My W124 Works experience

[stats007]

Are we now perhaps unintentionally inflaming a situation which is best left to resolve itself.

Agreed .

 

[KLP 92]

Just a little update.

aka$h will be taking the car to his mechanic in S.London who has many connections in a local MB dealer tomorrow. They'll strip the entire ASR system down and check each component and diagnose the fault. Not sure how long it will be gone, but i'm assured its in good hands as aka$h will oversee the work.

Would have sent it today but aka$h decided to strip down the wiring loom on the E36, right outside my garage! Will have to refit the loom in the morning so it can be moved out of the way.

Hopefully will know by the weekend what parts i'll be needing to source.

 

[mercmanuk]

i think its time to end the positive/negative posts on this subject and just wait for the outcome to be posted by klp92,a lot of opinions have been voiced and i feel its dragging on now,just my opinion.lets adjurn the court and get down to what this site is all about,friendly helpfull members who go out of their way to help each other out.

 

[ADY1983]

I would like to thank Nav for this thread too, as like Dave Lewis I too had a bad experience at 124Works but felt I could not really post about it thinking I was the only one. Judging by the response of certain members on this thread can you really blame me?

As a lot of people will know about the issues I had on my Carlsson W124. I had transplanted a M104 300-24 into an M103 engined car. The car had an intermittent misfire which I was struggling to fix it.

Ian contacted me and said he knew what the problem was and he could rectify it for me. We arranged to swap cars at bridgewood last year.

At the time Ian suggested fitting the 24Valve diff which I had, so I put that in the car too with sub frame. I also wanted the head gasket done as it had a slight weep in the normal place. (corners).

Ian initially quoted me £680 for the head gasket, engine misfire rectification and swapping the diff over.

Ian got the car back to his place then gave me a call and said I needed a new gearbox; I sourced one it turned out to be a five speed, which Ian said would be fine, but didn't realise that fifth gear wouldn't work till after he fitted it. .

The sub frame needed to be replaced, Ian offered to powder coat the one I supplied. I was overjoyed that my car would be fixed, the misfire sorted, the diff/gearbox working that I agreed to spend the extra money on the car. Ian had guaranteed on many occasions that the problem was fixed with regards to the misfire.

Ian then decided to replace the rear control arms and all the bushes without my consent. I did NOT agree for this additional work, but was still billed for it. If I had known earlier I wouldn't have bothered with the powder coating.

Ian then proceeded to fit the diff, but realised the propshafts were different. He then proceeded to have my one machined and rebalanced. After this he then realized the driveshafts weren't compatible! He then decided to refit the original 12v diff and ordered another propshaft (approx £120) as he had butchered the old one. Again Ian failed to realise the fundamental issues prior to beginning modifications. This I feel should have been checked by Ian first; after all he is the Mercedes specialist. But yet again I end up with the bill.

The vehicle was initially booked in for 2 weeks but it came back 3 months later.

When I picked the car up I was disappointed with the bill. I was overcharged on jobs I was quoted lower on in the first place, a bit like KLP92's water pump job. I was quoted £480 for the head work, but charged £687!

Matters took a turn for the worse on the way home from 124 works. The misfire was still there, an issue Ian had guaranteed he had resolved. The oil leak from the head gasket was still there. I spoke to Ian straight away, he stated for me to wait a month and he would look at it at Olly's PCS GTG. I didn't drive the car for a week, but I then decided to go to the garage and the diff seized up on the A road at 40mph!!!!! A very scary experience indeed, one in which I could have been injured, or worse injured someone else.

The AA recovered the vehicle to a local garage who found the diff had leaked out its fluid due to the back plate bolts not significantly torqued, a job Ian did and should have checked.

I again contacted Ian, his response was frightening, He simply calmly and sounding very distant said my warranty was now void as someone else had worked on the car, and demanded I pay the remainder of his bill. I ended up paying £2000 for the work carried out on my vehicle, but even with my issues he demanded £1k more.

