MR2 garage in West Country

[Rushy67]

I am looking for recommendations for a garage in Devon, Dorset, Somerset to carry out work on my Roadster.
Rear suspension refresh, fit new headlights etc
I appreciate the usual reply that most local garages can work on the cars but i am after someone who has an interest in these cars rather than taking it to where it is an inconvenience to the garage.
TIA

[Chilli Girl]

Hi Nick, I used a lovely family run father and son small garage in Ilminster a couple of years ago.  An absolute delight to deal with.  They sorted my brake problem out - I had to have a new front brake caliper.  They have a load of experience in all makes of cars and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.  If this area is any good to you, I can forward you their details.

Hope Bambi is going well.

[Rushy67]

Hi
That would be great to have their details.
Bambi is running well and i have decided she is a keeper. So starting to refresh underneath (front suspension last year)
Need to do the rear suspension and fit new headlights this year.
Thanks

[paulj]

I have used Autosave in Newton Abbot for 7 years of MOTs and found them very fair.  They did a full front suspension refresh for me a few years ago to get through the MOT.  All good.  Their only concern was getting all the parts quickly to get me back on the road.  They managed it but were also comfortable with us using TCB for anything they couldnt source.  They have one of the Hunter alignment rigs that are supposed to be quite good!

[Chilli Girl]

Springfield Garage,
1 Springfield,
Ilminster
TA19 OET

01460 52249

I can't remember if Stewart is the son or father.  They run the business from their home and they have their garage premises behind their house. As I said they put a front caliper on my old blue MR-S and serviced my Mum's Mazda 2 auto.

Pleased you're keeping Bambi - don't do what I did, get rid of two perfect ones!

[carspath]

Hi Chilligirl and PaulJ ,

I too am based in West Dorset , near Bridport , and haven't been able to find any local MR2 Mk 3 specialists ....... Do you know if there are any around other than the two good but non-specialist garages that you have already mentioned above .

I would like to find a specialist to do some preventative maintainance on my 2006 car , namely

1) Remove the side air intakes and clear the drains and dispense with the 1 way valve at the bottom that can get blocked up

2) knock out the material in my pre-cats

I don't know whether either of these things really need to be done , but from what o have read it sounds sensible to do these things in advance of actually running into the problems and suffering the consequences.

I am reluctant to let my pride and joy be worked on by a non -specialist , as al my local garagistas have looked at me with astounded faces when I have asked them to do the above .

Hence the question about any local specialist MR2 garages or any local knowledgable hands on Forum members   

Thank you

[Ardent]

Regards 1.

With a methodical careful approach you can do the side vents and drains yourself. I'm fairly sure @Joesson posted the part numbers for the little clips that secure the vent that have the potential to break due to age regardless of how much care is taken.

Regards 2
How many miles on the car?
Is it using any oil?
Evidence of good previous service history?

There are owners on here with many miles on the clock and pre cats in tact.
Poor servicing in it's earlier life is often the root cause of pre cat failure.

You can pull the O2 sensors out and have a look at the pre cats. That said, disturbing them is often enough to upset them, que new sensor.

If you are intent on havingthe pre cats removed, it is often more economical to replace the whole manifold with an aftermarket job.

[steveash]

I share your pain. I moved to the Bristol area a few years back but still haven't found a local garage I am happy with. While the MR2 doesn't need specialist knowledge I don't want to leave my car with someone who just wants to get the work done as cheaply and quickly as possible. As a result I've ended up taking on servicing and minor jobs myself. It might take me several times as long but at least I know that care and quality parts/fluids have been used.

I have found a couple of sports car specialists who would likely put more care into their work and will give them a try when I have more difficult work needed.

[Joesson]

 @Ardent mentioned that I may have posted a part number for a clip , I may well have done but not made a note of it.
The best source I have found for clips is here:

https://vehicleclips.co.uk/

That is likely where I bought the clips from.
As Ardent says if you remove the precats , as I did over a decade ago, one sensor at least will likely die in the process.
If a garage does not want to remove the precast material they would likely remove the old and replace with an aftermarket manifold.
But, as above, if they are still good at an extended mileage they will likely remain so.