Independent M-B servicing in East/North London

[fwb44]

Can anybody recommend a good independent in or near London E1/E2/E3 or N1 ?

 

[almostgc]

I've used Automerc for several years now and have always been very happy with their work and service. They're in N8 - 020 8340 2966

 

[fwb44]

I've used Automerc for several years now and have always been very happy with their work and service. They're in N8 - 020 8340 2966

Thanks very much for that, I'll check them out & report here i.d.c.

 

[RGubbioli]

I've just used Automerc (yesterday) and, unfortunately, have not been pleased at all. If you would like details PM me and I'll let you know. I am also fine with posting them here for all to discuss if its deemed fair.

 

[fwb44]

I've just used Automerc (yesterday) and, unfortunately, have not been pleased at all. If you would like details PM me and I'll let you know. I am also fine with posting them here for all to discuss if its deemed fair.

I think it would be of benefit to all if you posted them here ...

 

[RGubbioli]

Well, I took the car (1992 200TE, 150k miles) in for a 12k service and an MOT on Monday, this was the first time I used them, following recommendations on this forum. Reason for change is that my previous mechanic is in SE London, which is a big pain for me to get to from NW London!

Anyways, they asked if any issues with the car, I mentioned a bit of vibrations when at speeds around 90mph. Later that day they call saying the car needs nearly £1000 to pass MOT, all suspension linked items, such as bushings, roll bar etc. Funny how they only picked up on things related to suspension, which is what I brought up, but they didn't even say anything about the rear brake discs (which had been flagged at last years service - by the other garage - as needing attention at next service, and are indeed showing a bit of 'lip').

The only other job on top of the service (£300 for a 12k service, doesn't that seem a bit steep?) they did was to change a wing indicator. Took the car for an MOT (at a different place, of course) today and thats the only thing the car fails on!

To be fair to them they say they will fix it for me, but I am passing, don't want to go back and waste more time.

Basically, whenever you take your car to a new place there is always the issue of building trust, didn't work in this case. I felt they were too quick to latch on to a way of doing more work than necessary. They probably do good work, but watch out for your wallet!

Any feedback from the people that recommend them is welcome.

 

[RGubbioli]

I've used Automerc for several years now and have always been very happy with their work and service. They're in N8 - 020 8340 2966

Hi, seems like good part of your 9 posts (at current count) are of praise for Automerc. Care to share why they've been so good for you?

 

[fwb44]

Reason for change is that my previous mechanic is in SE London, which is a big pain for me to get to from NW London!

Which garage in SE London did you use and how good were they?

 

[230ceBruno]

Can anybody recommend a good independent in or near London E1/E2/E3 or N1 ?

RGubbioli, fwb44

Go to Essentially Benz ask for Danny tell him his man from the forums sent you. Then expect good delas and excellent service.

Address Thirlstane Works Colney Hatch Lane London N10 1LJ 0208 444 8771

 

[Bolide]

I first took my 250TD to Ivan at Automerc about 8 years ago. He phoned me up and said "Who's been looking after this car for you?" and gave me a terrifying list of things that needed doing - engine & gearbox mounts, etc, etc, etc

I discussed what was urgent and what could wait and we worked out a 2-year plan of repairs. We stuck to that and brought the car up to spec over time

If you go to a garage and ask them to look at the suspension, and they find things that need doing, where is the problem? If you don't want to know, don't ask

I think it's a real mistake to discuss this kind of thing on a forum without first discussing it with the garage. I'd phone up Ivan and discuss it with him then come back and post the outcome

It's a rare older W124 that doesn't need rear subframe bushes, diff mounts, engine mounts and gearbox mounts replacing. Sure, you can continue driving it with them worn out - and many people do - but don't expect a proper garage to not tell you for fear of upsetting you

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[RGubbioli]

Nick,

Thanks for your comments, but I think you've overlooked what I actually wrote and are too concerned with defending Automerc at point blank...

To be brief, here are the main issues, again:

- I mentioned suspension, they looked at that, fair enough. But telling me I need to spend £1000 or else I won't pass the MOT doesn't sound to me like agreeing on anyting, its simply them holding me at ransom! Sure, any old car will need £1000's spent at any point, but what a professional garage owner will realise is what is urgent and what isn't. Clearly the fact that the car passed the MOT at another place shows that the above weren't that urgent. Automerc instead wanted to rip me off saying they were urgent, and this is my main contention with them.

- In the end, the only things they did was to chage a bulb and do a service.
- Re the service, not much to say, apart from it now seems to want to stall when first switched on, so its worse than it was before I went there.
- Re the bulb, it still didn't work and failed the MOT (which I did at my non specialist local garage). That was the only thing it failed on...