You all know the story with the car now, it had to be de-modded and sold. Ian's experience made my feelings towards the car sour.


I'm afraid myself and KLP92 are not the only victims of W124 works. Just look what KLP had to do to get Ian to acknowledge him. What kind of a person ignores someone at a GTG when a problem hasn't been rectified? You can judge that yourself by reading this entire thread.

There were significant small issues such as oily carpets, strange noises, cracked side skirt, courtesy car without tax and mot, that I’m not going into details now.

I'm glad that KLP seems to have had his issues resolved; well at least that’s one of us.

 

[television]

I hope that no one thinks that I am stirring here, I am not, If my friendship has to end with Ian,that would be sad.

There is going to be another one from Mercv8 joining in soon now all this has come out.

This guy has PM'd me 4 times as does not know what to do to get his car back.
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39750&page=2

I tried to chip in on the post in the link to try and help get an answer, the car has been with Ian since Oct 07 and from what I hear has not moved in months.

I cant put up one of the PM's without asking Mercv8,, but a copy has been sent to a mod

 

[Donza]

I would like to thank Nav for this thread too, as like Dave Lewis I too had a bad experience at 124Works but felt I could not really post about it thinking I was the only one. Judging by the response of certain members on this thread can you really blame me?

As a lot of people will know about the issues I had on my Carlsson W124. I had transplanted a M104 300-24 into an M103 engined car. The car had an intermittent misfire which I was struggling to fix it.

Ian contacted me and said he knew what the problem was and he could rectify it for me. We arranged to swap cars at bridgewood last year.

At the time Ian suggested fitting the 24Valve diff which I had, so I put that in the car too with sub frame. I also wanted the head gasket done as it had a slight weep in the normal place. (corners).

Ian initially quoted me £680 for the head gasket, engine misfire rectification and swapping the diff over.

Ian got the car back to his place then gave me a call and said I needed a new gearbox; I sourced one it turned out to be a five speed, which Ian said would be fine, but didn't realise that fifth gear wouldn't work till after he fitted it. .

The sub frame needed to be replaced, Ian offered to powder coat the one I supplied. I was overjoyed that my car would be fixed, the misfire sorted, the diff/gearbox working that I agreed to spend the extra money on the car. Ian had guaranteed on many occasions that the problem was fixed with regards to the misfire.

Ian then decided to replace the rear control arms and all the bushes without my consent. I did NOT agree for this additional work, but was still billed for it. If I had known earlier I wouldn't have bothered with the powder coating.

Ian then proceeded to fit the diff, but realised the propshafts were different. He then proceeded to have my one machined and rebalanced. After this he then realized the driveshafts weren't compatible! He then decided to refit the original 12v diff and ordered another propshaft (approx £120) as he had butchered the old one. Again Ian failed to realise the fundamental issues prior to beginning modifications. This I feel should have been checked by Ian first; after all he is the Mercedes specialist. But yet again I end up with the bill.

The vehicle was initially booked in for 2 weeks but it came back 3 months later.

When I picked the car up I was disappointed with the bill. I was overcharged on jobs I was quoted lower on in the first place, a bit like KLP92's water pump job. I was quoted £480 for the head work, but charged £687!

Matters took a turn for the worse on the way home from 124 works. The misfire was still there, an issue Ian had guaranteed he had resolved. The oil leak from the head gasket was still there. I spoke to Ian straight away, he stated for me to wait a month and he would look at it at Olly's PCS GTG. I didn't drive the car for a week, but I then decided to go to the garage and the diff seized up on the A road at 40mph!!!!! A very scary experience indeed, one in which I could have been injured, or worse injured someone else.

The AA recovered the vehicle to a local garage who found the diff had leaked out its fluid due to the back plate bolts not significantly torqued, a job Ian did and should have checked.

