Zentrum in Notts. - Praise / Grumble?

[WazzerM]

I know at least one person on here rates 'em but does anyone else have experience of these fellas and their work etc.? It appears they're the nearest specialist to me now (now in Lincs.).
Thanks
Waz

[Sean Smallman]

Always found them helpful.

[potdog]

HI Wazzer seeing as you are in Linc have you tried Gantspeed Chapel lane Mareham-le-fen Boston 01507 568474

[951Torqing]

Nearest I know of are/(were) :-
Zentrum Porsche http://www.zentrum.co.uk/ Nottingham
or
PH Sportscars (Shardlow)

Have used both some years ago (9!) for servicing; but since I purchased the Turbo (Jan 2007) I make an annual pilgrimage to JMG Bournemouth.
(Yeah I know wife thinks I'm nuts also )
Clive

[Des911]

I've used AMB on Meadow Lane near Notts County football ground and found them excellent.

www.porschegarage.co.uk/

[WazzerM]

Thanks all!

[ian_alex]

Just spotted this thread and would like to add my praise for Zentrum. I had a lot of work on my 996 last year ( IMS, clutch rms brake pipes etc etc ) and unbelievably they did it in one day while I went sightseeing locally in their courtesy car!
Reasonable prices though nothing Porsche is ever cheap and good work , straightforward to deal with. I would reccommend and will use again.

[WazzerM]

Thought I'd re-visit this having had an oil change here. Yeah great overall but .......... few niggles ....................... the guy on reception seemed overly keen on dissing other Indies and when I asked later for a quote (few months later) for 2 condensers they obliged and offered to match any other better quote. I got a better quote, let them know and I never heard back. On the other hand, when my battery died they fitted me a replacement within 3 hours of phoning. I'd still go back I guess as they're my nearest - I just don't think there's any need to go around saying 'We do everything right, not like other Indies' etc. (can't imagine Ray Northway / Jon Mitchell saying this).

[MJL944]

I meant to reply to this thread a couple of weeks ago as in March I took my 944 S2 to Zentrum for the first time after 3 years of ownership (during which time I've used 4 other garages - all either specifically Porsche specialists or very familiar with 944's). It was actually this thread that encouraged me to use Zentrum for the first time although I did carry out a 'reccie' first before making a booking to speak to the service team and get a feel for their knowledge of 944's.

I have to say my experience with them was outstanding. Mike (on reception) was patient, informative and professional and gave me the impression that he wanted to build an ongoing relationship with me as a customer rather than just someone who came in once and was never seen again. My car was well looked after and my 'To Do' list was dealt with thoroughly and efficiently.

I've had a couple of really bad experiences with the 'Specialists' I've used previously and I discussed these incidents during my chats with Mike and he did not use that as an excuse to 'diss' those specialists or try to use my bad experiences as a way of aggrandising Zentrum's work. I found him and the whole Zentrum set up very down to earth and approachable.

I'll definitely be using them again.

[WazzerM]

Totally agree, they seem great. When they don't get back to ya though it niggles slightly. Will use 'em for sure!

[edh]

Just found this thread...

I'm not a regular customer by any means, but had some great service from Mike & Co this summer. Over the last 10 years they have done a few minor jobs on my 944's and Boxster.

My 996 had developed a worrying "chirp" from the rear of the car. It was a bit intermittent, only when hot. I was due to take it to Classic Le mans at the weekend, and was concerned about anything failing during the trip.

At short notice they shuffled some jobs & managed to get me booked in.. gave the car a thorough checkover and pronounced it sound. I collected the car, asked for the bill & they didn't want to charge me because they had found nothing.. They did point out a couple of things that might need attention in due course.

I think that's a great attitude - and given the shortage of good specialists in the East Mids, I can't think of anyone better to use.

(A postscript to this was that the next day, while my car was idling, parked outside a friend's house, the "chirp" returned. I had a close listen & decided it was coming from low down at the rear of the engine. I rested my foot on one of the tailpipes & the noise went away! One swift bit of levering with a long bar & the exhausts were moved far enough apart so they stopped rubbing when hot )