Local (Kent/SE London, Essex at a pinch) specialists

[malarcy]

Hi - not seen too many independents/specialists discussed here - and of course google is your friend for finding businesses but I would like to hear anyones positive experiences of local independents ( I say positive because I think I read about a no name and shame policy on here).

I have done a little phoning around trying to get a feel for how the most local ones interact with potential customers with some interesting results (best shared on a club night) and I have had previous experience with one (but that was a lifetime - 15 years ago - with my 911 SC).

I plan on having my car a long time (last car I had for 15 years!) so a good working relationship with someone I can trust will be important, and I would rather not find out the hard way which ones are the "goto's" and which are the "stay clears".

I realise that one drivers hero is another's villain and mileage may very - but looking for some feedback from those that have gone before me.

Same goes for OPC's - already had some interesting and some good conversations with several of those.

All input gratefully received.

 

[Tony Warr]

I have tried a few indies and local OPC. The best has been Alex at https://www.csp-specialists.co.uk/

 

[williaa68]

Sorry for the rather late response. Cliff Lowe at Project Nine in Marden has looked after my 993 for all the time I have owned it - about 7 years. Very happy with him - knowledgeable and reasonably priced. Knows what needs doing and what doesn't.

 

[Chrishazle]

Just don't let his son do a test drive! He did one a couple of years ago in a Boxster belonging to a retired fireman from Maidstone, wrote the car off! That made the local newspaper.

I used Cliff for quite a while for my 968 from not long after he left La Rose started up on his own, but to me the service deteriorated as his business expanded, the final straw after a major service was being charged for using a credit card to pay - as if I'd have a 4 figure sum of cash on me! That was the last of a few things on that service I was not happy with. Since then I go elsewhere.

 

[malarcy]

Thanks for the info guys. It's seems that there is no definitive goto place nearby - and most who have been around for a while have both good and bad reviews out there.

I think there is a "no name and shame" policy on the forum, so I won't dig up old scars from 15 years ago, but Cliff worked on my car (911 SC) when still a La Rose, and I have spoken to both of them recently as an initial "who is out there" conversation when I got the boxster. I am still looking.......... but I totally accept there are many who have no issue and high praises for both outfits.