I again contacted Ian, his response was frightening, He simply calmly and sounding very distant said my warranty was now void as someone else had worked on the car, and demanded I pay the remainder of his bill. I ended up paying £2000 for the work carried out on my vehicle, but even with my issues he demanded £1k more.

You all know the story with the car now, it had to be de-modded and sold. Ian's experience made my feelings towards the car sour.


I'm afraid myself and KLP92 are not the only victims of W124 works. Just look what KLP had to do to get Ian to acknowledge him. What kind of a person ignores someone at a GTG when a problem hasn't been rectified? You can judge that yourself by reading this entire thread.

There were significant small issues such as oily carpets, strange noises, cracked side skirt, courtesy car without tax and mot, that I’m not going into details now.

I'm glad that KLP seems to have had his issues resolved; well at least that’s one of us.

Wow...

I hope your car gets sorted mate..

 

[andy_k]

I hope that no one thinks that I am stirring here, I am not,

Stirring or not, I for one fail to see how you can possibly see the need to be involved in a potential dispute between a garage in at the opposite end of the country to you and one of it's customers.

I'm sure you've got your reasons and I'm sure that you'll spend the next 14 or 15 posts explaining them to the gallery

Andy

 

[DansSlk]

I didn't drive the car for a week, but I then decided to go to the garage and the diff seized up on the A road at 40mph!!!!! A very scary experience indeed, one in which I could have been injured, or worse injured someone else.

Ouch very nasty indeed.

I again contacted Ian, his response was frightening, He simply calmly and sounding very distant said my warranty was now void as someone else had worked on the car, and demanded I pay the remainder of his bill.

Is that even allowed
I didn't think claim's like that could be made.

 

[television]

As Mercv8 asked me in 4 PM's to help him get his car back then I will help and put up the 2 pmPM's that I have left on behalf of Mercv8

the first
--------------------------------------------------------------
Originally Posted by Mercv8
Hello Malcom.

Thought id come to you for some Advice as you have always been very helpful to me (and everyone else mind!).

Have you had work done with Ian Walker at all?

Or do you know him more personally then on the board?

Thanks,

Al.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Another
Originally Posted by Mercv8
Yeh he does seem a real decent chap.

But he has had my car for around 8months doing an engine conversion, and im findnig it increasingly hard to get hold of him.

His mobile is off, he dont return my pm's and im starting to wonder if there is somthing untoward going on with my vehicle, such is the length of time its taking.

Dunno but the mind starts to wonder.

This was supposed to take 4 months at best, i was initally told. Its been double that and electrics not done yet.

Ive been really patient, and im not an unreasonble person, as i dont want to put pressure on him but it seems like my work is being put on the back burner all the time due to the fact ive been so reasonable about it, and im getting abit fed up really

Dont know if i should just go down and see whats going up.

Whats your advice Malcolm? lol

Id appreciate it if you would keep this between you and me.

I wouldnt wanna upset Ian really, and just eager to have a conversion with him and view the work so far to be honest.

--------------------------------------------------------------

The other were to upsetting and personel to put up.

but I am involved,and in principle it is all wrong

 

[andy_k]

I still can't see why you should be involved.

As you've admitted (albeit grudgingly) that we all (even you) make mistakes then it's up to Ian to sort it out.

If he doesn't (or chooses not to) then it's up to the injured party to contact either Ian or their local Trading Standards office.

Private messages or not, I still fail to see why you are involved - a simple "sorry I can't help on this one" reply would have been more relevant

Andy

 

[andy_k]

I cant put up one of the PM's without asking Mercv8

nice to see integrity and private messages being kept quiet.......



half an hour later..........

As Mercv8 asked me in 4 PM's to help him get his car back then I will help and put up the 2 pmPM's that I have left on behalf of Mercv8

oh dear, there goes that integrity and privacy

 

[KLP 92]

nice to see integrity and private messages being kept quiet.......



half an hour later..........



oh dear, there goes that integrity and privacy

How do you know he didn't get permission in that half hour?

