Who does the work on your car?

eyerer

I'm tired of dodgy crook mechanics. I've gone from one to another for a while now. It's mixed between being really rude, ripping me off, doing poor work, telling me they will ring me when it's ready and they don't, or taking all day to do one job. And ripping me off again because they think I'm stupid.
I've been told Kwik Fit/ Fast Fit might be a better option. The thread on here suggests otherwise, and the thread has been closed as well.
Who do you guys use, are companies any better?

CiniO

The only way to be 100% sure job is done right on your car, is to do it on your own.

No other place will take care of you car as you can do yourself. Even the main dealer.

Sam Kade

CiniO wrote: »

The only way to be 100% sure job is done right on your car, is to do it on your own.

No other place will take care of you car as you can do yourself. Even the main dealer.

But not everyone can do that and there is a limit to how much you can do.

CiniO

Sam Kade wrote: »

But not everyone can do that and there is a limit to how much you can do.

True, true...
All depends on your skills and equipment/tools...

I disagree with a limit though.

JohnBoy26

CiniO wrote: »

True, true...
All depends on your skills and equipment/tools...

I disagree with a limit though.

But there is though. I mean changing the likes of a timing belt is outside of diy for most people and on most cars needs to be done by a mechanic.

CiniO

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

But there is though. I mean changing the likes of a timing belt is outside of diy for most people and on most cars needs to be done by a mechanic.

Well, I've changed timing belt on my car and I'm not qualified as a mechanic in any way.
So it can be done.

I agree. Some jobs needs specialists equipment/tools which might be expensive, but still possible to rent them or buy/resell.

byrnem31

The mechanic I've been going to for the last near 2 years that I trusted turned out to be a scumbag over the last week.Gave him the car for a week last week. Said he put a second hand part in the engine and it was fixed. Car was still faulty when I got it back.No new part fitted. There were little specs of paint all over my engine. The supposed replaced part had these also so it wasn't replaced.

Got the part myself, boost pressure sensor and the car is flying along but needs a professional to look at it.

Don't know what to do now. The other guys I used were family friends, old timers who can't use computers and havent a clue.

There were previous threads about chamber motors in Sandyford being a decent garage. I called them today and the guy was very helpful on the phone and seemed to know what he was talking about. They specialise in german cars. Might leave it there next.

It's very hard to get a decent mechanic or buy a car over here. The amount of gangsters in the car trade is unreal.

biko

I do most of the work that can be done at my house.
For major things I use a variety of mechs around town, some better than others. And you're right, some will do a less-than-great job, or charge massively. This is what drove me to learn to do it myself.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

Toyotafanboi

byrnem31 wrote: »

The mechanic I've been going to for the last near 2 years that I trusted turned out to be a scumbag over the last week.Gave him the car for a week last week. Said he put a second hand part in the engine and it was fixed. Car was still faulty when I got it back.No new part fitted. There were little specs of paint all over my engine. The supposed replaced part had these also so it wasn't replaced.

Got the part myself, boost pressure sensor and the car is flying along but needs a professional to look at it.

Out of curiosity, if you diagnoded the fault yourself, sourced the replacement part yourself and could easily identify the component in the engine bay yourself, why didn't you fit it yourself?

Mantis Toboggan

Main dealer after a few expensive lessons from going to indies, it's a no brainer if you have a warranty.

mullingar

I do all my own work, down to complete engine rebuilds. I'm not a mechanic, learnt everything from the internet and pdf service manuals.

Leonard Hofstadter

Specialist for me, not the cheapest option but I trust them and they definitely know what they're doing. Always worth paying more for the peace of mind you get going to a highly regarded garage in my opinion.

byrnem31

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

Out of curiosity, if you diagnoded the fault yourself, sourced the replacement part yourself and could easily identify the component in the engine bay yourself, why didn't you fit it yourself?

My son was in hospital last week for 3 days. I didn't have the time so I left the car with him. During the week, I was reading the VW owners club thread and the symptoms from other passats were similar to my car in regards to the boost pressure sensor being faulty.

The mechanic said no as it was not showing on the vag but there were owners who were saying this can happen. Anyway, got the car back and the mechanic said he borrowed a boost pressure sensor and put it in. I knew he didn't cause it had paint speckles on it like the rest of the engine. The car was still driving like a pig. I'm not naming and shaming him. I just won't go back.

He told me I needed a new turbo and he would do it for 450. I said no and drove the car home. I bought the part myself not having a clue where it went. I asked another mechanic where it went and he showed me. I fitted it in 2 minutes and it was like new engine in the car.

It's still a little laggy but a million times better. I don't know my arse from my elbow with cars, especially diesels with turbos, mafs etc.and that's why I leave them in.

I love the passat though. Solid on the road and very comfortable.

eyerer

I drive a 2003 VW Golf so definitely no warranty and the VW dealership is very expensive.
There are some other garages that specialise in VWs that I forgot, I could try them.

