Advanced Mechanical Services Coffs Harbour

Took our 2001 Nissan Pathfinder to this shop about 3 months ago and unfortunately it was a terrible experience. We told them that the car was sometimes stalling and that it would most likely be a dirty or bad MAF. They said they could fix it. After looking at it they said misfiring spark plugs would be the cause. After they replaced all the spark plugs and charged us 800$ we came an impressive 50 Meters before the car immediately stalled again. Took the car back to the shop and they had a look at it, while we were there. It was then that they had a look at the MAF and saw that it was dirty. They cleaned it and while checking if it worked, somehow managed to blow the ECU. After that it took them three more weeks to order a new ECU and install it. We called them almost every day since they always said they would order it the next day or it would be here in three days at most. While they were doing that and because we were doing a Roadtrip we had to get accomodation for 3 Weeks. As soon as we got the text ''cars ready'' we went there and instead of only installing a new ECU free of charge they also installed a new distributer for 700$ without asking us. When we asked why they said it would fix the issue. After we went for a test drive and after 3 minutes the car stalled again, so we went back. They accused us of opening the engine hood which of course we did not do. After they took the car in for another couple of hours they told us it should work now. We drove 20km to a camping spot and on the way noticed stuttering and dramatic loss of power at 65kph. Turns out their ''fix'' 4 weeks after we first got in touch with them was to unplug the MAF. WOW! We ordered a new MAF for 40$ and after installing it everything worked fine. I have never experienced such dishonest, expensive and incompetent mechanics.

On presenting the novel restoration of a c60 year old Australian made toolbox the team at "Advanced Mechanical Services [AMS] Panel & Paint" took the challenge particularly after learning why it needed their professionalism. The toolbox was well used by my now deceased father and needed some TLC as it was to be a 21st birthday gift to a 'tradie' grandson who never met his 'Pop'; what made it extra special was that Pop and grandson had the same birthday date! That piqued the interest of the AMS team The job wasn't straight forward particularly removing rust and latter drying the fold out toolbox lid and trays. The end job was a perfect matching of colours; a true restoration job finished off with fitting a plaque engraved acknowledging Pops toolbox and his birth & death dates and his grandsons 21st birthday. Very professional job and I have no hesitation recommending the team; I will certainly now be taking my vehicle there for the inevitable repairs as required. My son was stoked with what is now a functional heirloom that looks like new but with the characterof decades of use. A big thanks to the professionals at AMS

Emailed to book the car in and was told a suitable date, but rocked up on the day and the receptionist had no record of the booking. He said they'll get to it later in the day anyway so at least that was something. At the end of the day it was a $1250 invoice for an oil change and a rocker cover gasket change. Made it 300meters down the road and the car broke down, fuel was pouring out. Rang up and got a mechanic to come and tighten the fuel line. Car still stunk of diesel for the next few weeks, I just assumed it was still burning off the diesel from the leak. Never went away though and it got to the point where my daughter literally vomitted in the car while complaining of the toxic smell. So I finally had a look under and there was a steady stream of fuel trickling down, it had never stopped leaking. I emailed the receptionist a few times to let him know but I never got a reply, evidently was hoping I would just disappear. Finally I just had to drive into Coffs (I live almost an hour and a half away) just to be told come back another day. I was going through a quarter of a tank of diesel to get into Coffs and home again, but had no choice. Had to take another day off work to come back in on Tuesday morning and was told they couldn't see me until after 1. So an entire day wasted waiting around in Coffs. Took till 3:30 to fix. I wasn't angry at the mechanics, mistakes happen and they certainly didn't mean to cause damage, but I was significantly put out and the receptionist had absolutely no sympathy. 2 days of missed work, goodness knows how much fuel wasted on travel and leakage, sick kids and toxic fumes and not a sliver of compensation offered. Good mechanics, I believe, but awful receptionist/manager/whatever he is.

This place is great it was super easy to book in appointment. The guys looked me and had my issue sorted out very quickly. Would recommend that you come here for any car needs. The also specialise in muscle cars.

ALWAYS GET A SECOND OPINION. Was having issues with the gearbox, they were convinced it was the clutch bearing. They charged us over $1000 to replace it and the van had exactly the same problems afterwards.

I took my Honda accord 2008 to this mechanic for rego check, and there was some cracking noise in the engine bay. I told them to fix it, but they didn't. They changed another part of my car that part wasn't the right one. I paid $575 , and then they said there is an issue with the gearbox, but there was not . the front engine mount was broken, as I have replaced somewhere else.

Car came back screeching very loud after brake change turns out diff is bent now. Other mechanics identified this in around 1 minute and fixed screeching sound in one hour ! This issue of dif which happened after I picked up car from Coffs auto caused sever inner tyre wear and requires repair now Also front right bearing wasn't installed or repaired and was cause of noise went back a couple times was told some parts not installed correctly and new staff are more thorough, but needed a thorough diagnosis and prompt repairs not keen for the run around back and forth.hopefuly they can get staff issues organised and back to good reviews.