Engine Rebuilders in Essex area

Engine Rebuilders in Essex area

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Discussion

POT24

Original Poster:

18 posts

50 months

Thursday 4th June 2020
quotequote all
Hi all,

Posted a couple months ago regarding timing chain breaking on my X6. I've left it in my garage with the rocker cover off since March because of the lockdown and stuff but now thinking its time to repair now things are slowly coming back to normal.

Has anyone got any recommendations of engine rebuilders/reconditioners in the Essex area? I used a company in Southend before for an old E92 I had years ago but they no longer in business anymore. Ive found Dal Jones in Kent and they seem good but have very hot and cold reviews.

Any advice would be appreciated.

smokey mow

915 posts

201 months

Thursday 4th June 2020
quotequote all
CTM Performance in Dagenham, I’ve used them a couple of times in the past including a head rebuild.


Blu3R

2,373 posts

200 months

Thursday 4th June 2020
quotequote all
Last year I bought an 85k mile 120d from ebay with a suspected slipped chain. Once on my drive it turned out to be snapped and had done quite a bit of damage so i was on the hunt for someone to do it on the cheap.

Japanese Motor Spares in Rainham agreed to trailer it away and I followed the truck down to hand the car over. The general area (Rainham rolleyes) and the premises is an utter sthole and as I drove away it did cross my mind whether I'd ever see the car again. However, 2 weeks later and after a couple of calls to inform me that it would also need a boost sensor, 2 injectors and an induction hose I got a lift back down there, paid in full (on card), grabbed my receipt and slid into the then very oily and greasy interior.
Feeling slightly disgusted and concerned it wouldn't last 5 minutes, I drove home and proceeded to spend a weekend cleaning the thing inside and out.

14 months and 23,000 miles on, it still runs like a peach and has received nothing except 3 oil changes, pair of tyres, battery and a number plate bulb.

Very reasonable price and I think a fast turnaround for a rebuilt bottom end and recon head. God forbid I have to go through something like that again but I would certainly call them first if I had to thumbup

DS129

144 posts

72 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
Try Thurston engineering, near Ongar - http://www.thurstonengineering.co.uk/ .
I've not used them but they've been there for years and have a good reputation

POT24

Original Poster:

18 posts

50 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
smokey mow said:
CTM Performance in Dagenham, I’ve used them a couple of times in the past including a head rebuild.
Thanks! Look quite decent on all the MINI engines theyve done. I think MINI owners are keeping them afloat! Just waiting on a quote from them after they orice the parts and labour. Did they offer you warranty?

POT24

Original Poster:

18 posts

50 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
Blu3R said:
Last year I bought an 85k mile 120d from ebay with a suspected slipped chain. Once on my drive it turned out to be snapped and had done quite a bit of damage so i was on the hunt for someone to do it on the cheap.

Japanese Motor Spares in Rainham agreed to trailer it away and I followed the truck down to hand the car over. The general area (Rainham rolleyes) and the premises is an utter sthole and as I drove away it did cross my mind whether I'd ever see the car again. However, 2 weeks later and after a couple of calls to inform me that it would also need a boost sensor, 2 injectors and an induction hose I got a lift back down there, paid in full (on card), grabbed my receipt and slid into the then very oily and greasy interior.
Feeling slightly disgusted and concerned it wouldn't last 5 minutes, I drove home and proceeded to spend a weekend cleaning the thing inside and out.

14 months and 23,000 miles on, it still runs like a peach and has received nothing except 3 oil changes, pair of tyres, battery and a number plate bulb.

Very reasonable price and I think a fast turnaround for a rebuilt bottom end and recon head. God forbid I have to go through something like that again but I would certainly call them first if I had to thumbup
How much did they charge you? I dont think I can trust a Jap specialist with an X6 rebuild :/ Most places also offer a valeted car when you collect too. But, if its still running then I guess you cant complain biggrin

POT24

Original Poster:

18 posts

50 months

Sunday 7th June 2020
quotequote all
DS129 said:
Try Thurston engineering, near Ongar - http://www.thurstonengineering.co.uk/ .
I've not used them but they've been there for years and have a good reputation
Cheers DS129. Theyre rep seems to be good so will query their prices.

