garages near me

[Andy70]

Hi all, I've been looking to get back into tvr ownership and was wondering if there are any unofficial garages in or near Bristol that are happy to work on them, most won't touch them from previous experience, the last time I had a TVR it was Dulford that looked after it for me then Colin was it who started up TVRSSW? I think that's it? A blast from the past... Any way its a bit inconvenient to take it to Cullompton every time, so I wondered if anyone new of an outfit who is happy to have a go with them near me. Thanks

[Belle427]

Maybe somewhere like Amore autos, not sure if they deal with a local garage or do in house.

[Speed 3]

Belle427 said:

Maybe somewhere like Amore autos, not sure if they deal with a local garage or do in house.

They have capability to fettle their own sales stock but don't offer servicing to the general public.

[Andy70]

Speed 3 said:

Belle427 said:

Maybe somewhere like Amore autos, not sure if they deal with a local garage or do in house.

They have capability to fettle their own sales stock but don't offer servicing to the general public.

That seems a bit bonkers, they could get some work in doing general servicing, but looking at their site, i didn't see any maintenance options... I must say I didn't know that place existed, I might have a look at their cars for sale

[Speed 3]

They're decent people to deal with on sell (my experience) and buy (others). They mustn't see a market in servicing, like a few other TVR indies that have exited the business.

If you're looking for a Chimaera I wouldn't worry too much about TVR specialists if you can find a decent ingenious indie local to you. Speed 6, T-Car etc. would be a different matter.

[Andy70]

Speed 3 said:

They're decent people to deal with on sell (my experience) and buy (others). They mustn't see a market in servicing, like a few other TVR indies that have exited the business.

If you're looking for a Chimaera I wouldn't worry too much about TVR specialists if you can find a decent ingenious indie local to you. Speed 6, T-Car etc. would be a different matter.

That's why I'm here asking most run of the mill garages won't touch them, well not from my experience any way, all they want to do is the easy stuff, change brakes or starting motors on fords etc etc... My first Chimaera wasn't running right, so took it to a local range rover specialist as they delt with rover v8's (obvious choice to ignorant me back in the day), he charged me 100 quid or so for his time and said there was nothing wrong with it, just to fob me off, then i found Dulford and they sorted it, turns out there was lots of different little things wrong and sounded sweet as a nut after and other places seemed to be 'too busy to book me in' Thats when I was learning that they were quirky cars to work on, So Im guessing that somewhere like Cox Bros at the end of my road wont touch cars like that

[Belle427]

They are easy to service but I'm guessing with their reputation they would scare most away.
Parts are not readily available over the counter either.
The only time they become a bit of a pita is when they misbehave, misfires etc and most mechanics wouldn't know where to start.
Anyone who works on older stuff should cope with them easily.

[Azzurrinick]

Speed 3 said:

Belle427 said:

Maybe somewhere like Amore autos, not sure if they deal with a local garage or do in house.

They have capability to fettle their own sales stock but don't offer servicing to the general public.

Speak to Mark at Amore, they do carry out servicing and maintenance to all TVR owners, it's not a full time facility but as long as you give them sufficient notice he will accommodate you. He will also assist you in sourcing a vehicle.

[Andy70]

Belle427 said:

They are easy to service but I'm guessing with their reputation they would scare most away.
Parts are not readily available over the counter either.
The only time they become a bit of a pita is when they misbehave, misfires etc and most mechanics wouldn't know where to start.
Anyone who works on older stuff should cope with them easily.

In all honesty I'd service it myself, its more for repairs, I get the impression some components are difficult to get to why is why most garages don't want to know, they are happy doing the easy stuff they are familiar with. I remember some so say BMW specialists were shying away from doing camshaft work believe it or not on my 335i once

[Jordie Barretts sock]

TVRSW is still operating. They're just off J26 M5 in Wellington.

