Carpys RT mechanics review at last!
 

Taken me a while to post up about how I got on with my first visit to RT mechanics as I've been quite busy with work etc but finally got some time so here's how it went.

I'd heard nothing but good things about RT mechanics and I needed some work doing so I thought I'd take my 850R down there and see for myself what they were like.

I had already made a big list of things I wanted Russ to sort out on the car, some of which were......

New front R bumper / splitter, new grills in bumper, 4 new tyres, alloy wheels recut / stripped / resprayed, Ferodo DS2500 pads, Goodrich stainless hoses, full service, recharge aircon, replace noisy wheel bearing & also refit Milltek exhaust which wasn't fitted properly (nearly touching side of rear bumper - not central). Also wanted a leakdown test done to see the condition of the engine then a healthcheck to pick up any other problems I didn't know about.

I spoke to Russ several times before arranging a date to take the car in & Russ was always very polite and helpful on the phone. He ordered some of the bits before I took the car in & we discussed the other things I wanted doing etc.

Anyway, I took the car in & met Russ. When I pulled up he actually came out to greet me which I was impressed with. Had a good chat about all things Volvo & I got a really good vibe from him and his team. Russ had one of his guys bring out a courtesy car for me which was free of charge for the duration that my car was in having the work done. The car was nice and clean inside & out, and I got the feeling it had been "prepared" for me which was a nice touch. Russ then spent some time showing me how to avoid crashing an automatic because I'd never driven one before despite 12 years of driving.

So a few days later I get the result of the healthcheck. Quite a large amount of work needed doing but I had always suspected this would be the case and I got Russ to identify which was essential work and which items I could leave for the moment if I wanted to.

Russ pointed out a few things which were essential but after some debate and much checking of available funds I gave Russ permission to go ahead and do virtually everything on the car that needed doing, only leaving a few non essential things out (like very weak tailgate struts causing opened boot to fall down sometimes etc - I could replace these with new ones myself).

Several weeks later and a few updates inc phone calls from Russ & pictures over email keeping me up to date, I went down to pick the car up. It looked fantastic and Russ had also done some extra work to the car which he didn't charge for (like fit new numberplates as old ones were worse for wear, painted the wheel disc hubs black which really finishes off the whole new alloy / painted calipers look etc).

I took the car straight from RT mechanics onto a ferry, went across the channel to Calais and then drove 1000 miles into France and back on a pre planned fishing holiday. Initially I was really worried that something would go wrong with the car as it had so much done to it including replacing oil seals, Samco boost & water hoses, brake pipes & hoses etc etc. I kept thinking what if something however tiny had been forgotten, or not tightened etc then I'd be well & truly stuffed.

I needn't have worried though. The car was loaded to the hilt with fishing equipment (seats flat down & fishing tackle filling up the rear from floor to roof) but it absolutely flew all the way to the French lake & didn't miss a beat.

It just felt so much better I can't explain it properly but it just seemed to want me to push it harder & I had to keep one eye on the speedo & one eye on the lookout for the Gendarmes.......A nice long stretch of clear road where you could see empty motorway for about 3 miles ahead resulted in highly illegal speeds but even at warp speed the car felt superb.

During the whole holiday I didn’t need to use the new brake setup (302mm discs, braided hoses & DS2500s) in any big way as they seem to know how to use the motorways over there. However, within about 15 minutes of being back in the UK a middle lane moron pulled into the fast lane in front of me at about 40mph and I had to really stand on the brakes but they bit incredibly hard without fading & I don't know how I managed before now.

I’m deviating a little reviewing the brakes so I’ll get back on topic.

Now I’ve obviously spent a fair few dollars on this work at RT mechanics but I can honestly say that I’ve never spent so much yet been so confident doing so. Russ’s whole attitude towards customer service really gives you total confidence in him & his team so you just know they’ll do everything possible to look after you & your car.

I know it’s been said before but I just wouldn’t trust anyone else to look after my car now, so RT have gained yet another loyal customer due to this good service. Price wise you could probably get things done cheaper if you shop around but I didn't want cheap I wanted good! Like most people I am happy to pay a bit more to get something done properly and to have the reassurance of leaving my pride and joy with someone I can trust.

So basically to sum up I am very impressed with the whole Russ / RT mechanics setup from start to finish.

I’m self employed myself so I believe it’s only right that when you receive really good service from another company you tell others about it. I sincerely hope Russ does get a few more loyal customers from this review because he really makes an effort to do good work & I hope he get's rewarded.

I'll be back down to see Russ pretty soon for some Koni FSD struts and Eibach springs which is about the only thing left to sort out on my car now!

Thanks for that, i heard nothing but praise for RT and SW autos, just a pity both are miles away from me.

I would agree with everthing you have said about Russ, I have used him now for a couple of years both for my car and my wifes Celica.
Two points to pick up on though, his labour charges are very reasonable, even the cowboys will be demanding his rates of £58 per hour, and second you say he makes 'AN EFFORT' I would say his excellence comes as standard.
Regards
David

Agreed although I wasn't thinking just about labour charges. Was more to do with the fact that you can go elsewhere and get lower quality parts fitted or go to Russ & get it done properly but obviously pay more (eg proper Volvo wishbones etc).

RT Mechs Rule!!
 

I've been to RTs once and from the very start I was impressed, Russ treats you as a close friend-one you can trust lending your pride and joy to! He gave my T5R a full health check-and it needs a few odds and sods admitedly. We sat down and focussed on the Most Important and have taken it from there! I've called him up for advice whenever I've needed it and he has always been happy to help-Unlike SW Autos who Quote said " We are not an advice service but I'll tell you anyway" Ah Cheers nob! Russ has hit the nail on the head-its all about customer service-word of mouth will spread his professionalism!
On that note its time to name and shame a so called Volvo specialist, remember this name guys -ACC Volvo Ltd- in Farnborough. I took my car to them as they were much closer than RT. They did a bit of work for me, cheaper than RT in labour charges and the work was good. First time I arrived there Frasier greeted me - nice guy, only thing is he had to pull a courtesy out of thin air as the one I had asked for he had not prepared for me and the car was running on vapours! Nice start. Dont get me wrong the work was good but when I left my car with them to do a starter motor and the radiator for a week while I was away and I came back only to find my front bumper with extra CRACKS and SCRATCHES all over it, I was not very pleased - they denied everything-said they look after customers cars! Then why is mine in worse condition now than it was a week ago? Then the icing on the Cake is that the Mechanic Simon (Part Owner) started to get aggressive and threatining towards me and it ended up with him shouting "F*$k Off go back to RT". They know it was done there as a comment about "have you seen your bumper, whats holding it together" was said - what so now its ok you have smashed my bumper cos it was F*&ked anyway? Get real
The way he should have dealt with it was check who drove the car and see if the did knock or bump the front bumper-Honesty is the best policy.
So I Will NEVER EVER go back there-they could take a lesson from RT about customer Services and SIMON needs anger management classes or something
Avoid these guys!!
If you love your performance Volvo and want the best for it, RT Mechs Liphook is second to no one. Russ should get an award or something!!
Thanks
RT, Id say keep up the goodwork, but you always do!
ScottR

hi, my mate gregE102 from gt yarmouth swears by russ n his lads and makes a 450 mile round trip to take his T5-R to him, so something is being done right.
sounds like you have a fantastic motor now and no doubt makes you smile each time you climb in, im pleased for you.

wayne

This thread is closed because of a complaint and will remain so until the matter has been investigated.

Bob