TCEvo

12,731 posts

203 months

Monday 8th June 2020
quotequote all
POT24 said:
DS129 said:
Try Thurston engineering, near Ongar - http://www.thurstonengineering.co.uk/ .
I've not used them but they've been there for years and have a good reputation
Cheers DS129. Theyre rep seems to be good so will query their prices.
Brothers wife used to work there - they did some work for him on a kit car, he seemed happy with them.

smokey mow

915 posts

201 months

Monday 8th June 2020
quotequote all
POT24 said:
smokey mow said:
CTM Performance in Dagenham, I’ve used them a couple of times in the past including a head rebuild.
Thanks! Look quite decent on all the MINI engines theyve done. I think MINI owners are keeping them afloat! Just waiting on a quote from them after they orice the parts and labour. Did they offer you warranty?
Warranty wasn’t something we discussed as it was for a race engine.

Blu3R

2,373 posts

200 months

Wednesday 10th June 2020
quotequote all
POT24 said:
Blu3R said:
Last year I bought an 85k mile 120d from ebay with a suspected slipped chain. Once on my drive it turned out to be snapped and had done quite a bit of damage so i was on the hunt for someone to do it on the cheap.

Japanese Motor Spares in Rainham agreed to trailer it away and I followed the truck down to hand the car over. The general area (Rainham rolleyes) and the premises is an utter sthole and as I drove away it did cross my mind whether I'd ever see the car again. However, 2 weeks later and after a couple of calls to inform me that it would also need a boost sensor, 2 injectors and an induction hose I got a lift back down there, paid in full (on card), grabbed my receipt and slid into the then very oily and greasy interior.
Feeling slightly disgusted and concerned it wouldn't last 5 minutes, I drove home and proceeded to spend a weekend cleaning the thing inside and out.

14 months and 23,000 miles on, it still runs like a peach and has received nothing except 3 oil changes, pair of tyres, battery and a number plate bulb.

Very reasonable price and I think a fast turnaround for a rebuilt bottom end and recon head. God forbid I have to go through something like that again but I would certainly call them first if I had to thumbup
How much did they charge you? I dont think I can trust a Jap specialist with an X6 rebuild :/ Most places also offer a valeted car when you collect too. But, if its still running then I guess you cant complain biggrin
Total price for rebuild, the additional parts and the recovery down to them was £2,070.

FWIW I tried Thurston and they weren't interested. They said they'd supply and fit a recon engine complete - didn't even want to take the head off to look. Shame really because they're only 5 mins from me and I had thoughts of removing the engine and giving it to them to keep costs down.

POT24

Original Poster:

18 posts

50 months

Wednesday 10th June 2020
quotequote all
Thats very cheap indeed. Im getting quotes for just an engine at that price. I might go down and scout the place out.

Ive called Thurston a few times but no one ever answers. Once a person did and said to call back tomorrow because someone called Barry dealt with engine rebuilds. Called back and no answer. Same thing with CTM.

Dal Jones is still looking like the best choice so far. Member of FER and provide 24 month warranty and have been around for a few years.

Blu3R

2,373 posts

200 months

Wednesday 17th June 2020
quotequote all
Bear in mind that the 120d is a 4 pot though, so likely to be cheaper than your straight 6.

FWIW I've recently taken the car (our only one currently taxed) down to Bognor Regis to visit a customer and over 213 miles it averaged 57.9mpg.

Not bad for a BMW that owes me a total of £4,500 that has sat nav, parking sensors all round, automatic box and comfort memory heated leather!

BazT

319 posts

190 months

Friday 21st April 2023
quotequote all
POT24 said:
Ive called Thurston a few times but no one ever answers. Once a person did and said to call back tomorrow because someone called Barry dealt with engine rebuilds. Called back and no answer. Same thing with CTM.
FWIW, Thurston’s only really specialise in classic/historic & motorsport engines, they don’t work on vehicles so wouldn’t be interested if it was still in the car.

They have years of experience and always have a lot on with big wait times so they can afford to specialise.

BazT

319 posts

190 months

Friday 21st April 2023
quotequote all
POT24 said:
Ive called Thurston a few times but no one ever answers. Once a person did and said to call back tomorrow because someone called Barry dealt with engine rebuilds. Called back and no answer. Same thing with CTM.
FWIW, Thurston’s only really specialise in classic/historic & motorsport engines, they don’t work on vehicles so wouldn’t be interested if it was still in the car.

They have years of experience and always have a lot on with big wait times so they can afford to specialise.

Al Gorithum

3,741 posts

209 months

Friday 28th April 2023
quotequote all
If you're looking for the very best (and not cheap) go to www.tdi-plc.com