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******Motors Chat - Round 6******

1…181182184186187…304

Comments

  • #5492
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 15,055 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Seen my first Customs Diesel Dip today (in Drogheda).

    The lads had a silver Mondeo, unmarked, and it was off at the side of the road. They had a car pulled over and were checking his diesel. They had a small square orange road sign that said 'Customs' on it and that was it.

    There were no Gardai, no helicopters, no flashing lights.. no real drama about it at all, really. Was very disappointing.

    They waved me through and didn't bother to dip me. Felt a bit self-conscious to be honest.. what did that other car have, that I didn't!? :( Why did they want to feel him up, but not me.. :o



    But yeah.. a year in a petrol and never seen them, a week in a diesel and I bump into them straight away. Good thing I have no access to the cheap stuff (cos if I did, I'd strongly consider using it!).


  • #5493
    Kaiser D
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,880 ✭✭✭Kaiser D


    I often see vans and jeeps filling up with it at my local garage.

    My neighbor uses it in a ****ing diesel Saxo ffs.


  • #5494
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    I dropped my car into my mechanic last Sat week for it's overdue 120k mile service, with a list of 9 items to be done (spark plugs, aerial, clutch pedal, drivers armrest, sticky rear brake, front grille, engine warning light diagnosis, change the door seals, and lights check) along with a full service

    He's not had the best of health lately and I knew he was potentially not going to get to the car asap as I wasn't in a massive rush as I was going on holiday, so I prioritised the list with cosmetic stuff like the armrest, grille, and aerial, as (if you have time)

    I then went off on holiday for a week, and was supposed to pick up the car last Sat.

    Twasn't ready, nor was it yesterday, fair enough says I.

    Went in today, car is out in the yard (if it's in his shop it's a sign it's not ready)

    OMG, he's done the armrest, and on the outside, the grill and aerial have been replaced, it looked great, I was there slack jawed admiring it.

    We got away chatting, and being a thorough mechanic, he'd found a couple of minor things that need to be sorted, so we've put that on the "to do" list.

    He also scrupulously checked over the car, and asked to keep it until tomorrow so he can replace a wiper, take it for a run etc, and just give it a final going over.

    Then he got me to hop in to switch on the car, just to listen to it lol, it's now probably in the best mechanical nick since I got it :D Sounds great. Then out of sheer "I want the car to look good" I asked him to look at a mystery scrape on the back wheel arch that was manky, to ask if I should get his bodyshop guy to sort it. "Not at all" he announced, went and got a rag and some sort of cleaner, and lo and behold my scrape was gone, it was chuffing paint!

    I saw a piece of paper on the passenger seat with a figure and letters written on it, mentioned it to him, and he looked at me like I was mad.

    Turns out that because I have waited a while for the work to be done, was considerate about his health and didn't have a strop when the car wasn't ready Sat, that he's done the work as and when he could and just charged me the normal service charge that he does (I did supply the likes of the spark plugs, door seals, new grille etc)

    He really went over and beyond, he's a fearsome reputation, but is a superb mechanic, but has a policy that he treats customers like they treat him, so a bit of consideration and he takes it into account.

    I'm still gobsmacked tbh, I'd budgeted a fair whack for the work, but being that bit considerate has serious quid pro quo

    And I can't wait to get the car back!

    Tl:dr: A good mechanic whom you have a good relationship with, is worth their weight in gold.


  • #5495
    toastedpickles
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭toastedpickles


    I bloody love mechanics like that, be nice to them and they're nice to you, my one is sometimes like that...his brother however goes on the mentality of "oh you have a big car, you're loaded so"


  • #5496
    Noccy_Mondy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,845 ✭✭✭Noccy_Mondy


    What car do you have? I don't think I can recall.


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  • #5497
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    toastedpickles wrote: »
    I bloody love mechanics like that, be nice to them and they're nice to you, my one is sometimes like that...his brother however goes on the mentality of "oh you have a big car, you're loaded so"

    My first encounter with mine was with my 156 when the drivers window stopped working.