[Andy70]

Azzurrinick said:

Speak to Mark at Amore, they do carry out servicing and maintenance to all TVR owners, it's not a full time facility but as long as you give them sufficient notice he will accommodate you. He will also assist you in sourcing a vehicle.

I did speak with someone there and basically he said it was a members only club that was full, but he'd be happy to put me on the waiting list and wasn't interested in servicing

[Andy70]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

TVRSW is still operating. They're just off J26 M5 in Wellington.

i know where they are, I've been there with my old one just after Dulford folded, I'm junction 18, Bristol. 50 miles isn't really local enough if there is a closer alternative

[sixor8]

I know it's only a small shift in model, but I find those who specialise in old Land Rovers (not the Range type) more helpful.

Separate chassis, basic engineering, V8 Rover engine, no ABS or 'fangled' stuff. You may need to supply your own parts though.

[Andy70]

sixor8 said:

I know it's only a small shift in model, but I find those who specialise in old Land Rovers (not the Range type) more helpful.

Separate chassis, basic engineering, V8 Rover engine, no ABS or 'fangled' stuff. You may need to supply your own parts though.

I did try one before i discovered Dulford, there were minor running issues with the engine and he charged me an hours labour and said there was nothing wrong with it, in other words, if he sorted it, I'd bring it back again one day, so I think that was a polite fob off, I then found dulford, probably a suggestion from this forum and they sorted it

[Jordie Barretts sock]

That was then. This is now.

If you're not prepared to drive to Wellington from Bristol, you are going to have to put up with a non specialist garage. I use one local to me and as he says, there's nothing complicated about a Chimaera.

[Andy70]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

That was then. This is now.

If you're not prepared to drive to Wellington from Bristol, you are going to have to put up with a non specialist garage. I use one local to me and as he says, there's nothing complicated about a Chimaera.

Well, 50 plus miles is hardly local is it, hence my original post, I was hopeful that someone from my neck of the woods knows someone who works on them 'local' Id be dependant on dragging someone with me to bring me home and that's not convenient and yes TVRSSW do a curtesy car but the wait for it is 8 weeks I think Colin said. Yes we all know they are simple cars, but from my limited experience, a lot of garages shy away from them, So, back to my original question, is there anyone around my neck of the woods that works on TVR's? Yes of course, Colin is great and of course I'd take it there for specialist stuff, but general repairs that's out of my talent range, i was wondering thats all

[Andy70]

I could try Amore again, maybe the wrong person replied to me, or I may have to just buy my car from them, they do have a few there kicking around :-)

[Jordie Barretts sock]

And I'm telling you that any competent garage will be able to fix them.

There simply aren't the numbers of TVRs about any more. And they aren't specialist.

I suggest you contact some local garages to you and have a conversation with them. I know if at least half a dozen garages near me that will happily work on my Chimaera. They like it's simplicity for a change to today's 'everything via a diagnostic socket'.

[Andy70]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

And I'm telling you that any competent garage will be able to fix them.

There simply aren't the numbers of TVRs about any more. And they aren't specialist.

I suggest you contact some local garages to you and have a conversation with them. I know if at least half a dozen garages near me that will happily work on my Chimaera. They like it's simplicity for a change to today's 'everything via a diagnostic socket'.

but like I said, from my experience from the past, garages around here shy away from them for some reason,

but I'll have another try

[FHCNICK]

Andy70 said:

Well, 50 plus miles is hardly local is it, hence my original post, I was hopeful that someone from my neck of the woods knows someone who works on them 'local' Id be dependant on dragging someone with me to bring me home and that's not convenient and yes TVRSSW do a curtesy car but the wait for it is 8 weeks I think Colin said. Yes we all know they are simple cars, but from my limited experience, a lot of garages shy away from them, So, back to my original question, is there anyone around my neck of the woods that works on TVR's? Yes of course, Colin is great and of course I'd take it there for specialist stuff, but general repairs that's out of my talent range, i was wondering thats all

Well I use Col for work on my car and I live in Lancashire. There is a reason they are booked up well in advance.