Servicing

[GasBlaster]

My Griff 500 is about due for the dreaded 24k service. It has a full Team Central service history, but I am tempted by TVR Power in Coventry who are a bit cheaper and as 'part of the factory' might be expected to do a better job. Question is, is TVR Power really any better or are Team Central, and a continous history, worth that bit more? I would be delighted to hear from anyone who has experience of either. Thanks for any replies.

[fourwheeldrift]

Avoid Team Central - they have a habit of returning your car with problems fixed but new ones to cope with -I had my car returned with a flat battery and another time with a non-fuctioning drivers door. They also never call you, I had a immobilser failure and after telling them this they changed the ECU !!! The car failed to start when I got it back and despite repeating to them it's an immobiliser problem (my Bro-in-law is with the RAC and it's what he said was wrong with it as he's plenty of them, a lot of XK8's apparantly!) they re-programmed the ECU saying they had forgotten to do so before . They also said they had no problems starting it at their garages - if I believe that I'll believe Rovers are sporty cars! Anyway I got so fed up with them I called them for the 3rd time (this time with anger in my voice - the first time I have ever made a call like it) and asked them to call me back - they never had done and I've since changed to TMS in Melton Mowbray who are much much much better. Oh and my next door neighbour's brothers 350 Wedge was in to Team Central for a bit of work, they never called him, he rung them so ask when his car would be ready only to have them say "well we would have rung you but we couldn't find your number" utter incompetance. So save money and headache pills and go to TVR Power or try TMS if they are still local to you.

[bjwoods]

How much are they quoting? If you look at the fernhurst web site they quote £378 for the interim service, and £558 for the full service. I wish all TVR dealer websites were as good, I go to Hawthorns (a good dealer, in my experience) but the web site could be better. As it's the same work, (assuming no non service items) all TVR dealers should charge broadly the same, the only variable being the labour cost. So, how mcuh have you all paid for the 'full' service out there.... B Edited by bjwoods on Friday 9th February 12:27

[GreenV8S]

I haven't dealt with Team Central recently but in the past they've done a couple of jobs on the V8S. I had no problems with them, their work was fine and the price seemed reasonable (for a main dealer). Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)

quote:My Griff 500 is about due for the dreaded 24k service. It has a full Team Central service history, but I am tempted by TVR Power in Coventry who are a bit cheaper and as 'part of the factory' might be expected to do a better job. Question is, is TVR Power really any better or are Team Central, and a continous history, worth that bit more? I would be delighted to hear from anyone who has experience of either. Thanks for any replies.

[thegamekeeper]

Further to fourwheeldrift AVOID TEAM CENTRAL. They appear to have gone bust

[Graham and Rosie]

What agin? This rumour keeps coming along every 6 months or so What do you base this story on this time? Is it the bank forclosing on the loan or the MD getting out before it goes under? Or maybe you know something else and this time it is true.... ================ Graham and Rosie

[jamesc]

I can recomend Colin Blower Garages in Hinkley, they are also reasonably priced, although I have never taken a road car there.

[RobM]

Had the same grief with team central. I take mine to david gerald at inkberrow. They've been tvr specialist since snakes used to walk http://www.davidgeraldtvr.freeserve.co.uk/

[GasBlaster]

Hmmm, not looking good for Team Central based on the comments here. I'll probably try TVR Power. I hope they know about other bits besides engines though!

[TVR Engineer]

I cannot speak for every dealer but if you have a problem you must discuss it. Why are you not happy must be the most important question. Often problems arise with a lack of understanding each other. If you have a problem with your car that really pis*es you off, I beleive a full and frank conversation is the best way to resolve matters. Often someone will complain of an intermittent fault, If you are prepared to leave your car for several days (I understand this can be a major problem, nobody likes to be without a TVR) in almost 100% of cases the fault can be rectified. On the other hand a customer who arrives 10 minutes before closing demanding his intermittent fault be rectified and can only wait 5 minutes is going to go away unhappy in less than 10% of cases. What I am trying to say is, be very careful to decide between equally good service departments. Everone has an opion but only you can decide where the best service lies. Try them both !!! Edited by TVR Engineer on Sunday 11th February 19:59

[fourwheeldrift]

Unless of course when the service department is full of idiots. I can also add to my hates of Team Central - delivering my car when bought with a cracked windscreen, the "appearance" of a cut in the leather of the drivers door when returned from a service. So don't tell me I haven't had a frank and honest chat with them because when I did they never returned my call. I am not a can't wait 5 minutes type of person because when they took my car back to replace the windscreen they couldn't get it back to me for 2 weeks !!!!!! But I didn't complain, but there are limits I have only ever had 1 problem with my car, Team Central TVR, ever since changing to TMS I have not had any problems.

[sweenster]

It's a shame you don't stay north of the border, the boys an Brandon are first class and their prices are reasonable. Fancy a holiday??

[cerby]

HAD OUR ENGINE GIVE A TOP END REBUILD BY TVR POWER BUT WAS FITTED WITH THE INCORRECT TYPE OF FINGER FOLLOWERS(TO SOFT)SO WHEN IT CAME TO THE 1000 MILES SERVICE THE WHOLE ENGINE WAS WRECKED!!BLOCK,PISTONS THE LOT!,STILL RUNNING IT IN AGAIN! AND WILL BE WAITING WITH BAITED BREATH TO SEE IF IT MAKES ITS FIRST 1000 MILES IN A SERVICABLE CONDITION!

[richb]

Why are you shouting again Cerby?

[cgibson]

Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of chaps - Team Central that is - Our relationship stopped with them when they started being abusive and threatening during a telephone call - talk about customer service!!

[Graham]

Maybe its time the dealers and the factory started listening to the gassing station and the e-groups.. Team Central have had a lot of bad press over the last 12 months and, now they go under... mmmm maybe they should have listend.. I certainly didnt take my Chim there for servicing as a result of other peoples experiences..

[jamesc]

To solve this problem, TVR need fixed guaranteed prices, I know that most francise dealers seem to charge for phamtom parts and practice other funny schemes. Team Central may of had problems, but they are by no means the worst TVR francised dealer. They have had several changes of ownership since 1997, this may be a factor in their problems.

[Marshy]

Robin Brundle told me to "stop taking the piss" once on the phone. Funny, I thought it was the car his dealership sold me that was taking the piss. Especially as it dropped all its oil on the floor on Friday (1300 miles after a 24k service, about 2-3000 miles after an engine rebuild.)

[sparks]

Hi, I come from 'Brundle' country (North West Norfolk for those that don't know) and my sister once worked for the Brundles for a few weeks. She left because she did not think much of the family personally or the way they ran their business. Don't know any more than that, but the comments below (above?) don't suprise me.

[craigw]

Cerbie, the same happened to me with my Griffith, had to run the bloody thing in twice!