red vtec Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Does Barry Ely have a good reputation? I know they used to be based in Leytstone, but have just noticed they have moved to Maldon, Essex, which is near me, so would be very handy. Quote Amateurs built the Ark Professionals built the Titanic "I haven't ridden in cars pulled by cows before" "Bullocks, Mr.Belcher" "No, I haven't, honestly" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Edwards Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Barry serviced 2 of my previous Esprits and did a good job. I have to say that his attitude at the time was a tad condescending but it was the work I was interested in not his social skills. Quote Twitter @radioRedwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martynv Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Do yourself a favour Chris, go and see Gerald at GST and get it done properly. I'm supprised Barrie's shed made it as far as Maldon ! Martyn. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red vtec Posted March 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Hi Martyn, Message understood, I know the place in Leytstone was not eaxctly Nasa. Chris Quote Amateurs built the Ark Professionals built the Titanic "I haven't ridden in cars pulled by cows before" "Bullocks, Mr.Belcher" "No, I haven't, honestly" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esprit s2 Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 I'm not a big fan either. I live in Witham so it would have been great for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hopo Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 Im team GST...... out in newmarket so a bit of a trek but well worth it as hes a top guy and the work is always top notch. has helped me out so many times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esprit22 Posted March 20, 2012 Report Share Posted March 20, 2012 GST all day long Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red vtec Posted March 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 I went to see Barry today as it's only up the road, really nice chap. Spoke to me for ages, Had a some nice cars Esprits, Elans, Elises etc in the new unit which is still being sorted. I then popped to JD Classics, they have some nice stuff, fancy a Miura or an e-type with 3k on the clock? They have an open day on Sunday. Maldon has loads of specialist car places for some reason. I was born there so it must be good! Quote Amateurs built the Ark Professionals built the Titanic "I haven't ridden in cars pulled by cows before" "Bullocks, Mr.Belcher" "No, I haven't, honestly" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPx Posted March 21, 2012 Report Share Posted March 21, 2012 I've made this positive response before when the subject has come up but I think at best Barry gets a mixed review so there is clearly potential for issues. However, in my view when Barry looked after my Esprit, which he did for about 8 years, he kept it very well indeed - never better. He also did a similarly good job on the Sunbeam for the 3 years that I had that. Barry is a real enthusiast and happy to gas about his old racing days and/or anything Lotus - I always spent ages with him when I picked up the car. You do sometimes have to see past the immediate no-fault defence if there are any points of contention, but I just saw that as part of learning how to get the best out of the guy. We often spoke about him moving away from that awful lot on Leighton High Road and I know he very nearly did a couple of times, only to be let down when the house buy/sell chain collapsed. It certainly didn't look like the sort of place you'd willingly leave any of your posessions let alone a cherished car. Hopefully the new lot is a bit more salubrious. Quote Loving Lionel and Eleanor......missing Charlie and Sonny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roz_Bennetts Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 Barry sold me my first Esprit and he came with me and my brother for a track day at Castlecombe years ago. Say hi please Quote "All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad."~ Jeremy Clarkson (about the Lotus Esprit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Edwards Posted March 22, 2012 Report Share Posted March 22, 2012 When I lived in that neck of the woods I used a chap called Eamon Swords who traded under the name of "Rapier service" to look after my Esprit. He was a really good guy...is he still around? Quote Twitter @radioRedwards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nello Posted March 23, 2012 Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 I bought my Esprit from Ely 18 years ago. The car was/is still excellant however I remember the day I picked the car up it had supposedly just been through its MoT. I checked the rear inboards to see almost zero amount of pad left..... He apologised and I waited and watched him change the pads sat on Leyton High Street.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
esprit s2 Posted March 23, 2012 Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 Although a nice bloke to talk to the premises in Leyton is what put me off most. I bought some pedal rubbers for my Esprit S2 off of him and drove to Leyton to pick them up - his office was like a garden shed! I'll pop over to Maldon soon and have a look at the new site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted March 23, 2012 Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 Lakeside's premises are a mess too but on the whole they've a solid reputation for their work. Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Paterson Posted March 23, 2012 Report Share Posted March 23, 2012 I can vouch for Max & Tim at Lakeside too. If you get a problem around MOT time, they are very helpful in fixing it in time for a re-test. I've found Max great with advice as he used to own an X180 Turbo like mine. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red vtec Posted March 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2012 Barry's new place in Maldon is nice. I had seen the place in Leytstone years ago. it's a big unit, with a 2 or 3 4 post lifts, an engine/ parts build room, a good selection of cars. he is having an open day soon I think it's Easter weekend?? We were speaking about running your own business and he said sometimes you just have to make the most of what you can until you can afford to move etc. Quote Amateurs built the Ark Professionals built the Titanic "I haven't ridden in cars pulled by cows before" "Bullocks, Mr.Belcher" "No, I haven't, honestly" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Blanchard Posted March 24, 2012 Report Share Posted March 24, 2012 I've taken mine to Lakeside a few times and they're very helpful. Servicing can be a bit pricey but they do a good job. Quote Mark www.lotusespritturbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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