Seeking independent Citroen mechanic / suspension specialist in Midlands if possible

An Ri rua

Anyone know of anyone competent to work on Citroens? Suspension knowledge in particular. They're not difficult, just when things go wrong most mechanics haven't a clue. They need experience which they don't have.

Anywhere near Offaly / Laois but "anywhere" will also do. But not Citroen network please as I don't want to pay Citroen labour rates. I want to put money in the hand of a guy who knows what he's doing but doesn't charge crazy money for jobs I know are quick and straightforward jobs from years of online reading.

I'm aware of Mark Allen already, good rep, and may make the trip but would prefer Midlands.

Any help appreciated.

colm_mcm

George Frayne in Naas would be worth a call.

Row

Did you try
http://www.hugoloonammotors.ie/configurator/index.cfm?fuseaction=ct.pressdetail&pressID=46&modelID=2216&bodyID=4248
I know he's a main dealer but hugo is sound...maybe get a quote from
him first on whatever work needs to be carried out on your Citroen.

What do you need done anyway and which model have you got...??

crosstownk

I'll second Hugo Loonam. Also, the guys in Keenan Bauer in Mullingar are top class. Yes they are main dealer but they are honest and won't rip you off and they do know their Citroens.

An Ri rua

Thanks Colm, will try that man in Naas.

Ah lads??? You're referring "dealer network" and I clearly stated I don't want main dealer prices. That's a bit OTT. Are ye car salesmen or why would ye recommend what I CLEARLY said I didn't want? :rolleyes: Its not helpful if its irrelevant?

No one knows Citroen like Freddie Vaugh in Ferbane, except possibly for Dolphin and the guys in Howth. Citroen network is dear. I know plenty about Citroens and plenty about the players. I need to find someone cost-effective to fit my parts.

But I clearly said I don't want main dealer. I want value for money; with the Citroen experience to back that up. Been to Keenan Bauer a few years back and yes they're great guys. Quality staff and experience. Hugo Loonam's guys have Peugeot & Citroen engine experience but they do not have years of Cit suspension experience at one-man operation prices. e.g. the simple fitting of spheres. I don't want to pay 2 hour's labour for a 30-min job all around the car. To anyone. Yes, they know the marque well and he worked for the distributor. Yes yes. But they are still main dealer and I've been with them before and they were extremely competent, but not expert when it came to the particular job of work I presented. I could have got the same result elesewhere for much cheaper. Sound, yes absolutely. And a gent. And overall a great service and cheaper than the network too. But lads..........I want an independent specialist that has done jobs before and knows the older models inside out. No main dealers. I run Xantias and XMs in general. But need a shoulder to lean on going forward. I always buy my own parts online and they fit them for me (or sometimes I do, depends on the part).

One of the best Citroen independents in the Midlands unfortunately passed away last year as a young man. Sadly missed as a friend, honest man, hard worker and a Citroen expert.

Thanks again colm_mcm, as I said guys, I'm seeking an INDY !!

500sel

An Ri rua wrote: »

Thanks Colm, will try that man in Naas.

Ah lads??? You're referring "dealer network" and I clearly stated I don't want main dealer prices. That's a bit OTT. Are ye car salesmen or why would ye recommend what I CLEARLY said I didn't want? :rolleyes: Its not helpful if its irrelevant?

No one knows Citroen like Freddie Vaugh in Ferbane, except possibly for Dolphin and the guys in Howth. Citroen network is dear. I know plenty about Citroens and plenty about the players. I need to find someone cost-effective to fit my parts.

But I clearly said I don't want main dealer. I want value for money; with the Citroen experience to back that up. Been to Keenan Bauer a few years back and yes they're great guys. Quality staff and experience. Hugo Loonam's guys have Peugeot & Citroen engine experience but they do not have years of Cit suspension experience at one-man operation prices. e.g. the simple fitting of spheres. I don't want to pay 2 hour's labour for a 30-min job all around the car. To anyone. Yes, they know the marque well and he worked for the distributor. Yes yes. But they are still main dealer and I've been with them before and they were extremely competent, but not expert when it came to the particular job of work I presented. I could have got the same result elesewhere for much cheaper. Sound, yes absolutely. And a gent. And overall a great service and cheaper than the network too. But lads..........I want an independent specialist that has done jobs before and knows the older models inside out. No main dealers. I run Xantias and XMs in general. But need a shoulder to lean on going forward. I always buy my own parts online and they fit them for me (or sometimes I do, depends on the part).

One of the best Citroen independents in the Midlands unfortunately passed away last year as a young man. Sadly missed as a friend, honest man, hard worker and a Citroen expert.

Thanks again colm_mcm, as I said guys, I'm seeking an INDY !!

