Time for a service! Indy in Nottingham/Derby?

[amrbose14]

I'm ashamed to say it's been some years since I had my car serviced by a professional. Indeed, I've been preoccupied of late and paid neither my car nor this list much attention (shame). Can someone recommend a decent Indy in Nottingham/Derby?

I've gathered that PH sportscars is no more, is that true? There is Cavendish Porsche next door, which I gather is not the same company. Any opinions? Zentrum seems to come up as an alternative?

I used to schlep down to Promax near Milton Keynes but I think I should try to sort out someone a bit more local.

best,
Chris
'87 951

 

[Riverside]

PH Sportscars is still on the Shardlow Industrial Estate, they mostly do MX-5s now but are still a worthwhile source of spares. Haven't tried Cavendish, and haven't used Zentrum for about 10 years now, they always seemed more interested in newer models. YMMV.

Promax would be my choice.

 

[944 man]

Porscheuro in Grimethorpe between Barnsley and Rotherham. Two ex-OPC factory trained fellows, both called John.

01226 780237: ask for John. []

 

[amrbose14]

Hmm.... 1hr20mins to Barnsley or 1hr30 to Promax is not much choice! But I do have a mate who lives near Promax so that is marginally more attractive.

OK. Thanks. If I have no option but to travel then travel I must...

 

[944 man]

Price...

 

[amrbose14]

Are Porscheeuro likely to be much cheaper than Promax?

Last time my car was at Promax, I had to just say at Andy... please stop! £1500-odd was enough.... happily I was able to attend to a few of the other problems myself but that was some years ago. I am not likely to like the bill!

Chris

 

[Andy97]

PH Sportscars is now PM Sportscars - same people and same location as last couple of years, but Mike, the workshop manager, has now taken a stake in the business, I think, hence the name change.

 

[amrbose14]

And is there anybody at PM sportcars left with decent experience of 944s?

 

[LarJammer]

The guy who used to work on all the 944's at Promax has now left and still does some work on the side (at much cheaper rates).

 

[AcC8braman]

I have used him just recently, quaility guy and workmanship

 

[amrbose14]

I think I remember who you mean. He was very good. Do you have a contact for him?

I had got the impression that progressively less of the Promax business was 944s. On one level I appreciate the Monaros (as a former Capri owner ) which seemed to be replacing them, but somehow they don't do it for me (maybe driving is the key).

 

[edh]

The guy who used to work on all the 944's at Promax has now left and still does some work on the side (at much cheaper rates).

Is that the chap who lives in MK?

 

[944 man]

And is there anybody at PM sportcars left with decent experience of 944s?

I believe not.

 

[edh]

And is there anybody at PM sportcars left with decent experience of 944s?

I believe not.

Rob left there a couple of years back. He does the occasional bit for me as a bit of a favour (did belts/rollers etc..). PH / PM still seem to have a fair few Porsches coming through their yard but I don't know who's working there now.

Promax hourly rate is quite steep compared to PH.

TBH most 944 jobs aren't all that tricky or 944 specific

 

[amrbose14]

I know the specialist/non-specialist argument can rumble on.... one thing I liked about Promax was how they just knew what problems to look for and how best to fix them. As my car has not seen a trained mechanic of any sort in some years, I'd prefer it was someone who was very familiar with 944s. I will certainly need belts/rollers.

Thanks!

 

[edh]

I've always had good experiences with Promax (and Zentrum), would be happy using either.

 

[wolfie308]

I've just had 12k service, belts, crank pulley, MOT by Promax. Always had good service and advice and for me it's worth a 40 min drive each way due to the fact that if you book far enough in advance, they will loan you a free courtesy car, which is worth a lot to me.

 

[amrbose14]

Thanks folks! Top advice as per usual. I'm a bit sad I haven't really found a local expert that is quite convenient enough - so a trip down the M1 it is!

 

[AcC8braman]

Ant is the chap I used, likes in MK and used to work for promax

 

[MJL944]

Chris, I'd certainly recommend Zentrum - no need to schlep down the hateful M1 at all.
James at Zentrum cut his teeth on 944s in the early 90's at OPC Nott'm and I've been impressed by Zentrum's general honesty, efficiency and knowledge in the 2 years I've been using them. I only wish I'd used them since day one of 944 ownership.

If you're still unsure, do what I did when I first scoped Zentrum out - after several, shall we say, 'unsatisfactory' experiences with various specialists (including some named in this very thread!) - pop along on a Saturday morning and have a chat with them to discuss what you need doing. I did this and it immediately became clear that Mike and James know what they're doing and I was offered sensible and informed advice specific to my 944 and my long term plans with the car. My experiences with them ever since have backed up the initial positive feeling.

When I was last there a few months ago, James even mentioned there had been a notable spike in 944s coming through their workshop over the past 12 months. There's some further good feedback about them over on the TIPEC 'Praise or Grumble' section, which I suspect is the reason for some of the recent up-tick in their 944 business.

Next on the list for my 944 S2 is a pretty major set of jobs including the fitting of a new refurbed torque tube and a rear axle rebuild and rebush plus all new fuel lines. If I'm still living in south Nottingham this autumn then I'll be certainly giving Zentrum the nod to do all of this.

Zentrum even asked me on my first visit if I wanted my car cleaned or not as they are aware that many owners (of which I'm certainly one!) do not want someone else cleaning their car (my 944 still bears a couple of scars from another garages cleaning attempts!). They also said that if it was raining on the day of my appointment and I didn't want to drive my car in the wet (I don't!), then there was no problem about not coming in and they'd happily arrange another appointment. It's little things like these that reflect well on such local specialists - they understand the, shall we say, foibles of enthusiast owners.

If it's of any use to you, I can also recommend a good garage in Worksop run by guys who know their 944s. They did my belts and rollers last time and got that job spot on (unlike another 'specialist' mentioned in this thread).


Hope this saves you a journey down the M1.

Cheers,
Mark