Service specialist suggestions........

[wolfie308]

Afternoon Gents,
Need to get my S.2 serviced and MOT'd.....last done by ProMax just before their closure[]
Looking for someone in Bucks area and was thinking of these guys and wondered if anyone here had any experiences....
http://porschespecialisthighwycombe.co.uk/index.html
The PO used to use Hillcrest in Henley, but High Wycombe would be much more convenient for me.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Hi Richard,

I used them to service mine for the last few years I had it. Some mixed feelings about them, but nothing to put me off.

They are very basic, and tend to be busy. That did mean sometimes an MOT and service ended up with the car in for a week, as they'd look at it, order parts, then start something else and seem to forget me. Not an issue, just need to keep on at them.

They know 944s inside out, but also tend to have young lads working there so need to be supervising them properly. This was where RPM fell down so badly, and ended up doing significant damage to my car, but I guess that's the problem with all garages.

They were always pretty competitive with pricing, and honest about what needed immediate attention, what could wait a year, and what should be done based on my budget and expectations. Nice that they took my mileage and driving style in to account when recommending work.

But, they did mess up at the last service I had before moving down here. I needed some welding for the MOT, and they told me it was a major job needing about 10 hours labour, but they didn't want to tackle it as it wasn't their speciality. This led to the car being laid up for a year, but when it went in to a specialist welder it turned out to be a £50 job, done in an evening. I wonder if they were just trying to get me to take it elsewhere for the welding and over-emphasised the work needed, but it didn't sit well with me.

Personally, I was going to try Ninex at Maidenhead for the next service had I not moved. No experience with them, but I was minded to try an alternative as I was in two minds about Chelsea Carrera's interest in the 944, with them being so busy with 911s and newer models such as Boxsters and Cayennes.

Hope that helps, probably not!

 

[wolfie308]

Hi Paul,

Many thanks for taking the time with such a comprehensive reply. Interesting we had similar experiences over many years both good and bad with RPM, but that's another story. I remember it was you mentioned Carrera Porsche quite a while back, but didn't realise you'd used them several times yourself. Which leaves me in a bit of a quandary.

However, last service with ProMax was a 12k with belts + MOT(no advisories), so I'm only after a 6k service + MOT which shouldn't be too challenging. On that basis, I think I'm prepared to give them a try if they can do it in the next couple of weeks. Getting back from High Wycombe is much easier than Henley(Hillcrest), Maidenhead or Reading(Northway)

Out of interest, were they at their new premises on the Cressex when you last used them?

Cheers,

Richard

 

[jasonp]

Hi Paul,

Many thanks for taking the time with such a comprehensive reply. Interesting we had similar experiences over many years both good and bad with RPM, but that's another story. I remember it was you mentioned Carrera Porsche quite a while back, but didn't realise you'd used them several times yourself. Which leaves me in a bit of a quandary.

However, last service with ProMax was a 12k with belts + MOT(no advisories), so I'm only after a 6k service + MOT which shouldn't be too challenging. On that basis, I think I'm prepared to give them a try if they can do it in the next couple of weeks. Getting back from High Wycombe is much easier than Henley(Hillcrest), Maidenhead or Reading(Northway)

Out of interest, were they at their new premises on the Cressex when you last used them?

Cheers,

Richard

Richard,,,
My chaps are in Walthamstow a bit of way for you,,,,
trust them,, been using them for years,,,,
I could meet you and drop you off at local station and pick you up at the station when you need to collect,,,
just a thought if you get stuck,,,,,
regards jasonp edit= just realized you live in Bucks Richard,,sorry i thought you were in Herts,,
think i may have mixed Martins and your countys up,,,

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Yep, the little unit in Cressex. That was what attracted me to them as it's so close.

 

[steve 944t]

I would strongly recommend Ninex in Maidenhead. They have looked after my 944 for the past 6 or 7 years (they also look after my 997). They know 944s inside out and have raced them in the club championship too - what they don’t know about 944s is not worth knowing! Prices are very reasonable too.

its a max 10 minute walk from Ninex to Maidenhead station if that helps with your travel arrangements

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I would strongly recommend Ninex in Maidenhead. They have looked after my 944 for the past 6 or 7 years (they also look after my 997). They know 944s inside out and have raced them in the club championship too - what they don’t know about 944s is not worth knowing! Prices are very reasonable too.

its a max 10 minute walk from Ninex to Maidenhead station if that helps with your travel arrangements

My thinking was that it's a bus ride/taxi/blag a lift off a mate from Maidenhead, so not the end of the world to Great Missenden. I used to travel far further to RPM to get poor service, so why not 20 mins to Maidenhead!

Trouble was, when you find a specialist literally 5 minutes away it's hard to justify a longer trip. [&:]

 

[ronald smith]

Hi Richard,
Did you get the heater sorted -it eluded me for a long time-sorry not to have been in touch before-will tell you
reasons when we meet or speak.
Although i used Hillcrest quite a lot after Promax and RPM -not best experience. I felt that Simon had spread himself a
bit thin as he took on another Garage on same premises and the guy who did a lot of the work on Bluey had left.
I would have changed to either Northways- who had looked after first 944 and now my 997- or NInex who i have only
heard good things about.
If you decide to use Ninex i would be happy to drop you home-and do reverse for collection.
Give me a ring or e-mail if that helps at all.
Cheers Ron
I know i must change avatar.

 

[wolfie308]

Thanks for the offer Jason, but you are indeed a bit far off my manor

 

[wolfie308]

Hi Richard,
Did you get the heater sorted -it eluded me for a long time-sorry not to have been in touch before-will tell you
reasons when we meet or speak.
Although i used Hillcrest quite a lot after Promax and RPM -not best experience. I felt that Simon had spread himself a
bit thin as he took on another Garage on same premises and the guy who did a lot of the work on Bluey had left.
I would have changed to either Northways- who had looked after first 944 and now my 997- or NInex who i have only
heard good things about.
If you decide to use Ninex i would be happy to drop you home-and do reverse for collection.
Give me a ring or e-mail if that helps at all.
Cheers Ron
I know i must change avatar.

Hi Ron, I got as far as repairing the mountings on the heater unit, but didn't get round to trying to exchange it. I'll be more inclined to give it a go now the weather's improving. I did fit a new scuttle panel cover though.



I've taken the plunge......I rang CarreraPorsche on Friday and spoke to Lawrence who kindly agreed to fit me in this coming Thursday as it's only a 6k service and MOT and will give me chance to test them out. I'm able to get a lift there and back this time as my wife's off work convalescing from a recent operation. Otherwise, it would be £15-20 cab each way.

Interesting to hear the positive words about Ninex, I'll bear them in mind for next time. Many thanks Ron for that very kind offer.....I may well take you up on that. Best Wishes, Richard