I'm hoping this is the right place to post, if not then I apologise!

I was hoping someone could point me in the direction of a Fiat specialist in or around Southampton, Hampshire to take my car for a service and some things looking at (poor car gets used a lot for work and is showing her age a bit more now ).

At the moment it's booked into AHM near Hook, but they are charging much more for my little 1.2 Punto than my partner pays for his 1.9 tuned Alfa Romeo at his specialist garage, and I'm genuinely considering whether it's worth the money, and whether taking to a proper Fiat garage would be better?

I've had a look at SGM Fiat, but can't see any reviews online, and so wondered if anyone could help me?

I don't mind spending money of course, but would rather be going somewhere where I was getting a good service for the money. AHM have quoted £320 just for the service - is that normal for specialist garages? Plus I'd have to shell out £30-£40 quid for insurance on their courtesy car to get to work Plus we think my suspension wishbone is broken.

Don't mind travelling upto an hour to find somewhere good

TIA

Thanks for moving

Well after searching through the forum I decided to give NSB a call as they're much closer than AHM and lots of people seem to recommend them on here - so it's all booked in next week for a service and the various niggles looking at (including 2 warning lights that have been on for 2 years and other garages haven't managed to diagnose ).

Will update on how it all goes

Can't go wrong with NSB. Used them a couple of times. It's a small setup behind his mum's house but he knows his stuff and its good to see Fiat's of all ages there.

Glad you've found a place,

a broken wishbone will need replacing.., but the 2 x "mystery lights" shouldn't be a problem for somebody in the know,

Charlie

Is that the small place on the road to Bishops Waltham?

Yep, thats right. Would recommend him!

There is an independent ex Fiat person at Ringwood. Auto Rossa is the name of the company. he comes up online if you do a search.

I do everything myself on my own cars, so I have no direct dealings with him. 12 years ago I took someone there to pick up parts for an (old) Fiat 500; so that is how he popped onto my radar.

I understand that he either did all/some of his training with Fiat; and I think worked with Fiat for X number of years. He has been trading years, so is well established.

If someone deals and works on historic vehicles that is a plus point for me.
There is nothing like older vehicle knowledge. I once took a brand new engine crank that I was about to fit onto my Citroen GS to the Citroen dealer in Southampton. I thought there may have been a discrepancy on the conrod/shell bearing casting numbers.I took it into the main Citroen dealer in Southampton to try to get it verified.

They looked shocked. They had never seen a crankshaft before (they said). They then brought all their mechanics out to have a look; at my crankshaft.

They had never seen or worked on a crankshaft it tuned out! If there is an engine fault on newer cars they change the engine as a whole. So I ended up giving their mechanics a demonstration/lesson. Not really what I was expecting!

So IMAO mechanics that work on older vehicles are better and more knowledgeable than mainstream dealers! ;-).

I possibly would count the Fiat dealer Southampton in this same league; as in great at selling new cars; but perhaps not as well rounded as a traditional garage. I have been given information on the Dualogic from them before; which was not all encompassing. Ie they did not fully know everything. It was only when I had gone out and bought my own Dualogic that I realised this was the case.

Incidentally I do not know about Punto construction as I have never owned one. However on the Fiat Panda I have had a total failure of a front shock absorber. The hammering inside the failed shock absorber, resonated like a drum; and perhaps can sound like it is coming from the wishbone.

If you need to leave the car in Ringwood a day or two there, there are buses/coaches and National express coaches that pop into Ringwood and Southampton and between the two.

According to Google maps it is either a 16,17 or 18 minute walk from his place to Ringwood coach/bus stops in the Furlong, town centre.

So that place is well within your hour of travel from Southampton.