Ramble alert...
V.S.W., if I might.. I suspect that those who normal vehicle repair and maintenance regimes consist of depending on main dealerships with factory back up or perhaps in the case of the MMC may be better served as their vehicle ages to seek an alternative arrangement..
It would seem that much may depend upon the value of the vehicle to the owner in terms of the cost relative to the specialist services required, which can be a justified or not on an entirely personal perspective, including whether or no the vehicles current or potential market value may be factored in.
Specialist services...? I too own a Porsche, which is covered under the Porsche extended warranty (insurance scheme) and the terms of that warranty require that my 991 is maintained only by a Porsche officially approved centre (OPC), which it is. I am no stranger to a set of spanners and a bit more, having restored repaired and maintained my own old sports cars for more decades than I care to remember...But digital frustrations in terms of technogical advance and the affects of the ageing process caused me to give in to OPC maintenance and repair as a way forward.... Sigh!
I also have acquaintances in the trade as both mechanics and management, thus had a reasonable expectation of the realities of that which I was supposedly paying for and what to expect in the way of work done...!
Reality..? I guess we may all have a bad day, week, month or whatever...I imagine even robots can drop off in terms of efficiency..? (-:
Technological advance would seem to have reduced the specialist skill level of shop floor personnel in the garage trade (and others) where those with natural mechanical abilities and interest will still exist, it would seem in time the shop floor is more likely manned by fitters, some with less mechanical will or ability than might seem ideal, who think of themselves as technicians, other than mere mechanics..Shrug..!
These technicians may never have had to think for themselves as the diagnostic unit once plugged up will provide assessment of that which may be a fault or the service schedule required and the likely replacement parts required. The assessment bay session carried out by a hi-tec, and the task perhaps then passed on to a fitter...?
It would seem that a fitter may never have diagnosed an engine/gearbox fault (other than at college) but has the necessary skill to replace either as a unit, the same unit/modular replacement may be applied to electrical electronic failures, and may operate well enough for current machinery with parts availability.... Hmm..?
Sorry, a rather long winded way of trying to get to the point. As a vehicle ages past the time when official dealerships may wish one to buy a replacement vehicle, and their tecs have issues working on corroded fastenings, or electronics for which they do not have in stock, then it seems ones vehicular issues may be less of a priority for a main dealer than it might be for an independent trader (indy) who are likely to be more skilled in in the normal issues affecting the now somewhat aged machine, and thus be both willing and able to to take on the task of looking after one`s prized possession...?
In terms of Morgan compared to Porsche, there is of course a world of difference in production numbers thus there is a wide choice of real expertise out there in the world of indy`s though as another example there are also specialist indy`s for vintage or modern marques of all types, who thrive on resolving issues, and have a variation of skills from re-manufacturing the clanky kit, right up to resolving digital dilemmas, thus I suspect there may be a good time to contemplate a change in direction..?
Rather than have my rarely used and much valued machine off the road for any time during the limited time I might have available to enjoy it
For those into Porsche 911`s they may proclaim that Porsche have a system whereby they have become involved in the re-manufacture of parts for older air cooled Porsches, which would seem to be ideal, though I have read of where items such as replacement panels require expert attention to make them fit, thus it seems there can be a variation in quality of such parts, requiring skills that an OPC seem likely to contract out, whereas an owner might be better served by seeking his own specialist to perform such tasks as opposed to using an OPC as a middle man, which may cost more in both time and cash..?
In terms of Morgan, as an example, my mid 80`s +8 had an issue with a corroding "H" section pipe that makes up part of the heater control system and acts as a bypass if the heater valve is closed, apparently one of those parts made of unobtanium, For sure in the 80`s and after this part could be found in any Rover or perhaps Ford dealership for not a lot of money in the 90`s even Y2K could have been found in breakers yards for a pound or two.... but in time even that route was not an option as the vehicles had been more than likely crushed and sent to China...? It seems uncle Melvyn knew how to resolve my "H" pipe issue and employed the one time Aero expert who used to frequent this community to re-manufacture the pipe in stainless steel... It will now last linger than the rest of my Morgan, or indeed me... (-: The pity is that it seems that particular Aero and engineering expert may no longer be in business...
However there will be those out there more than capable of resolving any issue, it is a matter of finding where they live and work and whatever their level of expertise might be.... For sure there is likely to be more risk involved than dealing with a manufactures agent.... But, I guess much depends upon quite how much the vehicle is valued in any sense...?
My old +8..? Yeah it still has me occasionally rolling around the floor greasing things and blowing dust out of brake drums etc.etc.etc. It seems the longer I have it, (over 20 years) the more it is valued by me... (-:
