Autotechnik

[Bigbadger 0]

Is there any truth in Autotechnik being under new management? Been out the loop for a bit and need a new exhaust. Fancy a Supersprint which I know they stock but the chap on the link below may put me off a bit.

Always liked and trusted Alan and Vanessa so wouldn't know where to go to get my bits done in Hampshire.

 

http://www.touchsouthampton.com/busines ... id/2362246

[dinkus 10]

Welcome aboard! :)

 

They've been talked about a bit on here, so I'd have a search around. Someone local might have more info about new management for you though.

 

Annnd moving to Suppliers ;)

[Andy Brookes 0]

Popped in to Auto's a couple of weeks ago. Yes they do have new owners. Vanessa still works there. But Alan has now departed. The new owners seemed friendly. Dont know about prices though.

[Guest]

The new owners seemed friendly. Dont know about prices though.

Funny, i didn't get the same friendly service that im used to. They wanted to charge me just for a fault code download! As soon as i mentioned Alan and Vanessa's names, and said that i've never been charged for it previously they were ok. They've certainly lost alot of knowledge with Alan not being there though...

[Andy Brookes 0]

Sure have lost a lot of Knowledge. Wonder where Alan has gone, bound to be still working in the area somewhere. Maybe setting up again.

[Bigbadger 0]

Would be good to find out where Alan has gone as he is a real enthusiast. Have been taking my VWs down there for last 7 years so it would be a shame if it had gone down the tubes. It was more like going to a club than a garage.

[Guest]

Just to re-start this thread for the benefit of us southerners. Been chatting to my brother today about the current state of Autotechnik, and whether i can now trust them to be honest.

My bro paid regular visits to them last year for advice from Alan over his rocco 16v conversion. They know his face there and were happy to give advice and help.

So when his mate's Rado 16v suddenly developed an oil pressure problem while he was out in it (the buzzer and light kept coming on), he had it towed to Autotechnik. When he phoned up to find out what was wrong, he was told that the camshaft oil seal was shot, and that oil had leaked onto the cambelt, contaminating the belt, so they didn't even want to try and start it at the risk of the belt breaking. They then said that the tappetts needed doing too..... EH? How did they draw that conclusion if they hadn't started the engine? After being quoted a ridiculous price for the work to be done, he said no way and had it towed home...

My bro then began to have a closer look at it. He replaced the oil pressure switches, and the pressure problem disappeared. The leaking oil though was down to the seal on the oil cap. Oil had leaked from this, all over the rocker cover and down into the plug barrels. A new set of plugs, oil cap, pressure switches, and a good clean up, and its all fixed. The most annoying thing is that when he did remove the cambelt cover to check it, there wasn't a trace of oil!!!

This is a great shame as i've been taking my cars there for over 7 years, and have always had honest helpful service and advice, but what with the fault dowload event earlier this year, and now this, I'm gonna have to think about whether my car goes back there. It looks like the new management need to think about the changes they're making, because it's going to drive the old reliable customers away.

 

Such a shame...

[Bigbadger 0]

I'm not getting a warm feeling about this. I beleive there is a VW specialist in the Chandlers Ford area. Does anyone have any info on this? Might be worth a try.

[Guest]

Monk's Autos in Castle Lane. Steve Monk is the guy that runs it, used to work at Peter Cooper with my mate. He services my dad's Passat at the moment, dad says he's a top bloke. I've met him a few times while he was at Coopers, and have been to his place in Castle Lane a few times, but never taken my car there. I think that's about to change!!

 

Steve

[Jimbo 0]

I'm not getting a warm feeling about this. I beleive there is a VW specialist in the Chandlers Ford area. Does anyone have any info on this? Might be worth a try.

 

Ditto, I havent used steve personally but I know a lot of people hwo have and I have met him once or twice. So far I have only heard good things about his work and he's a nice guy to boot!

 

What more could you ask for?!!!

[Andy Brookes 0]

Just to re-start this thread for the benefit of us southerners. Been chatting to my brother today about the current state of Autotechnik, and whether i can now trust them to be honest.

My bro paid regular visits to them last year for advice from Alan over his rocco 16v conversion. They know his face there and were happy to give advice and help.

