Ginge !

iTrader: (1)

hi, i want to take my STI in for a " check up " for the future plans ive got for it, i keep hearing names mentioned and zen seems to be the one i remember the most

what sort of prices do they charge per hour and also for a setup/ check over of fueling

i wont ask are they any good, distance is NOT a issue as good work is worth traveling for !!!

who else is there also to consider

S3TH

iTrader: (2)

Zen have a good reputation on here and certainly from my experience they have been very helpful answering all my annoying questions when i enquired about chassis mods.

Always worth picking up the phone and speaking to tuners direct and just going with whom you feel comfortable with and the best solution for your budget.

howellsy42

best thing to do mate is ring zen iv used them for nearly all my work and i think they are top place and they are more than helpfully

Ginge !

iTrader: (1)

mate tbh talking to people on the phone WONT give the correct impression as the guy i took my cossie to was in blackpool, hes ****E at phone and speaking to strangers but in actual tuning hes a ****ing GENIUS !!,,,,, ive been to a few tuners who are GREAT on the phone,,, but there work is generally no better than a average garage im afraid

this is why distance is NO issue, aint bothered about being mates with a tuner or talking on the phone about fuel rails or tyre presures for hours, TBH id rather be called a foul names and abused but have the job done proper than be offered a cup of tea and a digestive whilst someone " guesses " the issue with my car if that makes sence

hope that dont sound offensive just i deal with garages every day in my job and its made me REALLY look at garages in a negative way

DCR59

They seem to be flavour of the month just now amongst Scoobynetters.

But over they years I've seen many flavour of the months come and go on here.
Scoobysport
TSL
Scooby Clinic

But for now it's Zen



............................until the next one arrives.

Ginge !

iTrader: (1)

im not bothered about flavor of the month though, im looking for a good garage that understands cars rather than a place that talks a good talk

i seen zen has a good spec scoobie, but christ has that changed from the average scoobie on the street

whos the best for setting up a car and checking the fueling PROPER,,,,,,, i aint bothered about RR rubbish and what HP it makes on paper,,,, id rather a garage that done a detailed assement of the car and wrote down there thoughts/ideas for it so i know what to work with

Phil

TSL and ScoobyClinic are still here and are both very respected businesses

rooferman

iTrader: (6)

You wont go wrong with Zen ........Paul is known to be very methodical with his work/mapping and will not sell you something unless it is required.......

Unlike some other Tuners.....

_Meridian_

iTrader: (1)

Agreed - he is more than happy to tell you don't need something if he thinks you don't. His hourly rate is about £45 IIRC, but ring to check.


M

burnz

iTrader: (1)

Another shout for ZEN. I spent alot of time looking into different tuners, i don't take the hype on face value i like to visit and talk and get a feel for the place. I've used TSL, Richard Bulmer, and i've been to Zen, can't fault them, very professional bunch of guys and as already been said compared to other company's they won't try and sell you something you don't need. Give them ago mate you won't be disappointed.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Personally i use area 52 formally scooby mania theres no bull or flannel with mike and jason but they do know what they are doing, might not be the most pollished of organisations or the fanciest premisis,but it sounds to me like that doesnt matter to you and they have been in the subaru tuning business longer than most!! good straight people that live in the real world where the rest of us mere mortals live.. which for me is much more important..
at the end of the day most of the tuners that people on here reccomend will have people who say good things and bad things about them! iv'e used a few and find area 52 to my personal taste. good luck with who ever you choose.

DevilHimSelf

TSL

3 Years later car still going strong, hmm maybe a trip is on the horizon... drools

XR-Wayne

Is it worth saying about bad experiences people have had with some garages as well, Always hear the good side with is great but another way to help people is to say about the bad experiences as well, that way you can get a better view on these company's.

Just a Thought.

Marx Mcrae

iTrader: (4)

Cant say i've had any dealings with Zen but as already said, they seem to have a good reputation.
Personally i've always used Scooby Clinic | The UK's Largest Independent Subaru Specialists | 01246 590 807 - Chesterfield S42 6QX and have never had any complaints.
It DOES depend where you are in the country since there are alot of specialist around the UK who are all very good.
Some off the top of head are

Scoobyclinic
Zen
APi
TDi
TSL
Revolution
BR developements
Lateral Performance
Andy Forrest performance

Tidgy

i always use Scooby Clinic | The UK's Largest Independent Subaru Specialists | 01246 590 807 - Chesterfield S42 6QX and wouldn't take my car anywhere else, top bunch of lads and fantastic work.

only other place i would trust though is API, Dave is a very helpful chap and knows his stuff as well.

you'll get a bout 20-30 different answers and then 20-30 of the same answer askign a question like that, people have prefered places to go

lunar tick

iTrader: (2)

Another thumbs up for Zen - very happy with the work I've had carried out there and also Paul's mapping. One thing I would say however is that it's been harder to get hold of Paul of late - presumably because they're heavily involved in defending their Time Attack title - and I found this a bit frustrating when seeking more technical advice.

Bicco

iTrader: (6)

Yeah can`t fault Zen either, spot on job with my car, going back in a few weeks for a few more bit. Worth mentioning I never dealt with Paul on the phone, always figured he was busy with the cars, but dealt with Sam who was veyr knolageable and helpfull, answerd all my silly questions anyway!

F1 CJE UK

iTrader: (8)

There is always Roger Clark Motorsport seem to have been missed off the list these guys are not cheap but they are top class. I used to go to Zen and Paul is without doubt one of the best at mapping but for quality of work, turn out and professionalism then RCM is way ahead in my opinion.

reano

iTrader: (2)

I have been to TSL, Scoobyclinic, WRC TECH (RIP), Powerstation and Zen.

When it comes to mapping Zen (for me are the best). Why? well they map the car until they believe it's right. WHen I drove it I was blown away.. He maps it, drives it, maps it a little more etc. He won't be rushed (which to you may be a good or bad thing) but to me a very very good thing.

For customer service, body work and general friendliness you cannot beat scoobyclinic by a mile....
For handling upgrades Powerstation
For cleanliness and care of car then TSL

But for mapping your car it's Zen (unless you want the individual mappers like Andy Forrest and Bob).

If I was to go back to one of the above. It would be Zen as they seem to care about you. I sometimes think PS take you for granted (thats my view) but having said that Scoobyclinic and Powerstation have been generally good in my experience.

wolfie28

Those mentioned plus Tracktive/Carnetix (Richard Bulmer is their mapper) at Melton Mowbray. I have always had excellent customer service from them and get my personal vote.

Wolfie.

McWRX

Had my car serviced there and it was excellent value for money, for the price compared to a dealership I had a few other bits done at the same time and it was still £50 cheaper than the local subaru garage:

decat DP
Warlbro
uprated plugs
filter



I certainly will be going back!

reano

iTrader: (2)

To be honest anyone can be cheaper than the subaru dealers. I think they charge £60 - 80 per hour

shifty83

Richard bulmer gets my vote. Seen his work and it really is first class. The other tuners are equally good but have no personal/friends experience of them so cant comment.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

There is only one place I would take my car to and thats Prosport in Stockport

Tony

utaka

personally for me i chose scoobyclinic. they are building my time attack car for 2010. now the round trip for me is over 600miles but the distance is worth it for the security and the knowledge that my car is with one of the best and in my opinion the best scooby tuner around, helpful, friendly and most of all they build amazing spec motors that LAST. they compete with subarus in many different disciplines of motorsport and know how to build a car
never heard a bad word about zen & judging on their time attack build those guys know exactly what they are doing. ring some companies up is your best bet i reckon

dynamix

iTrader: (3)

Zen.

Have used other tuners/tuning companies and Zen are streets ahead in general diagnosis, tuning, engine building, rolling road, chassis and suspension set up, mapping, cups of tea, nice waiting area ....

mit

iTrader: (10)

I've used Zen, and APi, both very good. David at APi is very happy to discuss things, and made me feel very welcome, Zen didn't seem so forward with advise, i felt a bit ignored when there, just lucky there was a fellow netter there to chat with! I was well happy with the mapping and geo setup at Zen all the same.

niktiler

iTrader: (5)

I would use Thwaites Developments They are very helpfull and know wot they are on about check out there site

Thwaites Developments - Warwick Subaru Specialists

"MADDOG"

iTrader: (3)

Zen...

rgds "MADDOG"

Shaun

Tracktive Solutions for their enthusiasim and workmanship..... and for putting up with me!