Recommended Specialist in the North West

Jim1985 · 08-03-2015, 09:03 AM

Afternoon,

I'm in the process of getting my finances sorted to give the car a full refresh (gearbox fluid change, brakes, full service, possibly bushes) and I'm considering using Darren Wood in Stockport. However, they're a bit (a lot) out of the way, and dont offer courtesy cars or a collection service so it leaves me without a vehicle & having to get picked up, so less than ideal.

I'm in the Blackburn/Burnley area but would travel for the right garage, hence why its looking likely I send the 335d to Darren Wood.

Anyone suggest otherwise?

DriverLDN · 08-03-2015, 10:40 AM

A few of my friends up in Preston use: Deepdale Service Station. They always seem to have a good experience.

I noticed another forum member had a good experience with: Auto Gearbox Repairs who are also based in Preston.

Jim1985 · 08-03-2015, 11:07 AM

Thats great! Thanks mate.

E30 sam · 08-03-2015, 11:55 AM

Hardings Garage in Penwortham, Preston. They are ex bowler lads and really know what they are doing. I take mine and the Mrs mini there and they are great.

I am tempted to take mine to the above mention auto gearbox repairs for a gearbox service as there have been some good reports about them.

IanS100 · 08-03-2015, 11:57 AM

There's also BN Dynamix in Wigan, owned & run by ex Haliwell Jones staff
http://bndynamix.com/
01942820378

Rich_D · 08-03-2015, 01:18 PM

For the gearbox, use these guys in Preston >>> http://automaticgearboxrepairs.com/

They recently did the oil & filter in my 330d, they were recommended to me and I would definitely recommend them myself. Cost me £325 for the metal sump conversion & fluid, all genuine ZF stuff, the car drives lovely now.

For the rest, these guys in Nelson, ex Bowker people >>> http://www.forshawsindependantbmwmini.co.uk/

They have done work on both my previous 330d (E46) and my M5 (E39), well priced, great service and knowledgeable staff, I'll be sending my current 330d (E90) there when it needs a service.

Dace64 · 08-03-2015, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim1985

Afternoon,

I'm in the process of getting my finances sorted to give the car a full refresh (gearbox fluid change, brakes, full service, possibly bushes) and I'm considering using Darren Wood in Stockport. However, they're a bit (a lot) out of the way, and dont offer courtesy cars or a collection service so it leaves me without a vehicle & having to get picked up, so less than ideal.

I'm in the Blackburn/Burnley area but would travel for the right garage, hence why its looking likely I send the 335d to Darren Wood.

Anyone suggest otherwise?

Darren Wood all the way. Great guys and very good at what they do. I use them without hesitation!

Bmw10 · 08-03-2015, 02:55 PM

I've also used Darren woods can't recommend them enough

Jim1985 · 08-03-2015, 04:39 PM

Looks like I'll be using the Preston gearbox place as that's local to my girlfriend's house so that's that obstacle overcome.
I leaning more towards Darren Wood for servicing as they work on track cars and I imagine could advise on, and be more accepting of fitting temp gauges, uprated pads & fluid, M3 ARBs etc. That said, their positioning is a real PITA for me.

08-03-2015, 09:03 AM	#1
Jim1985 First Lieutenant 57 Rep 376 Posts Drives: E90 335d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lancashire iTrader: (0)	Recommended Specialist in the North West Afternoon, I'm in the process of getting my finances sorted to give the car a full refresh (gearbox fluid change, brakes, full service, possibly bushes) and I'm considering using Darren Wood in Stockport. However, they're a bit (a lot) out of the way, and dont offer courtesy cars or a collection service so it leaves me without a vehicle & having to get picked up, so less than ideal. I'm in the Blackburn/Burnley area but would travel for the right garage, hence why its looking likely I send the 335d to Darren Wood. Anyone suggest otherwise?
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08-03-2015, 10:40 AM	#2
DriverLDN First Lieutenant 48 Rep 297 Posts Drives: BMW 330i M Sport E90 2006 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Croydon iTrader: (0)	A few of my friends up in Preston use: Deepdale Service Station. They always seem to have a good experience. I noticed another forum member had a good experience with: Auto Gearbox Repairs who are also based in Preston. __________________
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08-03-2015, 11:07 AM	#3
Jim1985 First Lieutenant 57 Rep 376 Posts Drives: E90 335d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lancashire iTrader: (0)	Thats great! Thanks mate.
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08-03-2015, 11:55 AM	#4
E30 sam Private First Class 13 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 2010 E92 330d M sport Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Hardings Garage in Penwortham, Preston. They are ex bowler lads and really know what they are doing. I take mine and the Mrs mini there and they are great. I am tempted to take mine to the above mention auto gearbox repairs for a gearbox service as there have been some good reports about them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-03-2015, 11:57 AM	#5
IanS100 Major General 135 Rep 5,050 Posts Drives: 520d F10 LCI M Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Southport UK iTrader: (0)	There's also BN Dynamix in Wigan, owned & run by ex Haliwell Jones staff http://bndynamix.com/ 01942820378
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08-03-2015, 01:18 PM	#6
Rich_D Captain 98 Rep 675 Posts Drives: E90 330d M Sport LCI Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lancs, UK iTrader: (0)	For the gearbox, use these guys in Preston >>> http://automaticgearboxrepairs.com/ They recently did the oil & filter in my 330d, they were recommended to me and I would definitely recommend them myself. Cost me £325 for the metal sump conversion & fluid, all genuine ZF stuff, the car drives lovely now. For the rest, these guys in Nelson, ex Bowker people >>> http://www.forshawsindependantbmwmini.co.uk/ They have done work on both my previous 330d (E46) and my M5 (E39), well priced, great service and knowledgeable staff, I'll be sending my current 330d (E90) there when it needs a service.
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08-03-2015, 02:55 PM	#8
Bmw10 Private First Class 5 Rep 198 Posts Drives: N/A Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	I've also used Darren woods can't recommend them enough
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08-03-2015, 04:39 PM	#9
Jim1985 First Lieutenant 57 Rep 376 Posts Drives: E90 335d Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Lancashire iTrader: (0)	Looks like I'll be using the Preston gearbox place as that's local to my girlfriend's house so that's that obstacle overcome. I leaning more towards Darren Wood for servicing as they work on track cars and I imagine could advise on, and be more accepting of fitting temp gauges, uprated pads & fluid, M3 ARBs etc. That said, their positioning is a real PITA for me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote