Ferrari/Maserati servicing in Cheltenham

Ferrari/Maserati servicing in Cheltenham

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Discussion

maser_spyder

Original Poster:

6,356 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
Hi,

Forgive my ignorance, I've only lived in the area a couple of years so don't have the 'in depth' knowledge of the area that some of you locals may have...

I've previously had the Maser serviced at the main dealer in Exeter, and tried Bob Houghton in Northleech. No gripes with either, but was looking for something a little closer to home. Somebody mentioned Ajip/Ajep/Agip/Agep who do performance car servicing in the area, but try as I might, I can't find them by goooooooogling.

Anybody got any pointers for a local specialist?

Having the motor tickled up next week for the summer, and service needs to be done in the next couple of weeks (I know, I'm badly organised).

If it's back in time, I may join you all all on the next run from Staverton!

Thanks in advance all.
Nic.

evenflow

8,795 posts

288 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
Dick Lovett in Swindon any good?

nicktowe

37,934 posts

230 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
Broughtons in Cheltenham ??

Daggerpie

1,434 posts

207 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
LOL, you're proberly thinking of Ajec www.ajecracing.co.uk

For Italian go to Pete Chambers over in Tewkesbury, takes care of anything from GTO's to Enzos

http://www.pcaltd.co.uk/service_f.html



Edited by Daggerpie on Thursday 19th March 16:06

maser_spyder

Original Poster:

6,356 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
Daggerpie said:
LOL, you're proberly thinking of Ajec www.ajecracing.co.uk

For Italian go to Pete Chambers over in Tewkesbury, takes care of anything from GTO's to Enzos

http://www.pcaltd.co.uk/service_f.html



Edited by Daggerpie on Thursday 19th March 16:06
Give that man a gold star, thanks!! Ajec is what was mentioned to me.

I'll give Pete Chambers a call though, thanks for the advice. If he's doing enzos and GTOs, he'll easily cope with my tiddly 4.2!

Thanks again.

p.s. I tried to buy a car from XXXX XXXXXX, but they never called me back, went in three times to ask but never once even a call by return. My last visit I said "I know I'm young and scruffy, but is that any reason not to sell me a car?", secretary spluttered, I walked out! Bought from an indie in the end, and would like to continue my support of the indies by having it serviced at one too. Much friendlier people on the whole!

Daggerpie

1,434 posts

207 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
No worries, good luck matey, Ajec are good guys but def more Jap orientated nowadays.

Sounds like the usual main dealer stories im afraid, decent indies all the way! smile

Gusbang

199 posts

201 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
Give Neil Garner Performance Engineering a call, he is based in Kemble (Cirencester). Well worth a call, knows his stuff.
www.neilgarner.co.uk


agent006

12,058 posts

270 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
Gusbang said:
Give Neil Garner Performance Engineering a call, he is based in Kemble (Cirencester). Well worth a call, knows his stuff.
www.neilgarner.co.uk
Was going to suggest the same, but Northleach is too far and Neil's even further.

maser_spyder

Original Poster:

6,356 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
Northleech not necessarily too far (it's a nice drive after all!), but I found BH prices about the same as a main dealer, and given it's no longer a particularly new car, it doesn't seem worth paying main dealer prices for an oil change and set of filters.

Just looking for a more 'realistic' specialist that will know the car, but not charge £500 for an oil change.

Sure, it's worth it for the first couple of years to stave of teh depreciation, but I don't see the benefit of main dealer servicing after 5 years or so, when a specialist is more than capable of basic servicing.

Ta muchly for the advice, will be calling round tomorrow too sound them out!

Gusbang

199 posts

201 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
maser_spyder said:
Northleech not necessarily too far (it's a nice drive after all!), but I found BH prices about the same as a main dealer, and given it's no longer a particularly new car, it doesn't seem worth paying main dealer prices for an oil change and set of filters.

Just looking for a more 'realistic' specialist that will know the car, but not charge £500 for an oil change.

Sure, it's worth it for the first couple of years to stave of teh depreciation, but I don't see the benefit of main dealer servicing after 5 years or so, when a specialist is more than capable of basic servicing.

