Good independant garage in Notts

[sixpot]

My Mrs has recently changed employment and as result we have both lost the benefit of using her old companies's on site garage for cheap servicing and repairs. We both have relatively decent cars (For her, a 51 plate 206) and (For me, a 00 Alfa 156 2.0 TS), but both cars are now obviously out of warranty and we no longer see the need to pay main dealer prices. With all this in mind, and with services on both vehicles looming can anyone recommend a really good independant garage in and around the Notts area, preferably with a bit of knowledge of cars as opposed to the ever increasing crop of component changers (Especially for the Alfa)

Any help gretaly received

Thanks in advance


Sixpot

P.S. We wouldn't mind travelling a bit, but I work in the centre of Notts and the Mrs just outside, so nottingham area in preferred for ease of dropping off, lifts etc.

[EmmaP]

I use David Drew off Lady Bay Bridge - Tel [phone]. The owner is really knowledgeable, a real petrol head and a top bloke. He was nearly as excited as I was about me doing the Nurburgring (He put me onto my beloved Corrado VR6.) They always have an interesting and broad array of cars in there. I took my car in for an MOT yesterday and they had a Ferrari 360 Modena in. He will talk you through all your repairs and give a good assessment of any work and potential costs before work is started. The pricing is pretty good too and I never feel like I have been over charged.

[minimax]

Ihave heard good things about david drew garages, besides one of the mechanic dudes waved at me when I went past in the mini when he was sitting in a DB6 on the forecourt but what ever you do don't use geoff bloor just down the road, email me if you want to know why, but safe to say I was very lucky not to have a very serious accident after he worked on my car

[judas]

minimax said:

...I was very lucky not to have a very serious accident after he worked on my car

Any further towards a resolution on this, Tom?

[sixpot]

Thanks for the advice one and all. I have spoken with David Drew, who seemed a decent enough bloke and very knowledgable as well. He actually talked himself out of some work at one stage.

The Alfa is booked in as the Guinea pig a week today.

Once again thanks for the advice.

Sixpot

[minimax]

judas said:

minimax said: ...I was very lucky not to have a very serious accident after he worked on my car Any further towards a resolution on this, Tom?

not as yet... after some and a I have almost given up... there's only one route left now.

[judas]

Bastards...

Have you contacted Trading Standards?

[Balmoral Green]

judas said:

Bastards... Have you contacted Trading Standards?

I would have thought this, and an engineers report and a solicitor is the way to go. As for the costs, you would win them back for sure.

[EmmaP]

Balmoral Green said:

I would have thought this, and an engineers report and a solicitor is the way to go. As for the costs, you would win them back for sure.

Absolutely. The bastard is probably just trying to scare you off so that he does not have to cough up for the damage he caused.

[mr2mk1chick]

Try:

Geoff Bloor Garages,
Pavilion Road, West Bridgford,
Nottingham,
NG2 5FG Tel: [phone]

I have heard nothing but good reports from here, and i intend to use them whenever i need to.

EDIT: Doh - i did'nt read properly - thought the bad work was the other garage mentioned

>> Edited by mr2mk1chick on Thursday 17th November 13:37

[judas]

I think you'll find this garage's reputation is now somewhat suspect after events mentioned earlier in this thread.

[EmmaP]

mr2mk1chick said:

I have heard nothing but good reports from here, and i intend to use them whenever i need to.

After seeing the damage to Tom's car, I wouldn't trust him to change a washer on my tap.

[supaspark]

I had a result Wednesday...A friend suggested Arnold tyres and Exhausts, said they looked after him very well sort of old school professional types....so gave them a go with the MOT on the van....brilliantT..new disks and pads, track rod end and new horn fitted. Job came to £260....labour charge for the above £40...now how honest is that!