Dream Machines?
Discussion
Spent a good hour chewing the fat with Tony of Dream Machines (Heathfield - East Sussex) yesterday. Very welcoming, down to earth chap sort of guy you can imagine doing business with.
As a new car (read: TVR) is on the horizon after my Subaru upside down experiment, has anyone had any experience of buying from Dream Machines or having their servicing done there?
Any horror stories please mail me on my profile, don't want to piss Ted off.
As a new car (read: TVR) is on the horizon after my Subaru upside down experiment, has anyone had any experience of buying from Dream Machines or having their servicing done there?
Any horror stories please mail me on my profile, don't want to piss Ted off.
I've had a service done there last April, and picked the car up from it's MOT and wing mirror respray on Saturday. They're a good crowd, Ben and James are always helpful and offer pragmatic advice.... usual comments re servicing prices from TVR official dealers. But otherwise no complaints.
I know there's at least one other DM user lurking around these boards having met him whilst getting a battery fixing sorted out.
Very helpful when it comes to test drives.
MC
I know there's at least one other DM user lurking around these boards having met him whilst getting a battery fixing sorted out.
Very helpful when it comes to test drives.
MC
I've only had the Chim for a year so only one service has been done... I haven't tried Raven as they're too far from us, Walldonway near Maidstone is our second closest TVR dealer.
I'm seriously thinking about using an independent. Front wishbones need doing at some stage and was also considering a front end respray. Was even thinking about taking it down to Devon to Penninsula (mainly because of their antichip coating and box section wishbones) and taking a holiday whilst getting the work done. Also thought about going over to David Batty near Guildford.
As I hinted at, problem with TVR dealers is the hourly rate but DMs is not much diffrent from Raven's (from their website).
MC
I'm seriously thinking about using an independent. Front wishbones need doing at some stage and was also considering a front end respray. Was even thinking about taking it down to Devon to Penninsula (mainly because of their antichip coating and box section wishbones) and taking a holiday whilst getting the work done. Also thought about going over to David Batty near Guildford.
As I hinted at, problem with TVR dealers is the hourly rate but DMs is not much diffrent from Raven's (from their website).
MC
Hmm, Can't seem to get Raven's website up and running - Have you got their web address handy, or if not a phone number?
Looking to buy a cerbie next year (hopefully early next year). Trying to stop myself going for a etst drive, 'cos we know what'll happen then.
DM have a £50 quid per hour standard workshop price, but as they do fixed price servicing it can get as low at £30 per hour. The worrying thing for me is that I heard some of that before when I had the Griff, and never got away with a bill of less than £950. 8( (not with DM - had the Griff 2 years ago.)
Looking to buy a cerbie next year (hopefully early next year). Trying to stop myself going for a etst drive, 'cos we know what'll happen then.
DM have a £50 quid per hour standard workshop price, but as they do fixed price servicing it can get as low at £30 per hour. The worrying thing for me is that I heard some of that before when I had the Griff, and never got away with a bill of less than £950. 8( (not with DM - had the Griff 2 years ago.)
Raven MotorSport
Can't seem to get Raven's website up and running - Have you got their web address handy, or if not a phone number?
You know, it beats me. All these garages charging 40 bar an hour for fiddling with yer motor.
I'm a service engineer, we charge COMPANIES only 30 quid an hour, of which I get a pittance.
I service machines that cost quarter of a million quid, that are still worth a mint when 20 years old.
How the hell does this equate to cars?
Ian
I'm a service engineer, we charge COMPANIES only 30 quid an hour, of which I get a pittance.
I service machines that cost quarter of a million quid, that are still worth a mint when 20 years old.
How the hell does this equate to cars?
Ian
Try APM Automotive near Haslemere for your Cerbie servicing. Andy is a really nice guy and have just picked mine up Saturday and it feels sooo much tighter than before. Really pleased with everything and very reasonable pricing for what it entails (24,000 miler).Believe me I've been down the main dealer route and ---------- wanted £2500 for the same service and £750 for the front shocks 
PS I'm not a multimillionaire and I'm not mad, I'm just a TVR fanatic
who likes to look after his car.
