This post is unashamedly a thank you to George McMillan
My 3.2 carerra has had an interesting life. I bought it in 1995 in the US, used it as my daily driver and have put around 40,000miles on it in the US. I imported it to the UK in 1996 and have only lightly used it in the last 6-8 years. It has been kept in the The Czech Republic, Greece and now Ireland. (Try communicating with a Czech mechanic or a Greek mechanic!) Basically, it hasn't been used much in the last few years and has not had a good mechanic look after it and a few adaptations along the way.
George agreed to have a look at it approx a year ago and fix the gearbox and front barke caliper.
What he has actually finished up doing is perform a complete mechanical overhaul of the engine and gearbox and replaced gazillions of little components that were perished/rotting (with age). Yes he has taken some time to do it, but that was the deal.
Well as those of you who have been in George's magic kingdom may have seen, the LHD sliver 3.2 that has gone from a tired wee thing with a "soft" engine to a tight, sweet handling car with a cracking engine.
Last night, I drove it again for the first time in a long time. Difficult to assess just how good it has become particularly on wet, unfamiliar roads, but even on old fuel, it was excellent.
No doubt there are others in NI with George's skill, but if you need work done on a car, particularly if it is not run of the mill, he's the man. If you are in a hurry and want a patch-up job, go else where.
Parts used: £XXX
Peace of mind: Priceless
Thanks George, here's to the next 50,000+ miles
My 3.2 carerra has had an interesting life. I bought it in 1995 in the US, used it as my daily driver and have put around 40,000miles on it in the US. I imported it to the UK in 1996 and have only lightly used it in the last 6-8 years. It has been kept in the The Czech Republic, Greece and now Ireland. (Try communicating with a Czech mechanic or a Greek mechanic!) Basically, it hasn't been used much in the last few years and has not had a good mechanic look after it and a few adaptations along the way.
George agreed to have a look at it approx a year ago and fix the gearbox and front barke caliper.
What he has actually finished up doing is perform a complete mechanical overhaul of the engine and gearbox and replaced gazillions of little components that were perished/rotting (with age). Yes he has taken some time to do it, but that was the deal.
- is it worth spending the time and money on this car? he said yes
- I'm not in a hurry. He said, I'm busy so I won't be doing it quickly (!), but I will do it right
- spend smart/do the jobs needed for the long term e.g. when the engine and 'box were out, do the "wee stuff" / perishables on the engine, not just the clutch
Well as those of you who have been in George's magic kingdom may have seen, the LHD sliver 3.2 that has gone from a tired wee thing with a "soft" engine to a tight, sweet handling car with a cracking engine.
Last night, I drove it again for the first time in a long time. Difficult to assess just how good it has become particularly on wet, unfamiliar roads, but even on old fuel, it was excellent.
No doubt there are others in NI with George's skill, but if you need work done on a car, particularly if it is not run of the mill, he's the man. If you are in a hurry and want a patch-up job, go else where.
Parts used: £XXX
Peace of mind: Priceless
Thanks George, here's to the next 50,000+ miles
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