Brian Downie Cars

[bigal024]

Guys,

I've been away for a while in the world of VW Golf ownership, and its been more and more difficult to resist the temptation back to the Subaru recently.

Seen a couple of cars in Brian Downie near Aberdeen, and was looking for some advice regarding this place.

Anyone any experience of using this place? Do the cars tend to be good quality?

any advice greatly appreciated.

Al (Lost without my scoob)

[scouk]

Never really dealt with them much.

But when I was looking to buy a scoob I noticed they seemed overpriced for what they offered. They had a couple nice cars when I was looking but out of my price range. Ended up getting a newer car for less at SunnyHill Motors up in turrif. Really nice people to talk to up there no messing!

[bigal024]

Never really dealt with them much.

But when I was looking to buy a scoob I noticed they seemed overpriced for what they offered. They had a couple nice cars when I was looking but out of my price range. Ended up getting a newer car for less at SunnyHill Motors up in turrif. Really nice people to talk to up there no messing!

Thanks mate - They do seem a little pricey. Havent had a look at Sunnyhill Motors, but I believe one of my old Scoobys was from there at one point or another.

Will have a wee look, cheers

Al

[bigal024]

Anyone else from the aberdeen area know of this place?

Cheers

Al

[scoobyiain]

went there to look at a couple when i was first looking to buy a subaru and did not like him one bit. Never went out of his way to sell me a car or tell me anything about them. Went upto sunnyhill after leaving downies and bought my sti. Raymond is a top bloke.

[bigal024]

went there to look at a couple when i was first looking to buy a subaru and did not like him one bit. Never went out of his way to sell me a car or tell me anything about them. Went upto sunnyhill after leaving downies and bought my sti. Raymond is a top bloke.

Thanks Iain. Will probably stop by this place, as its not too far off the beaten track when I'm on my way to see the folks.

[~ ~ Cal ~~]

He might sell more cars if he wasn't such a grumpy cant ! His attitude was poor when I dealt with him on two occasions but i have heard he is different if he knows you ?

[steven_williams]

AL, empty your inbox.

[bigal024]

Sorry Steve - Emptied now!

[sgscoobysti]

He might sell more cars if he wasn't such a grumpy cant ! His attitude was poor when I dealt with him on two occasions but i have heard he is different if he knows you ?

I bought my STI from Brian. Did seem a bit grumpy when I first turned up but changed when I made it clear I was serious in buying a car of him. Car I bought was in imaculate condition inside and out. Did seem a bit on the pricey side but it was a low milage example for the age. The car was fully serviced prior to pick up including new brake pads all round (brembos) Brake discs skimmed to get rid of any scores and a brand new windsrcreen as the old one had a chip. Brian knows his stuff with regard to Scoobies and I know of guys local to me who are happy with the standard of service.

Shaun

[scoobyiain]

his attidute should not change just because you are buying a car.

[toby69]

I bought my first Impreza from Brian ( going back about 7 years now ) and was very happy with the deal I got and he was very helpfull. I had a bit of an issue after the car went in for an MOT and service with him so I took it else where to get bits and pieces done after that. Went back in a few years later to look at other cars and basically he didn't want to know because I hadn't gone to him for the rest of the work on my car!! His loss in the end though!

[mrtoad]

aye, they are just down the road frae me. they don't seem bad like and he does seem to specialise in performance cars. Thats said, bear in mind that he is originally, and first and foremost, a Landrover specialist which he is brillant at, but whether his expertise extends to the scooby I wouldnt like to say

[Fonzy]

aye, they are just down the road frae me. they don't seem bad like and he does seem to specialise in performance cars. Thats said, bear in mind that he is originally, and first and foremost, a Landrover specialist which he is brillant at, but whether his expertise extends to the scooby I wouldnt like to say

A Landrover Specialist?? You sure your on about the same boy?? There is a Landrover specialist in Kemnay but it's not Downie. Brian has had imprezas for years and before that it was cossies.

I've bought 2 imprezas from him, he's not the cheapest but any problems I had he sorted them out. He can be a grump though I once had a problem with my headlights for an MOT, spoke to Brian and he let me come round and borrow a set off one of his uk cars for the MOT free.

