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MG MGF Technical - Tracking - High Wycombe area

Any recommendations?

Brian

Chiltern Tyres at Hazlemere have a 4-wheel alignment rig. They're OK, but not enthusiastic about it....

My car was set up by Mel in Stokenchurch (485065) who is a "racing engineer", "in the racing manner" - with a tape measure and fishing line - and its hasn't worn its front tyres (which it did before when Rover set the tracking) and it is handling pretty well with the BBS setting of 5' in. I seem recall him saying it takes about an hour, which was £32 (no VAT) last time he did anything (though I'm getting him to service our Astra later in the week, so will be finding out if he's put the price up!)

Neil.
Neil

I called our local tyre dealer, who do not do laser tracking and said they would not recommend anyone in the town who does. (Actually "any of the cowboys in town")

I am going to Miller Commercials on Cressex whom I have trusted for years and were recommended by the tyre dealer.

They have a system that tracks in mm rather that degrees and minutes.

Anyone got the conversion from 5 minutes toe in to mm on 15" wheels?

Brian

I am getting a 6 year service on my VVC, do you recommend anywhere local that is decent. I live in Aylesbury but work in the Wycombe area. I have booked it into Dutton Forshaw in Aylesbury but they want about £180 for it. Hope you can help.

Thanks

Neil
Neil

Priests of Chesham every time

Brian

Mel did my 4 year service for £120 which included a coolant change.

I supplied the oil, filter, anti-freeze and plugs which he "fitted" and were on top of that price (can't remember how much they were offhand).

Neil.
Neil

Neil - Do you have a contact number for Mel anywhere? Iam sure I have seen it somewhere on the BBS but not sure where.
Neil

My first post in the thread had it. H/W number, of course (485065) ...

His surname is Johnson, and he's on the A40 between Studley Green and Stokenchurch (just before the Radnage turning).

His "pedegree" is that he looked after an MGF cup car for 2 years, so does know what's what on them!

Neil.

Neil

Brian, surely a place that knows their stuff concerning laser tracking should know how to convert mm into degrees and minutes ? If not, does that make them 'cowboys' too?
David

Will my service booked be stamped? I need to try and keep up the full history as so far it has a full rover/mg history. If so I will give him a call today. Thanks
Neil

The place I am going to does not have laser tracking, apparently only the cowboys do in this Wild West town.

If you read Neil's posting you will see that a carefully carried out "traditional" setting can be better than a badly done laser job.

And I know the guy who is going to do the job. I was only covering evetualities as the car goes in tomorrow.
Brian

FYI - Priests of Chesham wanted £205 for the job......tempted seeing as the lady on the phone was so nice. Must be somewhere cheaper local.
Neil

spoke to Mel, he is doing it for £160 including parts for the 6 year service. booked it in for Tuesday, get a loan car, book stamped, the lot. Will give some feedback afterwards.
Neil

Mel stamps the book with his "Meltune Motor Engineers" stamp....

Neil.
Neil


Brian - I have always used Chiltern Tyres in Hazlemere for tracking since way back in 1997. They are ok and will do what you ask but you do need to stay with them even though you get the before and after printouts etc. I don't know what Neil means about them not being enthusiastic. I think it's just the need to do a full 4 wheel alignment rather than just the front wheels of most vehicles these days.

Neil - As for the service if you want your book stamped by an 'approved' MGR dealer then the best around is Priests. Ok Chesham is a little out of your way but if you want it done right then ........ At the end of the day it's your choice and your money but I know where my car goes.
Alan

Brian Bucks

0.5mm toe in per wheel ie 1mm overall on 15 inch wheels is as near as dammit!

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Alan, I think you're in the right area when you say you have to stay with the guys at Chiltern Tyre. I wasn't confident to leave the car (it was our Astra) with them - they just didn't inspire me with confidence, so I too stayed with them and watched.

When it comes to franchised dealers.... Personally, I've yet to find a franchised dealer of any make that was worth the premium you pay for them doing the work. I've had to take cars back to get them to repeat / fix work they have supposedly completed etc - which just shouldn't happen....

Douglas Grahams in old Windsor were OK while I HAD to use a dealer (warranty), and I worked in Maidenhead but you're really at the mercy of how good the service manager is at "cracking the whip". I've seen another dealer (near Beaconsfield) go from good to untrustworthy (didn't do what I asked and then were unpleasant when I complained) when the service manager moved on...

I have heard Priests are quite good, but have never used them as Chesham is "well out of the way" for me. (incidently, the cup car Mel maintained was their's!)

I would rather go somewhere where I trust the person doing the work to do it properly and without hassle. Couple that with the fact that I can walk home in < 10 minutes, and that's where we take both cars now!

