Monferrato (general mechanic, new Santiago-r) | Mechanic and Parts

So this is what my experience is with these guys. Miguel the owner or manager is a reasonable guy, but I also don’t get the feeling he’s going for 100% service. They do a regular check up for 30.000, not bad.

I read they were expensive already, which I didn’t mind too much, at least if the job would be done right. They found more major parts wrong than the Goodyear garage, where I’d done a check too. Could be possible. Maybe a little too proactive with replacing parts that could last longer, but we wanted to be sure of a good vehicle to sell.

Miguel needed an afternoon and a morning to make a price list, was 471 euro’s for replacing rotulas top and bottom, bearings, axiales and rod end and some small extras. We brought the van in that afternoon (3 o clock instead of 12), so it would be done in 2 days at midday instead of one day later at late afternoon. Wasn’t a problem, but then got a whatsapp it was delayed until 4 instead of 12. So some small delays, but that can happen.

On the way back after picking it up we hit a pothole with the left front wheel and something was making a strange sound. Unfortunately couldn’t bring it back on the Saturday after because it was feriado. So checked at another garage who I talked to before and is super helpful and seems really honest (on IOverlander ‘general mechanic’ near the corner of Avenida diez de Julio with Roberto Espinoza). They looked for free at the car (where other garages wanted 30.000) and we saw the wheel was just crooked.

I whatsapped Miguel and eventually he made it to the garage so at least we could park inside and we looked and saw that inferior rotula (lower ball joint) collapsed. The security ring had broken or wasn’t mounted right (I guess) and was pushed to the side.

They got right on top of it on Monday morning and replaced the left AND the right lower ball joint too to be sure. And I asked if they could do a bumpy test ride. They estimated it would all be done at 12 but I waited until 2. But at least they fixed it as a guarantee.

Alltogether I’m not 100% convinced about the garage. It might have been unlucky with some bad parts, but it could be a sign of cheap parts too. Also the timing may just have been bad with all the small delays. But the two workers there I saw didn’t seem slow like at Goodyear but didn’t seem fast either. Communication was okay, notified with whatsapp with the first delay. But didn’t let me know with the second delay.

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At the recommended garage of Santiago-R it is told that this is the new location: Sierra Bella 1221. The new garage is called Monferrato and Martin doesn’t work here. The phone number is the same as the one Santiago-R. I spoke with Miguel, the owner. WiFi in waiting spot.

Pretty large garage, also near Diez de Julio, so easy if you need to go shop for other parts. They look pretty professional, however I found them not so fast and pretty expensive.

Owner: Miguel
Contact:
Teléfono: +562 25519558
WhatsApp: +569 92759939 / +569 73998209
E-mail: [email protected]

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