Hawkes Bay Automatic Specialists

Reviews

1. Paddy Cooper ★☆☆☆☆

   Click on lowest and read the other bad reviews this outfit has got. Here's another one: When I was having a graunching sound starting, I took my car to Williams Autoelectrical, who said it had nothing to do with the starter motor, which had nothing wrong with it, but it was the ring gears at fault. HB Automotive accepted the job and said there's no replacements in the country, but they could get the old one built up. They did this, but it was still faulty. They then advised me that it must be the starter motor at fault. I took it back to Williams Auto Electrical, and they replaced the stater motor, at Colin's insistance, even though they still said there was nothing wrong with it. It was still faulty, so I took it to Bay Ford. They got a new ring gear in from Japan, put the old starter motor back in, and it worked perfectly after that. The whole time, HB Transmission Specialists refused to even look at it again. The cost for the ring gears was over $2000, and the starter motor almost $500. Over numerous emails and even in his submission to the Disputes tribunal, Colin said nothing about getting a new ring gear from Japan. He never told me to get one. Nor did he tell me to replace the stater motor until they rebuilt the ring gear, and it still wasn't working. Yet in his written emails and submission he went on and on about the starter motor, that he's told me to replace it from the start, even though it had been proved there was nothing wrong with it, and he also verbally in the tribunal hearing said he'd at the outset advised me to get a new ring gear from Japan! It was only after he saw that was Bay Ford's solution he brought that one up. So he won the tribunal hearing by lying through his teeth, and, like all good con men, he knows how to lay on the charm when he needs to. I wish I could give them no stars, because they did no good for me. In fact, I'm down the drain $2500 because of them.

   almost 10 months ago
2. Callum Macdonald ★★★★★

   Colin was an honest, trustworthy and upfront communicator. Our CX5 transmission played up and he looked after us to get it sorted at a reasonable price and in a timely manner. I recommend this business for problems with automatic transmissions.

   1 year ago
3. G Thomas ★★★★★

   Transmission in my car gave out. Rang Colin for a rough quote. Took the car in. Colin rang a few days later and told me the bad news that it was toast. I managed to find a second hand one thru a mate. Colin and his crew serviced, and checked over the new one. Kept us advised as to progress, and kept to the quote. Car now runs better than ever. Thanks guys! Highly recommended!!

   almost 2 years ago

1. Vaughan Plowman ★★★★★

   An obscure Toyota Landcruiser transmission fault successfully diagnosed and corrected. Thank you. I recommend HB Auto. for courteous, professional gear box service.

   almost 2 years ago
2. Corrine Hughes ★★★★★

   I got the bad news I needed a new transmission when my car had its service via another dealer/provider. I decided to seek a second opinion from an expert and was very impressed with Colin’s knowledge and advice given. Cannot fault the time taken to complete the job or the cost (given it HAD to be done). I found the level of communication which covered estimate of how long everything would take and the cost estimate etc was perfect in my opinion. Time taken did not go beyond what was stated nor did cost. I really felt like Colin cared about the job and end result for me. Would happily recommend Colin and the team!

   almost 3 years ago
3. Corrine H ★★★★★

   I got the bad news I needed a new transmission when my car had its service via another dealer/provider. I decided to seek a second opinion from an expert and was very impressed with Colin’s knowledge and advice given. Cannot fault the time taken to complete the job or the cost (given it HAD to be done). I found the level of communication which covered estimate of how long everything would take and the cost estimate etc was perfect in my opinion. Time taken did not go beyond what was stated nor did cost. I really felt like Colin cared about the job and end result for me. Would happily recommend Colin and the team!

   almost 3 years ago

1. Tony James ★★★☆☆

   Received the vehicle after two and a half weeks. While they did take their time fixing it they have done a really good job, and the vehicle drives better than ever. I’ve had gearboxes rebuilt in the past, removed, reconditioned and refitted in less than a week. This company has taken two and a half weeks and it’s still not ready, I umd and aahhd about going to these guys or Holden and we’ll, I wish I went to holden. I’ve pretty much given up at this point…

   almost 3 years ago
2. Craig Alexander ★★★★★

   Fantastic service from Colin and Rob yesterday. Arranged transport to get me home and back. Great job at a great price. Pointed out to me another problem with my engine which I was unaware of. Recommend this company. Took my car for a drive today and the CVT noise has almost gone. Acceleration is now instant. Great improvement. Thanks guys.

   almost 5 years ago
3. John Patrick ★☆☆☆☆

   We had our son's car recovered to this place after the transmission failed. They said they were happy to look at it. However, when they saw it was an Audi, it was immediately put in to the 'too hard basket'. Never even put it onto a ramp and checked the oil level. Just said they didn't even want to start looking at it. Their website claims they can repair and replace gearboxes. It seems all they want to do is service them. Colin, the owner, said they wouldn't even attempt to repair it and I should take it to the Audi main dealer. Obviously aircraft engineering and auto transmission repairs just doesn't mix well.

   more 6 years ago

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