Reliable Car Repair In Chiang Mai

[caramba77]

Hi,

I've just bought a second hand car and will need to get a few things sorted and checked. I don't know that much about engines, so it'll be great to know a repair place that can be trusted to diagnose properly and have decent prices. English speaking would be great - even if only rudimentary.

We live near CMU but anywhere would be fine if the guy is trustworthy.

Thanks

[MilesCh]

A pity you didn't have the car checked by a reliable mechanic/shop prior to purchase. Now you are aware of that for your next purchase!

One rather large item I've discovered is that most of Thailand does not repair, they replace. And this certainly includes car repairs/parts, so my only suggestion is to always have a 2nd opinion, for whatever that may be worth.

[Felipesed]

Expat Auto, one of the sponsors here, I think, are competent and reliable.

[rookball]

A pity you didn't have the car checked by a reliable mechanic/shop prior to purchase. Now you are aware of that for your next purchase!

One rather large item I've discovered is that most of Thailand does not repair, they replace. And this certainly includes car repairs/parts, so my only suggestion is to always have a 2nd opinion, for whatever that may be worth.

hihi im buying a used car very soon, any recommendation of workshops or mechanics that check used cars?

[WinnieTheKhwai]

One rather large item I've discovered is that most of Thailand does not repair, they replace. And this certainly includes car repairs/parts, so my only suggestion is to always have a 2nd opinion, for whatever that may be worth.

Then you're doing it wrong. As labour is so low there is perhaps more of an incentive to first offer replacing something. Brand dealers are worst at this.

But anywhere else in the real world you can ask them to repair stuff that would NEVER EVER be even considered in the West, as labour is so expensive there.

[caramba77]

Expat Auto is great and they do provide service to check a used car before you buy it - something that just wasn't possible in this case. But they are not really open to outside repairs and focus mainly on servicing cars that are sold through them.

Based on a different recommendation I found on the net I've brought it now to a place on Mahidol road. They're checking heart and lungs now and so far they seem trustworthy. I'll provide feedback once it's all done.

[uptheos]

Expat Auto is great and they do provide service to check a used car before you buy it - something that just wasn't possible in this case. But they are not really open to outside repairs and focus mainly on servicing cars that are sold through them.

Based on a different recommendation I found on the net I've brought it now to a place on Mahidol road. They're checking heart and lungs now and so far they seem trustworthy. I'll provide feedback once it's all done.

I'm sure if you had a chat with Elijah he would try to help you out if they have time.

I'd be interested to know the name of the place on Mahidol Rd please. Location and phone number would be great.

[caramba77]

The place on Mahidol is called Save Way. you Can't really miss it as it also houses a Cockpit franchise.

My experience was positive in the way that they did do the checks we asked them to do and had transparent prices. Also two of the staff spoke reasonably good english.

However, they were not able to fix our engine as they said they could only replace the whole thing. They did call in some guys from a different place and these guys said their garage could do it. Their quoted price was apparently in order but as we went to this referred place it did not seem to be much better than a roadside repair shop. So we decided to take some other quotes first and also went to the amazing guys at Expat Auto.

I think for second hand car checks and regular to moderate servicing the Save Way place seems absolutely fine and reliable. Can't speak from experience though as we went somewhere else in the end.

[caramba77]

As for location: The Save Way/Cockpit is on left side of Mahidol coming from the Hang Dong/Airport Plaza intersection. Maybe 200m after the end of the flyover you'll see a footbridge and the place is just after that.

[uptheos]

The place on Mahidol is called Save Way. you Can't really miss it as it also houses a Cockpit franchise.

My experience was positive in the way that they did do the checks we asked them to do and had transparent prices. Also two of the staff spoke reasonably good english.

However, they were not able to fix our engine as they said they could only replace the whole thing. They did call in some guys from a different place and these guys said their garage could do it. Their quoted price was apparently in order but as we went to this referred place it did not seem to be much better than a roadside repair shop. So we decided to take some other quotes first and also went to the amazing guys at Expat Auto.

