Carter

Gary, you won’t be disappointed.

Don’t be put off when you arrive at the McLennans, it looks more like a breakers yard than a specialist garage as they have several half stripped Alfas out the front, but Stuart, and I think it’s his nephew, are really nice, genuine people and they really care about their work. Stuart has worked with Alfas for 40 years! They also offer a collection and drop off service as well which I think I’ll be using for the GT’s next service. I forgot to ask for their pricing on the 3.2 but I know it will be a lot cheaper than a main dealer. I would also recommend the 4 wheel alignment (I may even get it checked at every service) as it really seems to have improved (along with the new tyres and shocks of course) the torque steer in standing starts and in gear acceleration. There seems more grip and less drama now going on at the front wheels.

The FSDs have also settled nicely and the ride has got even more compliant over the last week and is very composed over bumpy ‘A’ roads, even with 4 people in the car.

Its interesting to note that in this month’s EVO, the write-up on the new Mercedes C350 says that the whole C-Class range have ‘new’ dampers that sound remarkably like Koni FSD technology, bar the C350 Sport which has electronic dampers. So it looks like Mercedes have joined Lamborghini in introducing this technology into their cars.

I received a letter last night from Alfa Romeo listing 4 new dealerships in Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness & Perth) including a new Western Alfa Romeo for new cars, approved used cars, service and parts on Colinton Road, Edinburgh, not far from me. Arnold Clarke is still listed, but only as parts and service so I think they must be concentrating on the Fiat side of their dealership, as AR is tucked away round at the side anyway. Hopefully Western will get some fresh enthusiastic staff that don’t try explaining away every creak and rattle as inherent to the cars design. Not that I’ll be using them much, McLennans have got by vote now…