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Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2014 12:40 pm
by Dave85
Hey guys,

I have recently moved to Melbourne form Canberra and am looking for a good independent Subaru specialist workshop in Melbourne or even a good dealership workshop.
I use to go to Haig Park in Canberra and they always did awesome work and are really well priced, so i am basically looking for the same sort of mechanics here in Melbourne.
Does anyone have any suggestions around the South East suburbs?? i am living in St Kilda East at the moment.

Cheers!

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2014 1:25 pm
by bass_straitener

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2014 2:27 pm
by alexeiwoody
Try Hi Bluff auto - http://www.yellowpages.com.au/vic/hampt ... sting.html

I've started going to them, after Cromwood caused a few minor issues over a few services.

Happy with them so far. It's also a lot closer to St kilda :D

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Thu May 01, 2014 4:18 pm
by Sgottlieb
Lucas Automotive in Moorabbin
Great guys and spot on service

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Fri May 02, 2014 5:30 pm
by dalealford
Sgottlieb wrote:Lucas Automotive in Moorabbin
Great guys and spot on service



My recent 05GT purchase was sent by the dealer to Lucas Automotive.

Still working on the issue and it is back there Monday and Tuesday next week, but all dealings with them so far have been great :)

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 7:03 am
by SubMeister
I've started going to them, after Cromwood caused a few minor issues over a few services.


Mate what happened at Cromwood?

Am surprised as they seem to have a rep for getting things spot on...PM if you don't want to discuss out in the open.

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 8:24 am
by alexeiwoody
SubMeister wrote:
I've started going to them, after Cromwood caused a few minor issues over a few services.


Mate what happened at Cromwood?

Am surprised as they seem to have a rep for getting things spot on...PM if you don't want to discuss out in the open.


Ross is a pretty excellent guy, quite knowlegeable and always knows what's been done. Just whenever his apprentices/assistants touched the car, little things weren't done.

It was just two or 3 minor things - eg. when replacing the knock sensor, the vac line right above it popped off the next day, car ran lean until I found the issue. Could be just a coincidence.

Next time the air filter wasn't closed/sealed properly with a 2-3cm gap. Can't remember if it the filter was also out of place. Pretty minor stuff, as long as you check the work.

But it's mostly the location, if they were closer to me, I'd still go there. At the moment I've sent my missus to get her car serviced there as she works across the road at Deakin.

The price for their service is the best I've seen from a shop, and quality is also up there with the best.

As the OP lives in st kilda, Hampton is a fair bit closer :)

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2014 10:24 am
by Sgottlieb
dalealford wrote:
Sgottlieb wrote:Lucas Automotive in Moorabbin
Great guys and spot on service



My recent 05GT purchase was sent by the dealer to Lucas Automotive.

Still working on the issue and it is back there Monday and Tuesday next week, but all dealings with them so far have been great :)


No doubt they will sort it.
Ive got my car going back in there for work next week again

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Wed May 07, 2014 5:49 pm
by dalealford
Sgottlieb wrote:
dalealford wrote:
Sgottlieb wrote:Lucas Automotive in Moorabbin
Great guys and spot on service



My recent 05GT purchase was sent by the dealer to Lucas Automotive.

Still working on the issue and it is back there Monday and Tuesday next week, but all dealings with them so far have been great :)


No doubt they will sort it.
Ive got my car going back in there for work next week again




They did, injector issue.
Testing it with loaners just to be sure for a week or so, and then we will sort out getting ours cleaned.

:)

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2014 10:02 pm
by SubMeister
@alexeiwoody

Thanks for the comments. I also have my car serviced with Ross and agree he's a top guy. Haven't had any niggling issues with his crew (touch wood) but I guess that can happen anywhere.

I'd rather have these things happen at Cromwood though where you can at least deal with the owner directly to sort them out instead of at a Subie dealership where you don't even get the chance to talk to the guy who worked on your car.

Anyway it's good to know there are other options out there like Lucas Auto.

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Mon May 12, 2014 11:12 am
by <GB>
alexeiwoody wrote:
SubMeister wrote:
I've started going to them, after Cromwood caused a few minor issues over a few services.


Mate what happened at Cromwood?

Am surprised as they seem to have a rep for getting things spot on...PM if you don't want to discuss out in the open.


Ross is a pretty excellent guy, quite knowlegeable and always knows what's been done. Just whenever his apprentices/assistants touched the car, little things weren't done.

It was just two or 3 minor things - eg. when replacing the knock sensor, the vac line right above it popped off the next day, car ran lean until I found the issue. Could be just a coincidence.

Next time the air filter wasn't closed/sealed properly with a 2-3cm gap. Can't remember if it the filter was also out of place. Pretty minor stuff, as long as you check the work.

But it's mostly the location, if they were closer to me, I'd still go there. At the moment I've sent my missus to get her car serviced there as she works across the road at Deakin.

The price for their service is the best I've seen from a shop, and quality is also up there with the best.

As the OP lives in st kilda, Hampton is a fair bit closer :)

there is always a possibility that the apprentices will work on your car and after doing tradeschool I can say there would be a lot of shit mechanics out there... u can only hope they do a good job so I like to steer people top places that have good reputation

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Sun May 25, 2014 8:00 pm
by sharpie
Me. after hours though... :D

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Sun May 25, 2014 10:07 pm
by Archie01
Can vouch for Sharpie.
Top quality workmanship, knows these cars inside out and very competitively priced.
Oh and no bullsh1t type of bloke who wont take shortcuts on your car.

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Sun May 25, 2014 11:01 pm
by weaslebee88
Lucas automotive +1

Re: Good independent Subaru specialist in Melbourne?

PostPosted: Tue May 27, 2014 1:28 am
by pranayshrestha
sharpie wrote:Me. after hours though... :D


+1 for Sharpie. A great person to talk to with his considerable knowledge + great service :)