Servicing in Warwick/West Midlands

[khanie]

I'm new to this forum but regularly post on 4Car and live4cars. I've just bought a '96 E230 Elegance estate with 7 seats for Mrs Khanie who is a childminder and we wanted something other than a very dull MPV. The kids have christened it "The Blue Whale".
I have been looking around for a garage for servicing/repairs in Warwick/Leamington Spa area and have found Andy Gayle in Smethwick. Does anyone know of one closer to home, or has anyone used Andy Gayle? I want good service but not main dealer prices!!!

Thanks!!

 

[anthonyduckworth]

MB mechanic in LS

Try Manny at Protec Motors on 07811 188 969

I take my MB 300 turbo diesel up from London for him to service, fantastic service and he analyses/fixes things far better than anyone I have tried in London

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Hi Khanie,

Welcome to the forum

The link is to a specialist in your area, I havn't tried them but may do in the future.

http://www.lanescars.co.uk/

 

[alexspurs61]

I'm new to this forum but regularly post on 4Car and live4cars. I've just bought a '96 E230 Elegance estate with 7 seats for Mrs Khanie who is a childminder and we wanted something other than a very dull MPV. The kids have christened it "The Blue Whale".
I have been looking around for a garage for servicing/repairs in Warwick/Leamington Spa area and have found Andy Gayle in Smethwick. Does anyone know of one closer to home, or has anyone used Andy Gayle? I want good service but not main dealer prices!!!

Thanks!!

I've had dealings with David Lees in Alcester who seem very straightforward. They quote about 200 for a full service on my w210 E200, although I've yet to use them. As you can see they primarily specialise in vw audi (nearly bought an A6 from them myself) but deal with Mercs a lot. They can also get most parts in one hour. www.vwaudispecialist.co.uk

I'm booked in for some suspension work to be done by Andy Overs, a Merc-only independent nr Stratford. Importantly he can sort out a loan car and I'll let you know how I get on if you can wait 'till next week.

Cheers

 

[alexspurs61]

I'm new to this forum but regularly post on 4Car and live4cars. I've just bought a '96 E230 Elegance estate with 7 seats for Mrs Khanie who is a childminder and we wanted something other than a very dull MPV. The kids have christened it "The Blue Whale".
I have been looking around for a garage for servicing/repairs in Warwick/Leamington Spa area and have found Andy Gayle in Smethwick. Does anyone know of one closer to home, or has anyone used Andy Gayle? I want good service but not main dealer prices!!!

Thanks!!

Hi Khanie
I've now used Andy Overs nr Ettington, past Wellesbourne from Stratford. So far I have to say he seems great.
The workshop is a huge, clean hanger with full diagnostics. Andy has 9 year main dealer experience as so many of the best independents seem to.
I left the car with him for the day, which was manageable because he made a 307 HDi available to me for the day - and phoned with its reg the day before so I could sort out my insurance.
Work done was straightforward - anti rollbar links and some work to the wipers - but I also asked him to carry out a full assessment of the car and any imminent work needed. This he's presented in a prioritised list and is currently sorting out costings for me.
He appears to take a thoroughly pragmatic approach to keeping a ten year old car 'correct' and (for what it's worth!) seems a good bloke!
Anyway, this is starting to sounds like an advert....but so far, so very good. Will let you know when the corroded front X-member and a couple of other bits and bobs have been sorted!

He's on 01789740222

Cheers

 

[roos]

Andy Overs

Hi

I took my car to Andy Overs and had a broken bulb connector (approx 20 pound part) - being fair this should take no more than half an hour to fit. Some good mechanics could do it in ten.

He put the car on the computer diagnostics to identify why the bulb connector was broken??? - this already cost me 75 quid!!!!! It's like putting a car on a computer when the windscreen wiper blades are gone!! not necessary!

Then it didn't tell him so I was left with a broken bulb (and bulb connector) whiich failed the MOT and a bill for my car for going on a computer it didn't need to go on for 75 quid!!

(1) He did come scross as a good bloke.
(2) I think this was a genuine mistake.
(3) His manner and service is great (Peugeot courtesy car for the day).

I just felt a bit disappointed after reading the post above.

Hope this info is helpful.

Cheers,

roos

 

[mstar]

i used andy gayle not the best i ever been to, as my car had a dent which i swaer wasn't on the car before,

 

[alexspurs61]

Hi

I took my car to Andy Overs and had a broken bulb connector (approx 20 pound part) - being fair this should take no more than half an hour to fit. Some good mechanics could do it in ten.

He put the car on the computer diagnostics to identify why the bulb connector was broken??? - this already cost me 75 quid!!!!! It's like putting a car on a computer when the windscreen wiper blades are gone!! not necessary!

Then it didn't tell him so I was left with a broken bulb (and bulb connector) whiich failed the MOT and a bill for my car for going on a computer it didn't need to go on for 75 quid!!

(1) He did come scross as a good bloke.
(2) I think this was a genuine mistake.
(3) His manner and service is great (Peugeot courtesy car for the day).

I just felt a bit disappointed after reading the post above.

Hope this info is helpful.

Cheers,

roos

Shame. With any independent I'm absolutely clear about what's been done already and what I want doing - as I'm sure you were. But I mean down to writing a list - or emailing it, which you can with Andy - so you can be sure what's agreed.
Yes, I paid a chunk to get a wiper assembly sorted but the offset of this cost was against the top welding he's done on a cross member.

He's doing my head gasket and soon - I'll let you know how that goes, which should be a true indication....

PS - that little HDi he gave you isn't too bad, is it?

 

[roos]

The HDI was great!

Lovely aircon and BRUM Fm out the speakers!!

Cheers,

roos