260 specialists in Sussex / South East?
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Thread: 260 specialists in Sussex / South East?

  1. #1
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    Default 260 specialists in Sussex / South East?

    Hi, am looking to buy a 260 and would appreciate any recommendations for a garage or specialist that I could use for service and maintenance?
    I am based on the East Sussex/ West Sussex border, but happy to travel.
    Many thanks
    David

  2. #2
    Administrator Nich's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by David111 View Post
    Hi, am looking to buy a 260 and would appreciate any recommendations for a garage or specialist that I could use for service and maintenance?
    I am based on the East Sussex/ West Sussex border, but happy to travel.
    Many thanks
    David
    Peter Wayte in Woking is probably your closest specialist. Crawley Down Group may still have some specialist MG engineers on payroll, might be worth contacting them as well. MLT Autos in Dorking service my 260 but I have found their work a bit 'shoddy' recently so can't really recommend but OK as a last resort.

    Nich.
    Nicholas John Peter Tinker - # 484

    Manufactured on Tuesday 27th April 2004 @ 12.17.47.
    Commission Number: 24468.
    Brochure Model: M3 Tourer 4.6 V8 260PS.
    Specification Code: L01B.
    CICode: D1511.
    Trim Level: TL8.9 (M3).

    65th ZT-T 260SE to be made out of 115.
    11th ZT-T 260 SE in Pearl Black (PBT) out of 23 produced.

    Manufactured in the UK by MG Rover Group Ltd.


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    When I lived in Sussex I used Peter Wayte and latterly drove up to Austin Garages - left the car there and trained back and collected when ready
    Colin Ellis #456 It'll be alright in the end. If it's not alright, it's not the end

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    Registered User Pete's Avatar
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    Not totally relevant to you David but I do my own maintenance and servicing. I know it's been done. I did use Austin Garages once to replace the diff seal and the diff and gearbox oils. Good service from them but a long way from you. Any reputable garage should be able to do basic servicing. It's the problem solving, parts changing, parts availability where the problems start.
    I used to be indecisive but now I'm not so sure.
    When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth

    2004 MG ZT 260SE Pearl Black
    1960 MGA Roadster Flame Red

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    #829 called 'Olive' David's Avatar
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    Echo Pete's comments above, David. For anything big or complicated, I drive the 800km to Nick at Austin's. I have a local garage prepared to accept me sourcing any parts and just charging me an hourly rate (bit "enhanced"). Avoids them sourcing Chinese rubbish!
    Good for service and reasonably easy jobs, up to but not including changing the Intake, as I discovered to my cost.

    David
    Last edited by David; 02-02-2022 at 12:23 PM.

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    There is a Mobile mechanic based in Borough Green kent close to motorway who has a good name but blessed if I can find it now.

    Jez Marsh

    372 ZTT SE PBT
    M 260 MG

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    #829 called 'Olive' David's Avatar
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    Are you nearer finding a 260, David? I recall you expressing an interest in #575, the S/C ZT-T from Member 'splingebucket' in Devon, recently.

    David
    Last edited by David; 03-02-2022 at 03:39 PM.

  8. #8
    #242 V8 on tour colintf's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by David111 View Post
    Hi, am looking to buy a 260 and would appreciate any recommendations for a garage or specialist that I could use for service and maintenance?
    I am based on the East Sussex/ West Sussex border, but happy to travel.
    Many thanks
    David
    hi David,
    to be honest, if I was buying / just bought one then I would book it in for it's first service in my hands, and also ask them to go over it with a fine tooth combe to spot any other issues / potential issues / things to watch with one of the three that I know really know these cars like the back of their hands; The Luti's up in Scotland, Chris Flannigan (Retro Lifetyle I think) or Nick at Austin Garages. If it comes away from one of those three with a clean bill of health then you know you've bought well! You could then use someone more local or continue to use one of those three. But, that's just me and my opinion

    There may be others in the same league as the 3 above, but I don't know them or have any experience of them
    colintf
    Colin Murrell
    vin 00242 - Probably the only 260 to have driven the full Le Mans circuit?
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    http://www.mgfim.org/

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    Member of MGCC (UK), MGOC, VSCC & TSSC (Triumph Sports Six Club)

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    #829 called 'Olive' David's Avatar
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    Agree entirely with that, Colin. Does need to be a specialist as you say though. I drove my 'Olive' over to Austin's shortly after purchase, and had a general check done and got a two page report. Not too much of consequence but it was detailed. I was there about 6 hours, but had my tranny fluid and air-filter changed in that period too. Very glad I had it done, as it highlighted some important items needing attention, and peace of mind on lots more!

    David

  10. #10
    #242 V8 on tour colintf's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by David View Post
    Agree entirely with that, Colin. Does need to be a specialist as you say though. I drove my 'Olive' over to Austin's shortly after purchase, and had a general check done and got a two page report. Not too much of consequence but it was detailed. I was there about 6 hours, but had my tranny fluid and air-filter changed in that period too. Very glad I had it done, as it highlighted some important items needing attention, and peace of mind on lots more!

    David
    i learnt my my lesson early on David, and Nick found things that a well respected local to me MG Dealer (who looked after several 260's) missed. Nick 's attention to detail really impressed me. Nick looks after 4 MGs for us. I'm sure Brian/Paul/Clare and Chris are just as good though. Nick is the closest to me.
    colintf
    Colin Murrell
    vin 00242 - Probably the only 260 to have driven the full Le Mans circuit?
    MG Car Club Z Register V8 ZT/ZTT Rep.
    MG Car Club V8 Register V8 ZT/ZTT Rep
    MG Car Club MGF Register Regional Rep for Devon & Cornwall and Cotswold Regions.
    MG Car Club MGF Register International Liaison Representative

    http://www.mgfim.org/

    http://www.two-sixties.com/main.htm

    http://www.v8register.net/

    http://www.mgfregister.org/

    http://www.racethemg.com/ http://www.triple-mracing.com/



    Member of MGCC (UK), MGOC, VSCC & TSSC (Triumph Sports Six Club)

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