Neil.
Neil

I have never heard a complaint about Priests but cost is always a factor. After the 5 year service this August, I will problably be using an independent.

Bruce, thanks for the 0.5mm/1mm tip, I was going to resort to geometry.

Brian

As another local R reg VVC owner, I'd concur with a number of the contributors to this thread:

* used Chiltern Tyres in Hazelmere - 4 wheel laser tracking when I first replaced my NCTs for F1s some years ago - they seemed to do the job OK - never had any tyre wear issues - but, no confidence-inspiring added value.

* regular services from new to 4th year performed by Priests of Chesham - always done a good job - but, the labour rate is high.

* gone to an independent for my 5th year service - TechSpeed Motorsport - who also gave my car a suspension makeover about a year ago - excellent service and added value - low labour rates - but, not local.

My decision now that the car is over four years old and heavily modified, is to stick with an independent I can trust. The lack of MGR dealer stamps in the service book after year 4 are what I've given up. But, I do intend to keep the car for a long time and second-hand prices are already reasonably low, so the value of those stamps is diminishing all the time.

Dave
R573 CBW - Flame Red
Dave

Dave

Your old K&N comes out of the box and onto the car this weekend following a change of insurers. Following your advice, I went to Peart who actually reduced my premium from that of Churchill but have given me a huge excess.

Smiles next week

Brian

Good for you Brian - enjoy it.

Dave
Dave

Hopefully the end of the story. Miller Commercials on Cressex reset the front tracking from 2.5mm to out each side to my requested 0.5mm toe in. £30 including VAT.

Brian Miller told me that he has been resetting Metro's from toe out to toe in for years.
Brian

Brian,

Not really the High Wycombe area but you should get a price from Chiltern Tyres in Little Chalfont for 4 wheel geo. They USED to do ALL of Priests of Chesham work before MG-R forced the franchises to buy their own geometry kit.

Chiltern have been setting up F's for at least 5-6 years and have got the hang of it! Usual recommendations about having a full tank of fuel, Chiltern cost me about £45 last time! Will be going back soon after the TF test day with Dave Livingstone etc. if I don't take it to Tech Speed who want just over £120+VAT
Neil

Neil,

>> if I don't take it to Tech Speed who want just over £120+VAT

I was so shocked at this quote that I just had to call Roy and ask him about it – sorry to interfere Neil – but as I recommended Tech-Speed to you, not only for the quality of their work, but also for their reasonable labour rates, I felt I just had to.

Roy’s answer was that this was a quote for four hours labour, that being his worst-case guess for repair work in addition to tracking. Roy’s a cautious chap by nature and he based this on the description of what happened at North Weald last week – the steering wheel suddenly being off-centre – which made him think of damaged track rods.

If you do think that there might be damage then I’d still recommend you go up to Tech-Speed. If they find nothing wrong the tracking will cost you no more than an hours labour - £30. The £15 saving from Chiltern Tyres will pay for your petrol and you’ll get a very pleasant drive out into the Warwickshire countryside as a bonus!

Cheers,

Dave
Dave

Hey Neil, I gather that TS have a couple of damper sets left... well, if you are having the tracking checked anyway... ;oD LOL
Rob Bell

Hi Guys,

Dave, I spoke to Roy the other day following my posting, thanks for speaking to him, as you say Roy was quoting on the basis there has been some damamge boo! so I've got no probs with the cost. As you say, if all is well then an hour or so should do the trick!

Booked in for Friday morning next week. Let me know how the further TF test drive goes....

Rob, don't tempt me!!!! already had the VERY same thoughts myself, and there is that lowering kit....lol Going to hang on to the car now following the great fun at North Weald, enjoy a bit more tyre scrubbing action!! Out of warrnty next year so maybe the mods will begin....?!

Sorry to everyone else for hijacking this thread..

Neil
Neil

Neil, Bucks:

Sorry to hear about (and see) your disaster :-( Classic HGF, I'm afraid - right over the alternator.

As no coolant work was done at the service, I don't think it can have had any bearing on the failure. HOWEVER, when peering into the engine bay just now its very clear that SOMEONE has messed with the cooling system in the past: there's a non standard jubilee clip securing one of the hoses to the engine - whoever fitted that may not have bled the coolant correctly, or it might be leaking from that joint - there was "green" visible there ...

Not what you need when you've only just bought it, I know.

If fancy a cuppa when you come to pick it up, drop me an email!

Neil.
(remove the spam from the email address!)

Neil

This thread was discussed between 29/04/2002 and 09/05/2002

MG MGF Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGF Technical BBS is active now.