Wheeler Dealers

coffeehound

It’s been around a while and no doubt already been discussed a lot. I’d be interested to know what people here think of it.

Talking as a recent viewer, I feel a bit torn as on the one hand it is very educational and instructional and will encourage people into restoration as a hobby or career. But on the other hand it seems they are often making it look easier than it really is, cutting out a lot of the negative aspects of restoration and modding. Do you think it is very realistic?

loskie

Totally unrealistic but enjoyable and interesting none the less. They don't factor in labour costs and still only make a minuscule profit.
Ed China does come across as skilled, knowledgeable and genuine but Mike Brewer comes across as a bit of a fud.
The buyers are also often oh so fake.

lewishardwick

Since Ed left its not as good.

Can encourage owners to do a bit more advanced work on their (older) cars.

People need to bear in mind they have access to professional tools, no labour rates, and be ability to haggle with a camera crew applying extra pressure.

fatbelly

I really enjoyed the earlier series, learning more from Edd's bits than Mike's. But it started to go downhill when they moved the series to America, then Edd left, and I haven't really got into Ant's contributions in the recent series, except to note that if you close your eyes he sounds like Gryff Rhys-Jones.

forgotmyname

Not watched it since Ed left.

I knew someone that bought a Range Rover really really cheap because it made an awful noise. Fixed it with just a 50p washer.

Sounds good as long as i forget to mention the entire gearbox needed to be removed and stripped totally to fit said washer.

And the discounts they get, i would imagine walking into the same company and asking for a discount would see you outside the exit quicker than you can blink.

Some interesting cars though, and shows some fixes that may interest some. But they wont show how it took 3 days to remove a nut or bolt and where it all went pear shaped.

Someone did mention a car they showed as being sold turning up for sale, by the company? So the onscreen buyer didnt actually buy it.

twhitehousescat

I laughed at the last american ones with Ed , he started taking the £$%^Y and just blowing money for fun

forgotmyname

The AMC Pacer? How much on the paint and the wrap??

twhitehousescat

and many others in that series , Ed was taking the pee as he knew it was coming to an end , the new guy does not "explain" anything , this is what needs doing , look now its done

in interview Ed said at the start there was just him , paul (the brains behind it) , mike and a camera man , at the end there was a 30 man team of mechanics and a 12 man film crew

product placement is big in america , whoever pays , gets there parts fitted with the big stickers on

PS , from memory 5k US

davemorton

A was put totally off that show when he bought a 3.2 911, one of he main 'buying tips' he gave was check the coolant to make sure it didnt have oil in with the water. Class tip in an air cooled car!!

facade

You can poke holes in anything (like they always seem to fit new tyres and they are never in the costings), but the Ed ones were much better entertainment than the car shows we get now.


Outstanding "huh???" moments for me were:
the Porsche that just needed new oil in the gearbox, that Brewer bought for less than the engine would sell for even though the owner was in the Porsche Owners Club, and not one of them had suggested a £30 oil change.....
The MK2 Jag that they fitted plastic seats to claiming they were leather and "cured" the massive blue smoke from the worn out engine by cleaning the breather...
The SJ that Ed spent days welding a roll cage to without noticing that the body mounts were rusty and it wouldn't MOT...



At least the gimmick was just that Brewer would declare the car was well worth the money and chip the seller down thousands (Somehow I think the car was bought at a different price, and the "sale" was just for the filming)


The stuff on offer now has too much "human interest", backstory and "deadlines".


e.g. "We have only 3 days to restore (=bodge up on the cheap) this car for the terminally ill man, so it can be advertised at the car show and the sale money can go into his estate" (Guess the show)




Fantomworks is quite good though if you like Proper American Cars.

tacpot12

Car Masters: Rags to Riches on Netflix is quite good - a cross between Wheeler Dealers:Trading Up and FantomWorks. The guy running "Gotham Garage" has some great ideas.