Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

Hi folks. I have an existing mechanic that I have used for years now, but his outfit has started expanding over the last couple of years and I don't feel that I am getting the service that I should anymore. I am pretty sure that an apprentice works on my car mostly and she seems to come out now feeling worse than when she went in.

Example. Amongst various things being looked at/fixed, I requested that the spark plugs be changed, as it had been at least a couple of years and maybe 20k hard miles. The car never ever had any problems starting up and would start literally immediatly regardless of the weather, hot/cold engine etc. Since the plugs have been changed she takes a lot longer to start and sometimes starts up like she is suffering from fuel starvation. Anyway, that is a niggle but why it should be worse I know not.

I noticed that the gearbox fluid was starting to head to the low level and on occasion the third gear selection could feel a little 'toothy' but other than that all ok. Fluid was changed as well as the rear diff fluid and the gearbox feels worse, I now get the same issues fairly often going in to 2nd as well. Reverse also needs a double/triple take on occasion now.

Got potholed badly earlier this year and after that, at speeds of 75+ the car would vibrate quite a bit, not very reassuring. Explained this all and requested that they take it for a drive to repeat the problem (They have big open dual carriageways all around so not an issue for them to test) Had the left rear wheel bearing and the drive flange replaced. Guess what, I still get the vibrations. I had 4 wheel computer alignment done and although it made a lot of changes, the camber is out on the back left wheel still indicating damage of some sort to me. I don't believe for a second that she was taken for a proper drive or the problem would have stuck out like a sore thumb. I purchased a brand new set of wheels and tyres by the way recently and they are all perfectly round .

Bit miffed as every time I stick the car in I end up paying four figure sums to make sure she is well taken care of but I just feel like I am not getting the service I deserve any more. Hell, I even write a bullet point list of work to be carried out and leave it in the car!

Does anyone in my area have any recommendations for mechanics that really do try to sort out scoobs properly and are not just after my money? I am not saying who I use over here as the guy is a friend of mine at the end of the day but I drive about 45 minutes from Farnham to get there each time.

Thanks in advance, I just want to get my car feeling good again!

Nick

jr758774c

iTrader: (21)

EuroSpec in Guildford is good for Jap cars. Took a few of my GTO's there in the past and he's a good guy - Don't think he's a Subaru specialist, but he sure knows his way around 99% of Jap cars!!

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

Funnily enough did a title search on mechanics after posting and their name popped up! I have just given them a call and am planning on popping down on Saturday. Any other experiences regarding these guys or alternatives would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Nick.

stevem2k

I've used Len @ Subaru4you in Newbury for a number of years, never had any cause to go anywhere else....

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

Nick, its never been the same since that Lawson fellow hung up his Subaru spanners, the decent ones are far away.

Subaru4U are worth the trip

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

Lol, Steve lawson was a god amongst Scooby mechanics in my eyes . He was a purist and hated it when I wanted to stick this, that and the other on my scoobs, he also saved me a fortune when I got completely conned by the Scoobysport of old. As things got busier and busier for Steve and then he went to Toyota, I went to Len after Steve and have used Subaru4u in the past. I find quite a few similarities between the 2 of them but Steve is quite the comedian

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

I popped over to see them and not sure what to make of it lol. on 1 hand I wasn't too sure if I had walked into an indoor scrapyard with engine bits all over the floor , blokes hunched over blocks sitting on the ground outside their respective cars. Looked pretty chaotic but the guys themselves seemed alright. Major Mitsi mechanics aren't they! I have a provisional booking for early July but I think I might go see Len first.

Cheers for the heads up about those guys, useful to know they are close enough .

Cheers,

Nick.

borat52

Eurospec are excellent mechanics. Dont be put off by the state of the place, they always have engines all over the floor. Although they are not subaru specialists Mark takes a pride in knowing his way around jap cars, always take my subaru and my brother takes his to eurospec and we live over 100 miles away from the place, taken FTO's and GTO's to him over the past 4 years also. Excellent mechanics, excellent prices and they do go the extra mile for you. Even heard of one car on the GTO forums they had in for engine work that they dropped back off the customers drive while he was away on holiday without telling him, he was very happy when he returned home to find his car fixed on the drive!

teaforvicar

Greenwood Racing in Chobham nr Woking: :: GRD - Greenwood Racing Developments :: speak to James there this is the only garage I trust with my pride and joy. They do servicing, tuning and only do Imprezas. James is a straight guy who knows his stuff. All of their charges are on their site aswell, transparent pricing is always re-assuring in my book

Mr Footlong

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for all your help guys, the Chobham one is in my old stomping ground and sounds right up my street . I will give them a call this wek and see if they are happy enough working on pre-bugeyes as there site only seems geared at 01+

Cheers,

Nick .

GRD

We still do lots of work of classics(pre 01) but unfortunatly we havnt got our website to a point where it covers all of our services yet