FD2 service / specialists in Kent

[Speed Badger]

Hi all, does anyone know of decent Honda oriented independent garages in the Kent area?

I'm in West Kent and TGM are too far as the FD2 just needs a basic service and CPL racing can't do it until the end of September.

Thanks

[will-w]

Hi SB

I know you posted this a while ago, but did you find somewhere in the end?

I bought an FD2 back in Feb and have been driving over to Dream Automotive in Watford, but it's a bit of a trek so would be interested to find somewhere closer!

Thanks
Will

[rossub]

Why not just use Honda themselves if there’s no specialist close?

K20 isn’t exactly complicated to service and I don’t recall Honda charging really silly money...

[will-w]

rossub said:

Why not just use Honda themselves if there’s no specialist close?

K20 isn’t exactly complicated to service and I don’t recall Honda charging really silly money...

My nearest Honda dealer is 40 minutes away; if I’m going to travel I might as well go to somewhere that is going to spend time working on it and that knows the car..

[rossub]

Ok, fair enough. Just assumed a Honda dealer would be nearer.

[will-w]

rossub said:

Ok, fair enough. Just assumed a Honda dealer would be nearer.

So had I. Up until about six months ago we had one in Tunbridge Wells, but they closed it as there wasn’t the demand..

You now have to travel 40/45 minutes to the nearest one, which isn’t going to help sales one bit!

[havoc]

Not aware of any specific Honda specialists down there.

Maybe have a google on NSXCB, see what Honda dealers the NSX guys use (there's a bunch of SE owners, inc. at least 4 in Kent)...if a dealership is trusted enough to work on an NSX it's probably good.

Other option is look for a more generic (reputable) Jap specialist in the region.

[Kewy]

Last time I asked our local Honda dealer, they charged £115 per hour for labour.

Even the good indy garages round here only charge about £65 per hour so I'll be steering well clear of Honda (except for parts).

[havoc]

My local dealer doesn't charge me anywhere near that much, as my cars are older than "x" years (5 I think, may be 8), so they get a discounted labour rate.

Makes a simple service on the NSX cheaper than that on a Civic Diesel!

[Mark-t]

I only bought mine in March but I'll be servicing it myself and keeping the reciepts in a folder to build a service history.
I did the same with previous Type-Rs and due to the niche (enthusiast) type of buyer for these cars, a folder of parts reciepts wasn't a problem for them.

If you really require a garage, TGM would be who I'd use.

[Koolkat969]

will-w said:

So had I. Up until about six months ago we had one in Tunbridge Wells, but they closed it as there wasn’t the demand..

You now have to travel 40/45 minutes to the nearest one, which isn’t going to help sales one bit!

I live in Kent and my nearest Honda dealership is based in Orpington. I use them for the yearly oil changes to keep my service book stamped up and plus I get a free health check on the cars. For the interim services, repairs and maintenance, I use R2 Automotive based in Tilbury, Essex who I highly recommend. They are Jap specialists just across the river from South East Kent via the Dartford Tunnel. They look after my S2000 and Integra DC2. I prefer to use them because being jap specialists, they work on Integras, Civics, S2000, Supras etc all day. I have also used TGM once before but just too far from SE Kent. You can't go wrong with R2 though and the the other reason I prefer them for all other work apart from the yearly Oil changes I do at the dealers is because I get more of a personal input into how my car is being looked after which I cannot get at the dealers. This could be simply about what parts I wish to use such as upgraded parts or oem, having a look at my car on the ramp etc whilst it's being worked upon and being able to learn more about the car and being more aware of the all round general condition which greatly helps towards my continuous preventative maintenance. Just a lot more personal relationship with my mechanic than I can get from any dealer. You may wish to check out their Facebook page which gets regularly updated.

Hope this helps..........and no, I do not get any discounts for recommending them incase you are wondering