Do Honest And Reliable Mechanics Exist In SA?

[DevilMayCare]

Hi all,

Title says it all. Special shout out to all the SA members for advice please.

I live North of Adelaide and have never had a honest reliable mechanic I could go to on a regular basis. I'll save you the horror stories, but if you've read my other threads you'll find the trend is continuing with my latest car. I'll be the first to admit I lack mechanical knowledge, hence the importance of finding someone trustworthy, as I'll be relying 100% on there advice and know how.

Wanted List: (wishful thinking?)

Experience with newer Holdens (in particular VE V8's)
Knows their shit, or can be honest when they don't
Honest
Reliable
Trustworthy
Reasonably Priced (Happy to pay for good work)
Values customer loyalty
Values good service
Doesn't push products for the sake of greed and money

Looking for someone I can go to for the next 30+ years if you catch my drift. If they can tune and upgrade cars also, even better, as this will be an option down the track, although not totally necessary if they can't.

Really need help on this one fellas.

[Wonky]

Pity you weren't over here - Chev meets every criteria! :)

[Hos]

Call Martin D @ Willall Racing. As Wonky said in your other thread, he is doing different things these days but I'm sure he would either help you out himself or point you in the right direction.

[macca_779]

Pity you weren't over here - Chev meets every criteria! :)

Lol. Ok wonk

[BEARWOOD]

Mate its not just SA, its the way it is these days everywhere. Theres still decent blokes around but there just getting harder to find. Obviously i cant help with SA but as mentioned above that Martin bloke seemed like he had good knowledge so he might be able to point you in the right direction, just explain your situation and he might help you himself.

[Toddler78]

Mate because you are north of Adelaide I would say try Enhanced Automotive (they used to be a sponser here). But my first choice would be Daniel at Olsen Automotive. He is down south (lonsdale) but is very knowledgeable and is a Walkenshaw dealer. works on all things commodore and also VE stuff (would be able to change your suspenion over in his sleep). He has a small core of loyal customers because he a good job, doesnt advertise but works on word of mouth so his workmanship needs to be good. I have always had my car serviced at Holden as I had a really good repore with my service rep however now that he has moved on I'll be taking my car down to Daniel.

Olsen Automotive:
U 2/ 42 Roxburgh Ave
Lonsdale SA 5160
(08) 8326 3883

[berroca]

+1 for Daniel @ Olsens, has done a stack of forum members cars. meets everyone of your criteria and more. has worked my car and fammily cars for 6-7 years now. without ever having a drama.

[DevilMayCare]

Thanks guys.

Called Martin (or Gareth), couldn't help me with my current suspension issue. Granted they have a great rep tune wise (and I was considering them for my future tune), but I want someone who can help me all round and not just pick and choose what they prefer to work on. I don't mean that in a smart arse way, cause I understand people specialise in certain areas, and with a good rep comes the option to pick and choose.

I'm particularly looking for an all rounder. Seems a lot of guys come highly recommended down South, but unfortunately it's just not practical for me. Too far and too hard with work and other commitments, but appreciate the recommendations.

Did a fair bit of research last night until the morning hours and came across Enhanced Automotive. Judging by their Facebook page, seems they've had some bad luck lately, but thought I'd call them up this morning. Spoke to Brad, and although he admitted to being flat out (understandably), I was happy that he took the time to have a chat regarding my current issue. He asked me to buzz back after Easter to arrange coming in for a check up. They seem to have a good rep and provide a range of services I'll be interested in down the track, ie. tune, OTR, exhaust etc. Bonus they're only 10 minutes from my place too.

I guess that in itself proves what a little added customer service can do. Brad's attitude and help will bring his business a possible $5-6,000k (possibly more) in future business. I'm sure they won't care, but that's $5-6,000k more than Martin will make from me.

I look forward to meeting Brad, and I really hope I've found a long term winner. I'll keep you all posted on how I go.

[macca_779]

Suspension is one area where I would rather go to a specialist. Sure anyone can replace parts. But setup and appropriate part selection is more specialised. It's the same as I wouldn't go to just any workshop to get a custom engine built.

Jack of all trades master of none is the analogy that comes to mind

[Jamolad]

+ another 1 for Daniel @ Olsens.

I live out north too, and still take my car and my wife's down to Daniel's at Lonsdale for all the reasons above - though I am lucky as I have a family friend that owns a business one street from Daniel's, so I can either hang out at my friend's or borrow a car from my friend while I wait on the servicing.

Experience with newer Holdens (in particular VE V8's) - yep, last I knew Daniel has his own VE Calais V V8
Knows their shit, or can be honest when they don't - sure seems to know his shit, and I haven't had a situation where he has been proven wrong
Honest - as the day is long
Reliable - has been for me in the past, seems he would rather under-promise and over-deliver
Trustworthy - I reckon
Reasonably Priced (Happy to pay for good work) - weirdly enough yes, very competitive on price, which is uncommon for a good and honest mechanic
Values customer loyalty - seems to have built/expanded his business on it
Values good service - he has always provided good service to me
Doesn't push products for the sake of greed and money - hasn't done so with me, think his 'default' oil of choice is Penrite but I'm sure he would put in whatever is your preference if you specify it


What sealed the deal for me was I knew the wife's Lancer needed new shocks all round and there was also a whirring noise at and above 80km/h that a large suspension chain diagnosed as a wheel bearing. Took Lancer to Daniel for just general service, told him before I left that I already knew it needed shocks all round and wheel bearing was stuffed. When I got back he said rear shocks definitely stuffed and because of this one of the rear tyres was 'scalloped', and in his opinion the bearing was fine and the noise was from the scalloped tyre. Took the Lancer to suspension specialists just off Research Rd at Pooraka and they confirmed wheel bearing was fine and noise was from tyre - and they were impressed that Daniel was able to diagnose it.