I was thinking of Kwik Fit earlier, they might be organized better. I left the car today with the mechanic this morning and didn't get it back til after 6pm. He supposedly forgot to ring me when it was ready and when I rang him he forgot to answer the phone.

My Dad used to use this guy but he charged me roughly €50 to fit a front set of brake discs and pads, after seemingly buying expensive parts.

The guy before that fitted new brake pads in the back and didn't bother replacing the discs which were also worn out. It was lucky to pass the vehicle test.

Leonard Hofstadter

eyerer wrote: »

I drive a 2003 VW Golf so definitely no warranty and the VW dealership is very expensive.
There are some other garages that specialise in VWs that I forgot, I could try them.

I was thinking of Kwik Fit earlier, they might be organized better. I left the car today with the mechanic this morning and didn't get it back til after 6pm. He supposedly forgot to ring me when it was ready and when I rang him he forgot to answer the phone.

My Dad used to use this guy but he charged me roughly €50 to fit a front set of brake discs and pads, after seemingly buying expensive parts.

The guy before that fitted new brake pads in the back and didn't bother replacing the discs which were also worn out. It was lucky to pass the vehicle test.

Are you based in the UK? I didn't think they had Kwik Fits in Ireland...

I wouldn't let a Kwik Fit look after my car that's for sure.

Agricola

If you cant/wont undertake work yourself, next best thing is to have a "friend" in the trade. I stopped at a place for a tyre repair afew years ago and got talking with the owner about my car. He's a bit of a rally head and has an e36, e39 and e46 on the go, depending on which one is working that week. Went back to him for a few tricky jobs since and he's been great. Never had any bother afterwards and he gives me mates rates.

demanufactured

I do Oil and oil/air filter changes myself.
I get an indie to do the fuel pump when its needed as its a pain to get the air lock out of the diesel lines on a Mondeo mk4 2.0tdci.

I have changed brake pads, disks etc and taken off and cleaned an egr valve.
Have helped my indie change a timing belt and clutch.
Anything major is usual sent to indie.

uck51js9zml2yt

My local garage will video work if in doubt. been going to him since he opened without any issues or need for video.

tossy

Do oil,filter, plug changes myself. Anything further or more specalist it goes to Daltons.

grogi

Since I have discovered a very professional indie within 10 minutes of walk from my place I don't bother with any job bigger than changing a bulb, air and pollen filters.

Snotty

Been using the same indy for about 20 years, never screws me over, sometimes he'll recommend another specialist if he's not comfortable doing it himself.
He gets all his parts from one local garage and if it's an expensive part needed, he'll usually find out the price he can get it at and then say to me to check online or in other garages for a better price.

khaldrogo

eyerer wrote:

My Dad used to use this guy but he charged me roughly €50 to fit a front set of brake discs and pads, after seemingly buying expensive parts.

How much did you expect to pay for an hour of a qualified mechanics time???

I used to do oil services, plugs etc myself. Ball joints, brakes, timing work etc I'd leave to a local Indy I've known years.

I'd get a service done too more often than not when getting something done I didn't fancy doing myself.

I do tiny mileage now and the car I have spends most of its time in Dublin airport long term carpark.

Over the years in cork, Dublin, Kildare & galway I've always found a reputable garage without too much difficulty.... I'd be slow to use quikfit, atlas, advance etc though.

166man

My mechanic does the work on my car for me as not only would I not be able to do it I also don't have the time. Now if you enjoy it fair enough but imo life's too short.

Even oil and filter changes, I know how to do it yet the cost is so little pay someone to do it I don't see why not.

martyc5674

I do everything myself, if I was loaded I'd gladly pay for someone else to do it. Admittedly I enjoy it for the most part.

Kimbot

I used to do most the work on my own cars, I had 1 mechanic I trusted with no issues at all but I live nowhere near him now. However I did start bringing the car to a new place in the last few months based off of posts on here and they are fantastic so they will be getting all my business from here on out

jca

jonnycivic wrote: »

I used to do most the work on my own cars, I had 1 mechanic I trusted with no issues at all but I live nowhere near him now. However I did start bringing the car to a new place in the last few months based off of posts on here and they are fantastic so they will be getting all my business from here on out

Another satisfied GD customer?

Kimbot

jca wrote: »

Another satisfied GD customer?

Very Its handy hes only 15 minutes max from my house too

moonlighting

Do it myself. have invested a lot in tools over the years. Have my own garage with 2 post lift.

pred racer

jca wrote: »

Another satisfied GD customer?

another one here. been going to him for over 5 years now.
Daltons would be perfect if George wasn't a bit of a bollix

ELM327

Easy stuff I do myself, filters, pads, fluids, etc. Have a garage with the basic tools and jacks and stands. (no pit or lifts etc)
For the next level stuff - belts, alternators that kind of thing I attempt if I am arsed, otherwise pay someone,
And for anything more it's off to a mechanic. Not fast fit or anything like those lark, mind.


