SMDG Horsham. Any Experience?

[c4sman]

Hi all,

Thinking of getting a simple interim oil and filter change for my GT. As it’s a small job I didn’t want to make the trek to SI so wondered if anyone had used these guys who are down the road (I’m in Horsham) and claim to be Ferrari/Maserati friendly.

Let me know!

 

[makeshiftUK]

Hi all,

Thinking of getting a simple interim oil and filter change for my GT. As it’s a small job I didn’t want to make the trek to SI so wondered if anyone had used these guys who are down the road (I’m in Horsham) and claim to be Ferrari/Maserati friendly.

Let me know!

Not that it helps much, but my QP service book displays a stamp from SMDG in 2016 (a few years before I came into ownership). It was taken to another specialist the year after…

 

[conaero]

Never heard of them.

 

[philw696]

Certainly got some experience and do everything with some very good reviews.
Certainly worth chatting with if on your doorstep.

 

[Hawk13]

I have used Steve for PPIs on a couple of Ferrari purchases ... very good and highly regarded in F world but can't comment from personal experience on workshop.

 

[Ewan]

Surely virtually anyone can do a basic oil and filter service. I'd happily use them for this and they are well known within the UK Ferrari indie scene, if less so within Maserati-land.

 

[philw696]

Surely virtually anyone can do a basic oil and filter service. I'd happily use them for this and they are well known within the UK Ferrari indie scene, if less so within Maserati-land.

Seems not recently posted was a GS that had a new engine due to being overfilled with oil in a Dealership.
From what I have read these guys certainly have experience and are professional.

 

[c4sman]

Thanks for all the responses. Will give them a bell next week and check them out.

 

[Wheelybin]

They are based on my father's farm and are well regarded / experienced. I've used them myself. Proceed with confidence

 

[ensignia]

What is an interim service? As in, why would you need one and if it's just an oil change it probably doesn't need to go to a specialist.

I was berated by my MOT guy for only taking it to specialists for simple fluid changes

 

[TimR]

What is an interim service? As in, why would you need one and if it's just an oil change it probably doesn't need to go to a specialist.

I was berated by my MOT guy for only taking it to specialists for simple fluid changes

Oh, silly little things like bleeding the clutch pedal on the manual cars when changing brake fluids....
...or that it may be a dry sump motor with an oil tank and the method differs...
....and familiarity with the marque can mean anything amiss or in need of attention gets noticed even if they can all dump coolant with their eyes closed....
The point is, don’t do it with your eyes closed.
Berate him back.,.,

 

[conaero]

Surely virtually anyone can do a basic oil and filter service. I'd happily use them for this and they are well known within the UK Ferrari indie scene, if less so within Maserati-land.

You would have thought so but when you keep getting cars in and it’s vibrating at idle and the oil is an inch up the dipstick from the max you do wonder.

There is a specific process:
7.5L oil in
—> Run the car <—
Top up to 2/3rds up the range marker
Recheck

Don’t get me started on over torqued oil filters (30nm it even says it on the filter) and over tightened bungs that strip when you take them out.

Bungs:
Paint mark prior to removal then you have a marker to where it should roughly be when refitting. Then it’s by feel.

 

[safrane]

Plus what you save on the 'Arches' garage bill, you loose resale due to poor history.

 

[philw696]

Don't get me started on over tightening that's why I have several torque wrenches going from 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch.
Good Job Boris is bringing imperial back
Some people just haven't got a clue as regards feel and hence damaging threads.
Bleed nipples being a prime example.