Anyone Recommend a Bodyshop in Kent?
Discussion
I'm a bit pissed off that I never noticed this before I bought it but I have slight corrosion on both doors of my Vantage. I checked carefully on some earlier cars I looked at but because this was a 2009 car I didn't look so hard - more fool me. Still, other than that all is good, so not the end of the world.
Can anyone recommend a good trustworthy bodyshop in kent that is used to dealing with these cars and give any indication of (roughly) what is typical to pay.
I believe I have no recourse with the dealership as it's over 3 years. Amazing really.
Can anyone recommend a good trustworthy bodyshop in kent that is used to dealing with these cars and give any indication of (roughly) what is typical to pay.
I believe I have no recourse with the dealership as it's over 3 years. Amazing really.
You do have a recourse through the Dealers as there is a 10 year Paint Warranty.
Aston Martin won't admit to this issue however they do sometimes offer a contribution to correct it.
I'd suggest going to speak to the Dealer first. When I had mine done, they took photographs and contacted AM then came back with an offer and estimate.
Aston Martin won't admit to this issue however they do sometimes offer a contribution to correct it.
I'd suggest going to speak to the Dealer first. When I had mine done, they took photographs and contacted AM then came back with an offer and estimate.
10 days after collecting my Fire Red DB9 from Lancaster in Sevenoaks I had a rather unfortunate meeting with a block of granite someone had carelessly left by the side of a road in Switzerland. This required some extensive body and paint work to fix. Lancaster sent it to Tonbridge Coachworks in Cannon Lane, Tonbridge. They did an excellent job. They are approved by the major prestige marques incl AM and Bentley. This was 2 years ago. I believe they have rebranded as TCW Vehicle Group and are now owned by the Sevenoaks based insurer Markerstudy Group.
Kelly at KDS http://www.kdskeltec.co.uk is one of (if not the) best bodywork specialists around, be that detailing or paintwork.
Personally I would go nowhere else, look at his site to give you an idea of his work.
Personally I would go nowhere else, look at his site to give you an idea of his work.
AMDBSNick said:
Gizmo68's first post recommends someone 
It may look a bit suspect I admit, but if you frequent many of the VAG forums or Detailing World you will see me active on them.Only joined the PH forum today (used the classifieds for several years) as it seems the best site regarding AM’s
I moved to Kent 14 years ago and struggled to find a decent body shop, now I have I am happy to travel 50 miles to them.
Sl restorations in Crawley. I put Christian in touch with them and in my opinion, nick and co are the best body shop in the country. Their standards are the highest you could get.
An example being, there is a guy that used to work for them who now works for mclaren, but they got rid of him for not being up to scratch, so it shows the standards the work to. They are Porsche approved and others too I think.
Dont take it to a dealer, they are limited to who they can use and I've never seen a good job come from one of them.
An example being, there is a guy that used to work for them who now works for mclaren, but they got rid of him for not being up to scratch, so it shows the standards the work to. They are Porsche approved and others too I think.
Dont take it to a dealer, they are limited to who they can use and I've never seen a good job come from one of them.
Gizmo68 said:
Kelly at KDS http://www.kdskeltec.co.uk is one of (if not the) best bodywork specialists around, be that detailing or paintwork.
Personally I would go nowhere else, look at his site to give you an idea of his work.
I've used KDS in past, primarily because they are next door to Lepsons.Personally I would go nowhere else, look at his site to give you an idea of his work.
It turned out to be a monster headache in the end. I wouldn't bother going back.
paddy328 said:
Dont take it to a dealer, they are limited to who they can use and I've never seen a good job come from one of them.
Yes, I think that's one conclusion from looking around, that you're LESS likely to get a decent job if you go via a main dealer.Thanks for the recomendations - keep em coming! (especially if near Maidstone)
One thing i'm curious about is the problems people have had, when they say they had a nightmare or had to get the job re-done 3 times. What is the problem usually found - poor finish i.e. not smooth, poor colour match, overspray, etc?
I'm just surprised there seems to be so many issues. Yes, it's a skilled job, but I would have still thought that anyone with the right experience & equipment, who takes his time over the prep, etc, should get the desired result.
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