I think for second hand car checks and regular to moderate servicing the Save Way place seems absolutely fine and reliable. Can't speak from experience though as we went somewhere else in the end.

Thanks for the feedback and directions.

[Semper]

One rather large item I've discovered is that most of Thailand does not repair, they replace.

I find that it's the other way around. In Thailand they repair toasters, fridges, televisions, mobile phones, shoes, inner tubes, radiators, fans (should I continue?) in short, almost anything that people in the West throw away and buy new.

[meadish_sweetball]

Where can I get my toaster repaired?

[Semper]

Where can I get my toaster repaired?

At a toaster repair shop.

[TommoPhysicist]

I've found asking for advice like this on TV is almost completely hopeless.

Please understand, the guys answering are elderly non-Thai speakers.

They want somewhere that makes them feel comfortable, speak English, no matter what the cost.

Price and repair quality is irrelevant to them.

To advise you properly.

We would need to know make, model, problem and age of car.

Newer cars engines often require specialist equipment only available at main dealers.

Anyone can change brakes and wheel bearing.

[uptheos]

.

Anyone can change brakes and wheel bearing.

I can't

[MilesCh]

I also found the referred to Cockpit very competent. I had front end noise which 2 Nissan dealers simply said was normal in that car (2004 Sunny Neo GL). Went to the referred to Cockpit and they quickly and inexpensively cleaned the front brakes and replaced the "plastic spacer" and it's quieter than a mouse. So quiet I'm beginning to hear other noises!

The car was originally checked by Expat Auto who did a great job checking it out. They missed a few things, of course, such as the rear shocks needed replacing and the headlight coverings badly scratched which requires replacement of the entire assembly, not simply the plastic cover.

As to replace/repair, the idiot light was on/off and the Nissan dealer checked it out and replaced the spark plugs. After completion I was shown one "worn out spark plug" which only needed cleaning and gapping. In their defense, the used car dealer where it was purchased said there wasn't a light in the shifting mechanism area and Nissan promptly replaced the one bulb! Same for dashboard lighting which was dim and Nissan replaced 2 bulbs saying that is common for that side. (It's apparent that Expat doesn't thoroughly check the lighting so best you ask that be done.)

Overall after a year's ownership I'm happy with the car and the service received.

[orang37]

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Caramba77,

In 2010, I posted a detailed message, with location directions, here about the excellent service I received from Khun Somkhot, who owns his own (large, and busy) auto-repair shop: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/341977-excellent-car-repair-experience-in-chiang-mai/

Please note that I sold the car, after Khun Somkhot rejuvenated it, and I have not been to his shop since 2010. Also, note that you will need to have someone with you who speaks Thai, if you don't.

good luck, ~o:37;

[caramba77]

Just to update another potentially useful shop:

Our car is a diesel and I found most repair shops unable to diagnose specific diesel parts such as injector pumps appropriately. Instead they would opt for 'rebuild' or 'replace'. We've got the injector pump 'rebuild' during the engine overhaul but these pumps for diesel engines seem to be rather tricky and without specific machines you can't calibrate and adjust them well. So our car was smoking quite a bit after the rebuild and most garages (including Mitsubishi) could only suggest to decrease fuel injection further or 'rebuild' again - for prices around 8,000-10,000THB.

The above mentioned Save Way was helpful enough to point me to a dedicated diesel engine shop and my experience with them was excellent.

Not sure what the place is called but it's easy to find on the super highway directly opposite Big C/Index. It has a Bosch Diesel sign out front and is a rather large building with a huge entrance. They have all the fancy machines for calibrating and adjusting diesel engines and actually seem to be able to use them. They don't speak english but are trustworthy. When I brought the car they had a quick look and said they'd need to remove and check the injector pump for about 2,000 THB. Next day they called me in the morning saying they checked it and would suggest recalibrating and replacing two pieces if I agree. Total cost estimated around 4,000 THB and pick up possible in the afternoon. When I came in the afternoon the car was parked and ready, all problems were gone, it drives better than ever before and the cost was 3,100 THB. No hassle, no fuss, simply good work.