PS I'm not a multimillionaire and I'm not mad, I'm just a TVR fanatic
who likes to look after his car.We bought our Tamora from DM in March - excellent service pre and post. All the niggles are being ironed out without complaint. They are small outfit who I believe look after their customers. Servicing on my chimaera was cheaper than other dealers I have used. I would prefer to drive a little further for that personal touch.
I've used DM a couple of times since getting my Griff - excellent service so far. Will definitely continue to use them. As has been previously said, Ben and James are very helpful.
As far as labour rates go, £50 p/h is fairly average for many dealerships/marques. Will be looking around carefully when the next scheduled service is due, but definitely want to stick with main dealer for that FTVRSH!
As far as labour rates go, £50 p/h is fairly average for many dealerships/marques. Will be looking around carefully when the next scheduled service is due, but definitely want to stick with main dealer for that FTVRSH!
Best and worst (and best again) of Dream Machines
Best. They worked way outside the box to ensure my Cerb was fit for Duxford (including taking a clutch of Joolz when TVR couldnt supply any)
Worst. They cracked by rocker cover removing it on full service (with tappets)
Best. They replaced it FOC, and full service, including tappets and installing said clutch was £906 inc VAT.
Pleasure to give them my money (well almost), and James must be the fairest Main Dealer around.
Best. They worked way outside the box to ensure my Cerb was fit for Duxford (including taking a clutch of Joolz when TVR couldnt supply any)
Worst. They cracked by rocker cover removing it on full service (with tappets)
Best. They replaced it FOC, and full service, including tappets and installing said clutch was £906 inc VAT.
Pleasure to give them my money (well almost), and James must be the fairest Main Dealer around.
All sounds pretty positive 
(no horror emails received about DM either... yet) 
Mike - Have just about forgiven TVR for the Griff I had. I haven't changed the descrption of my Griff 500 on my profile to remind what can happen if you don't source a good one and don't get a good dealer (hence this thread!). Fact is, you can have a dog car whether it's a Porsche or TVR or Ford.
Cerbie is looking like the way to go, but I've got a lot of test drives to do before then, as all the advice I read says drive as many as you can! (it's half the fun isn't it?).
Anyway, will go to visit David Batty soon I think, along with APM. Anyone got any web addresses?
Cheers.
>Edited for wine stains.
>> Edited by smifffy on Monday 14th October 22:41
(no horror emails received about DM either... yet) Mike - Have just about forgiven TVR for the Griff I had. I haven't changed the descrption of my Griff 500 on my profile to remind what can happen if you don't source a good one and don't get a good dealer (hence this thread!). Fact is, you can have a dog car whether it's a Porsche or TVR or Ford.
Cerbie is looking like the way to go, but I've got a lot of test drives to do before then, as all the advice I read says drive as many as you can! (it's half the fun isn't it?).
Anyway, will go to visit David Batty soon I think, along with APM. Anyone got any web addresses?
Cheers.
>Edited for wine stains.
>> Edited by smifffy on Monday 14th October 22:41
Thoroughly recommended as far as servicing and fixing things goes. James is a top man at fixing and always gives you the honest opinion from the outset.
Only downside is the lack of public transport to and from Heathfield if the courtesy car isn't around.
Just ordered a T350T from Ben whilst at the motorshow and I'm sure they'll provide an excellent service in this respect too. Tony is extremely pleasant and isn't at all heavy handed when it comes to the sales pitch. It's about time Sussex had another reliable TVR dealer!
>> Edited by **ijp** on Tuesday 29th October 17:19
Only downside is the lack of public transport to and from Heathfield if the courtesy car isn't around.
Just ordered a T350T from Ben whilst at the motorshow and I'm sure they'll provide an excellent service in this respect too. Tony is extremely pleasant and isn't at all heavy handed when it comes to the sales pitch. It's about time Sussex had another reliable TVR dealer!
>> Edited by **ijp** on Tuesday 29th October 17:19
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