Reading.. mechanic recommendation?

[EdT]

I'm happy with the bunch I use for TVR servicing, however it's quite a trip there and back. Can anyone recommend a good, non-rip off, TVR sympathetic indy around Reading way (I'm in Tilehurst) that I can use for 'those little jobs' in between services? Got a couple of things really like to get looked at, sooner rather than later! Really it's just basic stuff, but its not my skills as I've found to my regret in the past!

Ed

[G T 3]

There is a guy in Sonning Common,he was in Hurst,not sure of name,think he did some work on the ill fated Fifth gear Lotus...not his fault though.

[VerySideways]

Are you talking about Steve Howard? He was in Hurst, the whole crew moved to Sonning Common, he moved back to Hurst, now he's in High Wycombe. I've used him in the past but probably won't again, i'm probably not alone.

I hear those guys up at Sonning Common are quite good but your best bet is Dave Batty down in Compton, though i realise that isn't too local...

[EdT]

Last I heard of him (Steve Howard.) he went to High Wycombe. Good bloke.. but still too far from me. I'm really after a 'round the corner' type of fellow that I can trust with my P&J.
Got some shocks to fit, a door window to align, that sort of thing.. nothing 'hi tech' but good bread & butter stuff.

[EdT]

VerySideways said:

... down in Compton, though i realise that isn't too local...

'All' I'm after is an old school mechanic that'll be able to handle a few greasy jobs in between services, and one I could get back home from on the no. 27. There are a few in a local Tilehurst directory but dont know them from Adam.

Ed

[steil]

Maybank on Craddock Rd (off Basingstoke Rd) are excellent. Father/son team - well used to out of the ordinarary work as well as standard maintenance.

[E2DJH]

I know its not exactly local, and not on the No 27 bus route, but Racing Green are right alongside North Camp railway station, which has trains direct to Reading, probaby only take 20 minutes?

The guys down there have done great job looking after my Chim, and reasonably priced too

[EdT]

thanks... I'll give Maybank a shout

[mgaut]

Speak to Steve at StanRod Motors 2 in Pangbourne; under the arches by the Bentley dealer. He does 'friendly' TVR MOT's and odd jobs; I've used him for maybe 6 years or more on 3 cars.

Mike

[EdT]

mgaut said:

Speak to Steve at StanRod Motors 2 in Pangbourne; under the arches by the Bentley dealer. He does 'friendly' TVR MOT's and odd jobs; I've used him for maybe 6 years or more on 3 cars.

Mike

Mike got his tel. no? Google returns Stanrod as being in Woodcote. Pangbourne would be great is very near me as I'm the Sulham wood end of Tilehurst

Ed

[mgaut]

01189 767686

[RichardR]

Hi Ed,


If you want somewhere that's even (well, marginally I guess!) closer to you than Mike's guys in Pangbourne, you could try Simon at Thorne Motor Sport in Tidmarsh (0118 945 4058 / 07836 503450). I don't think he's got any V8 TVR experience, but he used to look after the S3 for me and I've used him regularly since and have always been happy with the work he's done for me (e.g. he always returns old parts at my request and talks through what needs doing beforehand and what's been done afterwards). On top of that, he's always been happy to do a pick up and drop off from work for me, even when I was working in Bracknell.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,

Richard

[EdT]

Thanks Rich..arrgghh choice.. makes it so much more difficult! Location always makes things easier of course. I'll give him a tinkle & see what gives, ta
Ed

[RichardR]

I hope that helps Ed - apologies for making your life more complicated!

[HarveyB]

Richard, following on from this and a previous post of yours I gave Simon a call- a nice guy. Turns out he used to race Rover V8s so my V8S is making the short trip there next week for what, I hope, is "just" a blown exhaust manifold gasket- with a bit of luck it'll sound a little less tractor-like by next weekend.

Thanks for the tip

Harvey

[RichardR]

Hi Harvey,

Glad to be of assistance! I've sent a few people Simon's way now (Ed also PM'ed me to say that he's made a booking) so I think I'll have to negotiate a special rate with him next time I have something done!

That's a gorgeous V8S you've got there (the powder coated wheels remind me of my old S3 ). Do let me know how you get on - you'll definitely want to restore that fantastic V8 rumble in all its glory!

Cheers,

Richard.

[HarveyB]

RichardR said:

...the powder coated wheels remind me of my old S3 ....

That may be because, ahem, I had them done at BJ Vallack after another one of your posts..... Seems I'm following a well worn path around the Thames Valley...

Car's going in tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on

Cheers

Harvey

[RichardR]

HarveyB said:

RichardR said:

...the powder coated wheels remind me of my old S3 ....

That may be because, ahem, I had them done at BJ Vallack after another one of your posts.....

Finally I've come across someone who listens to what I have to say! Noone will ever believe me when I tell them of course...

HarveyB said:

Car's going in tomorrow. I'll let you know how I get on

Yeah, I just spoke to Simon to book my wife's car (sadly not a TVR) in for a service and he mentioned that he's got yours in today.

Bit of a bummer that it needs that top-end rebuild!


Only kidding!

I'll wait to hear what you think...

[HarveyB]

[quote=RichardR
Bit of a bummer that it needs that top-end rebuild!

Only kidding!

I'll wait to hear what you think...
[/quote]



I can laugh now because....It's back!!!!

Absolutely delighted- its sounds again.

Really pleased to have found someone who is:

a) Knowledgable
b) Enthusiastic
c) Local
d) Not out to rip me off

Simon showed me the offending gasket and I had blown a large hole in one of the corners.

I owe you a beer.

Cheers

Harvey

PS Because I was having this done I'm "working" from home......it's now stopped raining.....so I really should take it out for a test drive. Right?

[VerySideways]

HarveyB said:

PS Because I was having this done I'm "working" from home......it's now stopped raining.....so I really should take it out for a test drive. Right?

Do you really need to ask?