Recommendation - Body Shop in Somerset

Baron_Samedi · 27 Apr 2007 at 10:28

Hi All,

Just got my car back from Barnes Coachworks in Frome, Somerset after a non-fault altercation with a Skoda Octavia.

Got to say that I was that impressed with their work that I needed to share their name with everyone here!

My car arrived with them in a sorry state - wheel arch damage and bent rear axle etc etc.

At that time I asked for a private estimate for bending back the drivers door window frame into line with the rear door.

I never got the estimate but...

I did get my car back with damage repaired (naturally) and the door window frame realigned and.... the complete car buffed superbly to remove just about every swirl on the car!

I can save all the Meguiars stuff I bought waiting for the better weather till another day now

They are efficient and called me each day with a progress update.

Well impressed.

Bobbler · 27 Apr 2007 at 10:50

You're lucky mate. I had my Civic VTI repaired there after a rear ender and would never return to them again. The boot was all mis-aligned and leaked water. They took their hire car back after they heard I was going to be doing 100 miles a day in it (I used to work in Swindon) and I had to arrange a seperate one through the insurance.

Baron_Samedi · 27 Apr 2007 at 10:53

Wow, was this recently?

And I am surprised that they found out how you were going to use their car!

Bobbler · 27 Apr 2007 at 10:58

This was going back to around 2001 when I had the displeasure of being bashed up the rear by a numpty in a Prelude in London

I told them when I seen that there was a limit of 50 miles in the small print of the documents to sign with a mileage charge for anything over that.

I got the car corrected down at my own insurance companies recommended repair centre - VW in the Whitehorse Estate near Trowbridge. They where good as gold and repaired it properly.

Baron_Samedi · 27 Apr 2007 at 11:15

Shame matey,

Didn't you bitch at Barnes to sort out their mistakes?

Glad it was sorted out to your satisfaction though!

Bobbler · 27 Apr 2007 at 11:22

Baron_Samedi said:
Shame matey,

Didn't you bitch at Barnes to sort out their mistakes?

Glad it was sorted out to your satisfaction though!

I moaned at them, they kept stalling for when they could book it back in to correct it. I am not a patient man TBH when it comes to customer service, LOL

Baron_Samedi · 27 Apr 2007 at 11:26

Gotcha there mate, tolerance of a crap job is not one of my strong points

As an aside, seeing you have an Audi, do you have any experience of the VW Audi independent garage in Bradford on Avon?

Bobbler · 27 Apr 2007 at 11:30

Baron_Samedi said:
As an aside, seeing you have an Audi, do you have any experience of the VW Audi independent garage in Bradford on Avon?

No mate, I only got the car on Sunday. Shes booked in for a service and checkup over at Audi-Volks in Keynsham next week though. We'll see how that goes, if they are up to no good or look like a bunch of fools then they wont be getting their hands on my motor!
I originally wanted to take it to Dialynx or MRC but they are too far to travel when I am starting work at 3pm next week.

Tesla · 27 Apr 2007 at 11:54

Graham Batt in Bristol is who my Dad has always used for his Audi. He was an Audi specialist, now covers a few other German makes too I believe.

It's on Feeder road.

The VW-Audi place in B-o-A isn't bad though, they look after my friends Merc van.

Baron_Samedi · 27 Apr 2007 at 11:57

Sweet, good luck then!

I'm going to try Autotechnics in Gillingham for my next service - they seem efficient and offer a full range of services.

Baron_Samedi · 27 Apr 2007 at 11:58

Thanks for that Tesla,

The VW Audi place is a five minute walk from my house so I may give them a try instead of Autotechnics.....

Tesla · 27 Apr 2007 at 11:59

Just checking, Is it the garage that is in the corner unit of the trading estate?

Baron_Samedi · 27 Apr 2007 at 12:03

Yep, tucked up in the corner farthest from the "road".

Bobbler · 27 Apr 2007 at 12:17

Baron_Samedi said:
Sweet, good luck then!

I'm going to try Autotechnics in Gillingham for my next service - they seem efficient and offer a full range of services.

They look a good bet mate. May have to consider them if Audi-Volks are not up to much.

Baron_Samedi · 27 Apr 2007 at 12:29

They certainly seem well established and have a good reputation.

I'd need to find out whether they have courtesy cars... Gillingham doesn't have much to offer in the way of entertainment!

But... if I used VWAudi in Bradford I could walk home and climb back into bed.

Bobbler · 27 Apr 2007 at 12:33

Baron_Samedi said:
They certainly seem well established and have a good reputation.

I'd need to find out whether they have courtesy cars... Gillingham doesn't have much to offer in the way of entertainment!

But... if I used VWAudi in Bradford I could walk home and climb back into bed.

LOL. Part of the fun of getting the service done at a main dealers is the ragging the pants off a small engined freebie for the day

Just give them a bell mate, Volks-Audi had one but decided not to take it as I couldnt get back the same day due to work commitments, bah!

Tesla · 27 Apr 2007 at 12:34

The place in B-o-A have this fun little red Golf...