First Service advice

[ph1l5]

Hello I have my car booked into Top Cats in Bucks for its first service under new ownership. Speaking to the chaps on the phone, they know their stuff does anyone else use them ?
I have been told to list things that I want checking or sorting, some seems quiet mundane, (Cigar lighter won't pop up etc etc) but should I keep it on the list ?

[118]

Hi, I take mine there, they do a great job and tell you straight about any points of concern.

[WazzaL]

Took my car there fotr my first service (6000mi).

Went through the car very thoroughly and replaced a manifold gasket and the bulb for the clock...

The bulb cost 50p, the cost in fitting was ridiculous though as they had problems removing the top off the dash..

Total bill came in at about £750 :YIKES:

So take advice on what is necessary to have done.. If you don't intend to use the lighter, might not be worth doing (IMO)

[blujay10]

As Wazzal says, get a price before they do any work.
On the lighter front, it will make you life a lot lot easier to have it working if you have a charger that can plug in to the lighter socket! had mine fixed for half hours labour.

[oxford drinker]

They've done a lot of work for me and would recommend them. Chief mechanic Brian is a TVR guru.

As said above don't bother with the lighter or anything non-essential. As with all car stuff, the labour is the killer and some jobs on Tivs can be very fiddly. Like six hours labour to repair a broken windscreen wiper linkage......whereas my gearbox rebuild took just six hours of their time too.

[bigdods]

I've used them for a while now - in fact I've just asked them to quote me for new suspension and ohh loads of other shiny bits :-) They really do know what they are doing and always give the car a thorough inspection and let you know what problems might be lurking in the future ! I've used a few indies and wouldnt take my chim anywhere else.

[bigdods]

WazzaL said:

The bulb cost 50p, the cost in fitting was ridiculous though as they had problems removing the top off the dash..

Shouldnt be such a lazy bugger wazza, do it yourself next time... Have you fixed your overheating problem yet BTW and what was it ?

[WazzaL]

bigdods said:

WazzaL said:

The bulb cost 50p, the cost in fitting was ridiculous though as they had problems removing the top off the dash..

Shouldnt be such a lazy bugger wazza, do it yourself next time... Have you fixed your overheating problem yet BTW and what was it ?

Bulb went again soon after. Needless to say, I did do it myself.

The rad had gone again - Not certain what went wrong, but thanks to ACT who sorted it out quickly. New one plumbed in and is working.

[ph1l5]

WazzaL said:

Took my car there fotr my first service (6000mi).

Went through the car very thoroughly and replaced a manifold gasket and the bulb for the clock...

The bulb cost 50p, the cost in fitting was ridiculous though as they had problems removing the top off the dash..

Total bill came in at about £750 :YIKES:

So take advice on what is necessary to have done.. If you don't intend to use the lighter, might not be worth doing (IMO)

I win £847.

[V8 Animal]

ph1l5 said:

WazzaL said:

Took my car there fotr my first service (6000mi).

Went through the car very thoroughly and replaced a manifold gasket and the bulb for the clock...

The bulb cost 50p, the cost in fitting was ridiculous though as they had problems removing the top off the dash..

Total bill came in at about £750 :YIKES:

So take advice on what is necessary to have done.. If you don't intend to use the lighter, might not be worth doing (IMO)

I win £847.

You win
What did they do to it rebuild it!!

[ph1l5]

Er almost I will tell you the breakdown when I get the bill tomorrow
But it was £400 for a 6000 mile service, Then they replaced all the exhaust rubbers, A front ball joint, some gromits and a thing at the back that made a real knocking noise.

[Red V8]

what was the thing at the back making the noise?

[ph1l5]

it was the dif mounts that were knackered, all credit the car feels totally different. Amazing stuff, Warren went through everything taking the time to explain what all the parts that were replaced and how they work.

Top cats are deffo worth it when it comes to service and other work.