 

[94mattda]

Oh dear... it all seems to be goign the wrong way again... I have never met anyone on here but as KLP said "How do you know he didn't get permission in that half hour?" ................. Besides Malcolm is a very helpful chap...from what i can gather.......KLP and Ian have sorted there problems..............so thats that....lets all be friends again.... its quite upsettign to see all this bad feeling as the forum has a very family/friendly feel.

 

[andy_k]

How do you know he didn't get permission in that half hour?

obviously I don't, but I did take the time to have a quick look at MercV8's profile and saw that the last time he logged on to the forum was nearly two weeks ago - as Malcolm was talking about private message discussions it was a pretty reasonable assumption that nothing had happened within the last 30 minutes

Anyway, as far as I was aware, the original problem highlighted in this thread has now reached an amicable solution, surely anybody else's problem deserves a new thread.

I'm not defending Ian or his business, or criticising you for airing your grievance (in fact I'd defend your right to speak out 100%) I'm just condemning the cowardly "lynch mob" who weren't brave enough to stick their heads above the parapet until you did


My last post on the subject


Cheers

Andy

 

[andy_k]

Ian then decided to replace the rear control arms and all the bushes without my consent. I did NOT agree for this additional work, but was still billed for it. If I had known earlier I wouldn't have bothered with the powder coating.

spot the difference.....................................

Here are some of the pics I took when I droped in to see Ian at 124Works On Good Friday, the man never seems to stop...


124Works

The Car in the air where I think it has been for the last 2 weeks...

Another pic of the brakes and the nice clean wheels...

Some more of that fantastic subframe, nearly every part on the back end is new, pretty much every nut & bolt

I have taken some of the front end but I think I will take some more once the front has been powder coated as the rear puts it to shame

Thanks for looking...

 

[television]

When I was the deputy technical secretary for the RR club a problem came along not unlike this one. The technical secretary was doing work for members of that club, though the guy was very clever he held onto engines etc for up to 2 years in some cases. this case is the same as what is happening here, a commercial activity is causing some members grief.

This reached a point where the directors could not take anymore complaints and the man was chopped, never to be seen or heard of again, but the RR club still carries on.

This is a forum for helping owners with their cars, no more than that and nothing less than that. Commercial activities have been allowed where a lot of help from commercial members has been given to other members.

OK I run a commercial business and have done for 56 years, I have done some 30 odd jobs for members, but I have never taken one penny for what I have done, not even the postage. similar items that the public bring to me I charge for 99% of them.

It would become a sad forum if the out come of this affects the other people here engaged in commercial activity for their input far exceeds any commercial gain.
All forums need input from those engaged in the trade so to speak, as at times its the only way to get a true factual picture

What I put here is not anything personnel between Ian and myself, it just is not fair that peoples possession's are treated the way shown in the post put up so far, and I think that there will be more to come.

I have only posted the way I feel and anything that I have said may help ,in some guidelines for the future.

This is the worst thing that has happened here in my short time on the forum.
If the moderators want me to take this away, they can erase it

 

[mercmanuk]

can we setup our own gtg at 124 works,i could build a hangmans noose and we could have a bbq,we could have a friendly chat then the highlight of the afternoon could be we hang ian,then for the members who dont think this is enough we could bbq the poor b*stard.
i can not believe this is happening on this forum,people stating i know someone who has had a bad experiance,he got oil on my car mats,he got fingerprints on my clean alloy wheels.
klp is getting the matter resolved grow up and get a life and leave it alone,ian must be wondering what he's done to deserve this.

 

[GrahamC230K]

he got oil on my car mats

But this is feedback. Getting oil on your carpet is not something you expect (surely?) and is something I have never suffered from. It's is a bonefide feedback related comment, not a hurled insult. Nobody has suggested anything like your comments and I am not sure they are going to cause anything positive.

This is one thread with negative feedback, where we have literally more positive feedback threads than I can count let alone recall.

This thread is being closely monitored and we expect it to stay on topic.

