General Experience of DTR

[hectorshaus]

I've used DTR on and off since the early 90's when I owned a 124 spider. I've just had my 52 plate barchetta in at DTR for a new mohair hood (which is excellent quality in terms of manufacture and fit), and to investigate general poor starting/running that my local garage hadn't been able to fix. They identified the problem straight away as a cracked inlet manifold due to the poor fitment of a cambelt by the previous owner and the exhaust cam being 10 degrees out. Total bill came to just over £2k (including new cambelt). Plus I had travel time and cost from Cheshire to Croydon.

Taking it to someone who knows what they're doing can save time and money in the long run. If left, I'd have needed a new engine sooner or later. It may not say much about my local garage who I've always found very reliable, and I'll be looking round for somewhere else local to take it in future (NOT Mangoletsi!). Just wish DTR were more accessible for me, I'd have all my work done there.

 

[markee]

DTR are in my opinion one of the worst and most useless companies on this planet.
From selling me a car with a fuel leak, lying about work not even carried out, not being able to adjust a handbrake correctly after 3 attempts, overfilling the engine with oil to the point where it overflowed and got into the carb, leaving grease on the seats, returning the car with the boot unlatched and full of their tools, never answering the phone...I could go on. I have never understood why everyone praises them so much, maybe I caught them on a bad day or come to think of it a bad several months.

 

[johnv]

That's a bit worrying, my car's booked in on friday! They seemed to do a good job for me last year, new cambelt etc, and the car has run faultlessly all year, mainly long trips through France.

 

[Richpea]

DTR are in my opinion one of the worst and most useless companies on this planet.
From selling me a car with a fuel leak, lying about work not even carried out, not being able to adjust a handbrake correctly after 3 attempts, overfilling the engine with oil to the point where it overflowed and got into the carb, leaving grease on the seats, returning the car with the boot unlatched and full of their tools, never answering the phone...I could go on. I have never understood why everyone praises them so much, maybe I caught them on a bad day or come to think of it a bad several months.

I have never used DTR as they rarely answer the 'phone promptly and when they do they are surly and unhelpful. Why would I want to spend my money with people who do not care about proper customer service? I use a small independent in Woking who keeps my B running as sweet as a nut.

 

[Richpea]

That's a bit worrying, my car's booked in on friday! They seemed to do a good job for me last year, new cambelt etc, and the car has run faultlessly all year, mainly long trips through France.

I use a guy in Knaphill, Woking. he has done all servicing work for the last 3 years including replacing variator, cambelt, water pump etc. The car runs sweet as a nut as is mainly used for trips to Provence and the like, always without a hitch. Let me know if you want his details. In fact he looks after all our cars once they out out of the manufacturers warranty.

 

[Rustbucket]

DTR are in my opinion one of the worst and most useless companies on this planet.
From selling me a car with a fuel leak, lying about work not even carried out, not being able to adjust a handbrake correctly after 3 attempts, overfilling the engine with oil to the point where it overflowed QUOTE]

Never had a problem with them My car was serviced by them for the original owner before export and the stainless exhaust has lasted 10 years with no bother. Paul at DTR went beyond the call of duty to help me when the electrics got soaked..attempting to help me from 300 miles away when holding an AVO..10/10.

I can't spell L.I.B.E.L..but some moderation in comments might help or at the least put their side of the story..usually is one.

 

[jetweed]

Right well I'm picking up my Barchetta after DTR carrying out an extensive restoration job on the car. They have carried out a full respray inside and out and replaced the roof with a mohair and also resprayed a hardtop that I bought privately.

This along with the original invoice will cost a heck of a lot of money.. I went for DTR based on the continuous number of positive reports I got from the Forums and also local independent garages that recommended DTR for their access to stock and also intricate Barchetta knowledge.

I went for DTR because I couldn't trust anyone else.. If an independent broke something whilst fixing the car up, would they be able to get the parts etc.. and also taking the car apart would they know the foibles...

