Has anyone used Phoenix in Basingstoke?

[Shnozz]

I am looking to have my car serviced and I noticed adverts for these guys on social media. I wondered if anyone had any experience of them?

https://phoenix-am.co.uk/our-services

[LTP]

Established Jan 2019
Jan 2020 accounts:
Assets £4,622
Creditors (within one year) £4,619
Net Current Assets £3
Average employees over the period - NIL
One director
Mobile phone contact no.
Gmail email contact

I don't know them, I have no axe to grind, not saying anything, just quoting publicly available data. They may be fine.

[Shnozz]

First thing I did was also a CH search and saw that which led me to post here.

I appreciate every business has to start somewhere and indeed if I were to search back my companies early annual accounts the picture was probably worse than that!

[LTP]

Shnozz said:

I appreciate every business has to start somewhere and indeed if I were to search back my companies early annual accounts the picture was probably worse than that!

Mine too. Mind you I wasn't setting myself up to work on cars potentially worth £00,000s. I'd want to be very sure they had very comprehensive insurance, because they have no assets to back up anything going wrong.

[Green9]

I’ve used Phoenix recently on my DB9 and it’s exactly as you say - a one-man start-up. Paul is an ex main-dealer mechanic and really knows his stuff. He specialises in Gaydon cars and when I was there he had an incredible racing Vantage a German bloke had sent over to UK as he reckoned Paul was one of the top experts. Paul also picked me up and dropped me back at the station without charging. I’ll be using him for all of my routine maintenance. Hope this helps!

[mrgray]

I took my car this year for a service (V8V). Paul carried out everything I asked as the car is new too me I wanted all bases covered. He advised of some preventative work which resulted in a rear sub frame refurb including many parts and a clutch change. I was and am totally impressed with everything. Paul showed me round the car when doing the work and comms were excellent. I cant recommend him enough

[Green9]

Mrgray - I saw your V8V there when I brought mine in. Paul will prob do a rear subframe refurb for me at some stage too.

[mrgray]

Paul really did transform the car, very impressed

[Shnozz]

Thanks all. Very helpful.

[cornershop]

I believe Phoenix rose from the ashes of an indie called Spellbound who were not a million miles away.

[davek_964]

cornershop said:

I believe Phoenix rose from the ashes of an indie called Spellbound who were not a million miles away.

Is it the same Phoenix?

I used Spellbound (Farnham) for a few years, and was very happy with them. They closed, and a few months later Phoenix opened at the same location. I was extremely unimpressed with them - they charged me significantly more for the service than they quoted ("we didn't realise how much had to be done in a service"), they failed to stamp the service book, and they did a poor job in other areas too.

It was the last year I owned my Vantage - I would not have gone back. If Phoenix in Basingstoke is the same people I hope they've improved - but it might just be different company / same name.

[SE24]

I have been to Phoenix a few times now in the last year with my Vantage (early 4.3) and have been very impressed with Paul (who I think is the owner and head mechanic).

When I first bought the car there for a service he went over the car very thoroughly and let me know all the bits a new owner would want to be aware of, I felt he gave me a very balanced view as to which ones were and an issue and which ones wern't / could wait also.

He spent many hours un-sezing the many bolts underneath (lots of garages would have just cut the arms and charged for replacements) so I felt I could trust him.

I have recieved good service / communication each time I have been there and he helped me out in a big way at short notice recently when I had a bit of an un-expected issue with the car just before it was due to be sold!

Big thumbs up from me - I will definitely be going back if I am ever back in the fold

[BiggaJ]

SE24 told me about Phoenix... I haven't tried them as I'm closer to AHM in Hartley Wintney.

I've heard nothing but good things about them and may well give them a try in the future.

Edited by BiggaJ on Monday 5th July 22:25

[Ralph S3]

Paul did my 4.3 Vantage MOT, service and a few other small items back in March. As it was the first service in my ownership I was a little worried about what might be uncovered but he gave me a balanced view on a few items that needed doing immediately and a few that we should monitor. I was very happy with the work and communication. I will definitely continue using his services.

Ralph

[MMarkM]

Interesting, nice to know somewhere relatively local to me. I'd imagine the biggest issue is that not far from Trinity who have extremely long established business and reputation

[Green9]

My DB9’s booked in for its second service with Phoenix. Again Paul’s dropping me off at the station and collecting me the next day - really helpful.

I’ll report back next week once it’s done.

[Green9]

Just had service and MOT done at Phoenix and Paul confirmed he’s nothing to do with the other Phoenix. He went through the car in great detail and found every conceivable issue as well as servicing and getting the MOT done (failed on cracked rear spring). He also collected and dropped me off at Basingstoke station. He had two Vanq 2s and 7/8 other VH cars in at the time. He said business is flying and I have to say I rate him very highly - he certainly knows these cars inside out and has a great attention to detail. Price is fair and the car came back washed too - a nice touch! I’ll be using him to refurb my rear subframe and do the clutch next summer. Ouch.