanner.

[madasafrog666]

If you can do the work yourself, you will save a fortune. In my experience main dealer TVR garages are a rip off. The smaller indies which specialise in TVR and other marks are far less a drain on your pocket.Depending on where you live I'm sure the guys on here will be able to recommend somewhere. If your in East Anglia the best place is Scole engineering at Diss

[JonRB]

Put it this way... would you rather take your Chimaera to a TVR specialist to whom it is just another Chimaera to be worked on, or to a local garage who will have every mechanic in the place queuing up to rag it round the block because it is so unusual and fast to them?

[CarlosV8]

I think the most important thing is to take it somewhere you trust, whether that's a dealer, specialist, indie or your own garage.

Personally for an older TVR like a Chimaera I have no problems doing the work on it myself as it's all pretty simple stuff, so a decent independant garage should have no problems doing 90% of the jobs required, especially something like a wishbone. I might consider sourcing the part myself though if taking it to a non-specialist.

The only time mine's gone into a garage is for the alarm sorting out (that's a black art) and to have the suspension setup (after I replaced the coilovers myself). Both times I went on recommendations from here as that seemed the logical way to find a trustworthy place.

Cheers

Carl

Edited by CarlosV8 on Thursday 6th January 23:27

[4Lmike]

Thanks. I've not done work like this before and so will probably leave it to the garage to be honest. I was just wondering if there would be much of a price difference/quiality of work difference.

SimonSays YHM

[PxMetro]

4Lmike said:

Thanks. I've not done work like this before and so will probably leave it to the garage to be honest. I was just wondering if there would be much of a price difference/quiality of work difference.

SimonSays YHM

Don't forget that whether you do the work yourself or get someone else to do it, the suspension geometry will need to be checked and possibly adjusted afterwards. So OMHO it would be best taking it to a TVR specialist to get the work done.

[JonRB]

Simon says said:

Bit of a sweeping statement don't you think?

Yes, it was.

Obviously there are good and bad apples on both sides of the fence. I was just merely pointing out that a garage used to dealing with performance cars is less likely to be interested in joyriding (sorry, "road testing") a car than one who is not.

Edited by JonRB on Friday 7th January 21:34