MX-5 Factory Ringwood

22Silver · Postby **22Silver** » Thu Dec 04, 2014 1:26 pm

I took my car there to get the alternator replaced.
All good, fixed within 2 days, went and picked it up.
As I pulled into the street one or two turns before my driveway, I heard massive backfiring, the temp went wildly hot, and the power steering dissapeared.
Obviously, the belt drives had obliterated themselves...

Needless to say, I wasn't happy. I can't be sure if it was pure change and bad luck, or if they failed to take due care, but it didn't matter. I called Dick, who immediately appologised, and called a tow truck to pick the car up. It got picked up the following morning, and delivered to me before the end of the business day, the very day after it exploded its guts.

I don't know what would have happened if say, the water pump was off for a few more crucial seconds, and the engine massively overheated and warped something... That would have been a true test of how genuine they are..

However! I am very happy with the way he handled his business during a time of minor crisis, and I would take my car there for nearly everything if they were a tad cheaper.

rhyde · Postby **rhyde** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 9:23 am

when you say a tad cheaper
they charge 80per hour compared to 125 per hour at a dealership (which you very well may get an apprentice working on your car)
im not sure where u would find cheaper

Postby **NitroDann** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 9:28 am

At the end of the day a lot places will decide how much a job is worth, lets say 400 bucks. Then they divide by hourly rate and thats the hours charged.

So it might be 5 hours labour through Dick or 3.2 hours at the dealership. Both ways 400 dollar charge.

Dann

rhyde · Postby **rhyde** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 2:52 pm

NitroDann wrote:At the end of the day a lot places will decide how much a job is worth, lets say 400 bucks. Then they divide by hourly rate and thats the hours charged.

So it might be 5 hours labour through Dick or 3.2 hours at the dealership. Both ways 400 dollar charge.

Dann

i get where ur coming from
but in terms of comapring,

70kms service 385 mazda
that is for oil and filter service and safety check nothing else

dick mx5 factory
110 (gst included) bucks, including parts same service

i know where i am going

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:21 pm

my local bloke will give me an estimate based on time for work he is familiar with and thats what businesses are supposed to do. Any reputable business has a hourly charge out rate and that is a refection of the overheads and running costs of businesses. A dealer or people familiar with a particular car often knows a estimated time for a job. A business like the MX5 Factory is well established and much of their work is done for Insurance co's. Larger dealerships have higher rates and they usually charge out on increments e.g. 15 mins - so 5 mins might be a quarter of the hourly charge out rate. Any customer is entitled to ask for an estimate or an agreement on how much money to spend- and many businesses ring a customer for approval to proceed based on what they find.

rhyde · Postby **rhyde** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 4:13 pm

so my car was finally picked up from the mx5 factory
BEST PLACE EVER.
Dick is a real gentleman, honest, gave a few freebies, my bill was lower than expected.
told me what needs done next time,
so happy i went there

AndrewM · Postby **AndrewM** » Thu Dec 11, 2014 5:28 pm

Good feedback guys - was contemplating Mazda Ringwood or MX5 Factory for my next service ...

rhyde · Postby **rhyde** » Fri Dec 12, 2014 1:52 am

AndrewM wrote:Good feedback guys - was contemplating Mazda Ringwood or MX5 Factory for my next service ...

Andrew i think if u take it down there u will be very happy. You wont regret it. Some great eye candy, lotus mx5 cool cars getting painted and u can walk around and see them, then the service centre next door, the mechanics are cool and u can talk to them and speak to them directly, no apprentices working on your car. Dick knows the 5s vey well, and is just a lovely older gentleman.

Work with him, and he will work with you. I had a budget and we worked together to get what i wanted and what needed to be done. He will save you money and again work with you by giving u options.

The only thing i will say is get a quote from him and express to him clearly to call u its going to change, ie a part not available and another is but its more expensive... so no surprises.