i can honestly say, my local MG dealer is amazing. friarsgate in lichfield has always impressed me. the 2 girls on service reception probably know more than scarlet about MG cars!!!!!
the salespeople are alwasy helpful and nice, and the mechanics know their stuff.


good or bad aftersales can be the reason why somew ppl refrain from buying another model at trade in time, shame some dealers dont really realise this.

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i can honestly say, my local MG dealer is amazing. friarsgate in lichfield has always impressed me. the 2 girls on service reception probably know more than scarlet about MG cars!!!!! the salespeople are alwasy helpful and nice, and the mechanics know their stuff.

Friarsgate are famously good. Probably justified in advertising themselves as one of the best dealerships in the country. If I lived a little closer than 250 miles away they would get my business without hesitation (although I know someone local to me who recently bought a ZR off them).

I've had five cars in ten years from Mill MG Rover in Sunderland and — touch wood — have no complaints so far. They've always done me a good deal on the sales side, the service department has always looked after me to my total satisfaction, and everyone there is friendly and helpful. I drive past two or three other MGR dealers to get to them, but wouldn't give my business to any other one round here.

 

Friarsgate are famously good. Probabky justified in advertising themselves as one of the best dealerships in the country. If I lived a little closer than 250 miles away they would get my business without hesitation (although I know someone local to me who recently bought a ZR off them).

...I think, they are an independent dealer as well (not part of a big group), which probably explains why they are so good.... I agree with Deano, I've had no complaints about them whatsoever, and would recommend them to anybody.

 

I walked away from the local mg dealership as the term p*ss poor would be too good for them....went off up to Sheffield's Gordan Lamb (the next nearest) and had nothing but the very finest service.From reception to salesmen etc etc.......without exception nothing was too much trouble.Absolutly first rate service ...cant rate them highly enough.:URGOD:

 

To be fair I've used both Friarsgate and Barbers, and neither have given me any problems...Both Carnelion (now a second hand car place) and Lookers (Ford with a Rover bit lashed on) in Telford are a very different story tho...

It pains me to say it, but the service I get at my Toyota dealer blows away anything else I've ever had (although I've not used Friarsgate in a few years)...MGR need to get even their best dealers up to speed!

 

...I think, they are an independent dealer as well (not part of a big group), which probably explains why they are so good.... I agree with Deano, I've had no complaints about them whatsoever, and would recommend them to anybody.

Yeah, they used to be Wadham Kennings....I think they have another site somewhere else

Heh - thats good...a google search for friars gate rover links right back to this site

 

I'm sorry to hear your tale of woe.

I use Pheonix in Rednal and they have always been good. Like any service industry you get some good and bad.

My first LandRover dealer scored 0/10 for workmanship and service and ultimately cost me a lot of money. My current Landrover dealer scores 10/10 on each count.

IMHO you have to move your custom around until you find a good one and then tell them they are good and stick with them. Good service does not come cheap though.

I hope it all works out for you.

It is my understanding that the dealer is suppose to provide the loan car if your car is still under warranty. They may not have had one waiting for you but why not get one for the next day?

Have you phone MGR customer service to see if they could sort it out for you?

Have you told them you are not happy? We Brits are not the best at complaining but how do you expect their service to improve if you don't give them feedback?

The dealer will be making a mint out of the warranty repair cost so they should be giving you the service.

AL

 

Friarsgate are famously good. Probably justified in advertising themselves as one of the best dealerships in the country. If I lived a little closer than 250 miles away they would get my business without hesitation (although I know someone local to me who recently bought a ZR off them).

Agreed.

I only went into look the one time and the lady who came to me and my dad was courteous and polite and made me feel really welcome. Really model dealership. If it were to close tommorow, MG-R will have lost one of their best dealerships as its probably on of the best in the Country for service.

All it needs is a bit of a revamp on the outside really. Is very 90's in appearance, but other than that I really can't fault it.

The lady even wished me luck with my driving test. :cloud9: How sweet.

I like the BRM they have for sale there as well.

 

BMW and Rover Group management made a huge mistake in 1996 by terminating 300 retail dealers overnight. These were mainly family run and cared. BMW/RG courted the big dealer groups who are now deserting them in their hou of need - just like BMW did. ******** the lot of them

 

What's the delay in the repair then?

 

It took the local BP Rolls *8* days to replace a wing mirror and do a tiny amount of touch-up respray for me. I complained to Direct Line (I also got no courtesy car), but they didn't seem particularly interested - "I'll make a note of your complaint sir" - great, that'll compensate me amply for 6 working days without a car!!

You'd think the insurance company would be a bit wary of a garage potentially charging them 8 days for half a day's work, but evidently not ...

 

I've had experience of 2 or 3 dealerships so far.

Eastern MG-Rover, the sales side has put me off in the past - we were looking at a ZS and they wouldn't let us test drive one. However had to drop my ZR off there today as I've been having problems with the drivers door. Top class service from the staff at reception, the car was repaired within the time stated, plus they'd ordered the bit of trim from the drivers door handle thats come off. Were also OK when I explained that I was only visiting here and wouldn't be able to bring the car back to get the trim fitted. Can't fault them.

