93 replies to this topic

[MiniGrin]

Ive bit my tong and just got on with scrounging lifts and not going out for the last 3 months but now its getting ridiculous.
If you didn't know my car (mpi) has been in the garage now having a new gearbox.
It went in 3 months ago. I have always thought this job is expected by most to take a garage "odd jobing" 1 or two weeks. A busy garage 3. It has now been 3 MONTHS!
I went around last week and was told that he hadn't started on it yet, no sign of apology and he really didn't give the impression he gave a dam. This was annoying however he did promise me he would get onto to it this week. Just gone back there now and it has not had anything more done. I know he is a busy guy, but he has only ever had two other cars in at one time and these two other cars have changed at least 4 times since mine has been there. All this time my car is deteriorating. The rust in the front panels is getting a lot worse, the inside is damp, i have a small lake in the foot wells, its sump guard has been but on my leather seats and so scratched them badly, its parked half in a bush so im looking forward to trying to polish all the subsequent scratches out and engines do not like to be stood unused and so will probably not want to run let alone run smoothly. Beginning now to get rather close from trailering it into a proper garage. 

I dont like ranting but I think he is taking the .....

 

So am I being unreasonable, how long should a gearbox and CV joint change take for a "professional" garage with two blokes working on it?

Edit: just thought to clarify by "odd Jobbing" I mean he has more than one car in the garage at a time. He should work threw the work committing full attention to it in the order they come it. He is clearly just keeping on pushing me down the list. Many cars have come in and gone out while mine has been in.

Edited by MiniGrin, 03 January 2014 - 06:29 PM.

[Artful Dodger]

just take it and dont pay him.  simples. 

 

under a day. 

[willava182]

Nope just go get your car, and take it somewhere else, simple as! or give him a deadline which possibly will get his **** together haha

[Ryang556]

Our boss would expect us to have that in and out within 2 days at the utter most  

 

But if we had all the parts etc, expect it done in a day with two blokes on it easy. 

[Tamworthbay]

Not unreasonable at all, sounds like a complete idiot! I would get the car back and take it elsewhere as soon as possible.

[creakyjaws5533]

I changed my gearbox only working about two hours a few evenings a week this was my first bit of proper work other mini and it took me about that time when I had my mini in a garage it took 4 months to change the steering column they damaged the paint with fluid poured on it and left the track rod ends incorrectly if they aren't a mini garage they don't see them as special cars

Edited by creakyjaws5533, 03 January 2014 - 04:46 PM.

[Will16]

I'd say it would only take a day.  Two at max.  3 months is way too long.  Just go in there and be like-

 

[Harrison541]

I could do it in 2 days and I'm not a professional garage.

 

Take the car back and find someone else

Edited by Harrison541, 03 January 2014 - 04:46 PM.

[silve1999]

give him a deadline, tell him that you are going to report your car stolen lol

[Kieranlee999]

take it somewhere else just go there with a trailer :)

[ToM 2012]

forget that! 

[DomCr250]

I'd also be concerned about the actual quality of their work - if it takes them that long and they have that little customer service.

 

Maybe ask on the forum for some advice on a good, local mini garage?

 

A good DIY mini fan can do it in a day, so I'd suggest 8 hours workshop time would be about right.

Edited by DomCr250, 03 January 2014 - 04:59 PM.

[tmarmsi]

Get it back! Ask yourself this do you really want this guy to do it? I know you may want to give him the benefit of the doubt because you've waited so long, 3 months is a joke get your car back a.s.a.p and start looking for someone else, your never be happy with this guy and it will cloud your judgement of his work, no point in setting deadlines with him because you could end up going round on deadline day and your car being in bits and your be stuck making a new deadline, plenty of other capable garages out there that would gladly take on the work

[rally1380]

I think ultimately they don't want to do it as they probably don't have a clue how to, so hope you'll get fed up waiting and take the car away.

 

Get the car back, and take it somewhere who want to help you.

 

If its getting full of water you need it done ASAP so you can dry it out before it rots away.

 

Fingers crossed for you.

[Cooperman]

It's about an 8 hour job to change a gearbox. The only possible issue would be the flywheel removal as the flywheel can be difficult to remove on some cars.

If you have a trolley jack, axle stands, a good flywheel puller and a good took kit it's really a DIY job which any classic car owner needs to be capable of doing, maybe with a bit of help.

When you own a classic car unless you have a lot of money you really do need to be able to do most of the work yourself as so much will need doing.