Looking for a Hilux Specialist Service place in Sydney

[Romsey]

Hi,

My first post. I recently purchased a 2008 Hilux SR5 Petrol Auto V6 4.0 with dual fuel LPG. It has 237,000 and a great mainly Toyota service history every 10K. It seems like it is excellent condition both cosmetically & mechanically although the suspension feels bouncy in the rear. The LPG conversion was added at 180K about 3 years ago.

The car looks like a city car and has no indication it has been offroad or used hard in any way. Previous owner was a real estate agent who looked after it. I am not planning any offroad adventures other than to cart my motorbike around to the trails and occasional inner city use.

I don't like the thought of going to a Toyota dealer and wondered if anyone has any favourite service places I could look at.

I am in Enmore in Sydney but can travel. I get my Mini & my Range Rover serviced in Rouse Hill at a place called BEMW as I love the place and the owners as they are very honest and offer great value servicing. I would take it to them but I have never seen a Hilux there.

I can do most of the basic services myself but would prefer to take it to Hilus specialist and get it checked over initially as I have no clue about Hilux's. I think I need new suspension but it seems I have to spend $3K doing that, I have no idea on the condition of the suspension but it probably needs changing?

Thanks

[dave g]

Hi
Being a petrol the mechanic your using should be fine. if it was a diesel it would be a different car.

[Romsey]

Hi
Being a petrol the mechanic your using should be fine. if it was a diesel it would be a different car.

Thanks, I will give them a call about it. I guess what I am looking for is someone who is Hilux familiar to check the well know issues, whatever they are Like the pre-purchase inspection I should have done before I bought it, oops. It was in such nice condition and drove so well that I threw caution to the wind.

[Rob_Wood]

If you like BEMW for the other work they do, then simply talk to them and get a feel for what they say. Most mechanics will have worked on many different makes and models of vehicle. To find a Hilux only specialist you'd be pushin' it up hill a bit I think. There are plenty of suspension specialists who work on all makes and models (Ironman, Pedders and many more). The only problem I have with these mobs is that they are often just trying to make a sale and you can only talk to the sales guy and you're not allowed to chat with the mechanic out the back. Toyota can be like this as well.
When seeking help or advice on things I dunno about, I tend to shop around a whole bunch of places and ask them all a pre-determined list of (hopefully) intelligent questions.

[Romsey]

If you like BEMW for the other work they do, then simply talk to them and get a feel for what they say. Most mechanics will have worked on many different makes and models of vehicle. To find a Hilux only specialist you'd be pushin' it up hill a bit I think. There are plenty of suspension specialists who work on all makes and models (Ironman, Pedders and many more). The only problem I have with these mobs is that they are often just trying to make a sale and you can only talk to the sales guy and you're not allowed to chat with the mechanic out the back. Toyota can be like this as well.
When seeking help or advice on things I dunno about, I tend to shop around a whole bunch of places and ask them all a pre-determined list of (hopefully) intelligent questions.

Good advice thanks mate. I called BEMW and they have a tech that worked on these over the past 30 years at a Toyota dealer so I am clearly in good hands and I get to keep my great relationship with BEMW. And they have a loan car too at no charge so well happy, cheers.

[hiluxxury]

My advice would be to go with the people you know and ask for genuine parts. Its not hard for anyone to get genuine these days. The other part brands simply dont cut it.

[Romsey]

I had a pretty dissapointing experience with my regular mechanic, I asked them for a PPI just to advise if anything needed doing. Got a $250 bill for my troubles and travelled about 100 klm there and back. They did not advise anything although there were a few issues. Checked my dash cam and they hardly spent more than 10 minutes looking at it and did not hoist it.

I recently had a knock/thud in the drivetrain and also wanted to change the auto oil and filter. Took it to Georges Automatics in Marrickville near where I live and they quicky called me to advise that my recently installed $3K Ultimate Suspension was not tightened up, all the shackles were loose with some nuts about to fall off. FFS. $3K + $1.8K in brakes and 4 days at Ultimate Suspension and they can't tighten the bolts for the suspension they fitted? Unacceptable.

Honest and very affordable. paid $380 for the Auto Oil & Filter and the labour to grease up the propshafts (they advised the propshafts were in good condition) and torque the loose suspension shackles. They also quoted $550 for an auto transmission cooler which I will go ahead with shortly. Dashcam footage revealed lots of work on the car and multiple test drives and 2 times up on the hoist.

I think I have found my new local mechanics.

Georges Automatics
Cnr Sydenham & Victoria Roads Marrickville Ph 95502413 George or Anthony.

[Gipsy]

Great to hear your experience with George's and it proves the point it's sometimes worth the risk of something new.

[dave g]

Your regular mechanic is more than likely taking short cuts on your ather cars to

[Rob_Wood]

Your regular mechanic is more than likely taking short cuts on your ather cars to

Yeah, "IF" you do actually go back, then I'd suggest your idea of dashcam in whatever vehicle. I suspect however that Georges will end up with the other vehicles.

[dave g]

The Toyota service near home disconnect my camera when they did a service so you can't check on them.
That is why I have never been back to them and that was the start of the things they did wrong.

[Romsey]

Your regular mechanic is more than likely taking short cuts on your ather cars to

They have just moved, bought their own place. Looks like they have a hired a new gun sales guy who I now have to deal with. I am no longer dealing with the owner. It feels different and I don't like it as evidenced by my recent experience. I have sold my Mini now so I no longer need a Mini specialist. I will use the new place that I had a recent great experience which is closer to me anyway and the bonus is when I leave the car there the dog gets to walk thru 2 parks on the way home Win all around.