Car Dealers in Bristol
Discussion
mmm.... what you coming up for is it anything to do with Lotus? I live about a mile from Williams but if my Esprit needs a service i drive 65 miles to a specialist in Sailsbury, & its not because its cheaper!
They are ok, however i do know lots of other Lotus owners that have lost patience with them as simple things arnt done, mis diagnosis on simple faults etc. Last time i had to take the Esprit there when i went to pick it up i noticed 2 mechanics stood by the car, drivers door open scratching their heads, apparantly as they were taking it off the ramp the hand brake had locked on. On an Esprit its down by your right ankle & when you pull it on you can fold the handle down flat again to make it easier to get out. Now most people wouldnt know this...but 2 trained Williams mechanics??
For sales they know their stuff, no problem there, servicing i use them only when I have to.
They are ok, however i do know lots of other Lotus owners that have lost patience with them as simple things arnt done, mis diagnosis on simple faults etc. Last time i had to take the Esprit there when i went to pick it up i noticed 2 mechanics stood by the car, drivers door open scratching their heads, apparantly as they were taking it off the ramp the hand brake had locked on. On an Esprit its down by your right ankle & when you pull it on you can fold the handle down flat again to make it easier to get out. Now most people wouldnt know this...but 2 trained Williams mechanics??
For sales they know their stuff, no problem there, servicing i use them only when I have to.
Williams always seem a knowledgeable crowd, even when they are busy the sales staff seem to find time to help, and unlike many dealers salesmen seem to be petrolheads and genuinely love cars. They even keep up to date with Pistonheads!
I have yet to buy, but my boss has had an Elise and a Noble from them. Service is ok too.
In short, most other dealers could (and should)learn something from Williams.
I have yet to buy, but my boss has had an Elise and a Noble from them. Service is ok too.
In short, most other dealers could (and should)learn something from Williams.
I have tried to buy a car from them on more than one occassion and on both occassions I didn't. The first time was when the 111R had been launched. They were prepared to give one of us a test drive but not both as they were too busy.
The 2nd time I gave them the benefit of the doubt and I asked about trading my M3 for a 111R they had in stock. They got terribly excited but vanished into thin air once they made enquiries about underwriting the car.
If you are in North Devon, I would have a chat with Allan at Peninsula.
The 2nd time I gave them the benefit of the doubt and I asked about trading my M3 for a 111R they had in stock. They got terribly excited but vanished into thin air once they made enquiries about underwriting the car.
If you are in North Devon, I would have a chat with Allan at Peninsula.
Cheers for that Sortie and Catherine... I have met Ian at Willams and discussed a few things, he did seem interested and helpful, although a test didn't appear on the menu at the time (Mark at Nick Whale in Bromsgrove had no hesitation in suggesting one though...)
Ian seemed ok actually, but I felt that Mark at Nick Whales was more into it all as an enthusiast
As for Peninsula Catherine, I have seen a few Lotus dealer reviews on-line and 'complete muppets' I think was the general opinion there! I can't comment though with no first hand experience
I guess it could be a case of 'some like, some don't' - which could probably be said for most dealers representing most marques!?!?
Many thanks for the input - any other comment would be appreciated
Ian seemed ok actually, but I felt that Mark at Nick Whales was more into it all as an enthusiast
As for Peninsula Catherine, I have seen a few Lotus dealer reviews on-line and 'complete muppets' I think was the general opinion there! I can't comment though with no first hand experience
I guess it could be a case of 'some like, some don't' - which could probably be said for most dealers representing most marques!?!?
Many thanks for the input - any other comment would be appreciated
Yeah I know Mustard! Clocked that straight away! Thought for a minute there that you were kinda local-ish having seen this under South West forum... You're Midlands though with a knack for picking up great cheap cars I see And running them on good budget too! (£20 for that centre console was quite outrageous though 
)
No further foward with my plate at this point - bloody weekend innit?
Thanks again for the insight in that one - it's quite a bugger really if it all goes wrong, and you'd think more would be made of its importance. I suspect its be in the small print somewhere, but I suppose I thought it having paid for the pleasure, it would always be mine to use as and when I want... but not so it seems. First thing tomorrow morning it is then
Cheers!
And running them on good budget too! (£20 for that centre console was quite outrageous though ) No further foward with my plate at this point - bloody weekend innit?
Thanks again for the insight in that one - it's quite a bugger really if it all goes wrong, and you'd think more would be made of its importance. I suspect its be in the small print somewhere, but I suppose I thought it having paid for the pleasure, it would always be mine to use as and when I want... but not so it seems. First thing tomorrow morning it is then
Cheers!
we went to williams with the intention of buying an exige, even got other half to take cheque book with him.....couldnt beleive it, no salesmen offered us any assistance, we stood around for over half an hour and in the end ended up walking out............would never go back for whatever reason!
went to dick lovett in swindon, really good salesman, took us both out for a test drive nothing was too much trouble, even had the exact model i wanted in stock with both sports and touring pack in black.... managed to knock alot off the car and get harnesses thrown in and its the 06 model......he mentioned that he is quite happy to take cars to customers rather than them trudge to swindon....might be worth a look
went to dick lovett in swindon, really good salesman, took us both out for a test drive nothing was too much trouble, even had the exact model i wanted in stock with both sports and touring pack in black.... managed to knock alot off the car and get harnesses thrown in and its the 06 model......he mentioned that he is quite happy to take cars to customers rather than them trudge to swindon....might be worth a look
Wow, there's a rather shocking story!
Cripes, that is really rather bad. In the hour I've spent at Williams looking around and chatting to Ian, I didn't really pick up on anything bad like that... but then again it was mid-December shortly before Christmas and no-one else was around... he did disappear outside for a while to chat about something on the phone..?
Not been to Dick Lovett, but I have seen some nice models from them online... probably worth a visit also
Many thanks Justine (nice car and deal by the way!) and Catherine
Cripes, that is really rather bad. In the hour I've spent at Williams looking around and chatting to Ian, I didn't really pick up on anything bad like that... but then again it was mid-December shortly before Christmas and no-one else was around... he did disappear outside for a while to chat about something on the phone..?
Not been to Dick Lovett, but I have seen some nice models from them online... probably worth a visit also
Many thanks Justine (nice car and deal by the way!) and Catherine
Humm, cheers for extra info Del
It can be a little difficult to gauge the ups and downs of a dealership from comment and it could be said that only the dissatisfied tend to speak up... but then again to counter that, I suppose if I'd had a great experience somewhere, I'd definitely shout about it as well!
There does seem to be a common feeling running through this thread though...
Many thanks
It can be a little difficult to gauge the ups and downs of a dealership from comment and it could be said that only the dissatisfied tend to speak up... but then again to counter that, I suppose if I'd had a great experience somewhere, I'd definitely shout about it as well!
There does seem to be a common feeling running through this thread though...
Many thanks
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