New DIY Garage

[tim.100]

Following the various posts about service costs rocketing as dealers face receivership, I found a new place to service my new car in London. It is a DIY garage - lots of new lifts, clean bays with work benches, and free tool loan. They charge by the hour. I spent 7 hours there yesterday.

www.pitstartgarage.com

I have no affiliation to this business - just thought this might be of interest to others in the area. I've not come across a DIY garage in the UK before.

Note to Mods: I've not put this in the Mercedes specialists section, as it is neither a garage business nor MB specific.

 

[speedybiker]

Your link does not work

Alex.

 

[wemorgan]

is this the place?

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/memb...pit-start-drive-thru-self-service-garage.html

 

[Howard]

They sponsor MBClub too !!

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/memb...pit-start-drive-thru-self-service-garage.html

 

[tim.100]

Your link does not work

Alex.

Fixed!

 

[tim.100]

They sponsor MBClub too !!

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/memb...pit-start-drive-thru-self-service-garage.html

Howard,
For much of my time there I was the only customer. They were very helpful - fetching me complimentary coffee and carrying tools over etc.. But they need more business to survive. The customers I saw would not have covered wages, let alone overheads. Apparently it is busy in the evenings.

Here's the economic proposition.

I was there 7 hours - say I am not as good as a garage mechanic = 6 hrs professional time. Land Rover rates are >£100, but I can have it serviced for say £60 incl/VAT per hour. Oils etc were supplied by me (all 13 litres) saving an estimated £100 of margin (at say 70%). Another £50 of margin (@40%) saved by my purchase of service parts. So I saved £360 labour, £150 parts supply profit, less £90 fee for Pit Start. About £400. I'll not argue the figures but it makes sense for me once a year. I also got to know more about the vehicle condition (bought it used, December 2000 car to avoid £400+ road tax).

The only issue is service history - but it will get some this year as I am planning a second engine oil change very soon.

all the best
Tim

 

[andy_k]

we had a couple of DIY garages in Nottingham in the eighties, sadly, they ended up helping people out so much they started doing all the work

I thought there was one in Brixton as well

 

[wemorgan]

I think it's a very good idea, especially in London where people are less likely to have garages or driveways to work on their cars.

Also working on a car on ramps is much easier than on axle stands.

With word of mouth I'm sure people will hear about it quickly.

I hope the business does well.

 

[w124coupe]

I wonder what happens if someone gets a bit overconfident and ends up with a car stuck on the ramp that they can't put back together?

 

[tonysurf]

The one in Brixton ended up being a Jet Garage, then a McDonalds. People don't realise a good thing till it's gone

 

[wemorgan]

I wonder what happens if someone gets a bit overconfident and ends up with a car stuck on the ramp that they can't put back together?

You best check your credit card limit!

 

[Alps]

dont they offer a mechanics service too, so if you do get stuck you can pay the guy there to fix it!

 

[Spinal]

I did call them a few weeks ago hoping to get my rally car on a ramp so I could finish welding my arches...

Apparently you're not allowed to weld (oxy nor mig; even though I had all my own gear)...

Sad as I was really hoping to get it done there! I ended up buying a pair of very large car ramps and doing it in my driveway...
M.

 

[Koolvin]

PITSTART will be on 5th gear soon too

 

[tim.100]

The one in Brixton ended up being a Jet Garage, then a McDonalds. People don't realise a good thing till it's gone

Agreed - hence my post. I've no obligation to them or vica versa.

I did call them a few weeks ago hoping to get my rally car on a ramp so I could finish welding my arches...

Apparently you're not allowed to weld (oxy nor mig; even though I had all my own gear)...

Sad as I was really hoping to get it done there! I ended up buying a pair of very large car ramps and doing it in my driveway...
M.

I can understand the issue from their perspective. They are probably worried about an accident by you impacting other customers and their cars. 'Hot work' is probably not a risk they want on their premises. I spent some wondering about their indemnity regime, as I've experience with complex commercial insurance at work. They've recognised and mitigated at least one issue, by installing large industrial curtains between the bays, so if a tool/owner flies off one car it/he won't damage the neighbouring car!