Automotive Plus (MX5 Plus) change of direction, I was told

[tomli123001]

Being local in Brisbane, I have always been lucky to have MX5 Plus just around the corner for all my MX5 needs, maintenance or performance mods. Just like Mania and Nitro-dan for those living in NSW. I had them built an engine and carried out lot of mods works for my last 3 MX5 cars. Great experience and very happy.

However, it is a pity that I was told today that their direction has changed. I got a feeling of this since Jason there left for Canada.
I have been officially informed, they are now no longer interested in performance modification work and they will never again build another engine or offer project builds.

I learnt this when I tried to have my oil filter relocation kit installed there recently. Well, luckily for me, they still did this job for me, but it will be my last mod type of job they will do for me.

Below is the original email they wrote me afterwards. Any thoughts on this, guys? I feel quite sad to be honest. It is like a long relationship coming to an end after the last 4 years.


Start of Forwarded email

Hi Tom,

Enclosed is your invoice for todays work. The car will be ready at approx. 4pm today. Carrying on from our conversation on Saturday, should you require any modifications to your car in the future I would recommend that you approach a performance specialist, as this is no longer our field of work.

Furthermore, We are not able to carry out the service on your Ford. I suggest that you take it to Ford for servicing or seek out a ford specialist.



Regards

Jeff Mason
SERVICE MANAGER

cid:part1.09070401.03030708@filterstudio.com.au
07 3863 5858 Central 2A, 605 Zillmere Rd, Aspley Qld 4034
http://www.automotiveplus.com.au

AUTOMOTIVE PLUS is a division of Australian Diversified Engineering Pty Ltd

[smy0003]

I did notice that their website has become a bit more 'every-man.'

[tomli123001]

I did notice that their website has become a bit more 'every-man.'

Yes, Jeff there said they now just want to be a normal mechanic garage, maybe a bit of emphasis on Mazda make, but no more exciting stuff like Magpie's NA build, Charlie's big turbo build, Lockiel's engine and Timk build and etc.

The main complaint was that they think our type of work takes too long over days, weeks and months. They can not charge like normal service jobs and they end up not making enough margin for this worthwhile business wise.

U think it is a fair call?
I mean in all the meantime, Mania was doing this for years and Nitro-dan's work has long been best value and excellent in reputation. Performance mods make up large chunks of their business in my opinion.

[Trackphotos]

Unfortunate to hear. I suppose there's more profit with higher margins and less difficulty in regular servicing than there is in performance modifications. Hope ADE continue to produce the torque box roll bar, but if their own subsidiary won't even install them, I suppose not.

[Odd]

How long has Jeff Mason been service manager?

[NitroDann]

I typically do more than double the hours I charge for per car, plus cleaning and paperwork and incidental work.

Its definitely best to stick to services if you are in it for money only.

Dann

[tomli123001]

I typically do more than double the hours I charge for per car, plus cleaning and paperwork and incidental work.

Its definitely best to stick to services if you are in it for money only.

Dann

That's why u are awesome. It is just a shame that it is too far for me to travel to go to you.

[orx626]

As the owner of the business I guess I should put this thread in context.....

Automotive Plus will continue to design, develop and manufacture it's own products for all things Mazda as I see fit. It will continue to manufacture and support it's range of products such as the Torque Box roll bars and exhaust products. It will also continue to source new Mazda parts and import pre-loved ones such as engines, gearboxes, diffs and body panels. Engine rebuilds done to existing recipes will also continue.

What has changed is the one-off, bespoke engineering work that it had undertaken over the last 8 years is no longer possible as I can no longer spare the time that I once could to facilitate this customer service. We have also found installing customer supplied aftermarket products/kits to be problematic at times which has resulted in Automotive Plus having to "fix" the product and not being able to fully recover the costs to do so. Especially the amount of time spent communicating with the customer as to why the product they've spent good money on doesn't fit or work as intended. This sort of work will be considered case by case in the future.

This is the only change to Automotive Plus' services. Otherwise it is business as usual.

Regards,
Danny

[Okibi]

Glad to hear Danny thanks for your response.

[Magpie]

Thanks for the clarification Danny! As a bespoke customer I know how much customer service time was 'used' and how much was not recovered by Automotive Plus.

I'm personally not sad as I have a great product and will continue to have the car serviced by Automotive Plus.

[davekmoore]

I typically do more than double the hours I charge for per car, plus cleaning and paperwork and incidental work. Its definitely best to stick to services if you are in it for money only. Dann

That's why u are awesome. It is just a shame that it is too far for me to travel to go to you.

You're only 800kms drive from Dann, easily done in a day, whereas I'm 1,000kms, which is better split over two days, and still worth the trip.

[zero00]

Thanks Danny

I had my NA in a week ago for replacement of all rubbers, bushes, boots etc plus routine service and couldn't be happier with the service and cost

You guys have looked after my MX-5's now for over 6 years and I couldn't be happier, hate to say what cost and level of service it would have been thru a Mazda Dealership

Keep up the good work

[LiteIsRite]

Automotive Plus... will continue to manufacture and support it's range of products such as the Torque Box roll bars and exhaust products.

I'm glad to hear this as I plan to buy one of the twin hoop roll bars when I can afford it.

[Lokiel]

Sad to hear this but I can appreciate Automotive Plus' position after my build and hearing stories of other builds.

Performance work almost NEVER goes smoothly, there are always issues which take time, effort and $$$ to resolve (especially when they're dealing with custom components, they usually require some modification or additional fabrication to work).

While I recognise this, I suspect that some customers may not and I certainly wouldn't want to deal with an irate customer who didn't appreciate this and will probably generate negative feedback anyway.

In the case where a build is taking a long time, just having to keep the vehicle in the workshop is problematic, it takes up valuable space and constantly needs to be moved out of the way.

[NitroDann]

Even having the car there a month means it will be filthy if the shop does fabrication. Even forgetting pushing it in and out 2-4 times a day.

Do you pay for a pro detail for every car? Cop the cost?

Do you give it back and just let 10% of customers be pissed off? It is what it is, Im moving more and more towards focusing on only the best cars with the most experienced customers, a lot of people new to the game dont yet understand the costs. You can bolt a manifold on using new nuts and bolts and spend $20 on nuts and bolts and sealants and loktite in 5 minutes, for example.

Dann