Annual service: Austec, Topcats, Castle TVR

[carl_w]

Annual service and MOT is due and I'm not really sure where to go. Austec and Topcats are both about 70 miles from me (although Tomtom claims nearly 2 hours to Topcats, 1h23 to Austec). Castle TVR are just down the road, but expensive obviously. Pretty sure there's a UJ in the steering column that needs replacing too (well, Joolz said so so it must be true )

[gazm]

i'm having the same problem.

My car has a wear and tear warranty which I'm told by Dream machines is not renewable (the car will be five years old) but I can by the ordinary warranty without the wear and tear - cost is £1200 Dream machines suggested soming to them to have the service done before the warranty expires and if there are any problems get the warranty stuff done.

Is there any other worthwhile warranties that are cheaper?
Do you think its time to have the servicing done at somwhere like Austec's (who I had the remap done with and think are great)

[gazzab]

APM is highly recommended.
You dont need to use a dealer for warranty work.
Ultimately it is a choice of £38ph for the most experienced cerb (/TVR) man in the south v's up to £90ph with people with significantly less experience. www.apmautomotive.co.uk based in Liphook.
Others are very pleased with the other outfits I am sure.

[carl_w]

APM is just too damn far really

[Podie]

gazm said:

My car has a wear and tear warranty which I'm told by Dream machines is not renewable (the car will be five years old) but I can by the ordinary warranty without the wear and tear - cost is £1200

Check out the AA Parts & Labour cover... only covers about 5 claims of £500, but for peanuts, it's worthwhile, and they DO pay out...

[gazzab]

and if the AA wont cover your TVR on the parts n labour then cover another car for a month and then move the cover to the tvr (I think this circumvents the validation)

[Podie]

gazzab said:

and if the AA wont cover your TVR on the parts n labour then cover another car for a month and then move the cover to the tvr (I think this circumvents the validation)

They covered the Chimaera... no issues.

[gazm]

Podie said:

gazzab said:

and if the AA wont cover your TVR on the parts n labour then cover another car for a month and then move the cover to the tvr (I think this circumvents the validation)

They covered the Chimaera... no issues.

I'm with the RAC - does anyone know if they do anything similar

[Mr Freefall]

gazm said:

Podie said:

gazzab said:

and if the AA wont cover your TVR on the parts n labour then cover another car for a month and then move the cover to the tvr (I think this circumvents the validation)

They covered the Chimaera... no issues.

I'm with the RAC - does anyone know if they do anything similar

They did, I dont think they do any more. AA do pay out, I have had 2 claims both £500, but they have just changed thier policy to 3 claims per year. Still not bad for £99.

Mr F

[gazzab]

My policy is £52 pa with the AA.
They went through a spate of refusing to cover new customers with TVRs.

[carl_w]

They phoned me up (already a member) and asked me if I'd like to take out 6 months' worth as a trial at a discounted price (£20 I think). They said as long as the car has <100,000 miles on it then they'll cover anything.

However, this doesn't help me with deciding where to get my car serviced!

[FUBAR]

IMHO...Austecs

[budaholic]

Carl, I live in Herts too and I've only ever used Andy at APM for my servicing.
Definately worth the hassle of the journey down there and the train trip back.

Top quality work and service from a genuine honest enthusiast. You know it's gonna be him working on your P&J and not some grease monkey.

1st time he worked on my Cerb, i couldn't pick it up until late one evening. "No problem," said Andy..... "Call me when your 15 mins away and I'll meet you there." Picked my car up at 9pm.

He kindly dropped me at the train station too, the last time i left my Cerb with him.

Bud

[oggs]

Topcats great people and great service

[FunkyGibbon]

Offords are about 40 miles away from you - I've used them for 4 years on the chim and they have plenty of cerbies in for work. You get a free Saab loaner as well!

[Steve_T]

I have experience of all three and I'd say Austec or Topcats.

Steve.

[Griffsmith]

carl_w said:

However, this doesn't help me with deciding where to get my car serviced!

Not wishing to add more confusion to your decision but what about Leven great service and not far from you as they are based in Basildon.

[KDH]

I highly recomend Topcats.

[c3rba]

i would recomend leven technology

[carl_w]

Thanks all, food for thought.

I didn't expect to get consensus, but I'd forgotten about Leven. Might give them a call.