It's a great feeling to drive around after doing the work yourself. You also find interesting facts about your car. I changed the oil on a mark 4 golf before, years ago, and some ape had switched the metric sump plug for a US/imperial sized one. Took a good 15 minutes to find the size as it was inbetween two metric sizes - luckily I had the US/imperial size tools aswell.

kirving

Myself, or as much as I can do on the driveway/cul-de-sac at home. Driveway has too much of a slope to safely go under the car, even on axle stands.

It means I cant really just have a go at doing something that I'm confident about, I've gotta be 100% sure I can do it and get the car moving again before it rains/or gets dark.

Being able to do regular maintenance as the car needs it as opposed to when I can afford to pay someone has kept the car in great condition and passed another NCT over the weekend with no issue.

Noveight

I drive a 1.4D4D 'Rolla van and thankfully the only time it's seen a garage is for the CVRT. The test centre is run by an independent mechanic and if the van fails I get him to sort the bits and pieces. I drop it in again in a weeks time for the retest and pick it up with the cert of roadworthiness. He's a genuine bloke and the reasons for failure have never been anything more severe than foggy headlights, worn wiper blades or a pesky number-plate bulb so I'm happy with the service.

Karangue

Polish fella who has a setup renting from a farmers shed. He is 20 Euro an hour cash.

Dartz

I'm a tight git.

I'll have a go myself until I run into a roadblock that needs a specialist tool. Then I'll go to a guy I know who'se a friend of the oulfella's.

grogi

Dartz wrote: »

I'm a tight git.

I'll have a go myself until I run into a roadblock that needs a specialist tool.

The problem I see is that at that stage I usually would have just three wheels attached...

AnneFrank

eyerer wrote: »

I'm tired of dodgy crook mechanics. I've gone from one to another for a while now. It's mixed between being really rude, ripping me off, doing poor work, telling me they will ring me when it's ready and they don't, or taking all day to do one job. And ripping me off again because they think I'm stupid.
I've been told Kwik Fit/ Fast Fit might be a better option. The thread on here suggests otherwise, and the thread has been closed as well.
Who do you guys use, are companies any better?

There's a little place off garville avenue in rathgar run by two guys, always looked after me, both work and price, wouldnt go anywhere else

EPAndlee

See a few of our customers marking oil filters and asking for the waste oil we remove from their car. Even tho its a main dealer people still don't trust you

shietpilot

I do everything myself and can't imagine paying anyone else to do it, where's the fun in that?

If I don't have the tool, I buy it. Over the space of 3 years I've made up a nice collection of specialty tools and now there is not many jobs I can't do outside the house

Autochange

mullingar wrote: »

I do all my own work, down to complete engine rebuilds. I'm not a mechanic, learnt everything from the internet and pdf service manuals.

Do you know much about Canbus low and high interference? having problems with the missus Megane 3

mullingar

Autochange wrote: »

Do you know much about Canbus low and high interference? having problems with the missus Megane 3

Not a lot, but I do know with canbus it's like a wired network connecting every system in the car from airbags to climate control to the dash clocks and engine ecu's. You need to unplug every individual ecu to isolate the faulty one. You will need to get a full wiring diagram and an oscilloscope to track it down.

byrnem31

Who is GB that people are discussing?

Does anyone know of a good call out mechanic please ? Passat is losing power and it's driving me mad.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

beauf

Used to do much of the simple stuff myself. No longer have the time or the space.

I've always been very lucky with Indy mechanics. Always found good ones after a bit of searching.

My worst experiences have been with main dealers. Very poor standard of work from them. Oddly they seem to lack any interest in cars or repairs. Always a half arsed effort.

boardsuser1

The family wagon to the main dealer.

My own run around I do myself.

Kimbot

byrnem31 wrote: »

Who is GB that people are discussing?

Does anyone know of a good call out mechanic please ? Passat is losing power and it's driving me mad.

GD is Geroge Dalton (A member on here) and his garage is in Laois. Not sure if he does call out but if you can get the car to him its well worth the trip

bennyx_o

Another happy George Dalton customer - don't think I'd trust anyone else to work on my car at this stage. Have a tight drive with stones in it which makes it a bollix to do anything on the car myself

Carbon125

In other countries you have rental garages where you can rent a space with a lift by the hour, as well as any special tools you may need.
I have a feeling though that this business idea may be a non-starter here because of ridiculous insurance costs...

mullingar

Carbon125 wrote: »

In other countries you have rental garages where you can rent a space with a lift by the hour, as well as any special tools you may need.
I have a feeling though that this business idea may be a non-starter here because of ridiculous insurance costs...

Already tried and tested. Somewhere near Tallaght IIRC

martyc5674

mullingar wrote: »

Already tried and tested. Somewhere near Tallaght IIRC

Do you know anymore??... did it last at all?
Surely with waivers it would be possible to insure.. it's something I'd love to setup if I were in a position to.