Hi all, I'm new so don't shout!
A friend said great things about Mr Clutch. I'm thinking of having mine changed (2001 Passat 130 diesel), I've had 145,000 problem-free miles on the original, but it's almost all the way up before it bites now. I've a job where breaking down might cost me hundreds, so I'm considering getting it done now. My nearest branch is Bristol. Up to now, I've had everything done at VW main dealer in Weston-super-Mare, they've been excellent but I dread to think what a clutch costs. Any advice greatly appreciated.
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I've used them. Never again !
The quoted prices are for a re-manufactured clutch. Any subsequent problem will be your problem, not theirs.
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As with all franchises, I expect you'll get some good, some bad. Try a local independent VW specialist , I expect they would have done loads of these.
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it's also recommended that you change the dual mass flywheel now that the clutch is due as there is reports of them breaking up after a clutch change which will cost you ££££
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Thanks a lot for those. Back to VW in Weston I think. The local 'independent' VW specialist is a bloke in an office in Bristol who says ' We take the car away and work on it elsewhere'..................................., NO THANKS.
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I know I'll get shot down in flames for generalising but I dont trust any of these 'fast fit' centres. They pay staff low rates and therefore dont get many, if any competent people working there. The wage structure offered is very often based on commission and the odd screwdriver in a cv boot or tyre has been well documented over the years which gets more money for the 'fitter', more revenue for the outlet and yet more motorists being ripped off.
Ask around at work, your neighbours etc for a local trusted garage who will do a thorough job at a reasonable rate as their business survives because of their reputation, not because of huge advertising.
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Theres a Mr Clutch near me up here in the North, that has a very poor reputation- but as mentioned earlier its a franchise operation so your local branch might well be a whole lot different.
A recommendation is the only way to go really.
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No I haven't, the name alone is enough to put me off.
Sounds like something out of "The Simpsons"!
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Sounds like something out of "The Simpsons"!
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Mr Clutch related to Mr Plough perhaps !
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Do the 'Co-op' have a garage in your area?, they are good, did my Escort for £140inc, and good parts, not old ones!
Anywhere is better than a typical 'bodge it and run' set up. Ask to see their staff training certificates, staff should have Btecs etc.
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Mr Clutch can be OK - all depends on the guy doing the job. It might interest you to know that its not unusual for 'independents' to sub-out a clutch change to one of these outfits - especially if its an awkward or unusual vehicle. Wherever you go, insist on brand new parts being used unless you intend to sell on the vehicle very quickly.
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>>its not unusual for 'independents' to sub-out a clutch change
Absolutely! If someone brings in some rubbish like a Renault 5 Turbo with a worn clutch, and you (sensibly) don't want the job, you can obtain a quote from one of these places, and add a sum onto the quote for your trouble. If you get the job, send it away to them to be done, and you make some profit with no real effort - if you don't get the job, then you are (very!) happy too!
The risk you take is that their work becomes your responsibility, but there's always an element of risk in taking any work on at all.
Number_Cruncher
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