This means:

responses from parties invloved
parties that wish to add their actual expereince

I think we must try and refrain from too much involvement beyond this as this is when feelings start running high and more active moderation is required. Reducing the commenting for commentings sake from unrelated parties might also be a plan, please take that as a polite request.

Above all, if you are going to reply, is your reply constructive and does it add value?

 

[kbhogalW126]

I've stayed quiet so far but I just want to get a couple of things off my chest.

I've known Ian B Walker since i joined this forum back in Q3 2005.

I asked him for some advice, actually no - He offered advice FOC when I posted about some things to do with my old 300SE.

He offered me for virtually free his old 380SE exhaust.

It wasn't suitable in the end (Dealer said the parts were incompatible) so I didn't go further.

Ian has carried out a lot of work for me from Fitting/Unfitting AMG backboxes, brake discs and pads, servicing my cars, etc etc.

He also got up at 4am one morning and got the early morning train to collect and drop off a car for me.

He is virtually always available on his mobile. My only criticism is that he is on a crap network and sometime mid conversation you hear a "beep beep" noise as it "drops out."

I've had enough of people coming on here and slating Ian without even knowing him.

Certain people shouldn't be for other reasons.

I want to puy "my head above the parapet" and say its not all bad.

I've never had oil stains on my mat!

I'm big enough and ugly enough to know that I own an old car and that things go wrong with it.

You don't find me coming on here bleating like a sheep and crying to everyone here, do you?

I understand that if I want some non-standard or complicated work done there is a risk. I also understand that no one is forcing me to go to someone like 124works, merc-care, pcs etc etc.

I can go and indeed I DO sometimes go to Europa here in Sheffield.

I also understand that they charge £100 + vat even though I get a wee discount.

I, personally, choose to pay Ian c£40 an hour to get work done.

Why do people go to Indy's?

It's because they don't want to pay full price to get their work done.

There are very good Indy's out there and I can categorically say that I truly believe that 124Works and Ian B Walker is a good Indy.

I don't mind the c200 mile round trip to go there as I make the saving in one hour of work.

Come on guys, give him a break.

Things happen, sometimes things don't turn out the way you expect them to.

KLP92 - I have a hell of a lot of respect for you and the the work you have done on your cars. Myself and my cousins are in awe of your thinking with relation to modding and the end result you achieve. Ian has said publicly that he will sort it out with you so I would humbly ask that YOU personally now refrain from any further comment unless its telling us the outcome. I am sure it will now get sorted out and I'm sorry that it got this far.

Ian has not asked me to send this. In fact I'm sure he'll ask me to tone it down a bit.

I would like to see some of his customers to stand up and support him as he IS a good mechanic and a good bloke.

I think we sometimes forget here that this is the Internet and people here are real people with real lives and jobs / businesses.

It's really easy for someone to jump on the bandwagon.

Let's have facts guys, nothing else.

I'm of to work now.

I suggest everyone chills out.

And as I said earlier, I don;t know what numbers certain people try to call, I never find Ian's mobile turned off! If that fails try the Garage number!

Please forgive me if I've offended anyone here by my post.

Regards,

KJ

 

[GrahamC230K]

I'm not sure if you read my above post prior to posting your input.

As a forum can we not accomodate this thread for what it is (some negative feedback)?

Fairly construictive I would say. What I don't see as constructive is the random I am alright jack posts. Whther you are alright and whether that is becasue you have or not used 124 Works, is irrelevant to someone that isn't all ok?

I don't think anyone is suggesting Ian doesn't have many happy customers.

It seems odd to take offence at an experience someone else to you has had and be almost angry with them for having had it. Is that constructive and does it add value?

I would like to see some of his customers to stand up and support him as he IS a good mechanic and a good bloke.


KJ

The trouble here is, we don't prompt people to go out of their way to add negative comments to the MANY MANY positive feedback threads do we?

My questions are for everyone to think about. Not really looking for discussion on this.