Experience of Walldonway dealers?

[IanBlackburn]

Has anyone had good/bad experiences with this dealer?(http://www.walldonway.co.uk/) I''m considering buying my first TVR and these guys are just round the corner to me so would be handy. Their prices seem a little higher than others so I would expect a good service. Cheers Ian

[sybaseian]

High cost doesn't equal good service/value. I would suggest that you try a few different dealers as quality of service can very considerably if you are buying new. For second-hand, I would try loads of different cars as some are better looked after than others. Avoid ones that have been sat in a garage and only used when the sun comes out - these tend to have leaks not rectified (the owner probably doesn't know it leaks), etc. All TVR's seems to be reliable if they have been used on a regular basis, but treated with some mechanical sympathy (warmed the engine up properly before hitting the loud pedal) Ian - Chimaera 500 (12,000 miles since October - it'll have 4,000 in the next two weeks, yipeee!)

[sybaseian]

Sorry, I meant another 4,000 miles and not winding the clock back. The Grand Tour of Europe starts next week.

[dougie]

I bought a 4.0ltr Chimaera in 1999 from what was then WLA specialist cars now Waldonway. I think the sales area is excellent (they let me and my girlfriend loose in a Tuscan last week - excellent) but TVRs sell themselves. Their servicing on the other hand appears expensive - always £500 plus (no experience of other dealers). My car as been excellent (only small things have gone wrong) so no real experience in crisis talks with them. In summmary I will probably by my next TVR from them (George is your man) but may look elsewhere for servicing.

[IanBlackburn]

Thanks for the comments. I think that I am going to give them a chance. I'll post back how I get on. Edited by IanBlackburn on Tuesday 21st August 10:22

[uk.deejay]

<rant mode on> Well, they've had my chim 500 for the last 4 months, dates have come & gone, had no paperwork or phone calls had to constantly chase them up for info etc, so can't say that I'm very impressed with service levels to date ! - have to say after having a word in the big cheese's ear (Cliff Cornwall) things have improved somewhat. In fairness not all delays have been their fault the factory have played their part in all of this, and this has spoilt the whole TVR 'experience' to date - Walldonway - 5/10 (mind you if you are after a suzuki wagon R they can do you a good deal apparently !! ) I found their forecourt prices to be higher than most of the other official dealers and definately higher than some independents i.e Adrian Blyth etc. Based on current scenario I can recommend Adrian Blyth for sales & David Batty for servicing - let me know if you want their numbers. </rant mode off> Regards Paul.

[IanBlackburn]

Thanks Paul, That's an eyeopener. I have Adrian Blythe's number, but not Dave batty - could you send it (or web address )([e-mail]) Cheers Ian

[Graham and Rosie]

I have used Walldonway (and WLA as they were) for a few years, they looked after my old Chimaera very well and are doing a good job on the Tuscan as well - TVR do cause them a lot of problems with last minute changes to delivery dates etc, but that is hardly Walldonways fault. Syd is one of the best TVR mechanics around, the factory have "allowed" him to do some engine work on the Cerbera/Tuscan engines that they do not allow other dealers to do (allegedly) so that must say something about the level of work. Paul Wood (service manager) will fight your corner hard with TVR and keeps a list of when he has called them and what they said, so they cannot deny things later on and try and blame the dealer, simple but effective! Also he never seems to get stressed about all the grief he gets from both sides, no idea how he manages it!! If you are looking to buy go and see Nick Mason, he was with them when it was WLA, then went to HR Owen and now is back, he is a very honest salesman and will tell you if he thinks a car is not right for you - he can be difficult to get hold of on the phone as he is usually busy with customers, but do try and get in to have a chat with him. Well that is my experience, I do a lot of miles and so get to see them quite often (54,000 miles in 2.5 years in the Chimaera) so maybe that helps? But that is my experience, oh and they are a very friendly bunch, even make me cups of tea in the service bit if I am waiting around or just having a chat when dropiing the car off for a service - Ihaven't quite got my own mug yet though ================ Graham and Rosie

[johno]

They are my local dealer and although i don't use them for servicing as it's a little bit on the dear side for my old S1.5 I do use them for parts. They have for the last two or three months on an ad hoc basis let me use their diag unit to see how the car has been running after I had issue with an engine air leak. They did not charge me for this and I was getting in their way. They are genuinely interested in the car and are always ready with advice. I to even get the odd cup of coffee aswell. I paid them with a couple of cases of beer just to say thanx really. I ahve heard them get a bad press from some corners in the past but I have found them totally useful. Cheers Mark

[uk.deejay]

Ian, David Batty at The Garage in Compton just outside of Guildford. 01483-811995. <calm mode on> Might have gone on abit yesterday and am sure there are quite a few happy customers here - as in any case it cuts both ways & unfortunately I've just had a bad run so far !! - needless to say David Batty has always been reliable, knowledgable etc and his prices are quite competetive too ! TVR engineering seem to be a law unto themselves and most certainly let down their customers & in some cases their dealers when the pressure is on - all IMHO of course :-) Let us know how you get on as am interested how my local dealer performs as a whole. Regards Paul.