What ever happened to.....?

What ever happened to.....?

Author
Discussion

Tibs

Original Poster:

488 posts

207 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
What ever happened to the kind of bodyshops that I used to know a few years ago?

The kind of places where you weren't treated as a fool because you wanted to spend money on an older car?

The kind of places that took great pride in their work, no matter how much the car was worth, or how small or large the job was?

The kind of places that preferred to work on something a bit different from the everyday insurance repair, or parking scrape touch up?

Are there any like those places left in the north east? Sick of being fobbed off/priced out just because my car isn't worth £30k, or because I seem particular about having a good job done rather than a 'quick blow in as its just an old car'. It's my car, and my bloody money.

It seems that bodyshops now are 'get them in, and get them out' operations, all quick profit and balls to quality/customer satisfaction.

peteA

2,698 posts

240 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
wow....where in the north east are you?

Tibs

Original Poster:

488 posts

207 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
Teesside area.

Yet to venture outside of the area with this particular car as far as quotes go, but already getting the feeling that unless I am happy taking out a loan to cover what places will quote, I'll be facing much of the same.

It's not just a cost thing, as I believe in getting what you pay for, its the general attitude and 'it'll do' feeling because the car isn't a nearly new Merc or similar.

toast boy

1,242 posts

232 months

Friday 27th May 2011
quotequote all
Bill Heaney in Newcastle are very good, but they aren't cheap. I have seen their work though and they certainly do a top notch job and take pride in their work.

marshalla

15,902 posts

207 months

Saturday 28th May 2011
quotequote all
I know of somewhere - but it isn't in Teesside and it's often very busy working on the results of vehicle-armco interface incidents.

peteA

2,698 posts

240 months

Saturday 28th May 2011
quotequote all
Tibs said:
Teesside area.

Yet to venture outside of the area with this particular car as far as quotes go, but already getting the feeling that unless I am happy taking out a loan to cover what places will quote, I'll be facing much of the same.

It's not just a cost thing, as I believe in getting what
you pay for, its the general attitude and 'it'll do' feeling because the car isn't a nearly new Merc or similar.
i know where youre coming from...i'm oop norf...newcastle way so dont know anyone in smog...good luck finding someone and hope you get sorted

MoonMonkey

2,221 posts

219 months

Saturday 28th May 2011
quotequote all
It's a shame but a number of previously decent bodyshops seen to have succumbed to the production line method of car repairs obviously to satisfy the insurance co's who are paying the bill.

I use autospray in Darlington for any repair work now - the Audi is going in there in a couple of weeks. Not the cheapest but definately get the personal touch. Best to speak with Pete if you call.

http://www.autospraydarlington.co.uk/

MinesGT

31 posts

198 months

Saturday 28th May 2011
quotequote all
Tibs said:
What ever happened to the kind of bodyshops that I used to know a few years ago?

The kind of places where you weren't treated as a fool because you wanted to spend money on an older car?

The kind of places that took great pride in their work, no matter how much the car was worth, or how small or large the job was?

The kind of places that preferred to work on something a bit different from the everyday insurance repair, or parking scrape touch up?

Are there any like those places left in the north east? Sick of being fobbed off/priced out just because my car isn't worth £30k, or because I seem particular about having a good job done rather than a 'quick blow in as its just an old car'. It's my car, and my bloody money.

It seems that bodyshops now are 'get them in, and get them out' operations, all quick profit and balls to quality/customer satisfaction.
We are based in Birtley, and tend to specialise in the "older" car, send me a pm if you want more details, or check out

www.rodandcustombodyshop.co.uk

pride and joys take all forms , that what makes things interesting!!!

smile


steveyt88

226 posts

199 months

Sunday 29th May 2011
quotequote all
+1 for Autospray in Darlington, Dad has had 3 cars in there (2 x Lotus, 1 x £500 BMW) and all work by them has been top notch.

Lexx

260 posts

208 months

Tuesday 31st May 2011
quotequote all
I've used Car and Bike Magic in Sunderland before with good results.
Been used by many folks from 350z-uk too, all with good results.

Wedg1e

26,850 posts

271 months

Tuesday 31st May 2011
quotequote all
Last car I had resprayed was done by Glen at Cleveland Bike Spray - far better job than the car (1980 TVR Tasmin) warranted but he is a perfectionist.
Sadly he closed his business due to recession and has gone back to working for someone else.

Simoted

134 posts

200 months

Wednesday 1st June 2011
quotequote all
I used car and bike magic for a repair on the door on my lease car.... It was a shocking repair, so much so that when I handed the car back, upon inspection, the guy told me it was awful and I had to pay £180...... I'd never use them again!. A few friends have used them and were happy. Maybe i went on a bad day.......

Lexx

260 posts

208 months

Wednesday 1st June 2011
quotequote all
If you're prepared to bay the premium.....I also reccomenf Falcon Performance in Boro.
They do repairs for the local Merc/Bently dealers etc.
Dane knows his stuff, and it's flawless.

Lexx

260 posts

208 months

Friday 3rd June 2011
quotequote all
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Lexx said:
If you're prepared to bay the premium.....I also reccomenf Falcon Performance in Boro.
They do repairs for the local Merc/Bently dealers etc.
Dane knows his stuff, and it's flawless.
But they don't do Bodywork do they ?

I have heard good things of Pride and Joy in M'bRo I think.

I am with you OP and imagine my MX5 (AKA Triggers Broom hehe) may need a look at in another 18mo.
Depends how bug the repair I think.
I had a front nose repaired after an incident with a curb, so I know they do fibreglass type bodywork.

Tibs

Original Poster:

488 posts

207 months

Sunday 5th June 2011
quotequote all
Thank you for the replies and input guys, nice (and saddening) to know that it isn't just me that seems to have encountered this side of the trade.

Will address a few points:

Heard of Bill Heaney in Newcastle, and the fact that they deal in Porsche work mainly, should be a good thing, so may well try and speak to them, not too sure they would welcome my chariot, but hope to be proven wrong.

Autospray of Darlington. Seen the work they do previously, and was impressed. But that was several years ago, and as said, yet to venture outside of Teesside, as I hoped I wouldn't have to. Will go there soon though, and have a chat.

MinesGT. Thank you for you reply, Birtley is a bit of a run, but having looked at your site, I am quite tempted, so if I can align a few things in life, I may well be giving you a call.

Car and Bike Magic are unknown to me, but if I am heading North for a few estimates, may add them to the list of stop offs.

Have seen Falcons work first hand, very impressed. But, the premium is very, very high, too high for me sadly.

Pride and Joy were a place that I have known of for years, and too had heard good things. Visited recently. Very disappointed in the attitude and the workshop, which again, is a shame. Says a lot to me.

Will have a visit of the few outside of the area soon, fingers crossed!!!!!

Tibs

Original Poster:

488 posts

207 months

Sunday 5th June 2011
quotequote all
I'll be honest and say that I don't know. Perhaps Flavells in Thornaby? AAS Newcastle do, nice to deal with also.

NEFOC

415 posts

197 months

Sunday 5th June 2011
quotequote all
I use Walter Bell up in Haltwhistle. He is excellent an will do any car. Just shaking his blistered hands highlights the effort he puts in.

In addition for Teeside, my dad and I have used John Story (sic- not sure on the spelling) since I was 10. He did my SL55 a couple of years ago, and does all the auction cars my dad buys at Yarm/Leeds as required. Think he's based in Redcar.