Servicing in the South (Dorset Pref)

[HonahonT350]

Afternoon all, I am new to TVR and to the Forum after purchasing my first TVR – T350 (picture on profile)

Ive just been reading a few threads about servicing but they all seem to be based hundreds of miles away. Does anyone know of a good / reliable / honestly price TVR garage? I would really like to find one in Dorset. Anyone have any suggestions?

Loving my car, can’t wait to get out of work everyday!!

Thanks

J

[garfys v8s]

i know this is devon but dulford automotive in collompton are superb and richard is a gem of a bloke they are very reasonably priced too, gary

[groucho]

garfys v8s said:

i know this is devon but dulford automotive in collompton are superb and richard is a gem of a bloke they are very reasonably priced too, gary

I live in Dorset and this is where I take mine. It's not far past the Devon border.

[V8S]

I live in Dorset and have had recent experience of Dulford too; they seem excellent to deal with and very friendly.

If you're out Poole way you might consider Westover but I have no personal experience of them apart from an MOT.

[t40ora]

Hi Graham,

Are either Dulford or Westover very much cheaper than, for instance, Racing Green? As mine is new I haven't really considered an indie.... Maybe just fear? But, like you, a major hobby of mine is buying petrol. So much so that the cost of a service is important! (5k on the clock since April 7th so 6k service next week or week after)!

Lee

[carsarecool]

Another thumbs up for Dulford from me, great people there who will look after your pride and joy!

[groucho]

Do westovers deal with TVR anymore? Their TVR place at......erm....begins with P....near salisbury is now closed.

[Bob the Planner]

And Westover used to be relatively expensive (not used them for a few years due to relocation). Tried both Penisular and Racing Green both of which I found gave excellent service at a lower price (even after travel costs). There are also a couple of places in Hampshire which may be worth a visit if you are in the east.

[t40ora]

Bob the Planner said:

Tried both Penisular and Racing Green both of which I found gave excellent service at a lower price (even after travel costs).

Well I'll stick with Racing Green based on that testimonial.

[Adetuono]

groucho said:

Do westovers deal with TVR anymore? Their TVR place at......erm....begins with P....near salisbury is now closed.

Pimperne....yes, Westovers do deal with TVR's, service centre is on the Nuffield Trading Estate. I'd be surprised if you got much change out of £80-90/hour. That's what they used to charge to work on my Jaguar. Never used them when I had the Cerb. I'd tell you why, but PH has a no naming/shaming policy.....

[V8S]

t40ora said:

Hi Graham,

Are either Dulford or Westover very much cheaper than, for instance, Racing Green? As mine is new I haven't really considered an indie.... Maybe just fear? But, like you, a major hobby of mine is buying petrol. So much so that the cost of a service is important! (5k on the clock since April 7th so 6k service next week or week after)!

Lee

Hi Lee,

Sorry not used Racing Green (where are they?) but have used Peninsula (differing levels of service) and recently Dulford sorted out a post-flood engine rebuild which I'm very happy with and I would recommend them.

I only had an MOT done at Westover so I don't know how much their labour rate is or how expensive parts, etc. However, I never hear anyone on here mentioning anything untoward about them, although yes there's a PH naming and shaming policy. In fact, no-one mentions them on here so I guess they can't be that popular but when I was there there were about 6 Tivs in the car park waiting to be worked on.

I'm not sure that a dealer stamp is always that important nowadays, particularly for enthusiasts that might buy your car in the future. It seems to me that many of the independents are offering a cut-above on service and quality because they have to, and I think most owners now rate their stamps up with those of the dealers if not higher. I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at a car that had good independent stamps in the service history.

All in IMHO

[t40ora]

Cheers Graham. Looks like there are many options then.

I guess that ultimately it boils down not only to reputation and personal experiance, but gut feel about a place.

Next service time I think that I'll spend a bot of time popping into some Inies, maybe like Fernhurst or the couple mentioned here. But as time is short for this next service AND I like the set-up of Racing Green (way out in Surrey sadly - Jn 4 of the M3) and the guys there, I'll opt for them at least this time.

The problem withe personal experience is that it needs just that - experience; I have nothing to benchmark against yet. But I don't think that I've ever heard any bad stuff about Racing Green, and more than a few good comments so biting the bullet shouldn't be too painful.

Maybe just too expensive..!

[icraigmy]

I would stay clear of Wasteover(sorry westover) in Poole. They are useless
They had my Tam for 8 weeks trying to sort out the power steering mechanism.

[t40ora]

They're off the list then!

[adetuono]

icraigmy said:

I would stay clear of Wasteover(sorry westover) in Poole. They are useless
They had my Tam for 8 weeks trying to sort out the power steering mechanism.

Not just me then?

[big_treacle]

adetuono said:

icraigmy said:

I would stay clear of Wasteover(sorry westover) in Poole. They are useless
They had my Tam for 8 weeks trying to sort out the power steering mechanism.

Not just me then?

me too - 7 weeks to do some jobs that should've been done in 1.
They've done some decent work for me before, but think I'll be using APM from now on.

[Bomber Denton]

I know it may be a bit off the radar but Austec in Crawley have to be about the best indie in the south of the country.


Edited to say that I live in Devon!

Edited by Bomber Denton on Wednesday 28th June 21:04