WARNING!! CROOKS or just UNPROFESSIONAL?! After being referred by our long-time trusted mechanic, Brett at the Local Village Garage, I had my LR Discovery towed to BBE Automatic where upon inspection Harry informed me there was "severe damage" to the transmission. I thought this was odd for a well-kept Disco with only 115k kms, but he continued saying there was "no gearing", "parts rattling around inside" and it "definitely had to come out". He explained he wouldn't know for sure the full extent of the damage and repair until he pulled it, but in any case it would cost at least $4,500 - $5,000 to repair. When pressed for a less expensive option he said we could save a grand replacing it with a second-hand transmission, but there would be no assurance to its condition and would only come with a two-month warranty, which would only cover another replacement transmission, NOT the $1,800 in labour to swap it out again. I called around for other quotes and they all came in around the $4k to $5k mark, but they all questioned if I was SURE it needed a new transmission as they didn't think it was likely with such low Ks. One shop in particular seemed especially knowledgeable and helpful, Les Richmond Automotive, and after speaking at length with the owner, Andrew, he said he'd diagnose it himself, as he too thought it was unlikely, but IF the transmission needed replacing he could replace it with a second-hand unit with less than 120k kms on it, with a three-month warranty (including all labour should it need to be swapped out again) for under $3k. He promptly followed-up with a written quote and I had the car towed from BBE to his shop shortly thereafter, when to my huge surprise I received a call from Andrew informing me that he had the car running fine before the tow truck had left his shop! Obviously, given Harry's/BBE's prognosis of "severe damage" and "rattling parts" I was stunned, and incredibly relieved! Andrew informed me that he knew the transmission was likely fine as it grinded when he put it in 'park', so he dropped it into 4WD and it all worked fine thereafter. Apparently the 4WD shift had disengaged the transmission (kids climbing over the centre console or similar) and it just needed to be reengaged. Problem solved, too easy! Andrew wouldn't comment on the "severe damage" or "rattling parts", only to say the car was in good condition and the transmission was running perfectly. Following that conversation I called Harry at BBE to let him know what had happened and I was disappointed that a transmission specialist didn't pick up on the fact it was only disengaged, and even more disappointed he insisted there was "severe damage", "rattling parts" and it "definitely had to come out", to which his only response was he was "sorry" and "just assumed it was no good". WTF!? I would have been out $4-5k to replace a perfectly good transmission! Are these guys crooks, or just completely unprofessional!? read more
