Good garage wanted near cramlington

[grahamc]

My 916 spider tinny needs a service MOT and a fault on the electric roof sorting. I live in cramlington and need a garage to carry these out. I was thinking of Lyles but obviously somewhere closer would be better. What do you all think ? Your opinions and comments would be appreciated. Thanks

[edraven71]

There is Alfa Tech in whitley bay, went in to see them a while ago but didnt use them, just because they where too far for me, maybe osmebody can give more info on them.

[SimonT]

Originally Posted by edraven71

There is Alfa Tech in whitley bay, went in to see them a while ago but didnt use them, just because they where too far for me, maybe osmebody can give more info on them.

Haven't used them for a long time as now too far away but they've been going for decades so plenty of experience.

[grahamc]

thanks lads.

Have booked it into CP Motors in Cramlington. Couple of people have said they are decent garage. I spoke to the owner this morning and he reckoned to have worked on Alfa's over the years. He seemed to know what he was talking about when I mentioned the hood had started playing up yesterday. But was also good to here him admit that if he could not sort it he knew who to get to dig deeper if the problem was beyond him.

Its booked in for Wednesday for a servie and MOT so will elt you all know how it goes.

[Sig. Pesci]

CP used to look after my cars when my mate shared their premisis. Very good service and also have a good diagnostic machine

[SimonT]

Originally Posted by grahamc

thanks lads.

Have booked it into CP Motors in Cramlington. Couple of people have said they are decent garage. I spoke to the owner this morning and he reckoned to have worked on Alfa's over the years. He seemed to know what he was talking about when I mentioned the hood had started playing up yesterday. But was also good to here him admit that if he could not sort it he knew who to get to dig deeper if the problem was beyond him.

Its booked in for Wednesday for a servie and MOT so will elt you all know how it goes.

Hood problems might be a bit specialised but don't seem uncommon. Have a good search & read in the GTV/Spider lounge for some pointers to the usual suspects and fixes. Might save garage time/bills.

[steveisfrowning]

Originally Posted by grahamc

thanks lads.

Have booked it into CP Motors in Cramlington. Couple of people have said they are decent garage. I spoke to the owner this morning and he reckoned to have worked on Alfa's over the years. He seemed to know what he was talking about when I mentioned the hood had started playing up yesterday. But was also good to here him admit that if he could not sort it he knew who to get to dig deeper if the problem was beyond him.

Its booked in for Wednesday for a servie and MOT so will elt you all know how it goes.

Please do let us know.

[grahamc]

will do Steve... whatch this space as they say

Simon, I am terrible at working on cars nowadays. Don't seem to have the patience anymore, think its to do with too much to do and not enough time. Was a time when i could spend all day working on a car. But not now it goes into a garage. That's why I wanted somewhere as close to home a possible as I don't seem to be able to find it easy to fit it in otherwise..... very sad really .....

hopefully CP will sort it out. Its due an MOT anyway soon so one visit will do the lot...hope i'm not too niaive LOL

[Seamus]

Were CP Motors once called CB Motors?
If so, I used them a few years ago when my first GT was having EGR problems. They were recommended to me as more of a diesel specialist. The guy on reception seemed very knowledgable and approachable (dunno if he was the owner).
I wonder what they're like with twin spark cam belts?

[SimonT]

Originally Posted by Seamus

Were CP Motors once called CB Motors?
If so, I used them a few years ago when my first GT was having EGR problems. They were recommended to me as more of a diesel specialist. The guy on reception seemed very knowledgable and approachable (dunno if he was the owner).
I wonder what they're like with twin spark cam belts?

I'm about to find out how Bonello are with a V6 cambelt. £320 seems pretty unbeatable.

[SimonT]

Originally Posted by grahamc

Simon, I am terrible at working on cars nowadays. Don't seem to have the patience anymore, think its to do with too much to do and not enough time. Was a time when i could spend all day working on a car.

Don't worry mate, I know exactly where you are coming from. I was single once too & it rarely occured to me to take the car to a garage to be fixed. Now with a wife, three kids and her dog it rarely even gets washed

Just thought it might help if you could say to them look, this is what goes wrong and this is how it is fixed.

