Good workshop in Melbourne?

[peternguyen]

Hi everyone. I am likely to be getting some X-Factor parts (air dams, side skirts, VRX spoiler) and I would like to hear any recommendations for a good workshop I could have these parts installed.

I've become weary about workshops as I know people who have had their cars worked on, and it was clear that the people working on it did not take car of the car. Scratches and marks made on the car, crude workmanship etc.

I am aware that the alternative is that I could install it myself. I could probably install the spoiler pretty easy, but the air dams and the skirts which require more holes in the right place and getting underneath the car, I would rather pay for someone with the right tools and equipment to do it for me if I can be sure that person will do a good job.

I was considering taking it to a Mitsubishi dealership but I am unsure if the X-Factor parts were made to be installed in the exact same way as the genuine parts, so I don't know if they can do it.

So anyways, I live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Anyone know a reliable place to have my parts installed?

[ofey]

Most Mitsu dealerships will NOT install 3rd party parts. The parts have to be OEM for them to do something about it.

There is a distinct lack of workshops like Concorde Customs in NSW who will dedicatedly install body kits and the like here in Melbourne. I would also say, do it yourself. Safer that way.

The misconception alot of people have is If you get a 3rd party to do, say they eff it up, they're not responsible. They simply charge you what it costs to make good on it. You can't simply pass on the buck if you know what I mean.

I've heard good things of DT Panels in Springvale, JR Auto Concept in Box Hill or someone I know personally is Scott from Sinex Bodykits in Campbellfield.

[peternguyen]

Hi ofey, thanks for the response. Does any of those shops that you have mentioned there have experience with installing these X-Factor parts on a Lancer? Or does anyone else know shops who have dealt with these parts? I would imagine shops who have experience with installing these parts would take less time to do it, and would do a better job having done it before, no?

[exaltd]

Closer to home, my friend owns a panel beating shop in Mitcham, and I can happily recommend him. He takes care of all the cars in his hands and his small shop means the quality is good, and he takes time to get things right He colour matched and installed my spolier - perfect fit, perfect colour match and looks incredibly good and is reasonably priced.

Vincent Smash Repairs
3 Richards St, Mitcham 3132
Ph: (03) 9873 1399

[ofey]

Hi ofey, thanks for the response. Does any of those shops that you have mentioned there have experience with installing these X-Factor parts on a Lancer? Or does anyone else know shops who have dealt with these parts? I would imagine shops who have experience with installing these parts would take less time to do it, and would do a better job having done it before, no?

Not necessarily.

X-Factor only makes parts for Lancers, so it's only a small subset of the market of bodykits and parts. We only have about 100+ enthusiasts we've me in Melbourne.

Each time you go to a panel shop, not the same guy does the work, so it could well be different.

[kalt]

Closer to home, my friend owns a panel beating shop in Mitcham, and I can happily recommend him. He takes care of all the cars in his hands and his small shop means the quality is good, and he takes time to get things right He colour matched and installed my spolier - perfect fit, perfect colour match and looks incredibly good and is reasonably priced.

Vincent Smash Repairs
3 Richards St, Mitcham 3132
Ph: (03) 9873 1399

Hey Gabriel, does he do gauge installs too? Looking to install some digital gauges and run them up the A-pillar Mitcham is close to me so might be a good option.

I'd call them up myself but I know firsthand how annoying it can be to answer phonecalls (with silly enquiries) during a job so yeah, no rush.

Cheers
Al

[exaltd]

Hi Al,

He does strictly panel work and paint as he is a small panel beater shop. His shop is too small to do installation of accesories and servicing/repair work.

You would probably be better off going around to a local mechanic workshop, or performance centre like Chasers Motorworks - they specialise in these things and will be able to install it quick smart

Hope that helped.

Chaser Motorworks
8 McGlone Street
Mitcham VIC 3132
Tel. 03 9872 4429

[peternguyen]

Okay, so I've received my parts from X-Factor. I've installed the air dams myself, but I am reluctant to install the side skirts myself.

One thing I'm unsure of is how workshops would go about installing side skirts. Are they going to look at the X-Factor instructions or will they do it their own way? Have they ever installed this particular side skirt on a Lancer and should I trust them if they haven't?

