Avantgarde Automotive

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Reviews

1. Dave Johnson ★★★★★

   Recently bought my first Mercedes C350e and as it is nice I want to keep it that way . Had an issue with a miss fire a few week's ago and it threw up the eml . It was a Friday evening so all I could do was contact a mobile mechanic who came and had a look , cleared the code's and said shouldn't be a problem but if it is get Mercedes to look at it for you . It occasionally has a blip in rev's going uphill but doesn't throw the light on so rather that wait till it becomes an issue thought I'd get it looked at . After reading the reviews on here and the close proximity I thought it was the best place to bring the car . After running a diagnosis and taking it for test runs they couldn't find a problem , which in fairness it's not enough of an issue to be noticeable on everyday driving so I was asking them to find something that wasn't there . I knew I'd have a bill to pay , you don't give your time for nothing but was pleasantly surprised when I was told that they knew the diagnostic test wouldn't throw anything up so they didn't charge for this service just minimal labour charge and also did a half hour software update I wasn't even aware it needed . Was so impressed with the service I booked the car in for it's next MOT while I was there . Nice to know there's a garage close by that's not only honest but actually knows enough about these car's to be able to call themselves specialists

   almost 4 months ago
2. John Jones ★★★★★

   Thanks for yet another service to your usual high standard and for replacing the gearbox rear seal. You have proven time and time again to be the refreashing antidote to the main thieverships. Keep up the good work.

   almost 4 months ago
3. Y D ★★★★★

   I had an issue with my car that had been going on for almost a year, and after dozens of visits to Mercedes Bristol, they couldn’t find a way to fix it and kept telling me there was no problem. My neighbor Luke told me about this place, where he himself works, and I was amazed. They found and fixed the issue with my car in just a few minutes! I highly recommend these guys, led by Steve — he and his team work flawlessly!

   almost 5 months ago

1. John Higgins ★★★★★

   I went to two garages before going to Avantgarde. Both did a diagnostic check, were unable to find fault and said further investigation was required. I told Steve the issue. He walked out with me asked me to pop the bonnet stuck his hand in the engine compartment said, yep that's your issue. the car was booked in he was correct and it was sorted. That is what you pay for not a diagnostic check but a person who can pop bonnet see the problem and sort it.

   almost 6 months ago
2. K B ★★☆☆☆

   Friendly folk, but later found simple service item not changed. By no fault of the owner, however the review reflects the work carried out by the tech. The car was in for a £400+ B service (major) and brake fluid change. I've taken a day off work to get the car down there and left with them from 8:30am. Given a courtesy car with a flat tyre which wasn't a great start. Received a call saying complete and ready to pick up at 5pm. Was left waiting till around 5:30 before it was actually ready. However, the chap we were speaking to was friendly so no big deal. He did mention that the rear shock had blown and would need replacing. I called repeatedly asking for a quote several times, but never received one. So ended up finding another specialist to carry out the work. About a month later, I randomly inspected the cabin filter which was marked as being replaced. It was clearly "missed" from the service as can been seen from the photo (both are carbon filters). This could in turn result in the ventilation system components working harder and increase the chance of failure, leading to very expensive bills. Noting this, I questioned the other work. I've subsequently had a specialist bleed a little brake fluid off to ensure that was carried out (which it was thankfully). Another 5 minute inspection noted how clogged the engine air filter was (photo attached again). After chatting to the owner about these, he did explain this was not a service B item, but something that gets changed every 40,000 miles when the computer says! This is standard Mercedes practise though so I can't expect them to change it. Personally, that's a very long time and I've always changed the air filter every service on previous non merc cars. However, I do think it would be good practise for Avantgarde to at least inspect and blow out the existing debris. Maybe a practise that could be implemented in future? I was refunded the price of the cabin filter and an extra fiver which I didn't think adequate but at least I would do it myself and know it's done. Told all the techs have been educated about this, however a process where this is checked would be advantageous. Admittedly they reset the air suspension calibration at no extra, however that is still playing up. I've lost trust by fear of techs cutting corners, and as result it has put off three others from using this garage. I mean no disrespect, but it's hard to trust a garage when corners are cut. Hopefully going forward, techs will understand that there may be customers who do lift the bonnet and inspect filters. Admittedly uncommon, but spot checks would go a long way.

   1 year ago
3. Martin Francis ★★★★★

   First time customer. Nice mechanics, and importantly they know what they’re doing. There is a difference between garages that do mercedes as opposed to only doing mercedes. Their mechanic found the fault in 3 minutes that another garage could not find in 2 visits. Split boost pipe, which made the car run terrible, and go into limp mode sometimes. The split was awkward to find because it was behind another pipe but the avantegarde mechanic found it so fast. Fixed the following week, invoice was lower than expected and the car now runs like new again. We had the problem for months and didn't know what to do until someone recommended Avantgarde.

   almost 2 years ago

1. Nick Harman ★★★★★

   Took my car in for a non exciting gearbox oil change, the prices and timescakes were very reasonable, compared to maindealer, judging by the exotic mercedes here it's the right place, they also updated the digital service book. Will take my mercs here for any required work in future.

   almost 3 years ago
2. Adrian Filimon ★★★★★

   Really good experience with these guys. Got my C350 in for a full service and inspection as I just bought the car. The guys were really professional and made the whole experience effortless. Came from afar but made it a day out at the sea side with the misses and kid. Will definitely come back for next service

   almost 3 years ago
3. Finbarr O'Halloran ★★★★★

   I was recommended to Avantgarde by another less skilled garage, and I am so glad they did. These chaps are truly amazing. Do not take your Mercedes anywhere else (and that includes the main dealers in the area!). Let me share with you a little story. One morning, after the first Covid lockdown, and I went to drive my 10yr old Merc C class estate which hadn't been moved for 3 months. . And she was dead as a dodo. I just assumed flat battery and called the RAC. He said my battery was fine, but that the ECU was "blown/fried" and given its age she was most likely a write off. (Engine control unit, the brains of the whole car)
. He gave me the name of a mobile Specialist I could call out with the software necessary to diagnose and confirm it. 
That chap came and said, it wasn’t fried, but it would need to be replaced, but he couldn’t do it on my drive as it needed a garage ramp … but if I got it towed to Avantgarde they could do it for a couple of grand. Steve at Avantgarde took it on … he said “I don’t believe anybody else diagnosis other than my own” :-) and he went to work on it. He called me a couple of hours later and said it was all fixed and back on the road … and the bill …. £100. He said there is one small fuse that governs the gearbox and ignition and its a pain to get to … and when it goes, it gives symptoms like a fried ECU. I have used them ever since … in fact I used them yesterday, where Craig repaired my broken tailgate in 10 minutes!! With his F1 background … I honestly think that isn’t anything Steve cannot fix on a Merc Chapeau Lads - keep up the great work!

   almost 3 years ago

1. Gary Towle ★★★★★

   Excellent Service and highly recommended. Took car in on late Monday evening. Had noise coming from engine. They new exactly what the problem was. All fixed and had car back Thursday. Car running perfectly. Thank you Steve & team. Gary

   almost 3 years ago

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