Car Maintenance / Servicing / Modding

[imadoofus]

I'm interested in peoples' own positions with regard to servicing, maintaining or modifying their cars

So; Do you do any work yourself, or would you if you had the facilities (space, tools etc)? Do you give everythign to a specialist/indie, or does it all go to the dealer to keep the service history up?

Me? I do my own work on my classics (although space is a bit limited), and I did with my Merc, except for servicing, because of the service history.

TIA

PJ

 

[renault12ts]

I'm getting back to doing some of my own ( or using someone's kindness ), needs must. I will use a good indie if I can't do it.

Money no object, I suppose I would use the dealers.

I would do a little modding...looking for a tailgate spoiler...anyone know of one?

 

[219]

I do most things myself , but will occasionally use a garage for jobs I don't have the facilities for .

 

[imadoofus]

Incidentally - a note for Admin here: At the moment, there are four responses, each contributing 33.33% to the total.

 

[robert.saunders]

Incidentally - a note for Admin here: At the moment, there are four responses, each contributing 33.33% to the total.

Probably my fault; I voted for the 5th element :bannana:

 

[jaymanek]

even though i have my own garage i do it all myself, I like to take my time and do it all the best way possible.

 

[219]

If you do a job yourself , you KNOW it has been done properly .

 

[st4]

Last option and it shows

 

[jaymanek]

If you do a job yourself , you KNOW it has been done properly .

yep and im a perfectionist when it comes to my cars and id only get irritated if it wasnt done right.. and sometimes things on old cars just dont go right..

Take my manifold as an example.. I took my time, did everything right.. new nuts, bolts, gaskets, washers etc and now still when i accelerate under load my car sounds like a VW beetle! Worst thing is i cant reproduce the noise on the ramp so cant sort it!

If someone else had done this i would probably have bitten their heads off.. I dont think my techs like doing my cars for this reason!

 

[Dieselman]

Me? I do my own work on my classics (although space is a bit limited), and I did with my Merc, except for servicing, because of the service history.

There's no option for that.

 

[BTB 500]

The "hang the expense" comment doesn't really apply to my main dealer due to the 40% labour discount (and 10% parts discount) there.

 

[Mr Jadefox]

I'd say it has an awful lot to do with the age of the car....

be surprised if there were many cars over 8-10 years old that went to a dealer. Likewise first 3-4 years will be all dealer.

Might be a split then for the middle year cars.

Would say its a fair bet that the 10years plus cars are predominantly worked on by their owners??

 

[robert.saunders]

I'd say it has an awful lot to do with the age of the car....

And the vehicle make

 

[lil.smartie]

I drive mine through puddles & put fuel in them, luckily our mechanics know this so look after them for me

lol

Kate

 

[imadoofus]

There's no option for that.

No, but you can vote for more than one option. which covers me

 

[SG CL500]

Main dealer for everything so far - but getting increasingly fed up with their service so am about to shift to indies for non-services.

I do not have the time, patience, capabilities, enthusiasm, aptitude or equipment to do any bar the simplist of tasks myself.

 

[Rose Chap]

I do not have the time, patience, capabilities, enthusiasm, aptitude or equipment to do any bar the simplist of tasks myself.

I agree wholeheartedly with this. I've the greatest respect for the abilities of those who enjoy doing this kind of thing, but it's not for me.

Incidentally SG CL500, now I both live and work outside their reasonable catchment area, I'm no longer using Tony Purslow of Basingstoke. If you know of a well regarded MB dealer or independant in our area (I'm in St. Neots) then I'd welcome the recommendation as my CLK is going to need a service in the next 2 months.

 

[del320]

For many, and certainly for me, it's down to a lack of energy, tools and facilities rather than knowledge and ability.

Long gone are the days of scrabbling away under the car changing oil, pads and exhausts, never mind disposal of the resultant junk.

In all my life I have never failed to complete a job I started - and to a very high standard - even if I say so myself!

Trouble is, I never fail to underestimate the work and effort involved to reach my exacting standards, so now I simply try to avoid even starting the damn job in the first place.

Recalcitrant rusty bolts, skinned knuckles, knackered knees, blunt/worn out/unsuitable tools, insufficient/wrong parts...

Nah! Been there, got the t-shirt...

 

[219]

Recalcitrant rusty bolts, skinned knuckles, knackered knees, blunt/worn out/unsuitable tools, insufficient/wrong parts...

Nah! Been there, got the t-shirt...

But you do have a VERY CLEAN engine bay now to show for all these things

 

[SG CL500]

Rose Chap

I've not yet used any indies, but am about to and have done some research. I live North East Cambridge as opposed to West so I've not been looking in your area. That said, if it helps:

Stewart & Wisbey Stewart & Wisbey - Used Car Sales in Ely, Cambs in Ely has come recommended by several people I know outside this forum and I will probably use them.

C&V Welcome to C&V Cars Ltd. | Home are a local specialist West of Cambridge - have heard both great things and not so great things - I've been told their hourly rates work out to be similar to Mercedes as well

MBTECHNICIAN on here runs Gem-Tech which is based in Essex - but there's an advert for the business at a small garage in Harston. I've asked if they're related (presume they are somehow) but not got an answer

Just to confirm - not used any of these as yet so any comments are from friends/colleagues who have as opposed to first hand experience.

Welcome to the Countryside!