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Good mechanics like gold dust!!

4K views 26 replies 12 participants last post by  chopper746 
#1 ·
Finding a good mechanic in London is one of the most difficult tasks ever!! After 3 weeks searching the internet and getting recommendations from friends for a mechanic to do an inspection 2 I finally settled for a small garage in Hamstead, London and booked it in yesterday (sat 20th feb).

The total bill came to £481.98, this included:-

air filter, oil filter, spark plugs, oil flush, oil, fuel filter, micro filter, front and rear wipers, washer fluid.

Slightly more expensive than other quotes I got but I suppose you have to pay a premium for a quality job.

1 day/25miles later the car was idling rough, top end sounds noisy, engine management light came on.. popped the bonnet open and they have forgotten to screw the air box back in properly!!!!

I'm going to call them tomorrow and give them a chance to sort it! Will keep you posted..
 
#4 ·
OUCH!! my mechanic charges £30 ph hour labour I didnt even pay that much for a water pump,water pump pulley,thermostat and housing to be supllied and fitted and a 2nd hand rad installed and pre mot inspection.
 
#5 ·
ok but that means normal BMW mechanics and not value mechanics would be working on the car for £410 and that is still cheaper than the indy you used, wouldn't you rather it had been done by BMW ?
 
#6 ·
really ?? my local bmw charges £120PH so that would of cost him £360 just in labour the parts wuld of come to more then £70
 
#8 ·
I think thats the price he paid
 
#10 ·
im lost lol :silly
 
#16 ·
A company called Hiroshima Power they specialise in japanese cars always used to take my old cars there top bloke explains and shows you everything he has done right down to changing a bolt and never had to go back after.And he has hand built the fastest road legal MR2 in the country and boy its a animal :hihi
 
#11 ·
No problem m8 :thumbsup I took it as he could of paid £50 an hour which I thought was good when my bmw dealer charges £70 + vat and had the knowlage it was done by bmw. I can understand not wanting to go down the value route but he didn't have to if those figures he gave are what I think they are. Anyway maybe the OP would like to put us straight :hihi
 
#14 ·
I think the value line is just a promotional thing on servicing. The parts are the same and the work is carried out by the same Techies. Just the price is cheaper because they knock down the labour rate and give parts discount.

As far as I know, the only time it makes a difference to parts is when you have brakes. There are a budget line of parts for that which are approximatly the same quality as many motor factors would supply you with under other names.
 
#19 ·
What a f**king rip off btw!!

When I was building Renault 5 GT Turbo's I was charging 350 quid for a clutch fitted, the engine had to come out plus that inc the clutch aswel, I don't know how mechanics justify their prices these days. Reading what you paid really pisses me off!! :mad

The motortrade is the biggest con going!!

If you don't know anything about cars then it's a big job trying to find a decent mechanic these days that doesn't want to make that extra penny out of you!

Here's a few pic's to keep you's amused :hihi
 
#20 ·
Agree with you there Reno5gtt - but what can you do - thinking of having the swirl flaps done so i ring another indy and as i am on the subject I ask about front pads £142 they reply fitted. I just got them done for £55 on Sat am - so ok it's not from an indy but a no frills mechanic (a very good one at that).
 
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