Seems you know these cars/Dealers well enough to repair it your self

Row

500sel wrote: »

Seems you know these cars/Dealers well enough to repair it your self

Yep...and i'm running out of head to scratch...:)

An Ri rua

500sel wrote: »

Seems you know these cars/Dealers well enough to repair it your self

Yes, it probably does 'seem' like that alright if you haven't paid close attention to the opening post. Plus the fact that I do know the cars well; I just need an independent citroen head to fit parts and really know their stuff.

Things are not always as they seem grasshopper ;-)

An Ri rua

Row wrote: »

Yep...and i'm running out of head to scratch...:)

Thanks I suppose I just want to find a replacement for the man I had. Home operation, yet fully tooled, trained in Paris a few times and was sh1t-hot with Citroens. That's what you need when they get older. You can have all sorts of simple things go wrong on an older car and with the price of labour (versus the old car), money spent has to be incisive /to the point. I am used to knowing the problem from analysis and elimination (from good online forums) and then having a mechanic who has seen this problem before or heard of it. E.g. Sometimes it could be merely a 20 cent resistor on a fan that needs replacing rather than a new blower fan. Etc etc. I want a mechanic that loves keeping cars on the road. Bigger outfits tend to either not be bothered with old cars or have too much overhead for my path in life !!

I do appreciate the advice and names given. Great guys but I'm looking for a hidden gem lads !!

centimental

There's a guy in Carbury village, Co. Kildare. Been working on them for years. Only drives Citroens himself for as long as I can remember. Small independant workshop accross from the pub. Hurst is his surname. Cant remember his first name. Hope this might help

An Ri rua

centimental wrote: »

There's a guy in Carbury village, Co. Kildare. Been working on them for years. Only drives Citroens himself for as long as I can remember. Small independant workshop accross from the pub. Hurst is his surname. Cant remember his first name. Hope this might help

Oh, yes that's right! Thank you I'd forgotten about him. I recall being in there about 6-8 years ago and he had a few XM V6s. yes, you're right. He loves his Citroens. I will keep him in mind and try and drop over.

Any more folks?

galwaytt

...there's one in Castlebar, Co Mayo. Fits your bill perfectly.

Except for the midlands bit.........

Guy:Incognito

It's Dublin but I've used Ken Fildes in Clonsilla for my Xantia after a recommendation . Was impressed and he was very reasonable price wise.

What exactly is the problem anyway?

An Ri rua

Stekelly wrote: »

It's Dublin but I've used Ken Fildes in Clonsilla for my Xantia after a recommendation . Was impressed and he was very reasonable price wise.

What exactly is the problem anyway?

Thanks for that. I'm totally open to taking a day or two hols etc and leaving the car with someone if the hols are subsidised by a cheaper service. Works out great for everyone then. Was going to drop down to Mark Allen in Broadway in Wexford because he has a great reputation, is not too dear at all and also I'd have that coastline and cheap holiday homes midweek this time of year. But the weather's been too cold!

Nothing acute wrong with the car. Just approaching 200k soon so it needs the timing belt done again (I'd buy the kit on eBay) and some of the spheres looked at. Plus the height correctors are sticking. I've WD40'd them and its helped a little. Want to see if I spent 400 on it, have I got a grade A car or will I just give it a basic service and trade it in for a C4 van. Mixed opinions on the C4 van apparently. All I know is my Xantia Hdi is a good old girl with bags of life left. Not totally taken in by the argument of money spent in an old car being wasted. 400 spent almost always beats 5k spent! Almost always but long-term cost of ownership is the key issue.

GTE

centimental wrote: »

There's a guy in Carbury village, Co. Kildare. Been working on them for years. Only drives Citroens himself for as long as I can remember. Small independant workshop accross from the pub. Hurst is his surname. Cant remember his first name. Hope this might help

Yeah, I think he does well because the Citroen garage down the road near Enfield are riduculously priced.

Digitaljunkie

Their is a guy in Meath has been working from his house for over 20 odd years full time, he's got all the kit. He trained with Citroen/Peugeot in France very well known in the area. His name is Jim Lynch I think he's in Robertstown. I don't have his number sorry look it up in the book ya won't go wrong with him If you don't mind driving to Meath..

Dj.

dagdha

I'm in the same boat as you, I'm looking for a good citroen dealer close to me around Laois. I'm almost 100% sure you are talking about the same mechanic I was going to, his initials were MM??? He was great and lived about 4 miles from me. I need to get the airbag light sorted and a few other small things. I know citroens are known for the cable under neath the seats being loose and causing the fault but he put it on the computer and told me it was a loose connection behind the passenger side dash. This was on a Friday and he told me to come back to him on the following Tuesday for him to take the dash out and sort the problem once and for all but unfortunately he passed away that weekend. It was very sad because he was so young. The light is driving me up the wall all I really want to get it fixed but don't want to go to a dealer and the closest one to me is in Newbridge. If you get any luck let me know. I'll post if I find one. There use to be a dealer in Mountmellick called George Delaney and I think they might still do a bit from their home but I'm not too sure, if I can get in contact with someone there I'll post it up.