Independent specialist sought - East Anglia - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

My mate's 996 (2004) has been sitting on stands in his garage for 2 years or so, whilst he's mostly been working abroad, and he'd like to get it back on the road. It needs some minor bodywork sorting behind the plastic sill covers and there is some corrosion somewhere around the silencers. It will need a thorough service - basically "re-commissioning" the car. He's near Chelmsford, so we're looking for a reliable independent specialist to sort the car. It would need picking up on a trailer. Please can someone give me some pointers, as I've no personal experience of Porsches and the specialists' website all give glowing accounts of their prowess? Many thanks.

http://www.dsdmotorwerks.com/ http://autostrasse.co/ http://www.paul-stephens.com/

Lensey said: http://www.dsdmotorwerks.com/ http://autostrasse.co/ http://www.paul-stephens.com/ I'm in Witham, and: Heard a couple of good comments about Indy No.1 but never been there myself. From my own personal and a lot of PCGB members, Indy No.2 is outstanding. Looked after my 997 C2s the last six years and I wouldn't go anywhere else. Very fair, Very honest, Very good VFM. Indy No.3 No. Just No.

STiG911 said: Lensey said: http://www.dsdmotorwerks.com/ http://autostrasse.co/ http://www.paul-stephens.com/ I'm in Witham, and: Heard a couple of good comments about Indy No.1 but never been there myself. From my own personal and a lot of PCGB members, Indy No.2 is outstanding. Looked after my 997 C2s the last six years and I wouldn't go anywhere else. Very fair, Very honest, Very good VFM. Indy No.3 No. Just No. I omitted to say I haven't used 1 or 3 but have used 2 and they were fine to deal with.

STiG911 said: I'm in Witham, and: Heard a couple of good comments about Indy No.1 but never been there myself. From my own personal and a lot of PCGB members, Indy No.2 is outstanding. Looked after my 997 C2s the last six years and I wouldn't go anywhere else. Very fair, Very honest, Very good VFM. Indy No.3 No. Just No. I'd say you might be a bit unfair on Paul. For years he used Autostrasse but then Ken and Alan left; that's when I stopped using them too. Paul now either does the work in-house (mechanicals) or uses another third party. But he does have his own paintshop off-site and the quality is every bit as good as Clark & Carter who he used to use. Autostrasse have not, and never did do, paint. And nor do DSD - Dave uses a guy in Great Leighs as it happens. No independent will do all the work in-house. So it might be as well for you to select one of these 3 for your mechanicals and visit a good painter in Chelmsford. I can recommend a superb one in Bishops Stortford - does work on all my cars.

rubystone said: I'd say you might be a bit unfair on Paul. For years he used Autostrasse but then Ken and Alan left; that's when I stopped using them too. Paul now either does the work in-house (mechanicals) or uses another third party. But he does have his own paintshop off-site and the quality is every bit as good as Clark & Carter who he used to use. Autostrasse have not, and never did do, paint. And nor do DSD - Dave uses a guy in Great Leighs as it happens. No independent will do all the work in-house. So it might be as well for you to select one of these 3 for your mechanicals and visit a good painter in Chelmsford. I can recommend a superb one in Bishops Stortford - does work on all my cars. I can't comment on the paint side of things, but a friend of mine had a very bad experience buying his 996 Turbo from Paul, so I stand by my comments.Terry at Autostrasse by contrast is a proper stand-up guy.

STiG911 said: I can't comment on the paint side of things, but a friend of mine had a very bad experience buying his 996 Turbo from Paul, so I stand by my comments.Terry at Autostrasse by contrast is a proper stand-up guy. I've not met Terry but I do know Paul and he has always been a 'proper stand-up guy'. There are always two sides to every story and I know as many people who won't use the 'new' Autostrasse as who will use it....

Would definitely recommend Terry, brilliant service received and came across as very genuine and knowledgable. Also have experience with Paul Stephens , would say it was OK but can't see me going back there any time soon.

Sent a rough idea of what's involved to Autostrasse who replied with a "no thanks".

redspeed said: Sent a rough idea of what's involved to Autostrasse who replied with a "no thanks". Told you.

Honestly, give Dave Dennett a call - DSD - 07774 854418. He has a trailer, is able to project manage the car and is a decent bloke. Talks for England though!!

Thank you. My mate has dropped him a note so just waiting to hear back.

Bumped thread with sad news: Dave Dennett of DSD passed away last month. For Essex based classic 911 servicing I'm probably going to try Daniel James in Rawreth/Wickford. After using Dave for 10 years to look after my SC it will feel odd having "strangers" servicing it now.