T25 Mechanics in Kent/Essex/South London?

[smudge]

Morning all..

I need to get my 89 Westy serviced before the season's camping begins, and would prefer to use a reputable VW specialist if I can. We live in Bexleyheath, Kent, but don't mind travelling within reason to get the right level of service!

I know of SuperBeetles in Colchester, and have also heard of Airfix in Surrey. Has anyone either used either of these, or have any other recommendations? Basically anywhere around the south east and north east sides of the M25...

Also, what would you guys n gals consider to be a fair price for a 'full' service?

Many thanks in advance

Carole

[libraryboy]

two I can highly recommend
Tony Hines Autos (genius)
Air cooled Volkswagen serviceing/repairs
Orchard Works
Streeters Lane
Wallington
Surrey
UK
Tel: 020 8647 8329


and these guys are just up the road from you..
around the corner from cool air
VW Care Centre
2 Burnett Road, Thameside Industrial Park, Erith, DA8 2LG
01322 347 513‎..

darren at aircool is good aswell . another lokal to me
good mate of mine ross had south london vw in croydon but I think it has folded due to recession

[chuckle-bus-tom]

Volkspares in sydenham

Peets garage in Crawley (can't remember the name so pm Peet)

to be honest, aside from a few good ones 'VW specialist' are a bit overpriced for something any mechanic (or yourself) can do. Your local yellow pages will have a VW specialist that perhapse isn't so air cooled snobbish and be a bit cheaper, but it's mostly basic stuff unless you need tappets adjusting, wheels balancing or the like. Have a look in the WIKI and the front of your haynes and even with buying the parts and the odd tool you'll save a load of money, get an enormous sence of wellbeing and be a little more at one with your van!

[axeman]

i alway take my van to tony hines when things get too much for me. he has worked on all of my vw through out the years, find him trust worthy and fair. he has been doing it for 35plus years experence counts for a lot in my books.cant comment on the outhers.

good luck neil

[smudge]

Thanks guys, all that info is really useful!

I can sometimes work in Croydon, so I'll give Tony Hines a call Once you find a good mechanic they are worth their weight in gold....

And thankyou chuckle-bus-tom for your suggestions too! I'm not averse to getting my hands grubby, but after years of doing just that with Aircooled splits and bays , frankly I've had enough of cold runny nose days in the garage!!

Which, incidentally is one of the big reasons I bought a T25......... He starts first time, he stops properly, he's warm, comfortable, cosy, the horn works!, the lights work, he has a proper camping interior......and he does exactly what it says on the tin........

Sorry I digress.......

[Joker 3 from 1983]

Hi to all,
Browsing the web, I found one in Brixton:

V W BEETLE & ALL AIRCOOL WORKSHOP
320A, COLDHARBOUR LANE
GB-SW9 8SE LONDON
phone: +44 (0) 20 7738 7377

Has anyone using them? I need some general servicing but a careful tuning of my 2L Aircooled van (Joker 3).

Thansk for any additional "tips" about this.

[scottbott]

john bowles in sevenoaks a vw repairer,races in formua vee and historics with type 4 motor racecar,very good with gearbox's so my father in law says

[robber_roo]

daysautoservices ask for Paul.

Nice fella and great work. Located near Leeds Castle.

DAYS AUTOSERVICES
UNIT C LEDIAN FARM
Maidstone
Kent
ME17 1RZ

[belgianbill]

Used VW AIrfix (Darren Campbell) for a while on my 1.6TD
Replaced all brake pipes and overhauled calipers - good job
Replaced engine oil, crossed threaded sump bolt and charged me to helicoil it!
Fitted replacement JX engine - finally sorted out by The Engine Shop in Erith (good guys!)
Failed to spot diesel leak from a long ago brazed injector pipe leading to cooking the starter motor and charging me £100 for a replacement

Draw your own conclusions! I now use Audi VW Specialists in Leatherhead 01372 383038 - Dave is factory trained and charges a reasonable £53/hour +VAT. Trouble is he can be a sod to get hold of!

bill

[Sir Brixalot]

Thanks guys, all that info is really useful!

I can sometimes work in Croydon, so I'll give Tony Hines a call Once you find a good mechanic they are worth their weight in gold....

And thankyou chuckle-bus-tom for your suggestions too! I'm not averse to getting my hands grubby, but after years of doing just that with Aircooled splits and bays , frankly I've had enough of cold runny nose days in the garage!!

Which, incidentally is one of the big reasons I bought a T25......... He starts first time, he stops properly, he's warm, comfortable, cosy, the horn works!, the lights work, he has a proper camping interior......and he does exactly what it says on the tin........

Sorry I digress.......

Not sure about Tony Hines personally. Took my van to him, he said upper wishbone bushes needed replacing. Tony couldn't get a nut off but charged me £180 anyway for trying. Took it to Norris in Brixton who put the van up on a ramp and showed me that there wasn't even much wear. Wouldn't use Tony Hines again myself

[belgianbill]

Went down Streeters Lane in Wallington the other day looking for Tony Hines. It seems to be all new residential property and no sign of Orchard Works. Presumeably he has moved or I should have gone to Specsavers

Bill

[chuckle-bus-tom]

I took my doka to Kwikas in Limehouse yesterday. I felt I received a good honest service. They sorted an oil pressure problem, although didn't use any more skilled mechanics than I could have but they didn't go overboard (either because they didn't need to or didn't know to) and didn't charge me the earth: £60 for a tinker and an oil change.

I only took it to them because I couldn't get it in where I now want to take all of my vans: Riverside Autos in Greenwich. It's not a VW garage, but the owner and two of the mechanics have a super tasty split, a pristine early bay and a race built beetle between them. My friend Al has had everything from a 63 split to his current 96 T4 and they've been great to him. So, that's going to be my place from now; even if it means going south of the river.

[jamesandtheopenroad]

anyone ever taken their van to Elite for servicing? if so, what were they like?

[chuckle-bus-tom]

anyone ever taken their van to Elite for servicing? if so, what were they like?

I went there for an LPG service and it was alright. There isn't a waiting area or anything nearby, so you may need a support car. I just made myself busy with being nosy. They were a bit slow for my liking, but then again I was chatting! The work was of a good standard.

[shortbloke]

Personally I would recommend VW Airfix in Carshalton, great job in quick time, despite being pretty busy. Will be going back again with some other minor things I want sorted.