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Labinjoh garage Edinburgh

14K views 21 replies 18 participants last post by  busso sportivo 
#1 ·
Hi guys what do you think about garage Labinjoh Edinburgh
 
#4 ·
It's more than 5 years now since I've had a car in there. From my experience, they seem to be better 'clued up' on the older stuff (and by that I mean up to about the mid-80's) as my 156 V6 had them well confused on its last visit and languished there for over 2 weeks before they supposedly cured it - only for the fault to appear again a few days later. :(

Also, it came back with a sizeable dent on the rear wing which I only discovered once I got home as their mechanic skillfully stood in fornt of the damage :mad: until I'd got into the driver's seat. When challenged on it the next day, all knowledge of it was of course strenuously denied. :rolleyes:
 
#5 ·
Ed Labinjoh was either the Sales Manager or the Service Manager at the long defunct Fishers garage in Edinburgh (can't remember which).
Fishers imploded in the mid 90s but was the longest standing Alfa dealer in Scotland at the time.
After the split, Ed and Stewart McLennan (also ex Fishers) both set up Alfa Indys.
As already stated, Eds probably better at 70's and 80's stuff.
I always found Ed's garage and the area outside cramped and condusive to bumps.
Nearly bought a 2600 Sprint from him many moons ago. Ending up buying a Sud 1.3 SC which was fantastic.
There's no doubting Ed's enthusiasm for Alfa, but always combined with a pretty hard business head.
PS. This may be SAROC myth, but I always understood Ed won the first ever car race at Knockhill (which had been exclusively a bike track) in a 2000 GTV some time in the 70's.
PPS. Jack Fisher is still an Alfa man.
 
#12 ·
I used Labinjoh a few times but when I ripped (and i mean ripped) the sump of my 145, i sent it to him and asked for info on the repair cost. Didnt hear from him for about 2 weeks and then was told to "scrap it".
 
#13 ·
HI THERE
I used Labinjoh for a couple of wee jobs on my old 156...nice guy to talk to, pathetic to deal with, so after moving back to the central belt from Edinburgh again, now gone back to John Mackie in Falkirk, who has been an Alfa guy for many many years. He looked after my 164 , Tipo and 127 Sport....All the alfa guys i know around here use his garage, ( J M motor engineers) and he`s very fair.
 
#15 · (Edited)
My two pence worth!! Only used McLennans once and he took 3 / 4weeks to supposedly sort a problem with my 146Ti...never even called me once to give me an update or progress report and then when I was eventually given the nod to travel back through from the darkest depths of weedgie land he presented me with a bill only a few quid shy of a grand, to which my jaw almost hit the ground...a little heads up would have been appreciated regarding costings etc. Labinjoh - on my few browsings around his place whilst on my way to Tynecastle - seems to be over-priced in the sales front of the used motors he has on his forecourt and RomeoRaiderZ experience would be enough to put me off...if a so-called Alfa guy returns your beloved Alfa with the bodywork dented then won't accept responsibility then I'd steer well clear...CM Garage in East Kilbride (weedgieland) gets my vote every time...a time served mechanic (albeit with my personally despised Park's of Hamilton) he always gives honest opinion and realistic estimates of the potential cost of the work he does. In my opinion worth the journey...just make sure you don't tell him you're not in a hurry for yer car back as he is always busy - mind you I always had 2 cars or a car and a motorbike so whenever one Alfa was in I always had alternative transport so my fault I guess for being so easy ozy on that front!
 
#16 ·
Yup...withoot a doot Chic(k)..CM moturs EK is THEE man tae go tae.

100 percentia wie afla scozazie there wrt chic.

Eveybudy kens who tae phone if they huv a ghost...

Whether ah wiz in lands end or john o groats and all points of the compass inbetween...if ah couldnaer get it gone.....speedidal wan...chic at CM motors,EK.


AN AHM NO AFFILIATED IN ONY SHAPE OR FORUM>?>>AH JUST KEN TALENT AND EXPERTISE>

Pomeo
 
#17 ·
bought a 156 1.8 t-spark from labinjoh,in 2006 and i must admit it was an experience i would rather forget! after a week took the car back because of a brake issue and had the front bumper scuffed in their workshop, I noticed that the car was using an excessive amount of oil 1 litre every 200 miles, I only drove the car on weekends it was not driven on a daily basis. I then discovered that the car had a cambelt failure in the hands of the previous owner !the engine started smoking badly and the bottem end started knocking,the worst car i have owned! i will not use labinjoh ever again ,thankfully we have dm auto in irvine ayrshire with the latest alfa equipment,so alfisti in ayrshire give them a try,damien and mick great guys and true alfisti!
 
#18 ·
Nice guy. Just a bit of a shambles...
 
#19 ·
Hi chaps - Just joined the forum after buying my first Alfa yesterday.
I live near Falkirk and have been using JM Motors for the past couple of years for other cars and have found him excellent. I've had a an 'Alfa chat' with him and he knows his stuff. Will be taking my new Alfa there for sure.
 
#21 ·
I've just bought a spider from Labinjoh's. Nice wee car that has a few wee niggles. He has promised to fix these but I think his service and friendliness has been faultless.
I have also used mclellans years ago and found his very expensive, he charged me a fortune to do a head gasket them told me the bottom end was f&£@ked! Helpful!
Its horses for courses and you may get a good deal with either.....or not. I tend to use my faithful saab indy for all my cars unless something really specialist. An alfa in the end is just another car but In an italian suit :)
 
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