Team-BHP > Team-BHP Directory > Other Cities


Reply
  Search this Thread
4,114 views
Old 8th June 2014, 08:39   #1
BHPian
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 60
Thanked: 255 Times
Excellent KA <-> TN Highway Mechanic: Rafiq (Kollegal)

I drive a 20111 Ritz ZXI and have clocked 65000 km travelling mostly in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. This post is an ode to a superb mechanic and his crew from the small town of Kollegal.

I was driving back to Bangalore from the Odeyarapalya on the Hasnur Ghat road at about 7.30 am near the Gundal Dam I heard a thud under the car the car speed was around 50 kmph. There were no jutting stones/major obstructions on the road. All I could detect was loose gravel with fist sized stones. Did a flying stone do the damage?

Stopping and examining the car and its underbelly did reveal a tiny drop of oil on the oil filter. Hoping that it was not a major leak and since the nearest town was only 5 km away I decided to limp it to Kollegal. My luck ran out with the oil indicator coming on one km before the town. The car wouldn't crank after I switched off.
A call to the Maruti ASS help line in Bangalore was pretty much inconclusive as anything from "leak leading to engine seizure" to have to tow it to Mysore/Bangalore were the options and diagnosis offered.

A few local souls prompted me to call Mr Rafiq a local car mechanic. Skeptical to say the least, knowing small towns and their timings, I reluctantly called the number offered. I was pleasantly surprised when he took a history and promised to send some one out to the car in 15 mins.

I took that with a pinch of salt as 15 mins has often stretched to two hours or more even in Bangalore.
I was surprised when a service mechanic arrived on the scene in exactly 15 mins. Even more surprised with the speed at which he changed the filter(MGA), filled in the oil(SHELL) and started the car. The service van had all equipment, including spare battery, towing rod, jump cabled, all fluids,jacks, tools and was super clean. (I have earlier had a Ford mobile team come without a jump cable in Bangalore for an office car fault) The mechanic insisted that I follow him to the garage for a complete pit inspection. The boss man was at the garage waiting for us even though it was much earlier than their usual opening time of 10 am. Mr Rafiq, the owner of the garage inspected the car himself, ensuring that there were no further leaks. He made out the bill, Oil 4 lts, filter and super surprise labour charges including driving out to the car and opening at odd times -Rs 300!

The Bill too was clearly made out with exact prices and VAT.

I would be very glad to recommend this hero to anyone traveling these hinterland roads.

Mr. Rafiq: 944807237 or 7795740356
His garage is on the Mahadeshwara College Road

Last edited by GTO : 9th June 2014 at 13:27. Reason: Adding contact details to the opening post :)
skrao is offline   (8) Thanks
Old 8th June 2014, 12:30   #2
Senior - BHPian
 
ariesonu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Bombay
Posts: 1,343
Thanked: 2,417 Times
re: Excellent KA <-> TN Highway Mechanic: Rafiq (Kollegal)

Please put his Garage Name, Number, address and that of Mr. Rafiq here and also in Directory section.

Raab rakha.
ariesonu is offline   (2) Thanks
Old 8th June 2014, 20:40   #3
BHPian
 
whitewing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 557
Thanked: 1,568 Times
re: Excellent KA <-> TN Highway Mechanic: Rafiq (Kollegal)

Good to see such mechanics in the interiors, while Kollegala is a moderately sized town.
It gives one a safer feeling, knowing that in any unlikely event, there are reliable hands who care for their work around.
Rs 300 for labor is a shocker to say the least, that too for a well done work.

Recently, I had left the cabin lights on and drained the battery completely, voltage reading was 0. I called my regular MASS for assist (this is 200mts from my home), and I was told that they charge Rs 425 for "breakdown assist" add to that the charging fees etc. I said thanks, and took the battery to a nearby battery shop for a deep charge.
What a contrast in service.

And on another note, this is one of the benefits of going with a mass market manufacturer, irrespective of merits/demerits, availability of most spares and some form of support in all towns is at least guaranteed.

Thanks for sharing! As mentioned by ariesonu, please share the contact details.
whitewing is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 9th June 2014, 10:40   #4
BHPian
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 60
Thanked: 255 Times
re: Excellent KA <-> TN Highway Mechanic: Rafiq (Kollegal)

944807237 or 7795740356 - Mr Rafiq, his garage is on Mahadeshwara College Road
skrao is offline   (2) Thanks
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks