Decent garage - fairly priced.

[mgfer]

Hey all, woot first post.

I am in need of some help, I have been using Purbrook Garage in well Purbrook for some time, and although they are very good, they tend to be a bit expensive.
My mot just failed and I need to find a decent garage who doesn't charge a ridiculous amount for labour.

I saw some old posts about garages in this area, but they all date back to 2007 and I'd love to know where people are taking their cars in 2009?

Many thanks.

[sparky135]

Welcome to the MGF Register Forums mgfer, and the South Coast area in particular.

Unfortunately, I'm not going to be much help with the location of somewhere to get your work done as the one time I've had my TF in the garage for a service it went to Seaward Havant who, whilst good, do tend to be a bit pricey. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to suggest somewhere a little more wallet friendly. What work are you needing to get done?

Once you have your car sorted you are more than welcome to join us on our regular meets. Always good to see new faces.

[Paula]

Hello and welcome!

I go to Wessex MG in Southampton 02380 474553 very reasonably priced and great service

[mgfer]

Hey Sparky,

Thanks for the kind offer to join in.. .I've actually had by MGF for 2 years now, and have been more prominent in the MGF Forums due to the number for people there.. great support. Anyways, yeah Seward havant are always my first call but they never get the job cos they are just so expensive... £80 to plug a car into a t4 computer?? Crazy!

Thanks for the garage info Paula, I'll call them tomorrow.

The work that needs doing:

1. Nearside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users.
2. Offside Headlamp aim aimed so that it dazzles other road users.
3. Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (DANGEROUS)
4. Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (DANGEROUS)
5. Offside front track rod end ball joint has excessive play
6. Offside rear Brake pipe assembly corroded
7. Nearside front lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn rubber bush
8. Offside front lower Shock absorber has an excessively worn rubber bush
9. Suspension needs pumping (only done a year ago!!) - inadequate clearance with the bump stop.

I am considering buying new wishbones for the front to solve the front suspension arm issues. (3 and 4)
I am also considering new absorbers off ebay rather than just replacing the bushes.

Any thoughts on what I should do to help bring down the cost would help. Purborkk garage have quoted £500 for the job.

[PeteT]

Agree Sewards expensive but they do do a good job. Wessex is a bit of a stretch, have you thought of the Windmill Garage, Horndean (023 9257 1003) - its a bit closer to Purbrook. Have seen an MGF having its head done in there, they serviced my F last year and were recommended by local friends. Good prices too...
Pete

[mgfer]

Cheers Peter, Will give them a ring too - I now have all the parts, so its just labour costs for the garages to be conerned with.

[Tall_Bloke]

Sorry to but in, but does anyone know the address of or even which street Wessex MG are on as i need to have my rear left hydrogas unit looked at and possibly changed.

Many Thanks

[sparky135]

Sorry to but in, but does anyone know the address of or even which street Wessex MG are on as i need to have my rear left hydrogas unit looked at and possibly changed.

Many Thanks

Welcome to the MGF Register South Coast Region Forum.

Try here:

Wessex MG Centre
34 High Street
Southampton
Hampshire SO30 3DR

02380 474553

Hope that helps.

[Tall_Bloke]

sparky135 Thanks for the info and happy to join the forum.

I had the hydrogas pumped by a local garage in Marchwood last Jun and all was well for a few months. Now the left hand side is sitting very low, it started with just the rear, but now its the whole side. I think its probably the rear unit that has a fault. I am just looking for estimates as to which garage would be best at the moment. My local garage are good, but do not specialise in MG, so i though i would give Wessex MG a call to see what they estimate for a rear unit change.

Once again many thanks.

[Tall_Bloke]

Looking through yellow pages i can only find a garage called, New Chapel Garage at that address. Have they taken over or have Wessex MG taken over them?

[Paula]

Hello and Welcome yes they are also known as New Chapel Garage

[PeteT]

MGFer - It seems you might have booked your car into the Windmill Garage from what I hear - let's hear how you got on...
Pete

[adrianclifford]

Don't forget Patrick Warner at Sterling Automotive in Eastbourne, I don't know how far he is from you but I know his enthusiasm and I have heard nothing bad from people who have been there. He is also very supportive of us, so it's worth a mention.

[Sally]

Hello and welcome!

I go to Wessex MG in Southampton 02380 474553 very reasonably priced and great service

Thought I'd add that I went there today (20/7/2010), and agree with Paula. They now do their own MOTs (started this year). They are now definatly New Chapel Garage(there was 'Wessex MG' on the stamp in the service log last year, but not this), but does still have a 'Wessex MG' on the sign above the door. See http://www.newchapelgaragesouthampton.co.uk/ for map.

Oh, yes I now hav a brand new MOT certificate....milage was a nice binary number 111011. Maybe I should have added 100 miles to the clock before taking it in