Westside Motors in Woodford?

[triumphboy]

Hi. Does anyone have any experience of work done by these guys at all? Any recommendations (or otherwise!) gratefully received. Thanks.

[jamesandtheopenroad]

Hi

Did you speak to Ozzy at the Beetle Emporium at all?

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Wankers, avoid them unless you've got a split or bay.

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Ok, to elaborate, they were snobby with my van, didn't want to do any work to fix the TWO PAGE MOT failure sheet and even if they did their hourly rate is dripping with VW tax.

My advice is to sniff around proper, local garages until you find one that has other vehicles of the same age as yours being worked on and then don't be afraid to chat to the owner and walk away if your not happy.

I use Westgate Motors in Hackney for stuff I can't do myself.

[jamesandtheopenroad]

Which garage? Westside or beetle emporium?

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Westside

I have no experience of Beetle Emporium

[triumphboy]

OK thanks, I think I shall head to the Beetle Emporium then (no, haven't spoken to Ozzy yet), it's easier for me to get to too

[edoh]

same experience as chuckle tom -

almost heard their hands rubbing when i asked for quotes - all stroked chins and sharp intake of breath - and almost twice as much as i was quoted elsewhere - (changing an exhaust) -

if anyone does know of a good mot organising reasonably priced vw experienced garage round this way -
let us all know!

[edoh]

are westgate motors ok? do they know our vans (i work down hackney way - and live in epping)essex) -

[toyclean]

I had the same negative experience, they quoted a fortune for engine repairs and when I said it was a bit steep they said I'd be better off getting rid of the van! Anyway, I'd recommend VW Elite down Basildon way, can in at half the cost for engine replacement and seem decent blokes - proper old school! Others on here have recommended them so do a search to see what they say.

And, good luck!

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Westgate are what I call a 'proper' garage in that they can work on anything. I know of quite a few vans that get taken there, although I haven't heard all the owners testimonials. I personally have had no bad experience with them, although I except no responsibility!

I've had some quality welding done there, and I'm currently in negotiations regarding an engine rebuild. They organise MOTs whereby you leave your van with them and they warm it up and take it to the very sympathetic tester round the corner at a prestige motor garage. You then pick up and pay for it back at Westgate. When mine failed last week Bill was fine with me taking it away and doing the repairs and then returning a week later for the free re-test.

I know others have found Bill a bit difficult, but he's a Hackney lad and won't mess you about: it's a simple yay or nay. Pay cash too

There is also Kwickas VW specialist in Limehouse (under the DLR station). They are proper curmudgeonly old gits, but they really know their stuff. I have not personally used them because they are not very accommodating with drop-off or pick up times, but my in-laws take their rotting Bay there and like it. Not the cheapest compared to normal garages, but cheaper than Westside, Jacks or Volkspares.