McLaren Specialist Bristol/South West Area

[AvonRise]

Hi everyone,

I've just purchased a 12C which is due a service plus a few little niggles that I would like sorting.

Can anyone recommend a good independent near Bristol that would assist with this?

I've heard very good things about Avantgarde in Clevedon through a friend of mine who has a Mercedes and uses them regularly who told me about their line up of SLRs in for service.

I'm going to drive down later for a look but I wondered if there was anyone else in the area that comes recommended?

Thanks all in advance.

[murphyaj]

AvonRise said:

I've heard very good things about Avantgarde in Clevedon through a friend of mine who has a Mercedes and uses them regularly who told me about their line up of SLRs in for service.

They appear to be specifically a mercedes specialist. I'm sure the SLR is a very complex car to work on, and so they probably have smart people there, but there are things on a McLaren that need an experienced hand. Also, if you plan to sell the car at some point I'd expect some raised eyebrows from any potential buyers if it was serviced at a Merc garage.

[murphyaj]

Further to the above, you are not a million miles away from V Engineering, and they offer collection and delivery.
Granted it's not actually someone local, which is what you asked for, but I thought it's worth mentioning as you won't find anybody that knows these cars better. Once you are paying for a service plus a few jobs the collection and delivery costs are likely to be small in comparison.

Edited by murphyaj on Friday 21st June 13:15

[T350 Al]

I'm just over the bridge in South Wales and the short answer is; no. There are no indies around the South West and unless you want to go Main Dealer (both Birmingham and New Forest are options), then you're better off going with either V Engineering or Thorney. Ricky at REPerformance in Swindon is an option, he's certainly done more than a few rebuilds on 720s, but he's always stupidly busy so might be a challenge getting in there.

Mine is back over in Ascot for its service as we speak, as McBrum were full until late August, and can't go Indy thanks to McWarranty.

[Frankychops]

You’re less than an hour from v Engineering

[Trev450]

Another shout out for Ricky at RE Performance

[samoht]

Personally I'd go to V Engineering to get the car into a 'known good' condition now, then maybe consider seeking out somewhere more local for annual service thereafter if you don't want to travel. I took my newly purchased 570GT to V and as well as fixing a couple of minor things they also tweaked stuff I didn't even know was wrong, updated the software modules etc etc. (This was after a Mac dealer PPI).

[murphyaj]

samoht said:

Personally I'd go to V Engineering to get the car into a 'known good' condition now, then maybe consider seeking out somewhere more local for annual service thereafter if you don't want to travel. I took my newly purchased 570GT to V and as well as fixing a couple of minor things they also tweaked stuff I didn't even know was wrong, updated the software modules etc etc. (This was after a Mac dealer PPI).

+1

[MMarkM]

V isn't far at all, quick drive down the M4. They will happily drop you back to the station then a train ride back to Bristol. I know its a couple of hours out of your day but I think really worth it!

[davek_964]

If we all keep recommending V it's going to get very difficult to book your car in.

OP - I think Kwik Fit do any car servicing from £99?

[AvonRise]

Thanks everyone for the advice and recommendations.

I popped down to Avantgarde yesterday to have a look and I have to say, very impressive little outfit.

4 SLRs in the workshop, one of them a 722s imported in from Dubai specifically for them to work on because the engine needed to come out for a service as well as a 570 and a Ferrari 360 in the car park awaiting collection.

The owner explained there are 2 sides to his business, Mercedes Benz as well as supercars, mainly McLaren and Ferrari, which has 2 dedicated techs for, himself and one other and as he's ex McLaren himself, he's built a solid reputation with MSO for all McLaren parts, tech advice etc. They certainly look like they are well trusted within their circle of clients and I'd have no reason to doubt their ability.

I've booked in with them for 3rd week of July for a service and a few other bits so I'll report back.

[samoht]

^ cool, let us know how it goes and your impressions afterwards. We definitely want a better spread of options for independent McLaren maintenance, so good if people try new places and report back.

[AvonRise]

Hi everyone.

I said I would update, so here goes.

I took my 12C into Avantgarde this week and it was a first class experience.

I had a minor service carried out, but asked them to tooth combe the car as I had just bought it.

I also asked them to look into a rattle from the drivers door, brake squeeking under light braking and when I got there I saw they had a Hunter 4 wheel alignment machine so I asked them to check mine.

Rattle was a loose fixing for the window mechanism which they sorted. Brakes were stripped, cleaned and greased and 4 wheel alignment done for a sum of £648 which I thought was very reasonable.

Steve the owner dealt with me all the way through and I couldn't fault knowledge and after driving it back, no squeaks or rattles so everything I asked to be done has been fixed. Can't ask for more than that.

I have got a small list of things to go through which they have picked up but we'll sort that towards Autumn when the car will pretty much go away for winter.

Owner did say that he is going through a bit of an expansion process and will be advertising McLaren specialist services shortly as he's picked up a good few clients with McLarens since Rybrooks lost the McLaren franchise, so watch this space.

Hopefully another place discovered for independent McLaren ownership.