Roadspeed

Hi, I am a new user (based in Brisbane, Australia) of this site and have found the information here invaluable as I am considering purchasing a GTA V6 Turbo in the UK. I've seen a few references on the site to Roadspeed and wondered if people could comment on their work?

Roadspeed has serviced my GTA anually since 2002. I'm lucky in that it has really only needed fluid and filter changes in that time. The only non-standard work being replacing steering rack gaitors, fixing a driveshaft oil seal leak and replacing the circuit board to the speedo.

It takes them 2 - 3 hours to do a really thorugh check over and carry out service work. Labour rate is £40/hour I think.

I have not yet had experience of them doing major work, but will be getting them to powder coat the subframe, replace bushes and waxoyl the chassis next year.

Chris is the proprieter and it's a one man band these days (he used to have a mechanic). Chris really knows his Alpines. I think he has been looking after Alpines since at least the early 90s. He owns an ex-rally A110. Roadspeed is not too far from M5 jct 11.

[BIG_MVS]

Maybe ask or send a pm to "martinfarley" as he has had some work done recently.

Oh boy. been sitting in the sides on this one, give me a pm and will let you know

Actually I could give you a few paragraphs ref my A610. I have never been a customer of his, but the previous owner of my car was...

Actually I could give you a few paragraphs ref my A610. I have never been a customer of his, but the previous owner of my car was...

so be truthfull then....... that car wasn't in the best condition when you bought it was it eh???....nothing like buying a car in the middle of the night in a dimly lit carpark with a fist full of cash and a torch, but it did get you home without completely dying though

Every one has horror stories about the motor trade/ garages/ mechanics/ etc.
and every one has had some good experiences too, (hopefully)
Often we rely on just one party to tell the story, especially when it is a horror story, and it is normally the car owner that has a lot to say.

Just take any feedback with a pinch of salt and bear in mind Andy's points too.
Traders normally just do what they are asked to do, to a budget, so dont expect miracles every time.

You just cant beet the work of an enthusiast, and that does not come cheap.

It wasn't me who was hoodwinked, it was the previous owner who was messed around - part of the reason we ended up in said carpark.

The head gaskets had failed while at roadspeed because the radiator was half full of air due to a blocked bleed hose - something I found out the hard way after overheating myself. Only the hose remains of the entire clutch system now too. Although apparently "they are all like that". My MOT also identified the steering rack was fubar, yet apparently it only needed the sills welding.

Okay, I went in with my eyes open and I am in a position to do something about it and not lose and arm and a leg, but maybe Jargonaut isn't.

FWIW the car's being drive daily now and is being thoroughly enjoyed.

Thanks everyone for the input. I have also sent some PMs and await a couple of replies. I'm aware of the danger of condemning a business (particularly a garage) based on the experiences of just one or two - not a statistically significant sample! And stuff happens with cars - you're looking at one thing and something completely different is going wrong elsewhere...