- Last year my other garage mentioned the rear brakes would need attention in 6k miles. This is exactly the distance we have covered in the car since, yet Automerc mentioned nothing. Maybe they were so busy focusing on anti roll bar bushes the overlooked a more important safety feature, such as brakes?

Also, why do you assume I didn't talk to them?? You need to ask before you accuse, mister...

For your information I did tell them I was dissapointed with their way of handling the issue, so much so I promptly went and took the car away. I also mentioned to them re the brakes. Didn't get much of a response apart from them making me wait so that they could finish the service.

Finally, I totally disagree with you re posting on the web, as clearly do other members of this forum. If a garage does not satisfy their clients, its the clients duty to warn others of what to expect. Hopefully next time that garage is more reasonable and careful with their way of handling customers... This is the power of the internet.

Best regards

 

[230ceBruno]

NIck, How much do you reckon it will cost to in labour to change sub frame bushes?

 

[fwb44]

Also, why do you assume I didn't talk to them?? You need to ask before you accuse, mister...

If you talk to them like you talk here, it's no wonder you don't get very far!

 

[RGubbioli]

If you talk to them like you talk here, it's no wonder you don't get very far!

I am the kind of person that understands that what you put in is what you get. Ie: I always treat everyone with courtesy and respect. You can look through my other 70+ posts and form your own opinion on how I normally 'talk'.

Now, when someone doesn't read what I write and on top of that tells me what I should do without not knowing the situation, ... that does annoy me a bit.

 

[fwb44]

tells me what I should do without not knowing the situation, ... that does annoy me a bit.

Our very own Mr Angry! When you have learnt correct English, perhaps someone will listen to you

 

[Bolide]

NIck, How much do you reckon it will cost to in labour to change sub frame bushes?

My local specialist did it for £80 (2 hours). My local non-specialist declined the job as it looked too hard.That's why specialists are specialists, I suppose. They know what they're doing

The leading bushes on the rear subframe come as a kit of two for about £70. If you have a W124 that bangs and clonks from the rear over bumps this is what you need

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[RGubbioli]

Our very own Mr Angry! When you have learnt correct English, perhaps someone will listen to you

No need to be so condescending... :roll:

 

[fwb44]

I'm going to unsubscribe from this thread which has become silly. When I do find a good independent in N/E London, I'll post my findings

 

[AAPete]

Hi who did you use in South London?

Nick,

Thanks for your comments, but I think you've overlooked what I actually wrote and are too concerned with defending Automerc at point blank...

To be brief, here are the main issues, again:

- I mentioned suspension, they looked at that, fair enough. But telling me I need to spend £1000 or else I won't pass the MOT doesn't sound to me like agreeing on anyting, its simply them holding me at ransom! Sure, any old car will need £1000's spent at any point, but what a professional garage owner will realise is what is urgent and what isn't. Clearly the fact that the car passed the MOT at another place shows that the above weren't that urgent. Automerc instead wanted to rip me off saying they were urgent, and this is my main contention with them.

- In the end, the only things they did was to chage a bulb and do a service.
- Re the service, not much to say, apart from it now seems to want to stall when first switched on, so its worse than it was before I went there.
- Re the bulb, it still didn't work and failed the MOT (which I did at my non specialist local garage). That was the only thing it failed on...

- Last year my other garage mentioned the rear brakes would need attention in 6k miles. This is exactly the distance we have covered in the car since, yet Automerc mentioned nothing. Maybe they were so busy focusing on anti roll bar bushes the overlooked a more important safety feature, such as brakes?

Also, why do you assume I didn't talk to them?? You need to ask before you accuse, mister...

For your information I did tell them I was dissapointed with their way of handling the issue, so much so I promptly went and took the car away. I also mentioned to them re the brakes. Didn't get much of a response apart from them making me wait so that they could finish the service.

Finally, I totally disagree with you re posting on the web, as clearly do other members of this forum. If a garage does not satisfy their clients, its the clients duty to warn others of what to expect. Hopefully next time that garage is more reasonable and careful with their way of handling customers... This is the power of the internet.

Best regards

Hi

 

[RGubbioli]

AAPete,

I have used Regency Motors on Lee High Rd. in SE London and have been generally pleased with them. The work they have done has endured the test of time (engine and gearbox mounts, hydraulic tappets, rear spheres, all still good 3 years later).

Compared to my experience with Automerc they were at the other end of the scale, That is, it was me asking them to look at various bits and they'd say there was no need. For instance, I asked them to replace the autobox oil and they said they looked at it and was in good condition, ie not needing to throw money at it. I asked them to look at a noise on the wheel and they greased the wheel bearing instead of replacing the whole thing, still good now. With Automerc it was a small vibration became replace the whole suspension.

Ideally I'd like to find a specialist somewhere in the middle in terms of approach to work needed. One that knows how to work on the cars but respects I have limited resources.