Hope it goes ok.

[Sig. Pesci]

Oh - it was CB I was thinking of.

I did get a text off them a while ago with something about a name change - they're in the industrial estate.

They did a belt change on my 156 t-spark when I got the aux belt and alternator changed

[grahamc]

Hey all,

I beleive they were CB motors, they are on the industrial estate in cramlington. a neighbour and my mum both siad they do a good job though. So will find out and let you all know. One of the best things is that here is someone there from 07:00 hrs so I don't need to take any time off work to put the car in.

[Vela Blue Boy]

Originally Posted by SimonT

I'm about to find out how Bonello are with a V6 cambelt. £320 seems pretty unbeatable.

Hi Simon..
Had my belts done there recently and it was about £300.
The place was full of old GTV's and it was a pleasure paying and having a root around...They did a great job.

[grahamc]

Hi all,

Said I would update on CP Motors. Hopefully without those damn spelling mistakes that keep cropping up nowadays

Car failed its MOT, big time. On the brakes. They were classed as dangerous, so thanks Evans Halshaw (Chrysler) at Gateshead for that. I only bought the car last June and they had MOT'd it. There is no way in the world that brakes can go from MOT pass to this in 3000 miles. Anyway both front and rear discs and pads replaced. Nothing else on the MOT, not evan an advisory !!!

Car serviced, all appears to be spot on, even used 5W40 synthetic oil for is.

Fault with the hood mechanism was traced to one of the cables that operate the cover latches needed tightening. Sorted and so far all is working great.

The lads at CP were really helpful and knew their stuff. They did say that if there was anything too complicated wrong with the hood then they would refer to a specialist. Their reason for this is that they could spend loads of time on it but would not really be able to charge for it all, as it could end up as a large bill with seemingly very little to show for it. Can't be fairer than that.

Anyway the whole lot was £458, which I thought was reasonalbe as the discs and pads made up the majority of that.

So, will I use them again ? definitely

[steveisfrowning]

Originally Posted by grahamc

Hi all,

Said I would update on CP Motors. Hopefully without those damn spelling mistakes that keep cropping up nowadays

The lads at CP were really helpful and knew their stuff. They did say that if there was anything too complicated wrong with the hood then they would refer to a specialist. Their reason for this is that they could spend loads of time on it but would not really be able to charge for it all, as it could end up as a large bill with seemingly very little to show for it. Can't be fairer than that.

Anyway the whole lot was £458, which I thought was reasonalbe as the discs and pads made up the majority of that.

So, will I use them again ? definitely

Glad you seem happy - thanks for posting up your findings....it's incredibly helpful when people do this when they have a good experience at a mechanics or a dealers. On that basis I've added them into the thread of North East dealers/garages that have been tried and tested (and recommended) by our members up here.

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/north...on-thread.html (North East Garage Recommendation Thread)

[Alan02]

Originally Posted by grahamc

My 916 spider tinny needs a service MOT and a fault on the electric roof sorting. I live in cramlington and need a garage to carry these out. I was thinking of Lyles but obviously somewhere closer would be better. What do you all think ? Your opinions and comments would be appreciated. Thanks

Hi Guys, a quick intro. (sorry if it looks like I`m highjacking the post), I too live in Cramlington. My wife is to pick up her Spider JTS LE on Saturday,`08 plate in Red,(First Alfa in family) I thought I would join the forum, as I know from being in the VW Audi Forum (A6 Avant Le Mans owner) that they are a great source of knowledge and help. I`ve been in motor trade for around 26 years myself... not now though! Looking forward to finding more info on the Alfa Spider. Cheers !
Alan.

[Seamus]

Welcome Alan, I'll keep an eye out, remember to wave.

[alfacool]

Hello Alan.
Hope to see you and the Mrs in the spider at one our meets sometime.

[AlfaExpat]

Try Robin at Alfatech in Whitley Bay. He is an Alfa 'Man' and has done splendid work on my 166.

0191 252 9347

TTFN

M