So when his mate's Rado 16v suddenly developed an oil pressure problem while he was out in it (the buzzer and light kept coming on), he had it towed to Autotechnik. When he phoned up to find out what was wrong, he was told that the camshaft oil seal was shot, and that oil had leaked onto the cambelt, contaminating the belt, so they didn't even want to try and start it at the risk of the belt breaking. They then said that the tappetts needed doing too..... EH? How did they draw that conclusion if they hadn't started the engine? After being quoted a ridiculous price for the work to be done, he said no way and had it towed home...

My bro then began to have a closer look at it. He replaced the oil pressure switches, and the pressure problem disappeared. The leaking oil though was down to the seal on the oil cap. Oil had leaked from this, all over the rocker cover and down into the plug barrels. A new set of plugs, oil cap, pressure switches, and a good clean up, and its all fixed. The most annoying thing is that when he did remove the cambelt cover to check it, there wasn't a trace of oil!!!

This is a great shame as i've been taking my cars there for over 7 years, and have always had honest helpful service and advice, but what with the fault dowload event earlier this year, and now this, I'm gonna have to think about whether my car goes back there. It looks like the new management need to think about the changes they're making, because it's going to drive the old reliable customers away.

 

Such a shame...

 

Thats not good Steveo, epecially when Venesa is still there, wouldnt expect that at all.....time to move on to groove on.....

[VRooom 0]

Sad news about the demise of Autotechnik, I had been going there for years and couldn’t rate them high enough, it’s unlucky when these things happen, and after Alan’s departure things were certainly not the same.

 

I like you have been stumped to find anyone to rebuild my VR6.

 

But I got lucky and found the man himself, he is setting up again as a mobile mechanic, as Autotechnik like in the early days before they set up the garage,

 

If you’re in the Southampton area & looking for the service and quality of a true specialist that made the "old Autotechnik" we loved, give him a shout.

 

Alan White

mailto:[email protected]

07703101618

[Jimbo 0]

Sad news about the demise of Autotechnik, I had been going there for years and couldn’t rate them high enough, it’s unlucky when these things happen, and after Alan’s departure things were certainly not the same.

 

I like you have been stumped to find anyone to rebuild my VR6.

 

But I got lucky and found the man himself, he is setting up again as a mobile mechanic, as Autotechnik like in the early days before they set up the garage,

 

If you’re in the Southampton area & looking for the service and quality of a true specialist that made the "old Autotechnik" we loved, give him a shout.

 

Alan White

mailto:[email protected]

07703101618

 

Its a shame but its something that a lot of people have been saying for some time. :(

 

Good to hear Alan is starting up again on his own, as you say hopefully a return to "the good old days" of Autotechnik service is immenent. 8)

 

Alternatively one of the "good guys" from back then, a chap called Steve Monk went out on his own ages ago and I still use him and would highly recommend him to anyone in the Southampton/Hampshire area:

 

Monks V W Audi Specialists

Misselbrook Lane

North Baddesley

Southampton

Hampshire

SO52 9LZ

Southampton 023 80741039

 

I know he's git a website but I cant for the life of me remeber the link! :roll:

[Guest]

Good to hear Alan is still about. Although I'd also recommend Steve Monk for servicing etc, Alan's wisdom and knowledge on any VW engine is unbelieveable...

[VRooom 0]

Good to hear Alan is still about. Although I'd also recommend Steve Monk for servicing etc, Alan's wisdom and knowledge on any VW engine is unbelieveable...

 

thats why we call him "The Oracle",

 

fingers cross for tomorrow, hoping its not treminal for my lump. :(

[Jimbo 0]

Good to hear Alan is still about. Although I'd also recommend Steve Monk for servicing etc, Alan's wisdom and knowledge on any VW engine is unbelieveable...

 

thats why we call him "The Oracle",

 

fingers cross for tomorrow, hoping its not treminal for my lump. :(

 

Sorry only just saw this so its a bit late...but good luck!

[corozin 0]

Thanks for Alan White's details... that's going straight into the phone. I can also personally vouch for Alan. He has more experience and skill with VW engines than any other independant I can name - bar none.