Howdy all, For sometime I have been trying to find a good garage close to me here in Beeston, Nottingham to help look after my VR6 and do the hard jobs I haven't got the tools for ! I've experienced most garages around the area with much disatisfaction but my latest escapade really takes the biscuit ! There is a garage in the centre of Beeston called 'Jim Steel Garages'. It prides itself on high quality workmanship and that all of its employees are fully trained mechanics. I thought to myself perhaps they are the garage that I can trust to get stuff done for me when I don't have the time or the tools. The saga begins - (a) June '07 - MOT done very well, pulled up a few items but nothing I didn't know about (excellent). Changed the brake fluid (excellent) After I picked the car up I realised that broken door pin () spoiler on OSF window wiper was missing () Seeing as they were minor items I just forgot it. (b) July '07 - Changed OSF driveshaft (they quoted 145 which i though was good) When I picked the car up Charged me 30 extra because they ordered the wrong drive shaft OK I thought, as long as it was well done I can live with that. After driving the car to work and back the next week (after holiday) I realised that - The tracking is way out and has been messed with the camber on the OSF wheel is out (how did they manage that ?) The splash plate behind the brake disc had been bent and was "rubbing" on the back of the brake disc ! I was absolutely furious. So I thought that's 65 to sort the tracking and camber somewhere else and which numpty did the splash plate ? Anyway I have left it for a bit because I have had far too much to do at work and no time to mess around with the car. Until today ! I have noticed a burning smell sometimes when I park up after a drive. Tomorrow I go to kent for the weekend to see friends and perhaps go to the pub & beach if the weather is good ! So I thought I'll give the car a quick once over before I set off tomorrow, what did i find ? - Bolts holding CV joint & driveshaft to gearbox transmission are loose (one isn't even in the thread hole !) CV Joint grease has been thrown onto the exhaust heatshield and dripped everywhere whilst it has been hot ! So I have just literally have blown my lid . I pay for a service and what do I get ????? A potential fire hazard underneath my car, plus a potential near death experience if the bolts on the driveshaft shear whilst doing 70mph on the motorway ! So today again the garage has cost me 1 hour under the car, plus 1 hour walking to and from the garage ! Where does this end. They are currently fixing the problem ! Needless to say I will never use them again and will tell all of my friends and their families in the area not to use them on pain of death ! It looks as though my search for a good garage is never ending ! [:^(] What really makes me angry though is that I was going to do the job myself, the only difficult bit of getting the shaft in and out of the hub stopped me from doing it. I would dearly love to find a good mechanic who I can trust to do a job right. At this rate I will be doing everything in the future myself !
Hard to find a garage like that I'm afraid. I'm sure you'll find one eventually, even if it means going that bit further. It's either that or buy your own ramp. It'll probably work out cheaper!
I stopped reading after this point. Garages dislike people who are aiming to do the easier things themselves, only giving them awkward jobs. Garages make their money on servicing and the simpler end of fixing stuff. A lot of the more specialist tools they have, are designed to make jobs quicker - its possible (but not so easy) to fix a lot of things avoiding having to buy lots of tools.
Thanks for the replies guys. Got the car back this evening, the driveshaft has been sorted and the owner of the garage had offered to pay for the tracking & camber re-alignment. So actually fair play to the guy. But that doesn't mean I'll necessarily go back. I think you're absolutely right Paul_C, if it's not oil changes, sparks and leads then I guess we're stuffed. Oh well, problem almost sorted and I've calmed down now C&R here I come !
Hmmmm mess-up an oil change ... now that is bad news ! Now I think I'd need anger management classes for that one <dowh>
There's good and bad of everything. A good garage is unlikely to mess up an oil change (or other regular servicing tasks).
Many moons ago I took my car to the dealers for an oil change and they charged me for an oil filter without changing it. Needless to say that was the last time I took the car in for service, I only go for my VW parts and 10% discount Do it yourself its not that difficult either.
one of my friends takes her valver to C+R, always heard good things about them and they always seem to give her good advice about how to make it faster and run better without taking the p*ss.
Whenever I have contacted C&R, they can't fit me in for over a month, which is obviously no good for most things that break - especially if your car is a daily driver. I always use Stoney Cross in Spondon, Derby - not that far from Beeston. They're always worth a try if C&R can't fit you in. Most of us at CGTI Derby region use them - tell them we sent you, and they'll look after you! Matt.
Most things I do myself but anything I can't be bothered to do i'll get Jody at Midland VW to do it for me. I enjoy the drive over there as no speed cameras on A5
