Have just been to see Rob at Orpington Saab to change my faulty wastegate on my 2.3T Griffin.

He is rushed off his feet but nothing is to much trouble.

again Orpington Saab have completed a job quickly without any fuss and nothing is too much trouble - all done for £45!

defo use these guys again

I wouldnt touch them with a bargepole after they tried to sell me a gearbox with 70,000 miles on the clock,
Went to pick said gearbox up the next day and they hadnt even removed it from the car when i arrived at the time previously arranged - no phone call or nothing....
That wasnt the icing on the cake however - already pi55ed off I asked to see the car that the gearbox was coming out of (having been told that it was coming from a K-plate LPT) as i couldnt see a car matching the given description,
I was pointed to a very tired looking '90 T16 with 189,000 miles on the clock - not happy at all......
I asked the mechanic working there for a phone call from Andy (who wasnt there at the time) to explain to me who he thought he was trying to kid but surprise surprise the call never came - he must have known that he'd get a mouthfull down the phone.
Not a good experience .........

Pete.

Hi Pete

thanks for your note - its interesting.

My first experience of Orp Saab was abut 3 months ago when Andy replaced my cracked front wishbone bushes. He aslo told me my bottom engine mounts we gone and my rear discs were worn.

Have you ever used Dave Palmer at Millenium Saab in Charlton. He looked at the above items and said neither discs or mounts needed replacing.

I have never had issue with Dave apart from a mis-diagnosis on a whining power steering pump. He first diagnosed this as 2 pulleys and replaced them. But then I picked up the car the next day and fault was exactly the same. On closer examination he diagnosed the fault correctly but still charged another £130.

That is the only prob i have ever had in 4 years and about £2.5k of work and he did the replacement pump on the cheap for me anyway. The griffin is due for service in 1K so me thinks it will be at good old Dave's rather than Orp Saab.

I do all my own work,
Re: misdiagnosis - Everybody makes mistakes and it seems like yu have someoe who's not trying to shaft you whilst you bend over with the guy your using - Unlike Orpington Saab that is...........
Steer well clear if i were you....

Pete.

Blimey, that's not good

I live locally (Beckenham) so it's a **** up between them and Cromwell Saab - anybody tried the latter?

Is Orpington Saab a dealer rather than the guy who advertises and is based in Chelsfield - outside Orpington, or are they one and the same?

One and the same..........

Pete.

Hmm - thanks - had wondered about using him - have only had a spare column stalk in the past mail order for my old 9000.

Hmmm,

Given all that's just been said, I'm in a quandary here. I've booked my 9K to go in to Orpington Saab in 2 weeks' time. Will have the front rear wishbone bushes changes for poly, then get the car MOT'd.

I've already had a 12K service at Orpington Saab, after which Andy told me the rear brake discs needed renewing (so did those myself). Also told me my gear synchros were shot (thus needing rebuild), although 2 oil changes later and I think I've recovered the situation.

I think they've been fairly straight with me, but given previous comments, I'm wondering if to get the work done at WMSS (I'm moving up to Warks next month). Opinions?

Bought my '97 LPT in February from Cromwell Saab, very happy with the car and the friendly service. They also did a lovely job Abbotising it for me! . Recommended.

Excellent - I test drove a 900 SET from Cromwell 6 months ago, they just chucked me the keys

Sales guy was a bit non-committal, and the prices were a bit on the high side IMHO, but would certainly consider getting work done there - workshop boys all got into their C900s at the end of the day, so obviously all enthusiasts!

Re:WMSS - my dad and brother both use them and have nothing but praise for them. One of the mechs lives round the corner from my dad. My dad just dropped off his car and picked it up later!

What's the address details for Cromwell. I contemplated using Orpington but opted for Testers in Sidcup as the quote was only £15 more expensive for the work I wanted done. Given the posts that have been made re. Orpington I decided to play safe.

Customer Service at Testers however is not particularly great compared to my old dealer in West London.

Manders
Where abouts in Sidcup and are they main dealer or independent?

Mike

Hi,

Cromwell Saab are in Worsley Bridge Road, Sydenham (on a little industrial estate right by Lower Sydenham train station). Tel: 0208 698 9000, website www.cromwellsaab.com (http://www.cromwellsaab.com).
Cheers,
Leo.

Testers in Sidcup are main dealers.

Sidcup must be on the up since I moved out then born and brought up there for 30 years and we never had a Saab dealer - nearest Ovlov dealer was in Welling as well.

Loco

Sidcup's is on the up and up alright, can't afford Chistlehurst so branch out into the next neighbourhood.

The dealer was originally based in Dartford, bigger premises compared to now. They bought two adjoining shops, damn small(easy to miss)- look out for the saabs on the street.

Leo - thanks for Cromwell's address.

I live in Beckenham and was considering using Cromwell. Wondered if anyone had more feedback on them now? Any other suggestions where to go for service?

Many thanks

I wouldn't touch Cromwell with a barge pole - had a head done there 2 yrs ago on my 900 Griffin and it blew a load of white smoke out 2 weeks later!!

They're not a fraid to chrage as well and to be honest they don't give me the greatest confidence when you spend over 1.2K with them!!

I use Dave Palmer at Millenium Saab in Charlton. You know the work is done correctly and Dave and Graham tell you straight and nothing is to much trouble. What Dave does not know about Saab's isn't worth knowing.

thanks, its useful to get feedback. I was a bit taken aback even by Cromwell's quote (180+VAT for 54K service), let alone what they would actually have charged in the end!

Agree with aero rich,would'nt touch cromwell with a barge pole. First of all they talked us into buying an overpriced C900 LPT. We only had it a couple of days when the car came to a complete standstill, we were then told that the ECU had gone and was not covered by the warranty. On having a second hand unit fitted he refused to let us see the blown one. I found the owner particularly difficult to deal with. I now take my aero 9000 up to 2 Stroke 2 turbo in Hatfield who are excellent.

