Thread: Melbourne Newbie Searching Mechanic

Where in Melbourne are you located?
There are a number of good workshops.
Also, like everything YMMV with recommendations- what works for one person may not be suitable for another.

Originally Posted by Rabbey

Hello All,

Sorry if this is an old topic. I am looking to buy a 90s classic and have minimal maintenance skills and am wondering if its a bad idea. I would feel more comfortable if I knew of a mechanic who specialised in them if and when I needed help. Can anyone recommend one?

Many thanks, Rich

Ritters Burwood and AMV ringwood .

Maybe cynical but to me "Classic" + no mechanical knowledge + must rely on workshop would appear to = mucho $$ Just my thought am sure there's other opinions on this

After owning a SIIa, and 1978, 1984 and 1988 Range Rover Classics I think if you cant do at least some of the maintenance yourself it would turn out to be quite expensive. It seems every other week some issue pops up that requires attention.

"Land Rover - Turning owners into Mechanics since 1959"

There's a reason for the anecdote... It is biblical truth.

But unless we have an area you can travel within or an indication of your willingness to travel 2 hours from one side of Melbourne to the other, we'd be wasting our time with recommendations.

Thanks all, points taken and perhaps I’m asking for trouble with my lack of experience. I’m in Camberwell - am I missing something in in thinking mechanic costs should be less than depreciation on the average modern car?

Before you consider jumping in at the deep end, you may wish to read a good number of threads on here first, then re-read them before you contemplate a purchase.

Before you consider purchasing, get a PPI done by a competent trusted RRC specialist. It will give you an indication of where your next 5-10K spend will be after rego transfer and insurance.

I would not recommend an RRC to someone who has no mechanical experience or knowledge or no wish to swing spanners.

These vehicles require routine maintenance regime that harks back to the days of a full-service garage, where the oil was in ready-to-go funnel bottles between the petrol bowsers, and you could get gear oil by the gallon. Mechanics would service your vehicle every 5000km... when the oil is due to be changed.

If you are not mechanically inclined and you want to own a Range Rover, then nothing is more certain than you will become a skilled landrover mechanic after about 18 months of ownership...

be pragmatic and keep a lid on the enthusiasm. These things can bankrupt you in a heartbeat if they are a dud.

fwiw, an e63 is about 2/5 the servicing costs annually based on 10,000km p.a. mileage
So no, a Range Rover is not cheaper by any stretch of the imagination.