STEVE BURNS
Club Member
good god a member who is responding and is one of the few who hasn't got the apathy bug
good on you BarryD your restoring my faith in Z Owners
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Which garages can be trusted:- Garages etc site
- Thread starter jonnyd64
- Start date
good god a member who is responding and is one of the few who hasn't got the apathy bug
good on you BarryD your restoring my faith in Z Owners
SkylineDave
Well-Known Forum User
ok then here's what I think:
yes on one hand it's a great idea and will allow people to get recommendations one way or another as to which garages can be trusted, but on the other hand (as has been mentioned) people have good days and bad days, and it's possible that someone could have a great piece of work done from whats normally a crap garage, or someone could have something go wrong from a normally good garage (mouthful).
its also possible that someone could post a favourable comment after a piece of work has been done, only for their exhaust to fall off a week later. and its also possible that someone would post a comment saying that X Garage ripped them off when it actually turned out they charged them a very good price in comparison to the rest.
so, ONE piece of work done to ONE car owned by ONE person by (usually) ONE mechanic from ONE garage is very "narrow-minded" in a sense.
however, it is still a good idea, so...
it is very important that people who potentially post to this would-be new area of the forum type in an outline of their good/bad/indifferent experience, instead of just saying 3/5 or 4/5 or 1/5.
also, do we have separate ratings for different aspects of the visit? for example: RELATIVE COST OF WORK DONE (if you need both turbos changing dont moan that you had to spend over £800 [and the rest]), FRIENDLINESS OF STAFF (open to interpretation I guess), RELATIVE TIME TAKEN (this category and the cost category would obviously mean you have to have an idea of the 'average' cost and time taken for work to be done - itemised receipt used to consult the other forums perhaps?).
Another category would be how much of the work actually HAD to be done? (eg. take it in for a tyre change and drive away with a new radiator, mirrors and head gasket!) - again this would require knowledge of what work was necessary and what was not.
Like someone else said, a good idea but treading on thin ice (relevant to the weather this week )
yes on one hand it's a great idea and will allow people to get recommendations one way or another as to which garages can be trusted, but on the other hand (as has been mentioned) people have good days and bad days, and it's possible that someone could have a great piece of work done from whats normally a crap garage, or someone could have something go wrong from a normally good garage (mouthful).
its also possible that someone could post a favourable comment after a piece of work has been done, only for their exhaust to fall off a week later. and its also possible that someone would post a comment saying that X Garage ripped them off when it actually turned out they charged them a very good price in comparison to the rest.
so, ONE piece of work done to ONE car owned by ONE person by (usually) ONE mechanic from ONE garage is very "narrow-minded" in a sense.
however, it is still a good idea, so...
it is very important that people who potentially post to this would-be new area of the forum type in an outline of their good/bad/indifferent experience, instead of just saying 3/5 or 4/5 or 1/5.
also, do we have separate ratings for different aspects of the visit? for example: RELATIVE COST OF WORK DONE (if you need both turbos changing dont moan that you had to spend over £800 [and the rest]), FRIENDLINESS OF STAFF (open to interpretation I guess), RELATIVE TIME TAKEN (this category and the cost category would obviously mean you have to have an idea of the 'average' cost and time taken for work to be done - itemised receipt used to consult the other forums perhaps?).
Another category would be how much of the work actually HAD to be done? (eg. take it in for a tyre change and drive away with a new radiator, mirrors and head gasket!) - again this would require knowledge of what work was necessary and what was not.
Like someone else said, a good idea but treading on thin ice (relevant to the weather this week
)
SeanDezart
Well-Known Forum User
If you go ahead, I would propose that all posts be scrutineered as per photo uploads before being alowed onto the forum. And this scrutineering might take 3 days to allow time for the administrator to consult fellow site controllers !
SkylineDave
Well-Known Forum User
True. We're looking for constructive critisism here. Instead of: "****ing Y's Garage ****ing ripped me off a ****ing treat the ******ds!!" we'd rather have "I thought that £650 for an air box change seemed rather excessive and when I mentioned it they threw a spanner at me."
Also the ability to follow-up your comments with additional posts (maybe like a thread of its own) so you can a) keep users updated with on-going problems (taking the car back, taking the garage to court, asking fellow users if they've seen a 17" OZ Super-T lying in a ditch somewhere) or b) change your opinion should the situation change (should a bad garage apologise and offer a good discount, or should what initially appeared to be good work suddenly go up the spout)
Also the ability to follow-up your comments with additional posts (maybe like a thread of its own) so you can a) keep users updated with on-going problems (taking the car back, taking the garage to court, asking fellow users if they've seen a 17" OZ Super-T lying in a ditch somewhere) or b) change your opinion should the situation change (should a bad garage apologise and offer a good discount, or should what initially appeared to be good work suddenly go up the spout)
BarryD
Well-Known Forum User
OK - WorldWideMotors in Newport Pagnell - Tel: 01908 611100 good work, good prices, friendly people.
They also have a sales (and import) function and have got the odd car or two lying around if you need to borrow one whilst yours is put back together.
The boss drives a 300ZX (Z32) so he can't be all bad.
Not a true Nissen only garage - GTOs, MPVs even Mazdas and MR2s to be found in bits.
They also have a sales (and import) function and have got the odd car or two lying around if you need to borrow one whilst yours is put back together.
The boss drives a 300ZX (Z32) so he can't be all bad.
Not a true Nissen only garage - GTOs, MPVs even Mazdas and MR2s to be found in bits.
