Thetownend.com

Exciting Topic I know.

Problems appeared a week ago - Steering is very light from cold and then gets stiffer (matron) as the car warms up until the power steering goes and the pump starts whining. Sent the car into Halfords Autocentre to have it looked at Saturday (it needed a big service anyway) - told them via their website, on the phone, and in person when I arrived that the car was having power steering issues. They decided it needed more fluid so 'just topped it up'. I was a little unconvinced but they told me to bring it back if I was having issues.

I continued to have issues.

Took it in today to have it looked at and they told me the 'Low Pressure Hose' (Power steering surely only has High Pressure ones being Hydraulic? Or am I being thick?) has gone and needs replacing. Caveat is they don't have the part, it's not even in stock in the UK, would take 5 days to arrive from Germany and cost £312 all in (VAT and fitting). I am unconvinced a small-ish piece of pipe for a GM-based car I can find for ~£50 on eBay is A. that expensive or rare, and B. Will take that long to arrive from Germany. I'm already annoyed at them for missing it in the first place when I had my service done, so told them to not do the work and am picking it up in the morning.

As a side note I normally do all the work myself on the car so have little experience with garages, but due to moving to a new place with nowhere to work on it forced my hand slightly. I don't expect stuff for free, but over £300 for piping is mildly offensive.

Anyone else feel like £312 and 5 days inconvenience (not including the fact I've had to take it to them a second time and take some time off work to drop it off because of their inconvenient opening hours) is too steep for a pipe? Any personal recommendations of a decent garage in the Salisbury area?

Abuse/advice welcome.

Nothing should take 5 days from Germany. Most businesses in Germany use DHL to ship overseas and anywhere in Europe would be next day if sent on an express service.
 I don't have much time for Halfords. A couple of years ago a fan belt snapped on my car at the time. They told me it was a result of a water pump failure and quoted nearly £700. I had it taken to another garage for a second opinion and they found a broken idle pulley. They were able to get my vehicle fixed for less than £150.

Why the fuck did you take it to Halfords autocentre?!! There's your issue straight away.

He's explained that in the post.

Bloody Power, he's now ruining Town fans cars.

Chased Williams and Embleton away from under my car at the last away game the cheeky scamps.


Lack of experience with garages and someone's personal recommendation. I shan't be repeating the experience. To be fair the service was alright just they missed the thing I asked them to actually look at.

as a slight aside, is there an auto air con specialist in Swindon?

my car is making strange noises at certain revs which I thought was clutch related. Now realised it only happens when aircon is on (which is knackered anyway,). actually zircons can have clutches so I MST be sort of right..

http://www.autoelectrix.co.uk/ (http://www.autoelectrix.co.uk/) in Westlea Batch. They've looked after all of my cars over the last few years and did my Esprit in the spring. Very straight and the prices are good.

Halfords? Fucking no. There's loads of great garages in Swindon. Autoboss in town (station rd), Kingsdown MOT over in stratton and there's one on Cheney Manor industrial estate but I can't remember the name.

Take the car to a proper garage and see what they say.

thanks tt

I used to go to Automax in Cheney Manor when I lived in Swindon (at first because it was perfect distance between home and work but always went back). They were always quick and dead cheap too, never had any problems with them.

He said he's down Salisbury way.

I was replying to Batch

Find a decent back street garage and use them for everything(tyres and exhausts aside). If they can't do it they'll put you onto someone that will.
I've been using STS in eldene for the last few years and they've been very good. Kwik fit, halfords, ats, etc I would avoid like the plague.

 I also endorse talk talks recommendation as they sorted out an electrical issue that Swindon motor park caused going back a few years.

Halls Electrical in Blagrove are good. Sounds like the compressor could be knackered. Turn the air con off if it doesn't work!

+1 for Halls. They regassed my Air Con out and were very efficient.

thanks all.

and yes the aircon is now off.