"Bend over and prepare the lube" booked...

[Captain Slow]

No, not a night in a Soho porn dungeon-my 6th year service (aye, the cambelts one...) on my ZS180.

Booked with Austin Garages (www.austingarages.co.uk) -seems like they're pretty well versed in MG Rover's products and their hourly rate is reasonable (£45+VAT). Jean is pleasent and helpful on the phone and the quote of a shade under a grand (with a few other bits & pieces e.g. water pump, tensioners etc) is the best I've had-gulp.

I did email Clifton Lane and got no response

Will report back on the experience etc when it's all done and dusted in March. Although they're a bit out the way, I reckon we've got a potential new approved garage on our hands here-everyone who's been there seems to be raving about them and Jean says they're stacked out (promising!).

[Nick]

A grand ouch...makes my £350 for a C service at techspeed seem petty, good old 4 pot K series .

Mind you every 6 years it's not too bad, it's worth it for the peace of mind when you run it up to 6K revs....and a lot cheaper than a new engine

[Rich]

That actually sounds rather steep to me. I've never heard of a quote that high! I know several people on .org have paid around the £650 mark for the 'biggie' service although that was on a ZT, but surely they aren't that different. As you are obviously prepared to travel some distance, I may know of someone who may be able to do a deal. I'll let you know how I get on.

As for SmS officially recommended traders, they must either be in or offer their services to the club's area and be nominated by at least two members. The reasoning behind this is that people joining our group are looking for 'local' services. Unfortunately, Staffs is not within our patch and is quite a trek for most members to have routine maintenance. However, that doesn't mean you cannot sing their praises in the 'Member testimonials' section of the forum so if you do use anyone and think their services are worthy of a mention, feel free to do so!

Rich

[Tony]

I paid around £1700 for the cambelt service on my ZS180 at the MGOC workshops, but that did INCLUDE around £550 for a new inlet manifold.

[Captain Slow]

That actually sounds rather steep to me. I've never heard of a quote that high! I know several people on .org have paid around the £650 mark for the 'biggie' service although that was on a ZT, but surely they aren't that different.

Being fair, the original service quote was about £600 + VAT but I added on a water pump and a few other bits.

Nick-exactly my thinking (although it actually goes to 7k )! The car has only done 28k but I don't really fancy 2x head rebuilds if the tensioner fails...the car also has a flawless history (every service bang on time, whatever needed done) and I want to keep it that way.

[Lee121]

Ring Russell and ask him!!

[Rich]

Just what I was thinking Lee! I'm sure he would be competitive and no need to travel anywhere...

Rich

[daved]

Clifton Lane did my cam belt service on the ZTT 190 + oil service (supposedly - see my other post) and lost the washer cap. £900 as per the MGRover official pricing

[Lee121]

Jeeeeeez..... you guys really do need to talk to Russell.....that's highway robbery

[Lee121]

Just been speaking to Russell......his words "I'll do a full belt service on the KV6 for under £350".....and dont forget he comes to you, madness to go elsewhere

[Tony]

Who is Russell?

[Nick]

Russell trades as www.mgroversolutions.com and is a mobile mechanic who's been around for a couple of years with an excellent reputation on .org and with Lee as he's done work on his car to a great standard.

[daved]

The Trophy is coming up for a 60,000 mile service. I had the cam belts changed less than 12 months ago whenthe overheating was sorted.

Question for debate this evening...............do I need to do it again and if not can I have a reduced service?

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