Independent in Bristol

[kusanku]

I'm moving to Bristol soon. I've a 6 year old E320 cdi, with FSH from an independent, so would like to keep the stamps up. Can anyone recommend a reliable, good value indie in the Bristol area?

 

[BarrowGurney928]

I am glad you asked, as I am looking for this as well. Having said that, I have been recommended to Graham Batt on Feeder Road by a friend.
http://www.grahambatt.co.uk/

 

[Carrotchomper]

Not necessarily for Mercs, but I swear by Masters Autocare on Hotwell Road. Very honest, quick, decent work and decidedly cost-effective. Well recommended.

 

[stever]

I use Steve Bateman, has done a good job on my W123 over the last couple of years.
http://www.italian-cars.co.uk/

 

[beacham]

ive been told to use a garage on winterstoke road,ashton,cant think of name but its opposite the import garage.also a new one just oppened on the south liberty lane trading estate buy a guy who worked at cruickshank the bristol main dealer,aint been there yet but had an artical in the bristol evening post about.

 

[normanr]

Parkway
Parnall Road
Fishponds
Bristol
BS16 3JQ
Telephone 01179656164

 

[ajs37]

ive been told to use a garage on winterstoke road,ashton,cant think of name but its opposite the import garage.

Griffith? or Griffin? rings a bell - I was told they were good as well -

but I use Steve Bateman (ex-MB mechanic) - Italian Cars - he's not the cheapest, but he has always done a great job on my MBs (201 & 124) and his advice is sound

I have also had a couple of flyers from a new local MB indie - based in Brislington - apparently they are a couple of ex-MB mechs - haven't followed this up though

Whatever you do - do not use that bunch of incompetent cowboys posing as the official MB dealer in Cribbs Causeway (used to be called crookshanks)
Cheers
Andy

 

[ajs37]

I am glad you asked, as I am looking for this as well. Having said that, I have been recommended to Graham Batt on Feeder Road by a friend.
http://www.grahambatt.co.uk/

graham is great (but not so cheap) for VWs - didn't know he did MBs as well.

I had my old passat serviced there - once! I remember it involved changing the camshaft chain and a major service - cost about £800 (this was 10 years ago!)

Not sure they are going to be particularly 'good value' - get an estimate first!
Cheers
Andy

 

[k langdon]

Can you post the details of the new outfit in Brislington please.

 

[ajs37]

this was on the flyer left on my windscreen at home (twice!)

Three Points
MB Specialists
Sales - Service - Parts
Unit 29-31 Bonville Business Centre,
Bonville Road
Brislington
Bristol
BS4 5QR

Contacts are: Paul Davis - 07767088714 and Steve Olden - 07876504827

As I said - I am not making any recommendations, because I have not used them yet!
Cheers
Andy

 

[Dave Lewis]

There's also Autospec in South Liberty Lane Bedminster, I've not used them, but they are ex-main dealer guys with full diagnostics: LINK
The chap in Winterstoke Road (can't remember the name) has a w124 E280 of his own, and seems to be busy whenever I pass there.

 

[adm1945]

Agree with AJS37 - whatever you do, don't use Cribbs Causeway - bought twice from them - both times had to go back as they had not been checked before delivered, though they said they had.

 

[k langdon]

Thanks for the Brislington garage info

 

[chrisneal@clara]

Merc Independents covering Bristol

Hi,
I live in Bristol area, I have an ageing 1999 E280 saloon and have tried a few places for services etc. My comments are:

Parkway Auto Mobile in Parnall Road Fishponds, Bristol are quite good, not cheapest but have a range of mercs in there each time and not bad service levels, have couple of C Class loan cars which go great.

Also used Robin Lamb Merc Specialist in Gloucester - 01452 500808 again faily pricey e.g £300 for a service but does the business and is good if you have car that needs detailed service/MOT.

Cribbs Causeway main dealer is crap - forced to use them on couple of niggles/breakdown as close but not really for the older merc's, like their business users.

About to use Steve Rowley Garage in Cheltenham, 01242 222232 he has an ex MB technician and has been doing BMW's and Saabs for ages. Seems to know his stuff.

previous poster said this..
For older Mercedes models, you would have to go a long way to beat Glyn at GT Services. When I was last there he was rebuilding a 600 V12 engine, and fitting a 500 V8 back into an S Class. Rates are very good and he is located in between Gloucester and Stroud in a village caled Bisley. Look him up in Yell.com under "GT Autos" in Bisley. No job too large, or too small.

I gather there is one in Clifton, Bristol, Quarry Rd I recall, but advert was in Thornbury area which is 8 miles North Bristol, ad said.
"Mercedes Benz & Smart Car Specialists
All makes & models welcome
Free local collection & delivery service
Tel Nos. 0117 974 4888 Mob. 07974 069283

 

[kusanku]

Has anyone tried the Brislington people yet? On the basis of internet and people I have asked locally, I have consistently bad reports about the Cribbs lot, and mixed reports about Parkway. Someone local has recommended the Brislington garage, although he was someone I had just met, so not sure his recommendation will be reliable.

 

[merc07]

I dropped into Autospec yesterday. As the earlier post said the guys are all ex Mercedes - Most of them for over 15 years. The director was the service manager at mercedes before they moved to Cribbs. It was then he decided it was time to start it alone.

I haven't used them yet but they are doing a simple code job for me on Friday.

I too have had problems with both local Mercedes main dealers any basically can't trust them. The problem I have is that the car is only 12 months old so going independent means I lose mobilo but does that really matter ?

Cheers
Adam

 

[ajs37]

I would be interested in any comments on Three Points (Brislington) as well - having just bought a C180K (2006) - I'm not sure I want to pay the £450 I have been quoted by the Cribbs Causeway pirates for a B service - on the other hand, I need to figure out whether mobilo is worth it - or should I just stick with green Flag premium? B service is not due for another 3000 miles.
(Another factor is that I only live a mile away from 3 Points!)
Cheers
Andy

 

[stevesey]

Ditto - do most stuff myself but it's useful to know (and they are quite close).

 

[ajs37]

just got another flier from 3 points - this time, placed in a poly pocket, under the windscreen wiper of the car (which was parked on the road, outside my house!)
I'm going to have to give them a ring and see how much they can do a B service for - and maybe an Ipod upgrade kit!
Cheers
Andy

 

[ajs37]

also - on the mobilo front - having read about it in the service book - it does seem to me that I'd be better off sticking with Greenflag premium cover (which I had used extensively over the past year with my W124) and not worrying about losing Mobilo cover (what do others think?)

Do I lose the 30 year warranty for rust (from the inside?) if I let mobilo go? The service book is not clear about this.

Servicing - should be about half the cost at a good indie - MB Bristol quoted me £450 for a B - a quick look on the web, shows other companies offering £225 for a B, using MB parts

Repairs - I can't bear thinking about getting MB Bristol to touch my cars after my experience with them and the w124!

Parts - ok - MB Bristol are good on these - at a reasonable cost as well

this may be in the wrong place!
Cheers
andy