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2CV-friendly garages?
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Author:  Devils Advocate [ September 17th, 2009, 9:53 pm ]
Post subject:  2CV-friendly garages?
Is there a list of '2CV owner-approved' garages which have gained a justifiable reputation for providing good reliable service and, more importantly, has at least one mechanic who really 'knows' the 2CV?

My 1984 Charlie passed its last MOT a few months back with the previous owner even tho' there was 'perceptible' play in the King Pins. The previous owner told me it often comes down to whether the MOT fellow is familiar with these cars and accepts a teeny bit of play as being 'normal', whereas a newly trained mechanic used to modern vehicles would possibly claim it 'unacceptable' and fail it outright. He recommended me trying to find a 2CV friendly garage for its next MOT!

Any comments/experience on this?

Is there a list of recommended garages across the country?
Author:  Neil [ September 17th, 2009, 10:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2CV-friendly garages?
here's a good start in finding a decent specialist:

http://www.ecas2cvparts.co.uk/info_page ... 184a67d569
Author:  Devils Advocate [ September 17th, 2009, 10:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2CV-friendly garages?
Thanks, Neil, that's indeed a good start.

Is there a 'club'-based list where individuals can recommend local garages? This was incredibly useful with the Mazda Bongo (an imported 'camper') my niece bought which has some specific peculiarities in particular with its cooling system which could cause major problems if not handled properly. Many an unaware garage was responsible for causing head damage due to introducing air locks...)

Worth making a 'sticky' on here for peeps to add to? (Perhaps with an 'avoid' sticky too...)
Author:  Russell [ September 17th, 2009, 11:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2CV-friendly garages?
As much as I'd LOVE to start a thread naming companies who've stuck out some shoddy rip-off jobs, We'd probably get our arses sued off, I don't see a problem with a specialist list, especially if we can get specialists from around Europe and the wider world listed, adress, telephone numbers etc. Small backstreet places too, like APUA HELP but garages you could turn to if things went wrong whilst travelling?
Author:  Sean [ September 18th, 2009, 8:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2CV-friendly garages?
Trouble is Russ someones is bound to say something like " i went to World of 2CVs and the guys were great! when the car started pinking...despite being told to never have to re set the BS electronic ignition, Big Ron sold me a new carburettor by return of post... hasn't cured the problem but carb no 2 in the post now.. hows that for service! £15k well spent, the chassis hasnt even cracked yet"

and we all have to bite our tongue!

list of good ones waiting ...but then its me so its the usual suspects ;)

Sean
Author:  2CViking [ September 18th, 2009, 8:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2CV-friendly garages?
Just received this from a german guy wanting to make ''the list''
http://maps.google.de/maps/ms?hl=de&gl= ... b1019c2074
Author:  Sean [ September 18th, 2009, 8:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2CV-friendly garages?
Devils Advocate wrote:
the Mazda Bongo (an imported 'camper')


Is it just my juvenile mind or does that make anyone else giggle in a schoolboy way?
:lol:
Sean
Author:  geoff archer [ September 18th, 2009, 10:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2CV-friendly garages?
brave man having frome/2cv shop on a list
Author:  toomany2cvs [ September 19th, 2009, 11:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2CV-friendly garages?
Russell wrote:
As much as I'd LOVE to start a thread naming companies who've stuck out some shoddy rip-off jobs, We'd probably get our arses sued off, I don't see a problem with a specialist list, especially if we can get specialists from around Europe and the wider world listed, adress, telephone numbers etc. Small backstreet places too, like APUA HELP but garages you could turn to if things went wrong whilst travelling?


The way the Citroen Car Club do it is to say "Send us your comments on any specialist - good or bad - and if anybody asks for a specialist in a particular model/area, we'll give them the names and addresses complete with all unedited comments" - that way, the club cannot be held responsible for any comments or opinions.
Author:  Devils Advocate [ September 19th, 2009, 8:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2CV-friendly garages?
Thanks for the comments so far. Sean, there's a bar of soap on its way; you know what to do with it... :o

We all know who the 'big' 2CV guys are, but I'm talking about yer actual friendly local garages where you took your A for an MOT or some work and it's clear they were 'switched on' possibly having worked on a few of them before. As someone pointed out on another thread, it's likely my two bent and cracked engine side panels were due to an 18-stone lard-a**e leaning over the sides to reach the brakes or sommat - ie: someone who didn't even know the basics about these cars.

I took my niece's Bongo to a local garage for a cam belt change and while there casually got into conversation about their cooling systems. It was clear the guy knew all about the pitfalls and how to overcome them, so with that I was able to recommend them to the 'Bongo Fury' club (watch it, Sean - more soap...)

And, frankly, if anyone has a nightmare tale to do with genuine incompetence, then - no - you won't get your arses sued off by posting it on here or anywhere else for that matter - it's fair comment, and I think we'd all welcome a list of places best avoided....

However, I'm really exploring whether a list of +ve recommendations could be started. Ok, I reckon most peeps on here do their own servicing (as I will certainly be doing), but there may come a point where, for example, something needs doing which requires specialist tools that I couldn't justify buying for a one-of, in which case I'd rather take my car to a garage someone has had a good CV-ish experience with. Ditto if you're on t'open road away from home - reassuring to have a list of good bets to limp to...

Surely someone on here has used a garage?! Happy to recommend them?
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