Dronsfields (Oldham) - MB breaker/repair

[david searle]

Has anyone used Dronsfields near Oldham for second hand spares or repair work?

I'm trying to get them to fit a replacement engine for me and it is becoming very hard work to get anything moving out of them. It may be that they are just too busy.

Has anyone got any experiences?

 

[Malcolm Brown]

I've had a couple of small (<£50) used components from them. The prices were on the high side but the service was efficient (if a little surly on the phone). No experience of repair work.

 

[Orlando 300E]

Hello David,
Have used them once, needed to replace my power steering pump. The second hand pump arrived, quite promptly.
It took a few weeks to get round to changing the pump over, but when I did after nearly an hour (quite good with spanners -but not done this task B4) got to final stage of bleeding the fluid. It was only then that I found out that the replacement pump was cracked :evil: & was proving to be a very good colander! Spent another half hour changing the pumps over again (experience counts 8) ).
I complained to Dronsfields, enquired if the pump was off a frontal smashed vehicle -no answer. I was told it was probably the courier that had damaged it -tempted to say that they should use a better courier (never heard of the company, they used -not a big one!).
In their defense they did send out a replacement pump, again quite promptly.
I did complain about the wasted time, imagine if it had been at a garage not myself doing the work, they offered me £30 in compensation paid back onto my VISA.
Reasonable satisfied with that I forgot about it, until a couple of months passed. The refund had not come through. Phoned up, yes they always seem very busy, told that it would be paid...
The refund was offered last September, the last time I called (Yes I know its only £30 but its now the principle!!!) was in February. To be fair, I have not checked my VISA statement since then, so I cannot tell you if they are really true to their word.

I certainly hope that my experience with them is not the norm.
Would I use them again? - Well I had used one of those parts finder services on the net; Dronsfields were the first to contact me (V. keen to get my money). I was contacted by another 3 companies- could have got a pump for £10 less if I had waited a day or two!

Sorry (folks) to go on, I promise that is my last bad experience with mail order parts (check other post). Starting to think I am just unlucky!
Hope your engine change goes smoothly,
Orlando

 

[Dave K]

Dronsfields

I bought an E-Class W210 Avantgarde grill from them. It was new, OEM (I think) and was pefect . No problems. Very happy

Also bough some W210 facelift rear lights. Not such a happy story :cry: . The inner reflectors were from an Elegance (clear) whilst the outer reflectors were from an Avantgarde (smoked). They were all heavily smoke damaged (the reflectors were covered in a thick layer of soot). :evil:

 

[mercmush]

Interesting responses to this question I must say. I bought a s/hand front wing for my 560SEL from them which I told them was an 88 year model & therefore had a rectangular hole in it's side for an orange side indicator. They sent me a lhd model's fr wing that had no hole.

I rang up and ever so politely mentioned this & they offered to take £30 or £20 off ( I can't remember which ). I didn't get my refund ( & yes I know that the amount is nothing compared to the price of brimming my beloved Benz but yes it is the PRINCIPLE ). I wrote a letter and they did refund so all's well that ends well but are they doing the right thing for their own business' reputation ?

As for the wing my mechanic cut a hole in it and sprayed it after tapping out a small ping. The bolting on was easy for him to do and it now looks a treat. Shame about the Jekyll & Hyde customer service though isn't it gang ?

 

[Hood]

I am having a nightmare with these people at the moment. Ordered an engine for my 450SL and it didn't turn up. I phone them and he tells me he'll chase it up and call me back. No call. I call him, and we go through this loop of him saying he's sorting it, not phoning me back, and me phoning him to nag. Eventually it arrives a week late. Phew. Mechanic starts work on it, discovers the crank won't turn more than half a turn. Bollocks. More phone calls. Now they're saying they sent me the wrong one and will despatch another one. I am not happy.
My mechanic said he's had problems with them before - ordering engines and they just don't turn up. Twice he's had to phone his credit card company and cancel.
Are there any other decent Merc breakers out there?

 

[jaymanek]

Depends how much you want to spend, but CREWE ENGINES are supposed to be the best as far as i know (for engines). 01270 526333.

Let me just add, i have used dronsfields a few times for small bits and pieces, they have been ok. Some bits they even sent with no charge!
But your right, they never call back.

I usually take a trip to the many breakers in the dodgy areas of birmingham. Usually find what i need.

 

[david searle]

New engine for 87 260E

Well all the other options like Crewe Engines or Ivor Searle (no relation) were far too expensive. I took the plunge and went with Dronsfields for £500 for a second hand engine and £250 for fitting (plus VAT). Total came to £940 including collection of the car.

They said the engine came from a 1992 260E that had been involved in a rear accident and had done 58,000 miles, but I never saw the engine in the car to confirm that it really was 58k. Having said that they included the engine number (is there any way to check the source of an engine from its number?) and the fact that it had done 58k on an invoice and included a 3 month warranty.

The job looks fine. They even told me to come back after 1000 miles for a free oil & filter change - which impressed me, and I was going to do anyway. Engine runs fine with no noises, rattles etc. Engine bay is spotless. Nothings seems to have been left unconnected.

Dronsfields were a nightmare to contact by phone (too busy?), but once I agreed to the deal, the car was collected on the agreed date and fixed in a reasonable time. Assuming the engine proves to be reliable, then the job has been very good and Dronsfields should expect my recommendation.

I'll let you know if there are any changes.

 

[longdog5]

I've used them several times for small parts, no problem at all. A bonnet ordered for a friend was slightly damaged (obvious courier damage) they refunded £20 without having to chase.
LD5

 

[shovel]

dronsfields

i bought an engine from them for my 190e, it was delivered next day and appeared in good condition. they said it was a 55000miler but i'd no way of verifying other than i know it was from a late '92-'93. I fitted it myself and am well impressed as it is much smoother, quieter and responsive than my original. (dropped valve, wrecked piston etc at 120mph). I've bought other parts since but always drive over and find them very pleasent and helpfull, although the guy in office (owner???) always seems quite stressed.(should take up smoking the weed maybe ha,ha.) I think it does help being there as you can make sure you're getting what you want regarding quality and fittment etc.
Sooo! on personal experience so far i would highly recommend them.

 

[clive]

DRONSFIELDS

I used Donsfields 18 months ago .I wanted a centre consol/armrest that my classic C180 didn?t have .The part was promptly sent but unfortunately in the wrong colour. This was my mistake as I had been told by my dealer the interior trim colour was mushroom and not chocolate as it proved to be. I returned the part and was told they had one which was the right colour but incomplete. This was despatched to me and it was the right colour but was in poor condition and was damaged. I returned the unit and asked for a refund which was willingly promised .Two moths later however I was still chasing them for my refund. Their attitude was most off hand and unprofessional .I was promised payment on dates that came and went and when I complained I was spoken to in a rude manor. Eventually I did receive my refund but after a lot of chasing. I got the impression life is made deliberately difficult for any one wanting a refund in the hope that they would just give up and go away. It would be a cold day in hell before I would use their ?services? again