Ta muchly for the advice, will be calling round tomorrow too sound them out!
I think you will find Neil Garner's price more realistic without the worry of sub standard work. He is very passonate about what he does. I know many people who wouldn't take there car anywhere else.

agent006

12,058 posts

270 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
Found Neil very good too. Has a loan car and also will collect/deliver (at x per mile).

If you do go to Ajec then post back with what you think. Am pondering sending a couple of small jobs their way.

maser_spyder

Original Poster:

6,356 posts

188 months

Thursday 19th March 2009
quotequote all
I might try the normal 'litmus test' with them all (hope they're not reading this....!) and mention I'm concerned about the cam belts may be over-due for changing.

It actually has chains, which are a 10 year / 100'000 mile item, normally sorts who knows the cars from who doesn't!

I know that's a little over the top for a basic service, but I'm after another few odd jobs that are a little more specialist, so would be nice to know the garage has a bit of experience with the model/engine etc.

Thanks again all, I'll post back results and let you know who I go with.



Off topic slightly - About 8 years ago my pride and joy was a Celica GT-4 (I was only 21, it was great!), took it to the chap around the corner for a service who said, 'yeah, no problem, drop it in' etc. Duly dropped it in, he opened the bonnet, blasphemed, followed by 'just look at all that in there' or some such (it was pretty stuffed full of turbos and intercoolers - even the alarm fitters had trouble finding somewhere to fit the siren!). It was perfectly obvious he didn't have a clue where to start.

I made my excuses and drove away. It was only a oil change, but the idea of somebody chucking spanners around and 'learning' his way around my pride and joy was a little too much....

Edited by maser_spyder on Thursday 19th March 23:20

AngryApples

5,449 posts

271 months

Friday 20th March 2009
quotequote all
Daggerpie said:
No worries, good luck matey, Ajec are good guys but def more Jap orientated nowadays.

Sounds like the usual main dealer stories im afraid, decent indies all the way! smile
Dagger,

back when I had my E36 M3 (2002-2003) I used Ajec, are they still good for BMW?

Daggerpie

1,434 posts

207 months

Friday 20th March 2009
quotequote all
I know the old Ajec propieter from around then was Dave Brunsdon, he was BMW through & through and v well respected in BMW circles, (he did some work on my 964 around that time to and i was v pleased) i belive he moved to France and set up Ajec over there tho so dont know how much he still has a hand in over in UK.

I did pop in Ajec about a year ago tho (when they were over that hucclecote bs' park) i had a leaky front 996 caliper, the guys were v helpful, jacked the car up,sorted the leak with a new copper washer and didn't even charge me a penny. I would def use them again.

The reason I mentioned the jap stuff was coz there was a few Evos out front and I know their black Evo from seeing it at trackdays and its stupidly quick. Mate of mine has had some service work sone on his Scooby as well and was happy.

ETA - forgot to mention, for a bit more serious BMW tuning, dont forget Simpson up in the forest, popped up there when i had my modded e39 M5, they know their onions also.. http://www.simpsonmotorsport.co.uk/

Edited by Daggerpie on Friday 20th March 11:16

BYRON

89 posts

237 months

Sunday 22nd March 2009
quotequote all
hi give stu at forza west a call down in chepstow well worth the drive he is servicing enzos lambos tvrs etc 01291 624563

maser_spyder

Original Poster:

6,356 posts

188 months

Sunday 22nd March 2009
quotequote all
Hi all,

Sorry to waste everybody's time, but tried ringing around the suggested above on Friday afternoon, but no answer from anybody. frown

I've got a wedding to go to in a couple of weeks and was hoping to take the car, and the car is booked in for a bit of tickling up and a valet later this week so doesn't leave much time for the service (my fault!). The clutch is also overdue for replacement and I need it checking for wear (specialist software required).

Called Bob Houghton on Saturday morning on the off-chance, was surprised when somebody picked up!

Long and the tall of it, they said drop it off Monday morning and they'll squeeze it in over the next few days. Can't say fairer than that!

I've bookmarked the others mentioned above for the future, and I have no doubt others will benefit from this thread, so not a total loss.

Plus side is I should have a serviced, valeted and clean car in the next 10 days, woo hoo!

Thanks again for everybody's very helpful input, it's much appreciated.

Might see some of you at the next meet!

Edited by maser_spyder on Sunday 22 March 20:20