Anyone used "Chris Gray, Independant Mercedes Specialist" in Wendover?

[GrahamC230K]

Guys,


Have any of you dealt with a company listed by Yell as

"Independant Mercedes Specialist" in Wendover?


134 Aylesbury Road, Wendover, Bucks?

01296 620 420


03/02/05 EDIT: Just a note to say Chris now has a workshop premises in Dinton.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Well, I am sure someone on here recommended this guy by PM, but I have lost it!

Anyway, I went to visit the guy, it is a small operation, but he follows MB schedules and only original parts. He also has MB diagnostic equipment.

I quizzed him a little and he passed IMO. With the offer of either a courtesy car or a lift ot work, I am booked in for a few weeks time.

I shall report back then.

 

[guydewdney]

i looked for him - but as 134 ayls. rd. was residential, i didnt persue it - id be interested in the result graham...

 

[GrahamC230K]

i looked for him - but as 134 ayls. rd. was residential, i didnt persue it - id be interested in the result graham...

The buisiness is run by Chris Gray.


The address had me fooled for a bit, but he has premises to the rear. I went in my lunch hour and he actually came out to greet me when he saw me pull up outside the house and look confused! He knew the car was a 230K from the noise :bannana:

His words were that he doesn't advertise, he has a large enough customer base, which expands by word of mouth.

He said he would rather invest in equipment than premises. He has space for a car in the workshop and one or two outside, but working on the basis of only working mainly on one car a day to give it his full attention, it works just fine.

His diary was full for the next two weeks.

I spoke to him about my cars history, what had and hadn't been done in the past and he is going to do a B service, discluding things such as pollen filter that I have changed myself.

He was aware of common faults such as MAS failure, steering dampers etc when I encouraged him to talk.

As I say, I hope to have a glowing report for you in a fortnight.

 

[waggers]

Graham, I recommended him a while back now! I've been using Chris since I purchased my C43 2.5 years ago! Top bloke and knows his stuff. After main dealer screwed me on exhaust manifold and starter failure I handed the car over to Chris. Runs from garage at back of his house. Came up trumps too when my gearbox decided to disintegrate. You can mention me if you wish.

He does have a loyal customer base and as such gets booked up a number of weeks ahead. So check your schedule and make sure you're got a slot booked in!

I've have passed a number of work colleagues his way too!

I'd trust him with my car anyday, and wouldn't send it anywhere else now. Good luck

Cheers

Steve

 

[GrahamC230K]

:bannana: :bannana: :bannana: :bannana: :bannana:

My car went to Chris today.

What can I say - knowledgeable, trustworthy, reliable, friendly, honest, very well equipped (his workshop!), enthusiastic.

I got a top quality job to my cars exact requirements, a loan 190 and a very fair price.

He is even modding my car with cruise control next week!


On a side note the car needed an A service, spark plugs and rear pads (they had lasted 40K miles). Chris also gave me a kick to get my two on the limit rear tyres change - booked in for two new F1's this evening - £270 all in at a local fitters (Johnsons Tyres that R2D2 found can't supply unitl next week and can only source F1's from the UK at the moment at prices which they admitted they don't like either!

 

[GrahamC230K]

I have seen over the past few months a different side to Chris. Since July Chris has let me down over numerous matters.

My instinct is to warn people to be wary, although I believe he is still trading.

PM me for details - these are my opions and I don't want to expand on the forum.

If anyone is still happily using him and he is same as usual please let me know. Phone calls don't work and I am now on recorded delivery written communication, which doesn't seem to work either - the letters are also being redirected but I am not sure to where.

Looks like I'll be checking out JP Marques sometime in the furture.

 

[Branko]

That all sounds very odd indeed. He did a full B service on my E300TD two weeks ago (110K on the clock) and changed the back discs and pads and that was all fairly routine with an OK price (much less than a dealer). His labour rate is £55 per hour and I think he uses original MB parts (the B service with the brakes was £565 all in).

He is shortly due to collect the car as the front end of the exhaust needs some welding near one of the brackets at the cat end as this has rusted through the pipe. Always tells you what he is up to I find.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Glad he is still about - just need him to stop working for 5 minutes to sort out his administration!

 

[Branko]

Well I know how detailed his invoices are - he does not miss anything off!

 

[GrahamC230K]

Well I know how detailed his invoices are - he does not miss anything off!

Invoice? I have NEVER had an invoice from him! Not even a receipt. Now he has had my service book since July and I cannot seem to find a polite way of asking for it back that works!

 

[R2D2]

Invoice? I have NEVER had an invoice from him! Not even a receipt. Now he has had my service book since July and I cannot seem to find a polite way of asking for it back that works!

Cant you just turn up and ask for it?

 

[MainMan]

He changed my cat for me (to a non-Merc part that I ordered - he advised against it) and it cost about £80 and he provided a courtesy car also. I've now got problems with the cat but I don't think he can be blamed in any way for that. I'd say he was an honest and competent and is much cheaper than the dealers. The trouble is that these cars are now hugely complicated and one bloke can't be expected to be an expert in everything.

 

[GrahamC230K]

He changed my cat for me (to a non-Merc part that I ordered - he advised against it) and it cost about £80 and he provided a courtesy car also. I've now got problems with the cat but I don't think he can be blamed in any way for that. I'd say he was an honest and competent and is much cheaper than the dealers. The trouble is that these cars are now hugely complicated and one bloke can't be expected to be an expert in everything.

I agree and it's not a knowledge thing. I have until now got on with him well and am well aware of his lapse approach to paperwork and how busy he is. We always talk for at least 10 minutes everytime I see him - he know I know my Mercs and he keeps me up to date with what he's driving etc and been working on. I have been in his house numerous times!

It's just every phone call now, he promises to call back and doesn't.

He basically owes me a small 3 digit sum of money and has my service book.

He operates off of 2 sites so catching him and is not easy and there is always the excuse it's not here, I'll call you, I have been on holiday, I lost my phone, I'll post it..............


He's obviously still trading and keeping up with most of his customers. I would just say ensure you get paperwork when you require it, don't leave it for another time and don't put yourself in a position where you are in credit - you may regret it.

If he resolves my simple issue, I'll use him again, but like I said, outstanding since July.

 

[Branko]

How come he owes you money then? Apologies for being too nosey - perhaps a PM might be better!?

 

[GrahamC230K]

How come he owes you money then? Apologies for being too nosey - perhaps a PM might be better!?

Well - sods law! I wait for months biting my tongue knowing Chris is Chris and thinking he will come come good - and the day after deciding my glowing referance on here is now a little innacurate and he calls me today in response to my letter saying I was quite right and he hopes he can resolve everything!

 

[R2D2]

...........funny that isnt it? No I didnt...........

 

[AlistairD]

An old thread I know but I was doing some research prior to getting my S500 serviced...

I'm booked in with Chris on Thursday for a B service.

 

[AlistairD]

Just to update, great service from Chris and his team. Needless to say and I'm very happy with the car and will definitely use him again...

A

 

[harleymlb]

Used Chris to do some work on my wifes 230 slk. Did good work at a fair price...alot cheaper than Hughes Mercedes.