Lies...*********...Rogues

Please, please, please people of South Africa and anywhere else in the world, don't be fooled by the professional looking LDR website coz it's a Big lie. L stands for Lies, D stands for ********* and R stands for Rogues. The positive reviews are most probably reviews from their associates, friends, family and LDR employee's or individuals that happened to have luck on their side when dealing with LDR management or even individuals that are rewarded in some way or another to post good reviews. The mechanics are unskilled to semi-skilled and were probably working on bicycles, household generators or **** eater motors, prior to being appointed as vehicle mechanics at LDR.

My terrible experience with LDR unfolded as follows:

I needed a complete N52B25 engine for a Bmw e90 323i and contacted Divan in Cape Town which he confirmed he had in stock, and that it was thoroughly checked and tested and was in very good condition with only 88000 km's. He sent me a video of the engine. He told me to pay R5500 into the company's bank account in order for him to courier it to the Pretoria (Booysens) branch. I deposited the money. They confirmed that it was reflecting in their bank account. After 5 days I enquired from Divan whether he had couriered the engine, which he confirmed. I took the vehicle to the Pta branch where Llewellyn is based to have the engine from Cape Town fitted. I received a call from the branch after 2 days informing me that my vehicle didn't have a engine problem but that the oil cooler needed to be replaced which they charged me R3500 for, although this part costs about R800 at Goldwagen. They said that I could collect the vehicle on the Friday. I went there hoping to collect the vehicle but it was not ready because the so called "mechanic" was still "busy" on the vehicle and I was then told that the radiator was leaking and needed to be replaced which I found rather strange as my original radiator didn't show signs of any leak prior to taking the vehicle to LDR but I nevertheless agreed to the replacement at a cost of R2000. I was conveniently charged 5500 for these repairs which included the labour. I went back the following day (Saturday) to collect the vehicle. I requested the diagnostics report which they claimed to have done, but to this day, I haven't received it. On my way back to Jhb, I realised that the vehicle was underpowered and was having a problem with the water and cooling system. I informed LDR management about the problem and was assured that they would collect the vehicle the next week, which they did. I was then informed that the cylinder head gasket needed replacing. I then arranged with LDR management to deliver the vehicle back to my place in Johannesburg so that I would take it to a reputable workshop, because LDR could not even provide me with a diagnostic report. On arrival of the vehicle in Jhb, I realised that the rear bumper was damaged, the boot sensor housing was damaged and the battery had been removed from the boot where it is normally positioned because the driver Dillon explained that the vehicle he was using to pull the trailer had a battery problem, so he had to use my battery. We could not start my vehicle because the boot was now locked and there was no power to unlock the boot. I refused to take delivery of the vehicle in this unacceptable condition and decided to send the vehicle back to Pretoria for them to fix these issues. After a few days they informed me that they had sorted out the problems I was not happy about and that I must collect the vehicle because they were refusing to deliver the vehicle to me. I had heated arguments with Roman and an arrogant Rudi as Llewellyn was not available. I then paid another towing company that was referred to me by Llewellyn to deliver the vehicle in Jhb.

I took the vehicle to another reputable workshop for diagnostics and a thorough vehicle inspection and this is when I realised that my car had been used as a spares shop for another vehicle while it was at LDR Pretoria (Booysens). The following parts from my car were swapped: The oil cooler housing, the VVT Eccentric sensor, the water-pump , the hydraulic valve lifters, the air-flow sensor, the gearbox undercover, the tappet cover (Cracked, the Vanos solenoids, the timing chain, the engine covers and a more than half tank of fuel had disappeared (twice). I realised that my car parts had been swapped from my vehicle to repair the other white Bmw e90 (NU registration) while my vehicle was at LDR Pretoria. I strongly believe that the engine that I had put down a deposit for was actually sold to another client and maybe even to the very same e90 owner with a NU registration. It has just crossed my mind that I must actually confirm my engine number because these guys at LDR are capable of doing anything. My original radiator was also replaced with a damaged radiator and not even fitted properly. After numerous heated telephonic arguments, I was refunded R3500 but this would not cover the costs for the parts that were taken from my car to fix the other e90. In a nutshell, LDR should be seen as a No-Go business. These guys are damn ********* & heartless and don't see the bigger business picture. I will never refer anyone to this place even if it was the last place on earth for vehicle engines, gearboxes or any other vehicle repairs. I'm consoled by the fact that I am on the verge of bringing in the media to nationally expose these shrewd guys on television and all newspapers, besides consulting the Ombudsman. *****, *********, Rogues, your work and business ethic is despicable. Let's see how you will handle the heat that's on it's way to you.!!! From Mervin Lu****