I also have a mate that swears by Enhanced which are out north here - I haven't used them and haven't compared work/prices so can't say any more than I have heard good feedback about them too.

[bigfoot]

What about KPM?

They have just done a mate of mine's suspension and he is really happy with them.

They are sponsors of the forum as well:goodjob:

[BLACKVE]

Suspension is one area where I would rather go to a specialist. Sure anyone can replace parts. But setup and appropriate part selection is more specialised. It's the same as I wouldn't go to just any workshop to get a custom engine built.

Jack of all trades master of none is the analogy that comes to mind

I'd agree a awesome tuner is by no means a good mechanic and a awesome mechanic might be only a average tuner. I can only blame my mechanic(myself)

[BanPC]

I wonder how many mechanics would like to start a thread - "Any decent honest customer's that pay their bill, don't ask for the moon and expect to pay peanuts that are NOT a whingy picky anal retentive time consuming know alls"

[AllWheelSlide]

I guess that in itself proves what a little added customer service can do. Brad's attitude and help will bring his business a possible $5-6,000k (possibly more) in future business. I'm sure they won't care, but that's $5-6,000k more than Martin will make from me.



I am confused. You wanted honest, you got it. Willall don't do VE suspension.
I have found Gareth and Martin to be completely honest; A little sharp or gruff in their delivery but they don't build up expectations. Straight talking when it comes to tunes and engine mods.

I haven't used brad so can't comment there. Hope it all works out for you.

[whitels1ss]

I wonder how many mechanics would like to start a thread - "Any decent honest customer's that pay their bill, don't ask for the moon and expect to pay peanuts that are NOT a whingy picky anal retentive time consuming know alls"

Very well said:goodjob:

[whitels1ss]

I am confused. You wanted honest, you got it. Willall don't do VE suspension.
I have found Gareth and Martin to be completely honest; A little sharp or gruff in their delivery but they don't build up expectations. Straight talking.


I can understand a gruff response if the OP rang Willall about fitting/fixing secondhand suspension as I think might be the case from his other thread.

http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?163387-Urgent-Help-Required-Regarding-FE2-For-VE&p=2069901#post2069901

[Toddler78]

I am confused. You wanted honest, you got it. Willall don't do VE suspension.
I have found Gareth and Martin to be completely honest; A little sharp or gruff in their delivery but they don't build up expectations. Straight talking when it comes to tunes and engine mods.

I haven't used brad so can't comment there. Hope it all works out for you.

Willall is my preferred tuner, however i didnt recomend them as it isnt really their thing. I was in there last friday and garath is away at the moment but they still have work comming out of their ears. Comodore stuff is no longer thrir core business it is gtr,amg and evo. Speaking with martin it has been a while since a holden has come in. That being said i think jis response was honest by saying not interested rathervthen taking onnthe job and getting to it when ever they can. May have lost some future business but i tjink he was honedt with his response. Martin has always had a reputation of speaking his mind and ruffling some forum feathers but he has always provided no bs service to his customers.

[DevilMayCare]

I am happy to apologise if I've ruffled a few feathers regarding Willall. It wasn't my intention, nor the point of this thread, so if I have upset anyone, or Willall in particular, I am happy to retract my comments and apologise for any misunderstanding.

I know Willall are one of the best at what they do, and I know this because I have had some cousins who have had tunes done by them without complaints. I am in no way questioning their honesty or skills, so I'd like to get that straight.

I know they do, or have done servicing etc, and that is why I contacted them regarding my suspension. They said they couldn't help me, and that was that. That doesn't mean I think they are dishonest or untrustworthy. It actually means they tick one of my boxes, which is, if you can't help me, tell me. So of course I wouldn't hold that against them.

Like I said, I would prefer an all rounder that can help me with my current suspension issue, and down the track, help me with other mods I may want to do. My comments only eluded to the fact, if Willall could help me with my current issue, they would have had a long term paying customer. They said they couldn't help so I've had to look elsewhere. At no time have I questioned their professionalism or skills.

You mentioned that mechanics look for customers who don't break balls, pay on time, and don't question their abilities. Well guess what? I must be the perfect customer! I am the first to confess that I know sweet F all about the mechanical workings of a motor vehicle, hence my original thread. I am a customer who takes their car to a mechanic, and expects them to do what's needed, no questions asked. They said they did this, that, and the other, and I trust them, and say thanks, here's your money, no questions asked. Why? Because I wouldn't know what questions to ask, and I trust they did what's required. Get my point?

Please don't turn this into a I'm having a go at Willall thread, because that's not the case. Yes, if Willall helped me with my current issue, they would have made a lot more from me in the future. That was my only point as I was under the impression that they did servicing and the like. I clearly stated that given their great reputation, they surely wouldn't care less whether I was a future customer or not. I meant that with all due respect given I'm sure they get plenty of revenue without my business.

I'll finish by stating again, if I have offended Willall, or any of their supporters, I apologise. But in all honesty, it should be clear to see, that this thread wasn't about smashing anyone's reputation, and I stand by the fact that I have in know way done this at any point.