Any experience with Zed Shed?

skmattwell · Post by **skmattwell** » Fri Jan 26, 2024 2:57 pm

Wondering if anyone has had any history with these guys and their thoughts? The one near Liverpool

Ed Doe · Post by **Ed Doe** » Fri Jan 26, 2024 3:09 pm

I suggest doing a search of zedshed on here.
Mixed reviews, a few folk who get very defensive over how good the service has been, but also a few horror stories of people who've had an awful experience.

No smoke without fire as they say, so I'd go in eyes open.

Sidewaze Samm · Post by **Sidewaze Samm** » Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:17 pm

Well I've only had a good experience from Mike. Been going there for over five years, with three zeds and lately also a Mini and a Mazda. He's doing well and has recently moved into larger premises in Burtonwood. But you can't please all the people all the time and, as with any business, there's always going to be a proportion of customers who are disatisfied, with or without merit. As posted above, have a search on the forum for opinions, but one thing I've noticed is that almost all negative comments are from third parties and are comments that just get repeated and repeated.

enuff_zed · Post by **enuff_zed** » Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:31 pm

skmattwell wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 2:57 pm Wondering if anyone has had any history with these guys and their thoughts? The one near Liverpool

Why do you ask?
If you're in London then there must be closer options?

earthdweller · Post by **earthdweller** » Fri Jan 26, 2024 7:01 pm

Been using Mike for 7 years … happy customer here

Mr Tidy · Post by **Mr Tidy** » Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:17 pm

Mike replaced the rear brake pipes on my 2nd Coupe and cut and coded me a flip-style key in 2017 before he had premises and I was very happy with both, and the cost. I went there as I was staying in Cheshire for a few days!

It was a few years later things started to unravel based on stories I read on here.

But since Ross opened RBM in Hook, Hampshire in 2019 I've only ever taken both my BMWs there and I'm a very happy customer.

Worcester_spoon · Post by **Worcester_spoon** » Fri Jan 26, 2024 9:48 pm

+1 for Ross at RBM. If you’re in London, he’s not too far.

skmattwell · Post by **skmattwell** » Fri Jan 26, 2024 11:45 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:31 pm
skmattwell wrote: ↑Fri Jan 26, 2024 2:57 pm Wondering if anyone has had any history with these guys and their thoughts? The one near Liverpool
Why do you ask?
If you're in London then there must be closer options?

Thanks everyone. I'm in the process of a hydraulic steering conversion and zed shed were the only place I knew who do them, happy to be proved wrong

BMWZ4MC · Post by **BMWZ4MC** » Sat Jan 27, 2024 1:39 am

Have chat with Phil at CPC Performance Engineering in Amersham. Long before the 4WD Focus RS, he had a FWD Focus RS in his workshop that was being converted to 4WD, so he's not averse to unusual engineering tasks.
Phil fitted most of the modifications to my Zed and I have only experienced excellent work at a fair price. I took my Zed to him for nine years before shipping it to Aus. I continue to have any work that's required by my UK-based RS4 undertaken by him*
*the only exception being a custom remap on a dyno to maximise the benefits of extensive intake and exhaust mods for which I took it to MRC in Banbury since they specialise in tuning VAG products.
The only recurring complaint people make about his business is the difficulty contacting Phil himself by telephone. I used to call him at 0700h and usually got hold of him. Later in the day you'll have to leave a message with his receptionist and wait (and wait and wait) for his reply...

thecremeegg · Post by **thecremeegg** » Thu Feb 01, 2024 12:17 pm

I live in Hampshire and have used Mike a few times as its cheaper to drive up to him than get someone like RBM to do the work. He did the hydraulic steering conversion on mine, he might be upping his prices though as what he quoted me ended up being a bit low. He also did my vanos and modified my backbox. No complaints at all

skmattwell · Post by **skmattwell** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:05 pm

Still impossible to get through after 3 months of trying. If anyone knows Mike I'd be interested to know why he's actively avoiding me. Would rather he just tell me he doesn't want the work than have me chase after him day after day

Scubaregs · Post by **Scubaregs** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:43 pm

Question is, why are you still wanting to use someone who clearly doesn’t want your business? If this is what he is like BEFORE starting any work, how do you think hw will be during and afterwards, should there be a problem?

raymond.harper · Post by **raymond.harper** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:00 pm

There is another Zed Shed in Basingstoke that may be able to help

plenty · Post by **plenty** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:08 pm

Not defending Zed Shed (don't know them and never used them), but in my experience some of the very best mechanics are atrocious at communication. Phil Crouch for one used to be notorious for never picking up the phone (not sure if still the case as it's been a few years).

Chap who works on my Clio can take weeks to respond to a booking request, but is an absolute master (and very responsive when I needed followup).

skmattwell · Post by **skmattwell** » Wed Mar 13, 2024 4:19 pm

Scubaregs wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2024 3:43 pm Question is, why are you still wanting to use someone who clearly doesn’t want your business? If this is what he is like BEFORE starting any work, how do you think hw will be during and afterwards, should there be a problem?

Because he's the only person who does hydraulic steering conversions to my knowledge. Will try again tomorrow and give up, looks like all the parts will be up for sale soon

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