rivarama said:

Following the acquisition of a Series 2a, I am looking for a reliable and honest specialist in my area.
Although one of the reasons I decided to buy a Series in the first place, was to learn the basics of mechanics and I am still hoping I will be able to do some jobs myself. However, being realistic I will need to use a real pro to help me with the jobs (at least at first).
With that in mind I went online trying to find good local LR garages/independents and made a few calls. I was quite surprised to hear that most of them charge between £85-105.
Although price shouldn’t be the only factor when starting a trusting relationship with anyone, I was a bit surprised about their hourly rates. It is very close to the ratea charged by the main dealers I use for my daily drivers, all of which offer fancy coffees, great showrooms and posh sofas (without mentioning all the technical equipment and diagnostic tools).
If anyone can recommend a trusted specialist in Hertfordshire (Chorleywood, Watford area) I’d be grateful.

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Turboman said:

Other than Google search, and talking to other owners around you, I don't have any suggestions.
There are some other members in that area, who might come up with something in due course.

But I wouldn't expect it to be cheap, wherever you go. A garage have enormous standing costs, rent, rates, computer sytems, admin, disposal of waste, etc.
And they have to pay the mechanic who will actually do the work. And people who can actually work on those are thin on the ground, modern mechanics, who are usually known as "technicians", are trained to work on vehicles with a diagnostic socket to tell you what needs replacing.
So really, the best suggestion might be to spend the money on a good manual, and start assembling some tools, and do the jobs yourself.

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rivarama said:

Thanks for your sensible answer - I will keep asking around and connect with locals when local clubs can start meeting again.
I have bought the Haynes LR manual as a start. Any recommendation on books I could buy to learn the basics of mechanics?

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rivarama said:

Thanks for your sensible answer - I will keep asking around and connect with locals when local clubs can start meeting again.
I have bought the Haynes LR manual as a start. Any recommendation on books I could buy to learn the basics of mechanics?

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Turboman said:

What do you actually need to do?

I assume you know how to do an oil and filter change? And check oil and fluid levels?
If the vehicle is actually running at the moment, that is the sort of thing likely to be needed at first.

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rivarama said:

Thanks for your sensible answer - I will keep asking around and connect with locals when local clubs can start meeting again.
I have bought the Haynes LR manual as a start. Any recommendation on books I could buy to learn the basics of mechanics?

Click to expand...

rivarama said:

Following the acquisition of a Series 2a, I am looking for a reliable and honest specialist in my area.
Although one of the reasons I decided to buy a Series in the first place, was to learn the basics of mechanics and I am still hoping I will be able to do some jobs myself. However, being realistic I will need to use a real pro to help me with the jobs (at least at first).
With that in mind I went online trying to find good local LR garages/independents and made a few calls. I was quite surprised to hear that most of them charge between £85-105.
Although price shouldn’t be the only factor when starting a trusting relationship with anyone, I was a bit surprised about their hourly rates. It is very close to the ratea charged by the main dealers I use for my daily drivers, all of which offer fancy coffees, great showrooms and posh sofas (without mentioning all the technical equipment and diagnostic tools).
If anyone can recommend a trusted specialist in Hertfordshire (Chorleywood, Watford area) I’d be grateful.

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rivarama said:

Unfortunately- I haven’t found any one yet. I ended doing the basic myself (oil/filter, coolant, rad flush, spark plugs etc...) until I find someone who can.
Harry Mayes is indeed around the corner, but they charge close to £100 an hour, which feels steep for such a simple car like a series.
I will keep looking.

There’s an old school MOT Center close by, the owner drives a Def90... I might drop by and ask them

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Turboman said:

I agree with Rob^^^^^^^^^. Just because it is an old car, don't expect that someone is going to work on it for cheap.
Series are quite repairable, modern cars just plug into a computer, and then the mechanic changes the entire assembly which is found to be at fault.
So you might end up paying more for labour with the Series, but spending less on parts.
The best option is always going to be doing it yourself.

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