[Avalyn]

I've been round a few times, he is a grumpy sod. Cars seem overpriced too.

Does seem to know his stuff though just wish he didn't have permanent PMT

Seems to be good on the servicing front though ..

Avalyn.

[bigal024]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Will probably stop by for a look next time i'm heading past that way.

[glen_cadwallader]

Yeh everything he has is well over priced, the guys a tool AVOID.

Raymond is a much better chap at sunnyhill and can also recommend him.

[callum]

I don't post on here very often, which is probably a good thing , but here goes.... Before anyone complains or suggests I'm biased towards BDCS then no need to, I admit it. I first dealt with Brian in 2002 when a Subaru dealer made a mess of a set of new alloys on my Sti & I needed to find someone I could trust. Since then I've bought five cars from him & got seriously involved in a 2.5 conversion project.

I've spent a lot of time in his premises and have a fair idea how he works. I travel 55 miles from Tomintoul to get Brian to service my cars, even my runarounds, when I could get them done much closer. He is straight, knowledgeable, honest, and, sometimes, grumpy, but hey nobody's perfect He specialises in performance stuff because he's an enthusiast that loves fast cars. His premises are not large enough to keep a big number of cheap cars. He has to tolerate all sorts of tyre kicking, test pilots that most people wouldn't trust with a Tonka toy let alone an Sti or Evo. When he's really busy, which is most of the time, it's sometimes difficult to sort out everybody on a first encounter.

"His cars are overpriced" Like a lot of stuff on here this is just an opinion. When you buy a car from BDCS you are buying into a package; one which includes the possibility of a trade-in, a warranty, local servicing at very reasonable rates, the knowledge that he will not sell you a pup or anything that's bent. For most ethusiasts this sort of car is a serious investment that they can't afford to gamble with. He spends a lot of time buying good examples of any given model. He is too honest to "service" things that don't need replaced but conscientious enough that he doesn't skip things that should be checked. He's available at all sort's of times of day & is very obliging when a problem crops up. If you have no trade-in then I'm sure he will deal a little like anyone in the trade. Beyond that his aftermarket parts knowledge is extensive & he has no issues with supplying & fitting whatever exotic parts your heart desires providing they are going to work.

If my experience is anything to go by you won't regret buying a car from Brian and he's certainly worth persevering with. Please don't judge only on the basis that someone has seen or can supply "exactly the same, elsewhere"

Edited September 26, 2007 by callum

[Clubbi]

I first started dealing with BDCS when I had a problem with my 2002 Sti. This car was an ex Iain Litchfield demo car (bought privately by me), which had been modified by Litchfield and then tinkered with by the 2nd owner (I was the 3rd). The e/m light was coming on intermittently and despite the best efforts of Iain Litchfield and Powerstation Cheltenham (I drove there to have it fixed, they remapped it and problem returned a week later). That lot cost me over a grand between fuel/hotel/remap etc.

I asked Brian to service the car and he said he would have a look at the e/m light issue. He found a cut wire in the loom beside the ECU, obviously done by mistake by someone at Powerstation when the car was originally chipped (Dastek). That fixed the problem. He took the time to take the ECU out and spread the wires out. He did not charge me for this. Thats the thing with Brian, he gives a sh-t about the cars - he is an enthusiast who lives and breathes Subaru's/Evo's etc. At that point I had not bought one car from Brian Downie, by now I have bought five and the after sales service has been superb and very cheap.

As regards cars being over priced, well my experience shows me that he will do you a deal if you are serious about what you have and what you want. The low cost of servicing and his knowledge of aftermarket parts more than make up for any perceived higher pricing - and as the poster above states thats a subjective thing.

Is he grumpy? If I had to put up with all those chavvy time wasters who turn up in beat up old £500 Novas/Corsas/Pug106's looking to test drive a 20k Sti or Evo and have no chance of insuring these cars let alone buying them, then some days I would be grumpy too! Thats happening when he is taking time to prepare a car for someone working to a deadline.

Its very simple. He is completely out the door work wise, booking cars in about a month ahead of time now - but can always fit in a breakdown issue for you. You dont get to be that busy where he is (in the country) by doing bad work. And if he aint Mr Personality all the time, well hey neither are any of us - what do you want - quality work done at reasonable prices by someone who cares about your motor or some smiley salesman who wont remember you and wont honour his promises.