Hi Jig

that sounds a really aweful - sorry to hear that, you must have been fuming!

Not dealt with Cromwell apart from a test drive, but I had mixed feelings about them even then...

I live 2 minutes drive from them, but I think I will be going elsewhere for my servicing (2StrokeToTurbo - I sometimes work in Enfield which is at least on the right side of town, or WMSS when I visit my brother in Brum).

Millenium Saab in Charlton[/b]Aero Rich can you spply me the deatils for them, I live close by and have been asking simelar questions saab support in SE London (http://www.saabscene.co.uk/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000205)
Also see my comments about Cromwell Saab

Many thanks

C

*2StrokeToTurbo *[/b]They supplied the parts and did the work in the recent project car in Car Mechanics - they have a lot of experience, have a good source of second hand parts and generally got a pat on the back from the magazine.

Mike

Cromwell? No Way.

I tried Cromwell once for a screeching break and they came up with series of problems with discs, pads and even tyres. As I was about to authorise the job, something told me to seek a second opinion. I told these guys that I hadn't intended to spend £500 plus and might have to bring the car back, so they charged me £40 for looking at the car.
I took the car to my local garage where I normally buy my tyres for a second opinion and was told my the discs, pads and tyres were just fine. It was dust build up on the discs that was causing the noise. They blew out the dusts and the screeching noise went away. Cost? Nothing.

I think garages like Cromwell have suckered people who have come to put their faith in them.
Won't ever go there again.

However I will recommend Motorvation inTonbridge/Pembury.

My 1st experience of a saab 'specialist' has been Orpington Saab & to say i wasn't impressed would be an understatement. The car was in for a service - i was aware it was due when i bought the car - but the way i was pressurised into having a whole host of other stuff done i found quite appalling. I'm no mechanic, but i do know one end of a car from the other & used to do alot of my own work on my cars when i was younger & had the time (wife & 4 kids & work now means i have very little of that).
Some stuff they pointed out does need doing i'm sure, but to come up with a list of work totalling £2500 - not including the service that is - & wanting an answer there & then on whether i have it done is too much to think about & make a decision over the phone in an instant. I did authorise some work, but i've not been too impressed with the results - they said all 4 discs needed skimming & i needed new pads, so i did tell them to do that, but the brakes now feel spungy & worse than when it went in. At £60 an hour labour for a non-main dealer i found that a bit steep too - maybe i'm just not used to owning a saab yet, but if all the 'specialists' charge in a similar way, i'll not get used to it as i'll swap it for a 3 series, which was my other choice before buying the saab.
I think i'll try Motorvation in Tonbridge or millenium in charlton as you guys all seem to rate these guys. I need the bulhead welding as i have the split starting where the steering column is - does the entire engine really need to come out?? From what i've looked at you be able to get at it by taking the brake servo & a few other bits off??
The rest i'll either do myself (if i ever get the time) or take to my local garage who have looked after me well for a few years now.

Orpington saab will certainly not be seeing my car again.

I wouldn't touch Cromwell with a barge pole - had a head done there 2 yrs ago on my 900 Griffin and it blew a load of white smoke out 2 weeks later!!

They're not a fraid to chrage as well and to be honest they don't give me the greatest confidence when you spend over 1.2K with them!![/b]

Having just had a quotation for a new Air con pump from Cromwell Saab fitted at £750 + VAT, plus the cost of a regas (£60), I think I'm steering clear.
The car is booked in to ABM motors, which is just down the road from Cromwell Saab, for the job to be done. I won't be seeing any change from £500, but it's £400 that'll sit in my pocket at the end of the day if I have the work done at ABM rather than Cromwell. Still, the bloke at Cromwell popped out, heard the car and correctly diagnosed the pump within 10 seconds.

FWIW The guy at ABM (Kevin) owns a 9-3 MY04 2.0T and knows his way around Saab's fairly well, although they are technically a Lexus/Toyota Specialist...Just convenient for me as I work next door :thumbsup:

I used to use Cromwell a lot when we lived in Lewisham and they were always OK with us. Kept our old 99 going until the water pump exploded (stripping all the teeth on the jackshaft and causing huge overheat) and sold us out first 9K for next to nothing and helped keep it running for years.

However they knew from the off we had no money so never tried it on with us . They were also perfectly happy for me to source bits for any repairs (2 stroke for 2nd hand and normally eurocarparts for new) so saving us some more over Saab prices. I guess it all depends what mood they are in when you see meet them first up. They also did a check on the 9K we have now for free as a favour in spite of the fact we now live in Sussex and hadn't used them for 2 years. Having said all that their labour rates are steep and Peter and Mark who run the place can be pretty grumpy.

We now use Motorvation who I can recommend on all counts.

Motorvation all the way! Chris, Jackie and Mike are great, and it is never too much trouble. This is the only place I will take my 9-5 Aero!

Cromwell Saab sold me my first 9000, then a GM900 then my first 9-5 and over about 15 years were very fair and helpful. They try to be just under a main dealer in most thimgs, but they do know what they are talking about. Pete and Mark are very helpful but possibly now victims of their own success and are often too busy to stop and help whereas years ago they would have happily got their hands dirty. I have not used then for about 5 years, so can't comment on the recent past, but I only stopped using them because I moved house and no longer worked over that way, so Motorvation are now quicker to get to.

Orpington Saab were handy to have just round the corner although now they are a bit further away. I stopped using them after an incident left me fuming (all their fault, but I had to work hard to get them to remedy it, and even then it was not a perfect fix). I doubt I would use them for anything other than emergency parts. They must be desperate for work as they open 07:00 to 19:30, and saturday too.