Ramp it Up...

N

Number5

Lifer
Bristol M4/M5
I got asked to go and sort out a problem with an Intruder alarm for a friend of a friend who had just taken over a new Industrial Unit near Bristol this morning. (Security being my area of expertise)

I had no idea what sort of business it was until I got there, but what a pleasant surprise !

A young chap has just bought/rented a unit and filled it with garage ramps for rent/hire at an hourly or daily rate. (A novel idea that I've previously thought would be handy, but never found one) He's got four ramps that drop to 10cm, ideal for lowered cars, but not only that, he also provides all of the tools, including air line, sump drain and oil suction pumps as part of the hire. He has only just opened this week.

On hand is always an experience mechanic who will give you advice or help you out and one of them is a served BMW mechanic. They will dispose of the old oil/tyres etc too and if you ask them to supervise your work, they will even stamp your log book as proof of a DIY service. ( I know this isn't as good as a Dealer, but it's better than nothing at all)

If this is near you and a facility that you think you would use, mention that you are on the Z4 Forum as he is looking to set up favourable rates for Car Club members and loyalty once it gets going.

Here are a few snaps I took whilst there...
IMG_2242_zpsafbbe622.jpg

All the tools you get with each ramp
IMG_2240_zps5c8db745.jpg

The price list:
IMG_2238_zpsc78464a4.jpg

The Company
IMG_2243_zpsfee7702a.jpg

He offers washing facilities, a shop and soon a cafe so that you can break for a cup of tea and a bite mid job if you want to.

Great ideal idea I thought that allows you to do your own work with plenty of space and the beauty of a ramp, but with abit of advice available. I dont know how it compares with anyone else doing similar elsewhere, but i hope he can make a go of it as Iv'e negotiated a ramp in exchange for my services today !

The unit is located in Hallen, Bristol BS10 7SE (Nr Avonmouth) close to the M5 Junction 17 or 18.
Booking: 07557799006
 
It's a great idea, like you heard of them before but never actually seen one. Be interesting to see how he gets on.
 
That's cool! I'm moving to bath soon, the zed potentially living on a street :'( and me losing a big gated drive for maintenance. Cheers for sharing, this could be ideal.
 
What a brilliant idea! Even I would have a bash at basic maintenance with all of the kit provided and someone on hand to give advice.
 
£15 for an hour seems very reasonable. You could easily do a quick oil change in that time, and driving the car there would warm the oil up nicely!

Shame it's not near me. Need one in SW London!
 
CornishRob said:
£15 for an hour seems very reasonable. You could easily do a quick oil change in that time, and driving the car there would warm the oil up nicely!
Click to expand...

He was telling me that due to undertrays being a pain and re-sealing the sump plug afterwards, the bigger garages now suck the oil out the top with a vacuum pump, rather than drain it through. They have one of these pumps on-site too, so you don't even need the ramp !
 
CornishRob said:
£15 for an hour seems very reasonable. You could easily do a quick oil change in that time, and driving the car there would warm the oil up nicely!

Shame it's not near me. Need one in SW London!
Click to expand...

+1 I would love to have one in SW London
 
I saw one in Manchester last year, my friend used it for his car... Quite a few of them dotted around... Must be some in/ near london too.


Sent from my iPhone 5s using Tapatalk
 
This business is now for sale if anyone is interested or knows any talented mechanics who may be interested ?

I think this is a great concept and am amazed there aren't more around the UK. As much as I'd love to own it, I just haven't got the mechanical knowledge or experience !

Ebay Advert: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272456888550

Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/RampItUp.Diy.Garage.Bristol/
 
Interesting idea. We have a place near us that provides a similar service. Smaller scale and mainly bikers that use it. :thumbsup:
 
Quite common in holland and been using a couple of places for years for doing my own oilservices, brake jobs, replacing bits, etc. Surprised more folks dont use them tbh!
This place is down the road from me and has a spraybooth too. Made use of it to paint some mudguards for the atom years ago.
http://doehetzelfgarage.nl

Comparable and fair prices to your guy i'd say.
Hope he finds a buyer. Whats the reason for sale?
 
Sucking oil out rather than draining YUK. The drain plug acts as a magnet to pick up any small particles of metal and warm oil flowing out the sump holes washes out any sludge which accumulates at the bottom of the sump. Sucking is just a bodge dreamt up by some profit making organisation to cut down on time rather than a proper job.
 
Number5 said:
The unit is located in Hallen, Bristol BS10 7SE (Nr Avonmouth) close to the M5 Junction 17 or 18.
Booking: 07557799006
Click to expand...

This is a great idea, definitely something I would take advantage of if there was one local.

Wonder if I could convince the wife to relocate to Bristol !!! :rofl:
 
ben g said:
Probably decided to cut his losses :wink:
Click to expand...

I'd agree. If equipment is worth say £10-£20k then a sale price of £60k indicates a very low P/E to me. However I look at it I can't see it taking more than £500/week, so its usage rates of ramp and equipment must be very low.

A great idea but like so many things I'd love to have one near me, but in reality I'd use it for a couple of hours a year as I suspect is the case here..
 
What a shame. The concept is a good one but I would expect usage would need to be high to break even. Having been once I think it was perhaps a little too big for the location. 2 bays somewhere closer to the centre of Bristol or London might have a better chance.
 
Or perhaps a better starting model would be to use an existing mechanics space in the evenings/weekends when not being used by the business.
I'd certainly nip in after work to do an oil change for £15.
 
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