Brian is honest, has amazing knowledge of Scoobys/Evo's and performance cars generally. As Poster above states you buy into more than a car with Brian - I know if I have a disaster with my car - he will help me out - others dont. I will only deal with BDCS for my cars - and not just Scoobys either.

[craig mac]

Cars are well over priced low milage or not!!!

Are you looking for a classic or a newage?

[callum]

Cars are well over priced low milage or not!!!

Hi Craig, Your attitude towards Brian & his pricing surprises me and not for the first time

Not saying you're old but you've got as much grey hair as I have As a mature user & someone who appears to run a successful business I would have thought your attitude to pricing would have been different. Presumably you understand small business finances and appreciate that the overheads are often disproportianately high yet need covered. Advertising, insurance, rates, etc all eat huge chunks out of any "profit". If you consider the number of hours that most self employed people, including Brian, put in then the hourly rate is shocking. There has to be another motivation for doing it and it's generally enthusiasm.

Do you think that if Brian was making a fortune he would still be putting up with all of the disturbance, inconvenience and general mayhem around his house? I think not; he would have some nice plush premises in town and peace & quiet at home.

I am absolutely certain that my overall motoring costs would be consideably higher if it wasn't for Brian. Anyone who overlooks the whole picture when purchasing a performance car is, imho, being naive. I appreciate & am perfectly willing to pay for his honesty, reliability & knowledge. Most of all I know that when I put my car there I will not be getting charged exorbitant rates for some snotty nosed kid to treat my car like sh*t.

Fortunately we can all still choose

[Clubbi]

I'm with Callum here.

I had prev dealt with the dealers in abdn, labour 3 yrs ago was circa £60/hr plus VAT - and that was for poor quality service.

I honestly reckon my servicing costs are less than half what they used to be. On top of that the quality is much better - he works with you - will lend you a set of wheels whilst you get yours refurbished etc etc.

For me its a complete no brainer, he is the best in the Aberdeen area by a mile.

Callum - that your black sti sits at kemnay? Whats next for that big power beast - I would love to hear it run sometime?

[craig mac]

I had prev dealt with the dealers in abdn, labour 3 yrs ago was circa £60/hr plus VAT

I am not having a dig at all, this is only from my experiance

All i said was and is imho his cars are over priced, small business or not regardless of overheads.

As for £60/hr plus vat!!! Ouch

What sort of hourly rate does BD charge? I am unaware of his service charges as i too am of the opinion that regardless of who you are, he can be difficult to deal with and a little disgruntaled to say this least when it comes to attitute.

However that is only my opinion, and having been around scoobs and or the scoob scene for over 10 years, i have yet to hear someone have pleasent dealings with the afore mentioned.

Its good to hear some one has good relations with them as it is for all businesses.

So please furnish us with the info of his hourly rates etc

As already said we can all choose, and your reputation goes bvefore you in what is a very small world of "reliable" scooby garages in this area

[craig mac]

Hi Craig, Your attitude towards Brian & his pricing surprises me and not for the first time

Callum, Remind me when i have mentioned Brian Downie on this forum EVER?

[callum]

Callum, Remind me when i have mentioned Brian Downie on this forum EVER?

Craig, Despite trying the search function I can't find the for sale thread that you posted when you were selling your tuned Sti V8/9? I'm fairly sure there was a reference/comparison in there. Hey, no problem about me apologising if I'm wrong!

"Callum - that your black sti sits at kemnay? Whats next for that big power beast - I would love to hear it run sometime?"

Yes Ian, that's my Sti in Brian's garage Or should I say my Meccano kit. I'd love to hear it run sometime too Brian has been an absolute star over that project. I keep moving the goal posts and he keeps working with me rather than chucking me out like he should have done ages ago. Next is braided brake hoses throughout when the rear AP's go in along with some 114.3PCD hubs. ABS is coming out at the same time. Then, finally the 2.5 engine which is decorating my workshop can get reinstalled. LOTS still to do but all good fun! However, none of it would have been possible without Brian's patience and good humour