Looking for recommendations for mechanic in Melbourne

I've searched the forums and can't really find an answer, despite it being asked multiple times.

My 360 is due for a major service and was hoping to get some recommendations for who to take it to.

I had my PPI and some initial work (front rotors/pads, front lower ball joints & boots) done by Paul Placzek at Sports Car & Classic Services but keen to know who other people use so I can compare costs. The work he did ended up nearly $1K more than his initial (verbal) estimate

Thanks,
Jon

 

If your service was $1,000 more than a verbal estimate, I'd be sticking with Paul, no question!

Did he do a good job, or are you looking for the cheapest job?

 

I would go here and nowhere else

Tim Embleton
Black Stallion Motors
Mobile +61 466 801 020
Work +61 3 9873 0308
Other [email protected]
Work
13 Pilgrim Court
Ringwood
Victoria
Australia



Read this too


http://www.pless.com.au/mechanics.htm

 

As far as I can tell, yeah he did a good. job. Put stainless ball joints in rather than OEM. Haven't really driven it much since - about 500Km. Blood ****e Melbourne weather and a 5Km dirt road to navigate. Want to get the major done before the good weather arrives.

 

I actually saw this guys on a google search. Went to their FB page and nothing posted since 2016. Made me think they'd gone out of business....
Do you use them?

 

Oh, and I'd already rules Phil Hughes out from previous reports and stuff I read in the papers.

 

Definitely in business, excellent work and fair pricing. The fact he doesn’t have a social media presence is a good thing, means he’s working on your car and not ****ing around like some others. I asked Tim to do a PPI for me once. I’m in Sydney but would only use Tim if I were in Melbourne. Others swear by him too

 

Sounds good, thanks. I'll give him a call tomorrow and see what his wait time is like....

 

Oh, and Black Stallion stopped posting on Facebook after the theft and burning of cars at Phil Hughes place. Tim obviously recognises it’s not worth posting about what cars you are working on, too much of a security risk

 

You have some fastastic roads around South Gippsland.

Just to clarify my comment about Paul, sometimes extra work appears that makes sense to fix "Whilst you're in there" so perhaps you had a bit of scope creep? Anyway, if that occurs, it's always best if the mechanic runs that past you first. I hope that's what happened.

 

25% duty can do it too [emoji12]

 

Maybe it's a value add, like saying "Recommend an MRI" at the end of a CT report

 

I would recommend Carl, but I think after Serge and my cars were in there, he won't allow another ****box 360 back in his shop

 

I've heard plenty of good things about Tim at Black Stallion and he was quite helpful when I was looking for my car with suggestions on what to look out for.

 

Thanks everyone. Some good comments. Will talk to Tim and see what he has to offer.
Jon


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I’m looking forward to trying them out [emoji3]

I really think the extra $$ were a misunderstanding from when he did the PPI and what he ended up doing later. He initially talked about just doing the brakes, but I said to do both and maybe I misunderstood his estimates.

I chose him because I had read a lot of very good reports, but really wanted some other ideas to compare. Not after the cheapest job, just the best!


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Zagame offers fixed price major service for 360 - speak to them and compare their price with Tim and the others, you may be surprised.

 

Thanks for that. I always assumed the dealer would charge a fortune but will give them a hoy and see what they have to say.

 

they charged me $3500 for 50000 kms service as per the logbook, plus additional $1700 for the latest version of tensioners (that was my choice, not mandatory). See if anyone else can match or beat that.

 

Sounds reasonable, if that included belts, plugs, fluids etc.

 

yep, all that

 

OK. just or everyones information, I have spoken to all three and have the following pricing.

Zagame - $4K plus another $1K if the cam belt tensioners need replacing.
Paul @ Sports & Classic Car Service - $4,300 including cam belt tensioners.
Black Stallion Motors - about $3,500 for the full service + cam belts, but more depending on what else they find. Doesn't include cam belt tensioners.

Decided to stick with Paul because he's already done a PPI, RWC, front brakes and front lower ball joints and knows what should need doing already, so shouldn't be any surprises, except for maybe the odd extra belt. He's said no more than $200 extra.

Hope this helps with anyone looking for a mechanic in Melbourne

 

I have used all three mentioned above - Paul and Tim have always been straight and I recommend them over a dealer service.
That is my own personal opinion obviously.

 

I’m assuming these prices include all fluids, engine, trans, coolant and F1 bleed?

 

Yep, all fluids and belts etc. Can’t comment on F1 bleed as mine is manual [emoji3]


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