25 replies to this topic

[kitroxin]

They have a great ebay shop too

[minijo]

Thanks for the info!

[stuveedub]

This is just a personal opinion.

I've had a few things done at Old Skool and there are two things to say.

1) they certainly do know Minis.
2) the price they quote (promise) you is actually half of what you will finally pay.

This has happened to me three times and although their work is good and they know Minis backwards
I'm just offended by their approach of "it will be £250" and then when you go to collect "it will be £600".
A pair of brothers run the firm and they play 'good cop bad cop' very effectively.

I won't knock them because they do fantastic bodywork and they are well thought of on this forum and on
the Mini scene generally - but... my personal experience of them is not good, I think they are very good at finding
'extra' stuff that needs doing and when they did my suspension recently they (somehow) discovered all kinds of things
in the engine bay that needed replacing and renewing. No phone call to ask if I wanted it done, no phone call to discuss it
with me - I just went to collect and was presented with a bill for a load of work I hadn't wanted and hadn't authorised.
Quote was £275.
When I arrived to collect I was asked to pay £590

When I simply refused to pay the extra money some pretty bad vibes kicked off and I'm glad I'm a tall bald cockney and not easily
intimidated by five guys holding spanners and shouting.
I'll say no more.
No extra money changed hands...

They've recently moved from some pretty nice premises in Birmingham to the wrong end of town and why this is is anyone's guess.

If I can make a recommendation it would be "Collins Motoring Services" (only a couple of miles away in Birmingham - just google it)
who are genuinely good, have their own rolling road, who race Minis in their spare time, can tune your engine within an inch of it's life,
who are honestly passionate about YOUR Mini. Having found them after a few "fifty-fifty" experiences with Old Skool I'll never go anywhere else.

On balance I would warn you against Old Skool as I personally wouldn't trust them to replace a bicycle chain without finding two hundred
quids worth of exrtas you'll never be warned about.

Best wishes
Monty

As regard to the above and the other previous post about sabotage heres our (old skool minis) side to this,

as stated by yourself we carried out the work on the front suspension replacing the donuts, knuckles, engine mounts plus all subframe mounts and for us to repin your rear radius arm. As regard to prices we stated that all the parts came to £121.50 that was without us charging you for the timing chain and tappet chest gaskets and labour £250 for all the suspension and olil leaks. Total £371.50

The extra charge came from the rear radius arm that we had to replace because it was beyond repair, granted we did not contact you about it and perhaps we shud have. So the extra radius arm £125 plus the pin £18, therefore an extra £143 was added to your bill. Total £514.50. We had to replace two rear brake pipes which were scrap so again charged £5. Final bill £519 not as you stated £600!!!!!!!!

Yourself came to collect the car from us and you refused to pay the extra, so you handed over £390 and it was left on a gentlemans agreement that you would return and pay the extra money, which you have'nt. After leaving us you returned sayin that your brake pedal went to the floor effectily no brakes so we gave the a bleed and away you went.
Two dsays later you rang up sayin that the brakes were playin up again and the warning light was on????? No wires on the top of the master cylinder for it to work?????????? so we aranged for the car to be collected and brought back to us. It was left here for three to four days without being touched and the brakes were fine. Upon collection time you would'nt come and collect from us so we drove it back to your house personally free of charge!!!!! So we never touched the brakes while it was here again and you must be happy with them now so......

What all this nonsence is about 5 men with spanners shouting is a load of crap, for a start there is only 3 fo us working here so where you got 5 from nowbody knows!!!!!!!!

The day you came to collect it we notivced the petrol pipe which you call your braided hose was leaking because the pipe was too big in diametre for the carb so we replaced it for a proper piece of petrol pipe. The braided piece which is still floating around our workshop if you require it???? Regard to the carb and float leaking we might have disturbed it when we did the tappet covers but we did not sabotage anything on your car as you put it!!!

As for Collins motoring services we know him and them very well, we have worked with them for a number of years an there work is of excellent standard. Any queries regarding them please feel free to contact us about them an visa versa.


We do hope this matter gets resolved and quickly..
Any problems do contact us.

Old skool minis.

[rustandoil]

The other side of the story makes for interesting reading..................

[mars red mike]

Looking at this from an outsiders point of view, the nail in OSM's coffin is carrying out work without getting the go-ahead from the customer first. No-one is going to just hand over £520 after being quoted £370.
Was the radius arm that was fitted a re-con or a brand new item? A re-con is about £35 ish exchange and brand new £180 odd. For £125 I would be expecting a brand new one to be honest. And £18 for a radius arm pin? That is just ridiculous.

In future mate give a written quote on any work that the customer asks you to do, carry out that work at quoted price, any other work that needs doing contact customer first.

[silva_mini]

Picked up my mini from Old Skool today all work completed to a very high standard, extremely happy with the work carried out and customer service was spot on - highly recommended! Should be off to Collins next week for a rolling road session. Im lucky to be so close to great mini specialists

Thanks again to all at Old Skool.
Brad.

[shorty]

mines off on friday for a new sill and floorpan and also rear windscreen seal

[tsatchwell]

Im going to be getting mine in at Old Skool to have the front end sorted and other bits tidied as soon as i can scrap the £££ together!

[shorty]

i want mine back now im missing driving lol=[

[akaflash]

keep it local, flash paints 01507 606040, 2 for full restos and cooper sport 500 for front end in at the minute though so fairly long waiting time.

[richsully]

Got to say something about Old Skool Mini's

I have dealt with Paul, Roy and Stuart for about 12 months.
They are real Mini enthusiasts, I have always found them decent guys, always given me advice, and its always been good advice.
The standard of their work was exceptional, spares prices are always at the lower end, and I have looked around.

I have even been quoted on a repair of "about £60" yet when I collected it was £45, now you can't be fairer than that.

As for the "5 guys" with spanners, well I do remember on one occassion there was more than the 3 of them, there was an old man (Since found out its Pauls Dad, and he's in his 80's), didn't look like he could pick up a spanner, let alone swing it. (Sorry Pauls Dad), and anyway, most spanners you use on a Mini are 1/2", not going to do much damage with that!!!

I'm buying another Mini, and I will definitly be taking it there for its repair, and any spares I need.

Thanks guys.

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