Also Dixon Rover, Doncaster. Bought the car from there, top service and quite happy with them, car has had to go back to get a locking problem sorted and despite not being able to sort it straight away got it done within 3 days when they did finally manage to track down the problem. Only downsides were me not getting a manual until last weekend (partly my own fault though!) and also they said they'd changed a gearknob because mine was coming off and they either haven't done it or the one they used has the same problem!

Also only positives for Luffields in Loughborough too!

I believe that we should not only name & shame bad dealers, but praise good ones too!

 

Are all MG Rover dealers POOR??

No (see above for detail)

Many of today's dealers are MARVELLOUS! (said in a "Fast Show" way)

pat

 

Agreed.

I like the BRM they have for sale there as well.

They ALWAYS seem to have at least one BRM for sale - I've know them have two or three at a time!

 

BMW and Rover Group management made a huge mistake in 1996 by terminating 300 retail dealers overnight. These were mainly family run and cared. BMW/RG courted the big dealer groups who are now deserting them in their hou of need - just like BMW did. ******** the lot of them

Yeah, I tend to agree with you - the smaller dealers do tend to care more - and this mass cull back along didn't do them any favours.....

 

Maybe one thing we could do to support the community on here is to list official service centres as well as MGR dealers.

I didn't realise there was such a thing but earlier I was reading about Dreadnought, unfortunately there is nothing like them in the North West where I live but they sound excellent - the sort of people that will apply the car and attention of an independent garage.

Is there a list anywhere?

It would also be good to have a list of quality independant mechanics who can be relied upon (e.g. the major), I know one who is doing a mid-service oil change next week on my ZS but without word of mouth I'd be struggling...

 

We bought our Skoda from the only Bristol dealer and they were tremendous - remembered your name, couldn't do enough to help etc. Then VAG axed them (and others) because their showrooms weren't big and flashy enough. They awarded the franchise to Williams who are also dealers for Suzuki, TVR and Noble (I think). Utter, utter sh**. They forgot to stamp the service book and then accused me of lying when I queried it!

SMC Rover in Bristol don't want to know because my 820 is too old (and their labour rates are astronomical) and Hartwells in Bath - well I've heard too many things about them to even try. How far should you have to travel to get good service? Half a mile down the road is a back street garage that charges £32 an hour inc vat, they get all my business now.

 

No they're not all bad. Chalkes in Mere are good and Chippenham motors at Bumpers farm seem ok.

I've bought from and user both without any trouble.

I've heard good reports of Trident in Ottershaw and Souls in Olney, Bucks.

Was the guy in your Skoda dealer Keith Jackson, he was with Lesters Rover now defunct in Trowbridge and Chalkes in Mere at one time.

 

Souls have been excellent for me, really very good.

I have no experience of Mantles as I always check prices first and they are too much so I've never been there.

I will be trying Phoenix Hatfield next time I need a dealer.


(Why is it that the nearest dealer banner thing on this website is always wrong for me??)

 

The relationship "you "have with your dealer is the key to a successful and positive future with them. I never argue, never shout, always take time to talk to the service manager or general manager if I'm in there. Build up a raport and before you know it, they are bending the rules to help you. I got to know the previous general manager of Dixon Rover in Doncaster quite well and he did me so many favours. He knew I never complained but I won't hesitate to advise them if I think something is wrong with their service. Basic philosophy for life really It has always worked well for me.

 

There is a new MG Rover dealer to compliment SMC Rover in Bristol and also a new one is being sort for Bath as Hartwells are terminating their franchise (or so I've been told)

 

BMW and Rover Group management made a huge mistake in 1996 by terminating 300 retail dealers overnight. These were mainly family run and cared. BMW/RG courted the big dealer groups who are now deserting them in their hou of need - just like BMW did. ******** the lot of them.

Wanna hear something ironic? Phoenix have gone back to all of them asking if they'll take on a TATA franchise.

 

Didn't MGR state last year they would be increasing the number of dealers across the UK and Europe during 2005 ?

Unforuntely during the first quarter of 2005 we have only heard of closures, does anyone know of any new dealers that have opened this year ?

 

Wanna hear something ironic? Phoenix have gone back to all of them asking if they'll take on a TATA franchise.

Souls do MG/Rover, Tata and Fiat. The Fiat bit is hedging I suppose.

 

I haven't had any particularly bad experiences from any of my local dealers in fact quite a few have recently improved.

Burnden Park in Bolton seem much more professional these days and Foxfield in Wigan are once again focusing on MGR after dabbling with bizarre makes such as Kia and Daihatsu.

Horners in Eccles used to have a very bad mannered Service Manager but they are no longer an MGR dealership so hopefully he has now lost his job !

I don't think MGR dealers are any worse than those for Ford, Vauxhall, Renault, Citroen and Peugeot but unfortunately they need to improve greatly if they want to match the best such as Audi and Lexus dealers.