STEVE BURNS
Club Member
Summary of recommendations so far
This is not an official Z Club recommendation but a list of peoples personal recommendations
Reading / Slough Area.....
Well the Nissan garage at Slough is good , because we`ve had good reports from" GIO" and other Z owners .
....servicing etc.....recommended by Jonny64
Nissan at Reading are good too, they are familer with the Z32, and have been helpful to "Flyer" i believe.
.......servicing etc....... recommended by Jonny64
Grovenor motor company(garage) in Caversham , are good for servicing, reasonable rates ,,have to book in advanced they get very busy.I`ve used this garage when i could not do particular job , cambelt etc an idea of cost was given , they were polite and i`ve had no problems since i collected it ... recommended by Jonny64...
And theres a good m.o.t. place in Woking,,Woking MOTs centre by the railway,more info if you need it,,,,ask for Phil and say you have Nissan zx300 etc,,he knows the cars and fair when its borderline,he knows what to look for ,,,which is good [safetywise]and the tolerances on certain parts etc,,, recommended by Jonny64
Tyres,,,now this is a personal thing and you have to shop around ,,but if you don`t need brand names ,,,just good speed rated tyres ,,,,copys if you like,,,then there is a guy at three mile cross,,just off the M4,,that sells Goodyear pattern tyres for example for £60 ,,,225/50x16...ask me if you want directions. recommended by Jonny64
Dave Jarman of DJ ROAD AND RACE SERVICES in the Gloucester area recommended by Steve Burns & Sean Dezart
Kevin Bristow in the Aylesbury area recommended by Steve Burns
Ken Chelton of ZXS in the Essex area recommended by Steve Burns
Mike Feeney of MJP EASTERN AUTOS in the Essex area for parts and advise recommended by Steve Burns & Sean Dezart
Peter MacDonald
Nottingham
second hand Z Parts
Recommended by Sean Dezart & Steve Burns
Hatches Garage
Littlehampton
01903 718883
knows his stuff i.e lots of previous work done on 300s.
recommended by impul300
WorldWideMotors
Newport Pagnell
Tel: 01908 611100
good work, good prices, friendly people The boss drives a 300ZX (Z32) so he can't be all bad.
recommended by BarryD
This is not an official Z Club recommendation but a list of peoples personal recommendations
Reading / Slough Area.....
Well the Nissan garage at Slough is good , because we`ve had good reports from" GIO" and other Z owners .
....servicing etc.....recommended by Jonny64
Nissan at Reading are good too, they are familer with the Z32, and have been helpful to "Flyer" i believe.
.......servicing etc....... recommended by Jonny64
Grovenor motor company(garage) in Caversham , are good for servicing, reasonable rates ,,have to book in advanced they get very busy.I`ve used this garage when i could not do particular job , cambelt etc an idea of cost was given , they were polite and i`ve had no problems since i collected it ... recommended by Jonny64...
And theres a good m.o.t. place in Woking,,Woking MOTs centre by the railway,more info if you need it,,,,ask for Phil and say you have Nissan zx300 etc,,he knows the cars and fair when its borderline,he knows what to look for ,,,which is good [safetywise]and the tolerances on certain parts etc,,, recommended by Jonny64
Tyres,,,now this is a personal thing and you have to shop around ,,but if you don`t need brand names ,,,just good speed rated tyres ,,,,copys if you like,,,then there is a guy at three mile cross,,just off the M4,,that sells Goodyear pattern tyres for example for £60 ,,,225/50x16...ask me if you want directions. recommended by Jonny64
Dave Jarman of DJ ROAD AND RACE SERVICES in the Gloucester area recommended by Steve Burns & Sean Dezart
Kevin Bristow in the Aylesbury area recommended by Steve Burns
Ken Chelton of ZXS in the Essex area recommended by Steve Burns
Mike Feeney of MJP EASTERN AUTOS in the Essex area for parts and advise recommended by Steve Burns & Sean Dezart
Peter MacDonald
Nottingham
second hand Z Parts
Recommended by Sean Dezart & Steve Burns
Hatches Garage
Littlehampton
01903 718883
knows his stuff i.e lots of previous work done on 300s.
recommended by impul300
WorldWideMotors
Newport Pagnell
Tel: 01908 611100
good work, good prices, friendly people The boss drives a 300ZX (Z32) so he can't be all bad.
recommended by BarryD
SkylineDave
Well-Known Forum User
Jeff at ZedWorld nr Drayton. Top bloke. Top job. Cost about half the price I thought it'd be. Excellent service. Will be living there from now on!
Tony 260Z
Club Member
Errr...
Mike Feeney of MJP (Mr F.) for parts and advice (lots of both actually!),
Ken Chelton at ZXS for parts and advice,
Geoff Gale at Auto-Active ditto,
Peter MacDonald for parts.
Gary Bellamy of GB Bodyworks for panelwork, welding, paint and performing miracles,
Ebay.
That's all folks...
Tony
Mike Feeney of MJP (Mr F.) for parts and advice (lots of both actually!),
Ken Chelton at ZXS for parts and advice,
Geoff Gale at Auto-Active ditto,
Peter MacDonald for parts.
Gary Bellamy of GB Bodyworks for panelwork, welding, paint and performing miracles,
Ebay.
That's all folks...
Tony
I will need someone within reach of Leeds to deal with my 280 ZX. Z FARM where are you based? I had a feeling it was up north somewhere. If you're near enough to me I'll be able to use you then recommend you presumably. I tried to send you a message but it doesn't seem to have worked cos I've had no reply and I can't find it in my sent messages now!