I was recommended a few workshops: Motorware and Racing Projects. Does anyone have any experience with them regarding CJ Lancers?

[ofey]

This is NOT meant for you but I have some thoughts:

I think many owners need to change the view that "paying solves the problem". It doesn't necessarily mean you pay a workshop to do the work for you, the work will be done right. there was an instance last year where one of the members here went to workshop, got something installed, and the workshop broke something, the member had the workshop cover the cost of the fault. It wasn't an isolated breakage. Many people who install these things break the same part. I personally think it's disgraceful to pass the buck. If you had no balls to install it yourself, what makes you think the small pocket money you pay the people to install it is worth their trouble?

You want to do it perfectly and right, You do it yourself. No skill? Learn.
If you want the workshop to cover the fault, you PAY their full cost and let them insure their work. The abuse some members had of our sponsor Concord Customs is disgraceful. They want it cheap, done right and want the world. Do it yourselves then... .

---

Now for your query:

Most workshops will look for the EASIEST and FASTEST way to do anything. It's NOT Their car. That's human psychology. They will look at your install guide and follow as much as they can. The first instance they hit a bump, they will solve it their way.

Not many people have experiences with CJs and even if they did, the workshop has many staff and they try to give AS MANY of their staff as much experience as they can. So the guy that did the CJ wouldn't do it again.

You can't really say you don't trust or you want to trust. After market parts are such that people who install these things can always turn back and point the finger at the part.

Look around the forums (not just ours). And use the search string to see what forums are recommended. That's the best you can do as a concerned owner.

[peternguyen]

Hey Ofey, thanks for your insight.

I am one that is reluctant to leave a job to someone else believe it or not. Front air dams I've installed, the spoiler I intend to install when they arrive. But the side skirts in particular seem a bit beyond my depth. I'd love to learn, but I don't want to be 'practicing' on my own car. And as you know from my other posts, X-Factor don't provide the greatest set of instructions.

I know people who have had bad experiences when it comes to having a shop carry out a job on their cars, but I am hoping that maybe there is some shop that is reputable, and in particular with CJ Lancers. In the same way that people have unanimously recommended X-Factor to me and others for factory parts, I was hoping there was a workshop in Melbourne that was highly recommended.

Drilling the holes is really the concern for me, as it is the step that is irreversible. If I can get that right, I'm golden. But alas, the 'marker makers' are not the most user friendly method of marking the holes.

Tomorrow I'll see how successful I am with marking the holes... Again, if anyone knows a reputable, trustworthy workshop, let me know, I'll still consider.

[kalt]

Thanks Gabriel, will keep him in mind if panel and paint work needs to be done(hope not, fingers arms and eyes crossed).my gauges r coming soon!

Ouch ofey thats harsh but i agree, a fair payment to installers is require especially if they did a good job on your pride and joy.

Peter, it sounds like a slow weekend installation job to me. i know what you mean, get it done right first time so it doesnt fall off. Perhaps u could arrange a mini meet of cjs on easter weekend and u all can help each other install items on your cars?

apologies i typed this on my mobile.

[peternguyen]

Last weekend I tried the method stated in the instructions to mark the holes using the marker makers. That failed miserably. I have however thought of a different way of marking the holes which I think will be much more reliable. It will probably take longer though, so I will wait until the long Easter weekend to do the job.

[Kyrus]

hey peter,

Just a quesiton about he x factor product, for the front airdam, are they the same as the OEM ones? i would be interested in a pair in they were cos im thinking of fitting a vlip onto my SX.

[peternguyen]

From what I have observed, the X-Factor air dams should be exactly the same as the OEM ones as far as the shape goes. The only thing that I think is different are the lower tabs that are screwed into the bottom of the bumper. The two front tabs are suppose to be drilled at a 45 degree angle into the bumper, where as I think the the OEM ones are flush with the bumper. My guess would be that they were made like this by X-Factor so that home installations were made easier.

[Kyrus]

thanks for the heads up mate, any idea whether they will interfere with the fit of the vlip?