servicing and maintance

[belle4]

Hi all brummies, i new and frm the sutton coldfield area. Only had my alfa 147 for a year and need to get it serviced any recommondations.

[Chill]

I used to get mine serviced at Central Alfa in Dudley - always did a good job and reasonable charges too. Also the showroom is full of Ferraris, lamborghini's, Evos etc - worth a visit to see what's in there.

Hi, Central have now moved from Dudley having given up Alfa Romeo.
Plenty of indies around in the Midlands

[EVEL]

You could try Johny above
Home
or

www.wad.alfaromeo.co.uk

In wolverhampton

or

Midlands UK based Italian car specialist

In Brum city centre

[belle4]

Thanks i will try these

[Carlb]

Central Alfa was only half of the set up, the other half being Xtreme performance (Used to be known as rallyart).

The Xtreme part is still running and they will still service Alfas in and out of waranty, good guys too.

Now at The Old Forge Estate, Dudley Road, Stourbridge, DY9 8EL.

Motormech`s owner Paul Gilbert is a first class guy. Great prices too.

I live 5 mins away from Lye and never even knew about that one? I`ll pop by and say hello one of the days...good to know of a very close indy.

WAD also come highly recomended, but i have never used them.

There is also a place in Tamworth PJ Motors...... PJ Motors, Tamworth, UK - Alfa Romeo Specialist, Alfa Romeo Servicing

[my1stalpha]

Hi belle4 i am having my cambelt done at wad on friday will let you know if there any good, they do come highly recommended.

[Drivers71]

Originally Posted by belle4

Hi all brummies, i new and frm the sutton coldfield area. Only had my alfa 147 for a year and need to get it serviced any recommondations.

Welcome Belle Hawthorn Garage, opposite Sutton Park, was the first ALFA garage I ever used. Trouble is, they switched to Renault about 30 years ago! The good thing was, chief mechanic Alf recommended I go see Willie Dick in Wolverhampton - so started a long and pleasant relationship with WAD, which continues to this day.

[purple145]

WAD, excellent place, only people to have touched my cars other than me.

[nello]

Paul Gilbert at MotorMech is a great bloke - highly recommended!

[GTV Rob]

May I reccommend these guys: Home base in Lye near Stourbridge, very reasonably priced and honest, used them several times this year.

[GTV Rob]

Oops, posted twice.

[Sensible]

I've been taking my 156 to WAD in Wolverhampton for the last 3 years. Had services, a cam belt change (plus all the other bits that go with a cam belt change) and front suspension done there. Always happy with job and price, and Adrian is a good chap who knows what he is doing.

Don't always think a franchised dealer will do the best job, before I went to WAD I took it to an dealer and they wanted to change brake pads all round, front discs, 2 tyres, refill the aircon and a few other things. This would have cost £850 with the service. I decided not to have the extra's done and took it elsewhere after just paying for the £250 for the service. I ended up having front discs and pads changed for £155, the other stuff didn't need doing.......... I know they are not all like that but you don't know if the bloke servicing your car has 40 years experience or if he's the apprentice.....so I would say go to an indepandant specialist

[146alfafan]

Ive been taking my 146 Ti to Simply Alfas based in Lye, Stourbridge for the last 12 months.(It was nice to find someone who didnt rub there hands together when i said it was an Alfa).Chris and John are fantastic guys who always do a good job at the right price. I'd gladly recommend them to anyone.[URL="www.simplyalfas.co.uk"]

[TurismoTodd]

Hi Belle4 i use

Italian Car Service Specialist

Great bloke, very helpful, good prices and most of all trustworthy.

Todd.

[Darkrider]

Hi, anyone got any experience of Guests of Knowle?

[REDGAZ]

Originally Posted by Darkrider

Hi, anyone got any experience of Guests of Knowle?

Yes,long winded & inconclusive, ok for spares though.Head for W.A.D. or Motormech.

[Darkrider]

Originally Posted by REDGAZ

Yes,long winded & inconclusive, ok for spares though.Head for W.A.D. or Motormech.

Are they the best for Kenilworth / Coventry area?

[TurismoTodd]

Originally Posted by Darkrider

Are they the best for Kenilworth / Coventry area?

WAD are in Wolverhampton and Motormech are in Birmingham City Center, both have very good reputations. If you are looking for something closer to home try a search on the independent garage recommendations thread.

Todd.

[Sensible]

The problem with going to a main dealer like Guest is that they are expensive and want to charge you for every little thing. Rather than tell you that you brake pads are 70% worn and you've only got 5,000 miles left on them they will want to replace them. I would rather do another 4,500 miles and then have them replaced.

It is a very cold relationship with a main dealer and you are rarely able to speak to the person who will work on our car. I would much rather go to an independant specialist who you can have a chat to first, and gets to know you and your car, even if that means travelling. Before I found WAD, I had my car booked into Jamie Porter's Alfa Workshop down south, which is 122 miles away from me...... but I would rather take it somewhere I can trust.

[davieb156]

i havent used them myself yet but i am hearing good reports about SimplyAlfas in Lye near stourbridge. I was talking to the guys from SimplyAlfas the other week at the meet at the swallows nest and they only charge £30 an hour labour for a start , which is excellent. The will work on any cars but specialise in Alfas. I may well be having some work done there in the new year , so i will keep you all posted.
They will also lend you a car if one is available if the jo0b is going to take a while , or if not they will pop you into Merry hill shopping centre for a couple of hours and then pick you up when the car is ready.

[GTjase]

Originally Posted by Darkrider

Hi, anyone got any experience of Guests of Knowle?

Yes - unfortunately.
My GT has now had 5 services at knowle and every time there's been a problem with their workmanship.
I only take it there now to retain the original stamp in the servicebook and cause of its convenient location to me.
I've had broken pollen filter covers refitted, engine undertrays retained with cable ties, tire wear caused by buckled alloys (apparently), break pads worn 70% one year then 50% the following (without them being changed)..to name but a few .... Then finaly this year a month after its service the EGR being diagnosed faulty.
They are good for spares but all the staff seem to have had a charisma by-pass.
If i based my experience on AR Knowle alone i would never buy Alfa again - but i love Alfas..

sorry for the gripe- but you asked!


I've have heard several very good reports of WAD in Wolverhampton too.

[paullec]

Take it to WAD i do and it worth the ever drive they have a hire car to : )

[REDGAZ]

doh!, just noticed date.

[DUCJASON]

Originally Posted by Carlb

Central Alfa was only half of the set up, the other half being Xtreme performance (Used to be known as rallyart).

The Xtreme part is still running and they will still service Alfas in and out of waranty, good guys too.

Now at The Old Forge Estate, Dudley Road, Stourbridge, DY9 8EL.

Motormech`s owner Paul Gilbert is a first class guy. Great prices too.

I live 5 mins away from Lye and never even knew about that one? I`ll pop by and say hello one of the days...good to know of a very close indy.

WAD also come highly recomended, but i have never used them.

There is also a place in Tamworth PJ Motors...... PJ Motors, Tamworth, UK - Alfa Romeo Specialist, Alfa Romeo Servicing

xtreme uk still do alfa and fiat servicing and repairs and also have there examiner dianostic computer too,there phone numbers 01384 467752