23 replies to this topic

[jiminwatford]

I've recently bought a new Mini with unknown tuning history so would like AC to give it the once-over

 

Does anyone know of (any) tuning days coming up?

 

I live a little too far to pay solely for him to come to me but would travel to a group session 

 

Cheers!

[Chris1275gt]

Send a message and ask him. facebook messenger it is his preferred contact method.

Edited by Chris1275gt, 08 June 2026 - 06:08 PM.

[jiminwatford]

Tends not to work i'm afraid

 

He'll ask where i am and say he's not going there soon. Unfortunately he doesn't publish his full itinerary

 

So if anyone knows anywhere he'll be it'll be appreciated 👍

Edited by jiminwatford, 08 June 2026 - 06:58 PM.

[Rubbershorts]

You'd need to get a group together, with a venue that he doesn't deem too far away,then book him that way. Spreads the cost. If you follow his Facebook he sometimes throws up a cancellation from a group booking, and if you can accommodate the short notice, you're in. I bagged a tune that a group had set up but they needed more numbers to spread the cost. We had to travel about 60 miles to get there though. I need it doing again due to a lot of engine changes, but AC has trained a classic car place not that far from me, so I'll use them when they are ready. Daz.

[jiminwatford]

Yeh i'm not in a position to organise a session so am relying on finding one already going on

 

A couple of years ago i travelled 100 miles to meet him at Mini Medics. I've emailed them to see if they're doing it again this year

 

I've also emailed ADO Restorations (as they have been trained by Mr Dodd) to see what a dedicated session would cost

[Rubbershorts]

Yeh i'm not in a position to organise a session so am relying on finding one already going on

 

A couple of years ago i travelled 100 miles to meet him at Mini Medics. I've emailed them to see if they're doing it again this year

 

I've also emailed ADO Restorations (as they have been trained by Mr Dodd) to see what a dedicated session would cost

ADO is the place near me. They've done the training but want to practice before they offer it as a service.  I read July somewhere. I'd be interested in what reply you get on availability and price if you don't mind.

 

Also, I think paying for the dedicated tune will have some advantages over being part of a group. There's always the time element that can alter things if there's a queue. Ac manages this very well, but there's only so much you can expect him to get through on a multi-car day. Daz.

Edited by Rubbershorts, 09 June 2026 - 10:14 AM.

[jiminwatford]

As of right now (11:34am) I'm waiting for Steph from ADO to get back to me. It turns out AC is doing a 3 day tune there this weekend and there might be a slot late on Saturday

The price for the group tune is £150+vat (and parts) and I presume is the typical 45 minutes-ish per car but I'm not sure about that

Steph did offer a dedicated tune and advised on a car more or less ready to tune usually takes 2-3 hours. They charge £62ph + vat

I enquired about the parts they supply during the tune they charge the same as they paid for them (including postage)

So if you know the parts you're going to need you may be able to save slightly by getting them yourself before the tune. And presumably fitting them beforehand saves them time

[Rubbershorts]

As of right now (11:34am) I'm waiting for Steph from ADO to get back to me. It turns out AC is doing a 3 day tune there this weekend and there might be a slot late on Saturday

The price for the group tune is £150+vat (and parts) and I presume is the typical 45 minutes-ish per car but I'm not sure about that

Steph did offer a dedicated tune and advised on a car more or less ready to tune usually takes 2-3 hours. They charge £62ph + vat

I enquired about the parts they supply during the tune they charge the same as they paid for them (including postage)

So if you know the parts you're going to need you may be able to save slightly by getting them yourself before the tune. And presumably fitting them beforehand saves them time

I don't think that sounds bad at all. Like you say, you can definitely do yourself a favour and make sure you car is prepared well before hand. Initially I was hoping to get on the AC tune day there, but Ill miss it due to holidays, but I don't mind booking it in for the dedicated one at all. I'll contact them when I get back. Cheers Jim, let us know how you get on.

[jiminwatford]

i've been lucky to get what i think is the last slot at AC's tuning weekend at ADO

 

Amazing what a on-the-whim post last night has lead to

 

i didn't really want a tune this quickly as the brakes aren't brilliant yet but i'll make the effort to get AC so close - 60 odd miles

 

Cheers👍

Edited by jiminwatford, 09 June 2026 - 07:06 PM.

[Rubbershorts]

i've been lucky to get what i think is the last slot at AC's tuning weekend at ADO

 

Amazing what a on-the-whim post last night has lead to

 

i didn't really want a tune this quickly as the brakes aren't brilliant yet but i'll make the effort to get AC so close - 60 odd miles

 

Cheers

Dead lucky. Someone's dropped out as that was sold out months ago. Glad you're sorted. 

[stuart bowes]

is there a list of AC-Dodd trained tuning places anywhere

 

surely there must be at least one or two in the london/kent/essex area somewhere

 

don't need it yet but thinking ahead and a list might be useful for everyone (if not able to get the man himself which seems to be a common issue.  he is just one guy I guess lol can't be too hard on him lol)

Edited by stuart bowes, Yesterday, 09:36 AM.

[Rubbershorts]

is there a list of AC-Dodd trained tuning places anywhere

 

surely there must be at least one or two in the london/kent/essex area somewhere

 

don't need it yet but thinking ahead and a list might be useful for everyone (if not able to get the man himself which seems to be a common issue.  he is just one guy I guess lol can't be too hard on him lol)

Best to contact him direct Stu. Facebook messenger is how he does things. That's the only reason I ended up on that cesspit hellhole. 

[stuart bowes]

yeah closer to the time, I will 

 

just if there are other garages around who we might be able to contact,

 

does he not have a list somewhere of who's been trained?

Edited by stuart bowes, Yesterday, 10:55 AM.

[jiminwatford]

It would really handy if AC published where he was going to be. I'm not sure if it's possible. Maybe from his point of view he gets booked and the slots get filled so all is good and it relies on the group / organisation to get the word around

 

I don't follow any particular organisation so knowing which place has an event coming up is quite hard to do

 

After this weekend i will have seen AC twice and both times it has really been a stroke of luck. The first time someone let me know about a day at Mini Medics and this time ^^^ well, has just been really lucky

 

Maybe if AC was to list where he was going to be it would involve quite a lot of faff. He would have to include contact details and info and would no doubt get inundated with enquiries for something he's not even organising directly

 

If you felt like this was something you were able to do, AC    , that would be terrific but i understand it could be a lot of hassle

 

Cheers

[stuart bowes]

no but I mean, he trains other people doesn't he

 

... who ?