RMS
Active Member
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2012
- Messages
- 286
- Location
- BIRMINGHAM
- Car
- SL500 SILVER ARROW R129, C350 CDI SPORT W204, C320 CDI SPORT W204, S320 CDI W224, BOXSTER 987
Hi guys,
Just thought I would do a short write up on my recent experiences with 3 local indies.
I bought an R129 Silver Arrow in June. Prior to restoring it, I wanted to make sure things were mechanically sound. I have used the SL Shop in Redditch, WDM in Perry Bar and MSL- Stratford Road, Birmingham. I used all 3 for 'health checks' so to speak- not through any lack of confidence in any of their abilities but purely down to me being overly thorough.
I'll stay as objective as possible about how they came across, the work carried out and the overall experience. I hope not to offend anyone.
The SL Shop Cost £70+vat
Recommended by many magazines
Helpful prior to me buying the car with their advice
Pros -Friendly
Knowledgeable
Thorough- ie gave evidence via a printout of work required as well as talking it through with me
A fantastic experience - drive to the middle of nowhere in the peaceful countryside, abundance of parking and lots of beautiful cars to view at your leisure.
Was called and emailed when the work was done.
Car valeted prior to collection and left at the front ready to go
Cons- Cost
Busy- Car bought beginning - mid June, couldn't get in till after July
Could this have been whilst I wait?- perhaps but due to distance was booked in and left there.
WDM- Cost- Free
Recommended by Avantegarde cars (where i bought E36- he services all of his Mercs there) as well as MBCLUB
Pros- Friendly
Knowledgeable - evidence given as above and same things noted
Cost!!
Accomodative- Whilst I waited- advised of when quiet periods were and best time to take car in within 24 hours of my initial call
Car reversed out of the bays and left in a convenient position to leave
Cons- Location and access (scraping the barrel for a con) on a busy main road- but this is the city after all.
MSL (Stratford Rd) - Cost £30
Recommended by forum
Pros- Friendly
Accommodative - booked in within 24 hours of my call
Cost
Cons- wasn't really told of whether this would be whilst I wait or if I had to leave it. Its a 30-40 min walk from where I live so I didn't mind having to leave it at all and was prepared for either
No phone call to be told it was ready. I left the car at 0930, called at 1430 to ask if it was ready but the person who knew was at lunch- was told they would call- no call received. Had a dental appt at the end of the day so I called at 0930 the following day. The car was ready. No missed calls or voicemails the previous day.
Parking- car was quite hard to get out, left between a large van and an SL with an A class and another car behind. To be fair I was walked to the car as I did not spot it behind the van and told the chap I should be ok getting it out. Luckily a customer who just arrived came to help
Thoroughness- I am in no position to question anyones automotive knowledge. I was only, however, told that the mechanic who checked the car said everything was 'bang on, no problems with the suspension or brakes or anything'
All in all we have a good, highly recommended bunch here and each will have their loyal following. In this instance my experience with the first 2 was better.
The work required picked up by SL Shop and WDM was actually :- Gearbox service needed
all fuel and brake lines corroded
Noted front suspension top mounts perished, remove and replace
Fit new bonnet insulation.
Noted surface corrosion to underbody - needs waxoyl
interior lights faulty
couple of small oil leaks
Just thought I would do a short write up on my recent experiences with 3 local indies.
I bought an R129 Silver Arrow in June. Prior to restoring it, I wanted to make sure things were mechanically sound. I have used the SL Shop in Redditch, WDM in Perry Bar and MSL- Stratford Road, Birmingham. I used all 3 for 'health checks' so to speak- not through any lack of confidence in any of their abilities but purely down to me being overly thorough.
I'll stay as objective as possible about how they came across, the work carried out and the overall experience. I hope not to offend anyone.
The SL Shop Cost £70+vat
Recommended by many magazines
Helpful prior to me buying the car with their advice
Pros -Friendly
Knowledgeable
Thorough- ie gave evidence via a printout of work required as well as talking it through with me
A fantastic experience - drive to the middle of nowhere in the peaceful countryside, abundance of parking and lots of beautiful cars to view at your leisure.
Was called and emailed when the work was done.
Car valeted prior to collection and left at the front ready to go
Cons- Cost
Busy- Car bought beginning - mid June, couldn't get in till after July
Could this have been whilst I wait?- perhaps but due to distance was booked in and left there.
WDM- Cost- Free
Recommended by Avantegarde cars (where i bought E36- he services all of his Mercs there) as well as MBCLUB
Pros- Friendly
Knowledgeable - evidence given as above and same things noted
Cost!!
Accomodative- Whilst I waited- advised of when quiet periods were and best time to take car in within 24 hours of my initial call
Car reversed out of the bays and left in a convenient position to leave
Cons- Location and access (scraping the barrel for a con) on a busy main road- but this is the city after all.
MSL (Stratford Rd) - Cost £30
Recommended by forum
Pros- Friendly
Accommodative - booked in within 24 hours of my call
Cost
Cons- wasn't really told of whether this would be whilst I wait or if I had to leave it. Its a 30-40 min walk from where I live so I didn't mind having to leave it at all and was prepared for either
No phone call to be told it was ready. I left the car at 0930, called at 1430 to ask if it was ready but the person who knew was at lunch- was told they would call- no call received. Had a dental appt at the end of the day so I called at 0930 the following day. The car was ready. No missed calls or voicemails the previous day.
Parking- car was quite hard to get out, left between a large van and an SL with an A class and another car behind. To be fair I was walked to the car as I did not spot it behind the van and told the chap I should be ok getting it out. Luckily a customer who just arrived came to help
Thoroughness- I am in no position to question anyones automotive knowledge. I was only, however, told that the mechanic who checked the car said everything was 'bang on, no problems with the suspension or brakes or anything'
All in all we have a good, highly recommended bunch here and each will have their loyal following. In this instance my experience with the first 2 was better.
The work required picked up by SL Shop and WDM was actually :- Gearbox service needed
all fuel and brake lines corroded
Noted front suspension top mounts perished, remove and replace
Fit new bonnet insulation.
Noted surface corrosion to underbody - needs waxoyl
interior lights faulty
couple of small oil leaks
