[KaizerG]

I wanted to canvas peoples experiences regarding Suburban Motors. Did a search and found a few negative comments however these were from two persons so wanted more input before I totally wrote them off.

The warranty I got with the car requires services at RMI approved places... I would take it to Alan at Midlands but unfortunatley he's not RMI approved


Was thinking I could just do the minor service at Suburban and any further work could be done by Alan...

Website below:
http://www.suburbanmotors.co.za/

 

[Brendon_in_Dbn]

I only use Clifford for parts

 

[KaizerG]

I only use Clifford for parts

And in terms of work done on your car??

 

[Brendon_in_Dbn]

I use a someone else... I've heard stories and would rather not crash the relationship I have with him

 

[MzansiAlfa]

@KiazerG probably am one of the people with negative comments you are referring to. LOL...

If not, here is my 2 cents. I've used Suburban for years and they have always done good work, except of recent am not sure what happened. But since they moved premises their service has not been the same. On the last work they did for me, I had to return the car 4 or 5 times until they got it 'right', after lots of fights with them (and money paid) I got a replacement second hand engine on the house... so am happy about that, but it feels as if they replaced my 2l engine with a 1.1l engine. No power. But was tired of fighting and trying to fix the car so I let it go and am driving my 147 1.1l T/Spark :lol: But otherwise Cliford is a "Good Guy"...

@Brendon_in_Dbn who is Alan? and where in the midlands is he? Perhaps I could have him look at my 147... Who else do you use? (Perhaps DM)

 

[Brendon_in_Dbn]

I use a guy named Simlin in Shelcross, he is very well priced and only works on one car at a time. Biggest down fall is, that he is very busy and is hard to get time with him. but when you do it's worth the wait

 

[KaizerG]

Took my car to Suburban for a minor service...

Clifford worked on it himself, so far everything seems fine although not much can go wrong with just an oil and filters change.

Seems a nice guy and passionate about Alfas.

 

[Brendon_in_Dbn]

Clifford is a nice guy, I've just heard to many stories about his major works

 

[MagicMan79]

Something not right there!!

I wouldn't take my vehicle there again. I took a ford Tracer in for an oil leak and CV joints. The CV joints were fixed fine but the gasket I had replaced is still leaking, they promised to clean the excess oil of the engine and sump but it still the same as when we drove it in ... but that's not the biggest thing. I arrived at the workshop to find the vehicle standing almost in the street ... all the doors were unlocked and the gear-lock was not on, and the vehicle was completely unattended ... (This particular color of Ford Tracer has a high theft risk) The entire inside of the car now reeks of oil because they are literally walking around in pools of oil on the floor and the pedals were covered in oil for a good while, even after wiping them down.

But it gets better. A few weeks after the vehicle being taken in a new spare wheel was purchased. About a week later we had a flat tyre and then learned that the spare was missing. They deny all claims of this but our vehicle is kept on premises that is secure and when the vehicle is parked for work, there are many high level security guards present all the time as well as cameras. There has been no forced entry at any point and the last time the spare was seen was literally just before we drove it into their workshop while we were checking for loose items that could potentially be stolen. I reported it to Clifford who claimed he would investigate the matter but I have not heard back from them.

Even though they did not fix it properly, I will never take my vehicle back there again!! I would rather go fork out the extra cash and send it to a reputable mechanic with clean workshops. Sooner spend the money than have anything more go wrong.

 

[Ian Lusso]

Don't support crooks...
...or monkeys with spanners...

 

[Mark Cooper]

Another person to try is Robin Bauer in Pinetown. I have always had good service from him and he is an Alfa Club of Natal member.

I have also heard good reports about Franco Motors. Never used them but the reports are positive.

 

[Avi]

I used to use Robin Bauer ages ago, he is brilliant.