Ottawa / Eastern Ontario Service Options

[5875]

First post and new to the forum...

I'm likely making an offer on a DeLorean next week (been a life-long dream as most in this forum can relate to). I'm located in Ottawa, ON and wondered if any of the few D owners in my neck of the woods have a place they bring their cars to for servicing? I was thinking about Bruno's Performance on Merivale since they specialize in hot rods and classics, but not sure. I will try to do most of the small jobs myself that aren't too complicated. Being in Ottawa as opposed to the GTA makes servicing in Ohio or DMC Midwest a bit tougher.

Any suggestions?

[Jonathan]

Welcome and good luck on your future car purchase.

I have an unofficial list of DeLoreans in Canada and I see at least eight owners in the Ottawa area. It might be out of date so I would suggest contacting Michael Borthwick via [email protected] and he can help you get in touch with someone. He helps with the club's member lists and will give out an email or name if that owner is okay with him doing so. I'll let you talk with him and figure it out. (Or get on the Facebook page for ODOC and ask there).

I expect one or more of the Ottawa owners can suggest a shop or two. I am not aware of any of them being on this forum though for certain. I personally don't know any shops there and could only give you general mechanic selecting advice, which might be to seek out someone that does Bosch systems or Volvo engines or classics or imports as you said.

Most importantly though, find someone you trust, however it is you determine that. Ask a friend or coworker that knows firsthand they trust someone's work and then go speak to him. It is just a car at the end of the day and most anyone can work on it if they try hard and have patience. Four wheels and a seat more or less. Your mechanic can let you know how important it is to you and treat it as such, but also realize it's just brakes, suspension, exhaust, etc. like every other car. For the DeLorean specific stuff like door adjustments or whatever, then you look around for specific help (like on here!). For the main stuff though, a guy you feel comfortable with is as good as any.

[5875]

Great, thanks for all the info Jonathan. I will e-mail him next week if all goes well.

[17076]

Welcome to Ontario Ownership -- hopefully.

If this deal does not go through I know of two other Deloreans for sale in Ontario. A stainless one in Oakville and a red one in Thunder Bay.
Jonathan is correct that there are several Deloreans in Ottawa. I also have local garage recommendations from some of these individuals.

Michael B
VIN 17076

[5875]

Welcome to Ontario Ownership -- hopefully.

If this deal does not go through I know of two other Deloreans for sale in Ontario. A stainless one in Oakville and a red one in Thunder Bay.
Jonathan is correct that there are several Deloreans in Ottawa. I also have local garage recommendations from some of these individuals.

Michael B
VIN 17076

Thanks Michael! I'll be sure to follow-up with garage recommendations if I'm successful.

Eric.

[5875]

Bought 5875 today!!! Great car, great seller and fair deal for both sides. It was a really fun ride back from the GTA to Ottawa. Completely exhausted right now, but can't wait to dig in my heals!

[Dangermouse]

congrats on ownership :)

[5875]

congrats on ownership :)

Thanks!!!

[17076]

Hey congrats.

Glad the deal went through. I heard about it from the seller just yesterday who was a great ODOC Member.

I know you've got a great car. Please feel free to email me at the address Jonathan provided above so I can get you particulars for the Club.
Assuming you wish to join. Our group is full of amazing folks and many experts on maintaining and fixing Deloreans. No Dues, No Hassles. No Attitudes is our club motto.

There are several Deloreans in your area. I am not sure if the Ottawa chapter has ever officially had a meet but they Do know of each other.

Michael B
17076
ODOC

[Autoboys]

Congratulations on your purchase of 5875,

I'm in Ottawa(Nepean as I like to call it)and just down the street from Bruno's so I'm assuming you are close to me. When I imported my car to Canada in 1988 I brought it to Bruno's for the DOT and they were fine at that time. I'm sure things and staff have changed in 26 years but I haven't heard anything negative about them. I would recommend finding someone you feel comfortable with, I would try dealing with places that know Volvo's like Adria near Bank & Huntclub, Kirt at Young Street Garage( his rates are high but does great work) or Jamie at Import auto in Kemptville(he's honest and is a Bosch service Centre). If you need a hand I can help from time to time. If you don't have a service manual I would highly recommend getting one as this will help in repairs and sometimes trying to diagnose issues. I do all repairs on mine as I enjoy working on it and to be honest they are very easy to work on. There are a few of us in town, two or three in Manotick one near Huntclub and Bank Street another near Orleans and two Downtown that I know of.

If you need help or would like to meet give me a shout. My only other recommendation would be to fill up at Costco(unless you don't mind the celebrity status and picture taking LOL) and be prepared for the crazy Ottawa fans hanging out their windows to look at your Delorean! Hence the reason my wife will not go in the car anymore.

Enjoy your new toy,

Stephane
Vin 2450
[email protected]

[Victor]

Bought 5875 today!!! Great car, great seller and fair deal for both sides. It was a really fun ride back from the GTA to Ottawa. Completely exhausted right now, but can't wait to dig in my heals!

Congratulation.

You might try MGD Auto Repair http://www.mgdautorepair.aaro.ca/

They are experienced with Bosh and europeen car.

I live near Ottawa but haven't went anywhere because I done most of my maintenance myself.

There may be also John Becks in Embrun, who works on volvo. He is a good guy too.

Good luck with your new baby

[5875]

Thanks for all the warm welcomes and suggestions guys - this really helps. I stopped in at Bruno's on the way home, and he's going to do the safety on it hopefully tomorrow. Unfortunately the speedometer doesn't work - which the safety requires. He said if it's just the cable, he can do it on the spot and pass it. Hopefully it's not too difficult a job.

[17076]

Hello Stephane and Victor,

Many thanks for helping out Eric here. I have given him a contact or two as well -- from the 5 Deloreans in Ottawa that are Members of the Ontario Delorean Owners Club. Eric has joined the club and paid all his dues - because we are FREE to join, and will be receiving our monthly email newsletter - the ODOC Update -- which details all the happenings of the Delorean Community in Ontario.

Both of you gentlemen are welcome to join up as well, and Stephane I would be interested in the other Deloreans you wrote of in your note to Eric. No pressure to join up (our motto is "No Fees, No Hassles, No Attitudes") but we'd love to welcome you aboard. Victor I know I have asked you to join a few years ago. The Club is interested in finding out how many Deloreans actually exist in Ontario -- we currently have 69 Owners and ODOC is the largest Delorean Club in Canada... and we are always looking to welcome more.

Of particular interest for you gentlemen might be the Ontario Tech Days we organize that have been attended by the Staff of DMC Midwest as well as Delorean Performance Industries.... excellent sources of info far better than any local garage when it comes to our cars.

Please feel free to contact me if you wish to join up or find out more about ODOC

Michael B
VIN 17076
Ajax, Ontario

[Victor]

Another garage that is very honest is Scandinavian auto. Karl is friendly and always offers his help over the phone. They know about saab & Volvos. They are expensive but efficient.

I personally like to do most of the mechanical work on my cars. The Deloreans are quite easy mechanically. I did the clutch last month and it was relatively easy. I say relatively, considering I had only a jack and little stands (chandelles). I add moly compound (motorsport) to the tranny fluid and now it shift so smoothly!