Mechanic recommendation?
Discussion
I need to install a gearbox on my 2002 Clio 172. It's a labour intensive (7 - 8 hours) job so, at the £45/hour my local garage charges quite costly. Does anyone know of a mechanic who's a bit cheaper than this? I don't mind travelling from the south east (Bagshot) to further afield. The other option is on the isle of Man but, Manx mechanics, forgetdaboutit...super expensive.
I'll probably end up going to this guy as he's very honest and reasonable, occasionally someone knows of a 'solution' that's cheap and quality as it were. I know a bloke who's a retired gearbox builder, he has a full workshop at his home and rebuilds gearboxes for fun and a bit of pocket money. I found him by asking a similar question several years ago.
The car was generally feeling unsettled, over the 131k miles I've done in it (!), it had just started to feel arthritic, noisy, wasn't as confidence inspiring as it was when it was new. I was looking to replace it with either an R26 or an older Integra. But, whenever I drive something else, I come back to the Clio and simply prefer it: it's that good power in a small and light package, but with more refinement than say a 205 Gti. So, I just thought ''to hell with it I'll replace the worn out bits'', so it's had new brakes, new shocks, top mounts, suspension bushes, wishbones, wheel bearings and it had the engine compression etc checked (like new thanks to an oil change every 5k miles). All went well for a couple of months and then the gearbox started whining when under load, it sounded like a wheel bearing was going but the spanner man diagnosed a failing gearbox. We had a look at it on the ramp yesterday and low and behold the gearbox seals were leaking oil and that's apparently because of movement of worn parts inside. It all makes sense as the gearbox has had a hard life like the rest of the car so it had to start going at some stage. I have just got a box from a car with 27k miles, for £188, verified mileage and a 6 month warranty so theoretically it'll drive like a new car some time either over the weekend or next week.
I've just replaced the strut top mounts on mine. I had'nt noticed anything wrong but it was picked up on the service (60k) that they were worn. New brakes all round too. A snapped rear spring was replaced also (again, I had'nt felt a thing! I can remember getting airborne once or twice though 
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I was interested to hear about your gearbox as this is supposed to be one of the Clio weak points. Was stated as such in an EVO buying guide I read before I got mine, and I can tell it isn't the greatest 'box in the world. But tbh I've hardly ever heard of one going on the Clio forum I use. Like you say, yours has covered a fair few miles and at pace I imagine!
)I was interested to hear about your gearbox as this is supposed to be one of the Clio weak points. Was stated as such in an EVO buying guide I read before I got mine, and I can tell it isn't the greatest 'box in the world. But tbh I've hardly ever heard of one going on the Clio forum I use. Like you say, yours has covered a fair few miles and at pace I imagine!
Yes I think my gearbox is a victim of a hard life but strangely the clutch is original and still fine, I'm quite gentle changing, just welly it once the gear is engaged! Apparently the top mounts are vulnerable and renault started 'modifying' them with a grinder at services, to prevent them failing. Mine went after being replaced and so will be having this work done to stop them failing again. I'll find out what it actually is they do and post it here btw. Finally, I'm thinking about getting stiffer springs to counter the body roll, not sure if this is worthwhile but the roll is something I'd like to address if it won't ruin the ride.
I can recommend these guys, they did a good job rebuilding an auto box on our scenic. Not the cheapest I have to admit but the end result was also guaranteed for a year, with the possibility of further warranty if they check it annually for a small fee.
http://www.3d-transmissions.co.uk/reading.html
Regards,
Jon
http://www.3d-transmissions.co.uk/reading.html
Regards,
Jon
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