Choosing a repair/tuning garage for VX220 Turbo

[ferark]

Just sold my Elise S1, great car and bought a VX220 Turbo, oh my god why did I bother with the Lotus? However it has a problem :-(...


...The exhaust manifold/turbo is cracked and is quite noisy (as you can imagine!) so I need to get it fixed, I have seen 3 companies that specialise in tuning Vauxhall, Thorney Motorsport, Regal AutoSports and Courtenaysport. I a looking to get an uprated turbo/VXR one as a replacement as I would like more power.

Does anyone have any advice on which company to choose? and advice on tuning.


Many thanks in advance.

[pincher]

You could also try Sinclaire's - predominantly Lotus but I think they also work on VX's as well

[ferark]

Cheers guys, the VXR place in Banbury seems a good option. I am on a bit of a budget though and they sound a little pricey if they work on BTCC, is this the case?

[Rosso Rebel]

I've had my VX for a year now, and always used Thorney's (to be fair they are about 10 mins from where I work) and I have always had really good customer service and excellent work undertaken on my car.

[vxsmithers]

You'll get mixed reviews about Thorney (TMS)- I have never used them to work on my car, so can't really comment on how good or bad they are, but if you trawl through vx220.org.uk you'll see a mixed response.

Dizee is right that they are not cheap, but they give a pretty large discount on labour for Vx's in comparison to the rest of the vauxhall range / BMWs/ whatever else they work on so I'm told.

I've only ever used Plans who have been complaint free from me (and everyone else I have ever spoken to) I've never heard a complaint about Courtenays either, but may just be because they don't run their own website forums.

Location was the first factor for me as well, as I'm only 1/2 hour away from Plans

[ferark]

What's the hourly rate for PLANS Motorsport? As budget is pretty tight.

[vxsmithers]

off the top of my head I think it was about 50-60 per hour, but it's been almost a year since I was last there (must remember to book the next service!) if you want I can dig an invoice out when I get home, but probably better to phone them, they don't bite! and they may have put their rates up since last year....

[ferark]

Cheers Guys, will give them a call.

[MrSimba]

Copied from 'VXJon' on 220.org

[quote]IMHO a "full VAUXHALL service History" would not be an attraction when buying a VX, I would suggest that a service book stamped by Plans or any respected specialist would carry much more weight. Plans know these cars inside out your local Vauxhall mechanic might be lucky if he sees two or three a year.

The specialist I use for servicing the vx will take a day to carry out a service, in that time everything will be checked over and I do mean EVERYTHING. The car will come back with all those little endearing rattles and creaks missing, with all the bolts loosed and lubed, discs cleaned, terminal connections cleaned and a whole other range of apparently pointless parts checked over. Yes it costs a little more and yes it take a long time but you will really appreciate the work done when you go to remove the undertray and dont find any of the bolts welded in.
[/quote]

That sums up perfectly why almost all VX owners go to an independant specialist.

[Vauxcrayzee]

Turbo change is seriously DIY territory.

Learn something, save money, make sure it's done properly!

[Joe-turbo]

out of interest, who services "vxjons" car?

[rasp]

if youre car is still under warrenty
(3
years)
it should be free for a new manifold

[MrSimba]

Joe-turbo said:

out of interest, who services "vxjons" car?

He did'nt say but He's in Scotland so up there I'd recon

Wish it was near me!!!

That said I've no complaints about traveling to go to the 'right' specalist to look after my VX

[siztenboots]

Give Plans Motorsport a call 01483 548999 , they are based at Dunsfold Park , aka the Top Gear track.

I recall their labour rate is £54

They fitted a charge cooler for me, and all the work was first rate.

[stevenandalex]

I cannot recomend courtenays sport highly enough. They have been getting my business for the last 15 years and they have never let me down. Give them a ring on 01692 404313 or www.courtenaysport.co.uk

[stevenandalex]

Agreed Ant vxrpc having only being doing road cars for a short time for vauxhall. Courtenay's having been in the tuning business for 23 years and also benefit from a rolling road.