Until I actually see the car, my only complaint of DTR is lack of communication via email or phone.. My car has been with them for nearly 2 months. They sorted the mechanicals pretty promptly. The delay was getting it scheduled for the bodyshop..
The majority of the time emails are not answered and I normally have to try phoning twice to get hold of someone. I kinda do a accept that they are a small team of people that are heavily busy carrying out work and therefore do not have time for admin.. which in reality they should therefore employ someone to carry out the secretarial service type work.. answering and making phone calls and responding to emails.

In terms of warranty/aftercare support for both mechanicals and bodywork, what should I expect?


If I do have an issue at a later date with anything and DTR claim it is not their issue and I believe it is, what security or options/path do I have legally as a consumer?


Well all being well I shall have the car on Friday morning.... anyone dropping or collecting their car on Fri? I'll be camcording and taking piccies of the car before it gets dirty driving 140miles back up north!!



Also whos going to Stanford Hall on Sunday? I'm hopefully taking the beast there if all goes well!!

 

[jetweed]

Looks like I'm not picking up the car on friday... DTR advised me that the black paint has reacted and turned orange....?! Can anyone explain how an originally black car respraying black turns orange?

 

[jetweed]

Starting to get worried now...

 

[afroking]

Oh dear.

 

[Rustbucket]

Seems like closed season on re-sprays.

I've seen that once when re-spraying a Mk4 Escort where the previous owner had used some weird alien paint which attacked the new base and topcoats.

But black paint going orange?

 

[barchingmad]

Seems like closed season on re-sprays.

I've seen that once when re-spraying a Mk4 Escort where the previous owner had used some weird alien paint which attacked the new base and topcoats.

But black paint going orange?

Jetweed,

Just for your information... the last people to respray your car were DTR themselves. Just in case they try to blame the previous owner! i.e me!!!

Really sorry to hear that your reuniting is going to be delayed. You sounded so excited in previous posts and messages, and the weather would have been perfect to enjoy your b.

All the best and I'll keep my fingers crossed...

Colin

 

[bumble]

Looks like I'm not picking up the car on friday... DTR advised me that the black paint has reacted and turned orange....?! Can anyone explain how an originally black car respraying black turns orange?

I wonder if there is some misunderstanding in the message from DTR? An 'orange peel' paint defect isn't uncommon where the particles of paint leaving the nozzle are too big - I think. Anyway, regardless of the cause of the defect, I hope it's resolved quickly as it's the wrong time of the year to be without a Barchetta.

As for DTR, I have no personal experience of them but they do seem to be regarded with esteem in Barchetta circles. As someone has already posted, it sounds as though they need someone manning the phone. I recall a thread on here from them so, maybe a message posted to them may result in a reply to the concerns expressed.

Regards

Steve

 

[wish mine was orange]

orange peel effect is common it looks like skin of orange, that happens when they havent prepared the surface correctly for spray, it easy for them to put right but takes a bit off time so dont manic all will be well

 

[jetweed]

Yes apologies... its is orange peel effect!! I was worried about it so I drove 140miles to go visit my beauty to make enquiries... and yes it is Orange peel.. not black going orange as originally stated.

The result is DTR are not happy with the result and will be doing it again from scratch!!! (with no charge obviously to me)


Will add some pictures of the car... and yes a little disappointed because I wanted to show it off at Stanford Hall this weekend.. still will be going though in my Grande which is still special as it travelled 2500miles around Europe with not a whistle of complaint!!

PM me if you are going to Stanford Hall!!

 

[jetweed]

Just a few quick snaps... obviously the paintwork will be redone as I said in my previous post and also the leather is going to be restored by a local independent company...

but above all it'll be given a damn good clean before I get it back..

Also need 3 rear light shells to replace..

(apologies for the fairly large filesizes - Im on a mac and dont know how to shrink!!)

 

[jetweed]

I also have a Fiat Hardtop that they resprayed in black from Silver...

 

[afroking]

I also have a Fiat Hardtop that they resprayed in black from Silver...

Nice!

 

[Rustbucket]

My kind of workshop...A prize for identifying where this is and what they all are (also spot the odd one out..).

 

[markee]

If I had written anything untrue then they would be perfectly within their rights to take legal action, my account is accurate and without exaggeration. The fact is they stitched me up good and proper.