Suspension units: replace dampers in pairs or not?
09-07-2007, 01:23 PM
#23
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Originally Posted by SiCr,Sep 7 2007, 09:35 PM
Yup, that's the only drawback 
I'm sure we'll fine somewhere that will do the trick.
At the moment, I think that I will be flogging a dead horse by wasting my time trying to discuss anything with Stuart 'Grim' Honda, so my approach is going to be acceptance ... and explain to them that my experience will be passed on to the thousands that read these boards. Doesn't need to be nasty or name-calling, just direct.
They say that good service will be broadcast to one person ... and that bad service will be broadcast to ten. Such is life, eh?
09-07-2007, 01:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Lurking Lawyer,Sep 7 2007, 11:56 AM
What we need is a few competent Honda-trained mechanics to set up on their own as independent specialists. Alas, I suspect there just isn't the market for it as most Honda drivers aren't petrolheads and just take it to their local dealer without a second thought, and there aren't enough Honda sportscar owners to make it worthwhile.
I feel so much more comfortable entrusting my current steed to Mike, the indie Porsche specialist who looks after my car, than I ever did in leaving my S2000 at either of the Honda dealers I used to use. His hourly rate is considerably less than a Honda dealer (let alone a Porsche dealer!) would charge and I feel like he actually knows what he's doing.
A competent dealer you can trust is such an integral part of the all-round ownership experience. Alas, it seems that just too many franchised Honda dealers are coming up short. There are, of course, a few honourable expections but they seem to be increasingly few and far between....
I feel so much more comfortable entrusting my current steed to Mike, the indie Porsche specialist who looks after my car, than I ever did in leaving my S2000 at either of the Honda dealers I used to use. His hourly rate is considerably less than a Honda dealer (let alone a Porsche dealer!) would charge and I feel like he actually knows what he's doing.
A competent dealer you can trust is such an integral part of the all-round ownership experience. Alas, it seems that just too many franchised Honda dealers are coming up short. There are, of course, a few honourable expections but they seem to be increasingly few and far between....
Hence why my car is currently with Horizon Motorsport. Over 30 miles away, but have a fantastic rep with Loti and TVRs (among others), and one of the senior guys (owners?) is an ex Honda-tech.
Picking her up tomorrow...I'll let you all know how I get on.
09-07-2007, 01:47 PM
#25
Well taken into account the fact that the sight of an S2000 in my neck of the woods is a rare sight indeed i have to say i cannot complain about the service given to me by local dealers.
Normal maintenance until now but they do it by the book (yes i do check).
Maybe the fact that i have a working relationship for over 35 years with those dealers does play a role
Normal maintenance until now but they do it by the book (yes i do check).
Maybe the fact that i have a working relationship for over 35 years with those dealers does play a role
09-08-2007, 01:56 PM
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Well, Horizon seemed to do a good job at a good price with good service. Would recommend them on yesterday's / today's experience, and am going back next time.
Not sure how many people are close enough, but the Honda chappy there is Mike Foster if anyone wants to give them a go...
Not sure how many people are close enough, but the Honda chappy there is Mike Foster if anyone wants to give them a go...
09-08-2007, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by havoc UK,Sep 8 2007, 10:56 PM
Well, Horizon seemed to do a good job at a good price with good service. Would recommend them on yesterday's / today's experience, and am going back next time.
Not sure how many people are close enough, but the Honda chappy there is Mike Foster if anyone wants to give them a go...
Not sure how many people are close enough, but the Honda chappy there is Mike Foster if anyone wants to give them a go...
I'm about to start putting a reply together for Stuart Grim Honda and a separate one to Honda UK - if anyone wants to put forward suggestions or ideas for me to mull, I'm more than happy to consider them. I'll ring Honda UK on Monday to see if they say that replacing dampers in pairs is their official policy or not - if anyone can confirm that here as "policy", I'd appreciate that too.
Any dealer recommendations for me to take the car to get the other damper unit replaced? I'm in South Cheshire. Thanks.
09-09-2007, 01:57 PM
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Marc,
ALM in Macclesfield were 'ok'.
The young service technician was eager to help. Not sure if he is still there.
They certainly do not sound as shoddy as Stuart Grim.
But I did find crisps in my gearstick gator once after a service
ALM in Macclesfield were 'ok'.
The young service technician was eager to help. Not sure if he is still there.
They certainly do not sound as shoddy as Stuart Grim.
But I did find crisps in my gearstick gator once after a service
09-11-2007, 03:08 AM
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Hi there,
Not posted for a while, but I too live in Nantwich (normally, in SA at the mo')
, and was disappointed to still be hearing bad reports about Stuart Graham.
They went downhill when Stuart Graham sold out to Honda UK about 4 or 5 years ago (when they moved to the new location), previous to that they were always excellent.
I gave up on them after they munged one of my wheels while changing a tire. After much arguing and shouting on my part, they got a mobile refurber out to sort it (I've since had them powder coated black). They also refused point blank to investigate issues when still under extended used Honda warranty, claiming they didn't have time even though I'd asked for it to be done when booking the car in.
On further discussion with friends and colleagues I decided to boycot them. One friend with a DC2 had a crowbar left in his engine compartment. On another occasion when he asked them to fix an overheating rear brake, picked the car up and had to stop on the way to the office as the caliper had siezed on, and he had smoke pouring from the wheel by the time he pulled over. On calling to find out what had happened, Stuart Grahams said it wasn't standard practise to road test a car after carrying out work to the brakes!
To cut a long story short I now take mine to ABP Motorsport in Shavington who specialize in CTR's and used to race a DC2, one of their guys has an s2k. Nothing but excellent service from them, and cheaper than Honda too. They also do suspension setup etc, and everyone I've recommended them to gives favourable reports.
I also found someone else local who does roof and upholstery repairs, works for Bentley doing exactly that during the week and has a workshop at home, very reasonable... I can't remember his name right at the mo though sorry... will look it up next time I'm in the UK and pass it on!
Sorry for the long post!!
HTH
David
Not posted for a while, but I too live in Nantwich (normally, in SA at the mo')
, and was disappointed to still be hearing bad reports about Stuart Graham.They went downhill when Stuart Graham sold out to Honda UK about 4 or 5 years ago (when they moved to the new location), previous to that they were always excellent.
I gave up on them after they munged one of my wheels while changing a tire. After much arguing and shouting on my part, they got a mobile refurber out to sort it (I've since had them powder coated black). They also refused point blank to investigate issues when still under extended used Honda warranty, claiming they didn't have time even though I'd asked for it to be done when booking the car in.
On further discussion with friends and colleagues I decided to boycot them. One friend with a DC2 had a crowbar left in his engine compartment. On another occasion when he asked them to fix an overheating rear brake, picked the car up and had to stop on the way to the office as the caliper had siezed on, and he had smoke pouring from the wheel by the time he pulled over. On calling to find out what had happened, Stuart Grahams said it wasn't standard practise to road test a car after carrying out work to the brakes!
To cut a long story short I now take mine to ABP Motorsport in Shavington who specialize in CTR's and used to race a DC2, one of their guys has an s2k. Nothing but excellent service from them, and cheaper than Honda too. They also do suspension setup etc, and everyone I've recommended them to gives favourable reports.
I also found someone else local who does roof and upholstery repairs, works for Bentley doing exactly that during the week and has a workshop at home, very reasonable... I can't remember his name right at the mo though sorry... will look it up next time I'm in the UK and pass it on!
Sorry for the long post!!
HTH
David