    Sent the car into him, and a couple of days later (having been told by an alfa garage that the regulator needed replacing), he had it fixed. Grand, says I, did you replace the part? Not at all says he, sure I took it apart and repaired it.

    Dunno if you remember but I was having problems with my clutch pedal staying depressed when it was pressed down to change gears?

    That was also on the list and I tried to source the part we thought it was (master cylinder part on the pedal)

    He looked at it, determined (correctly) that the entire clutch ensemble had previously been replaced, as had the pin/spring/whatever that controls the tension on the pedal, then readjusted the tension on it, took it out, and checked it was fixed.

    He's a real old fashioned, "fix, before replace" type, worth his weight in gold. I think I'm also one of the very few of his female customers who has any understanding (however little) of mechanics, he loves the way he will say this is broken, and I will then say oh so that means this is happening because and usually I've got it right. He has a massive amount of female customers.


  • #5498
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Noccy_Mondy wrote: »
    What car do you have? I don't think I can recall.

    Phase 2 Alfa GTV


  • #5499
    toastedpickles
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭toastedpickles


    Stheno wrote: »
    My first encounter with mine was with my 156 when the drivers window stopped working.

    Sent the car into him, and a couple of days later (having been told by an alfa garage that the regulator needed replacing), he had it fixed. Grand, says I, did you replace the part? Not at all says he, sure I took it apart and repaired it.

    Dunno if you remember but I was having problems with my clutch pedal staying depressed when it was pressed down to change gears?

    That was also on the list and I tried to source the part we thought it was (master cylinder part on the pedal)

    He looked at it, determined (correctly) that the entire clutch ensemble had previously been replaced, as had the pin/spring/whatever that controls the tension on the pedal, then readjusted the tension on it, took it out, and checked it was fixed.

    He's a real old fashioned, "fix, before replace" type, worth his weight in gold.

    I'm starting to do similar stuff myself, try fix it first, but yeah i do remember the clutch problem, what part of the country is he from??


  • #5500
    Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,951 ✭✭✭Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime


    Grand to have a mechanic like that !

    Just for the crack today I rang advanced pitstop on townsend street for a price of fixing my reverse light switch

    Gave the car details and he says "yeah you'll be looking at around 70 euro"...

    I replied with "are you serious ? For a 8 euro switch I can but myself ?

    "Ah yeah has to go on a ramp and everything and will take about 30 mins or more so will cost you about 60-70 euro !"

    Not getting my business thanks very much.... I have a motor factors that will sell me said switch for 9 euro all in.... just need a rachet and socket to get it out :/ to get at it all I have to do is remove the air filter housing which just pops out and there it is !


  • #5501
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 15,055 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Noccy_Mondy wrote: »
    What car do you have? I don't think I can recall.

    A Saab of some description I'd guess, based on the sig?


    If I bought 10mm spacers.. would I also need extended bolts, or would the ones I have be okay for 10mm spacers? Conflicting reports online..?


    And if I did indeed need longer bolts, where would you buy such things?! :o


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  • #5502
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    toastedpickles wrote: »
    I'm starting to do similar stuff myself, try fix it first, but yeah i do remember the clutch problem, what part of the country is he from??

    Swords.

    BTW he hates alfas. Hates the little beasts :D When I announced the spark plugs needed replacing, I swear he aged.

    He does think mine is one of the nicest alfas he has ever worked on, and he's done ALL of the mechanical work to take that car from the piece of crap I bought to one that is still a daily driver nearly three years later.


  • #5503
    toastedpickles
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭toastedpickles


    Stheno wrote: »
    Swords.

    BTW he hates alfas. Hates the little beasts :D When I announced the spark plugs needed replacing, I swear he aged.

    He does think mine is one of the nicest alfas he has ever worked on, and he's done ALL of the mechanical work to take that car from the piece of crap I bought to one that is still a daily driver nearly three years later.

    Might pay him a visit with the 900 so!

    My one hates saabs, with a passion, each time i come in he goes "so which one of my kids are we sending to college today? :D:D "

    Hopefully I can get my one back to a somewhat stable state, with a bit of help from him along the way


  • #5504
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Deleted User wrote: »
    A Saab of some description I'd guess, based on the sig?


    If I bought 10mm spacers.. would I also need extended bolts, or would the ones I have be okay for 10mm spacers? Conflicting reports online..?


    And if I did indeed need longer bolts, where would you buy such things?! :o

    Are you trying to replace your wheels with thinner ones?


  • #5505
    Noccy_Mondy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,845 ✭✭✭Noccy_Mondy


    What is a persons sig, I hear ye on about them, but I'm none the wiser?


  • #5506
    toastedpickles
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭toastedpickles


    Noccy_Mondy wrote: »
    What is a persons sig, I hear ye on about them, but I'm none the wiser?

    See the links to my build thread? Thats my sig

    Signature ;)


  • #5507
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    toastedpickles wrote: »
    Might pay him a visit with the 900 so!

    My one hates saabs, with a passion, each time i come in he goes "so which one of my kids are we sending to college today? :D:D "

    Hopefully I can get my one back to a somewhat stable state, with a bit of help from him along the way

    I got a personal referral and when I first rang him, mentioned he'd been referred, so if you want to give him a chance, get his details off me, then mention me :)

    He likes the likes of older saabs and volvos, hates those new volvos that have some weird problem (think it's the 1.6 volvos and turbos?)


  • #5508
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    toastedpickles wrote: »
    See the links to my build thread? Thats my sig

    Signature ;)

    I think the poster was asking about my car, hence the confusion?


  • #5509
    toastedpickles
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭toastedpickles


    Stheno wrote: »
    I got a personal referral and when I first rang him, mentioned he'd been referred, so if you want to give him a chance, get his details off me, then mention me :)

    He likes the likes of older saabs and volvos, hates those new volvos that have some weird problem (think it's the 1.6 volvos and turbos?)
    Stheno wrote: »
    I think the poster was asking about my car, hence the confusion?

    No idea haha

    But yeah when the time comes I'll give you a text and so on and see from there, it's nice to see someone else likes saabs :pac:


  • #5510
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 15,055 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Stheno wrote: »
    Are you trying to replace your wheels with thinner ones?


    Can you do that? :confused: What'd be the benefit?


    And no, I'd just like the rear tyres of the car to pop out a little more than they currently do. Halfords have a set of 9.5mm spacers for about €15 or so, so just thought they'd be a handy way of trying out spacers and seeing what I think of them (and if I like the end result, but want further spacing, I can buy a 'proper' set online).


    I always intended to do it on the Rav, but never did in the end. And I think spacers on the rear of the Rav would've made it look really good. :o:)


  • #5511
    Noccy_Mondy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,845 ✭✭✭Noccy_Mondy


    toastedpickles wrote: »
    See the links to my build thread? Thats my sig

    Signature ;)
    Stheno wrote: »
    I think the poster was asking about my car, hence the confusion?

    I'm still stumped. I go stupid fierce quick when I ain't out in public :P


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  • #5512
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 15,055 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Stheno wrote: »
    I think the poster was asking about my car, hence the confusion?


    Yeah I probably complicated that a bit. From the below quotes, I thought Noccy was asking about TP's car. :o


    toastedpickles wrote: »
    "oh you have a big car, you're loaded so"
    Noccy_Mondy wrote: »
    What car do you have?


  • #5513
    toastedpickles
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭toastedpickles


    Noccy_Mondy wrote: »
    I'm still stumped. I go stupid fierce quick when I ain't out in public :P

    If you go into your profile youl see on the left "edit signature" stick something in it, anything and it'l appear at the bottom of all your posts, thats it really


  • #5514
    Kaiser D
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,880 ✭✭✭Kaiser D


    Stheno, I think I might know your mechanic :D


  • #5515
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    toastedpickles wrote: »
    No idea haha

    But yeah when the time comes I'll give you a text and so on and see from there, it's nice to see someone else likes saabs :pac:

    Grand no hassle, I think I've lost your number, so identify yourself!
    Deleted User wrote: »
    Can you do that? :confused: What'd be the benefit?


    And no, I'd just like the rear tyres of the car to pop out a little more than they currently do. Halfords have a set of 9.5mm spacers for about €15 or so, so just thought they'd be a handy way of trying out spacers and seeing what I think of them (and if I like the end result, but want further spacing, I can buy a 'proper' set online).


    I always intended to do it on the Rav, but never did in the end. And I think spacers on the rear of the Rav would've made it look really good. :o:)

    Yeah you can, I was going to replace the ****ty alloys on my car (which are original) with pepperpots (known alfa alloys) but they were thinner, so I could use the same bolts.

    I did a fair bit of research into it at the time, and essentially, extended bolts or not, you added another element of risk to your wheels, if the nuts are too tight the spacers will crack over time, so I decided on that basis not to do it.

    I imagine the same thing would apply to yours so unless you are going to tighten them yourself, be wary
    Noccy_Mondy wrote: »
    I'm still stumped. I go stupid fierce quick when I ain't out in public :P
    Ok, toasted has a pile of ****e under his posts which is always the same, going on about his car build.

    I have nothing apart from what I post.

    The pile of ****e is his sig

    Does that make sense?

    Check out one of his posts and one of mine. His constantly refer to his Saab build, mine just talk about whatever we are talking about.


  • #5516
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    Kaiser D wrote: »
    Stheno, I think I might know your mechanic :D

    Did you have a run in with him :D? Apparently he's left a mass of victims in his wake


  • #5517
    toastedpickles
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭toastedpickles


    Stheno wrote: »
    Grand no hassle, I think I've lost your number, so identify yourself!


    Ok, toasted has a pile of ****e under his posts which is always the same, going on about his car build.

    I have nothing apart from what I post.

    The pile of ****e is his sig

    Does that make sense?

    Check out one of his posts and one of mine. His constantly refer to his Saab build, mine just talk about whatever we are talking about.

    Done and done
    I just cba to change them really
    Gotta advertise them somehow :P even if they are piles of ****e :P


  • #5518
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    toastedpickles wrote: »
    Done and done
    I just cba to change them really
    Gotta advertise them somehow :P even if they are piles of ****e :P

    Ah now, I'm joking, I'm way too lazy to have a sig.

    Shure feck it, I don't even post in things I've done to my car thread, after all the stuff I've done to that car, it needs a thread of it's own!

    I'm so looking forward to getting it back, been stuck driving the eclass this week, so now I've a list of stuff for the mechanic about that.

    The OH literally never notices anything wrong with his car, he lives on in blissful ignorance until it explodes.


  • #5519
    Chris_Heilong
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,972 ✭✭✭Chris_Heilong


    Noccy_Mondy wrote: »
    What is a persons sig, I hear ye on about them, but I'm none the wiser?

    You may have signatures turned off in your preferences.


  • #5520
    toastedpickles
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,605 ✭✭✭toastedpickles


    Stheno wrote: »
    Ah now, I'm joking, I'm way too lazy to have a sig.

    Shure feck it, I don't even post in things I've done to my car thread, after all the stuff I've done to that car, it needs a thread of it's own!

    I'm so looking forward to getting it back, been stuck driving the eclass this week, so now I've a list of stuff for the mechanic about that.

    The OH literally never notices anything wrong with his car, he lives on in blissful ignorance until it explodes.

    Ah i know, my neighbours are like that they drive their cars until something goes in then trade it in :rolleyes: I keep saying its repairable and i always get "ah sure once one thing goes on it then its fecked"


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  • #5521
    Stheno
    Moderators, Business & Finance Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 51,685 Mod ✭✭✭✭Stheno


    toastedpickles wrote: »
    Ah i know, my neighbours are like that they drive their cars until something goes in then trade it in :rolleyes: I keep saying its repairable and i always get "ah sure once one thing goes on it then its fecked"

    He's just like that, myself and our mechanic have chats about what needs to be done to his car, and never ever tell him there is an issue no matter how small.

    I just say, "Oh the mechanic needs to check this"

    Heeheee

    Then the mechanic and I have little chats to check that what I've noticed is right, and OH only arrives down to pay the bill.


This discussion has been closed.
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