I had what looks like a g'box failure Saturday morning on the way to the run right as I got off the Harb Bridge. Luckily managed to stop at a safety strip.

Anyways called the doc for advice and then tried to fix it right there (still didnt know what it was) over the next few hours. I dissasembled the gear lever, removed remote, and pulled out the selector shaft and clamp and it was obvious its much more serios. So had no choice but to call the tow truck. I've used this guy before a few times and he kinda reminds me of myself coz he's always late - but he's an ok guy for a towie. Though this time it wasn;t funny - called him about 1pm, he's like "ok 1/2 hour I gotta drop this car". I'm thinking to myself "more like an hour and a half" but thats ok. But two hours later I call him and he says "I''m in the city - on my way to you". Ok another hour and a half pass, I call him again and he says "oh sorry I made a mistake, thought I can put you on the back, but you can't put a mini on the back, gotta go to Leichardt first to offload this car". So four and a half hours after the original call he finaly arrives, and starts grabing my door cards with his oily grimy gloves (the front wheel are permanently locked so we had to manualy slide the car into position and then off the truck).

Considering that I was sitting on the freeway for six hours all up, no food no water, and haven't slept or eaten that night to get the the run and had another shift at 9pm (you can hear my small violin playing just for me), and the car was screwing me after a major rebuild, I was pretty pissed off. But even though I was gonna kick his arse, I didn't, thinking I might have to use him again.

I mean I intend to get another towie every time I use him, but then I'm kinda intent on not needing a tow anymore every time. But then something absolutely f'ed up happens out of the blue (like loosing half my oil through the timing cover, or locking a newly rebuilt box on the freeway) and he's the only one who's number I've got.

I'm always meaning to get an NRMA membership, but never do. If I can afford to keep the car this time (depending on the cost of another engine pull out to fix the box vs uni bills) is it a good idea to get one? Are they any good for towing? would they still charge me for a tow if I'm a member (say from Crows Nest to Coogee like this time)?

Also just wondering are all the tow truck drivers like that usualy? or can I find better at a reasonable price? Coz I'll still have to tow the car to my mechanic to take the engine out to have a look at the box (a ban from father on any major work at home or I'm out - or more like a ban from the stepmother) and I'd feel like a fool if I went with him again.

Depending on the level of membership, NRMA won't tow you more than 25km at best without cost. And they won't tow you anywhere from your house - it has to be a "genuine" breakdown. They usually insist on sending a patrol car first before the towie on the basis that your diagnosis could be wrong and they may be able to get you going again without needing a tow even if you are adamant about needing a tow (ie my gearbox is locked solid). So you could still be waiting on the side of the road for four hours.

Sounds like you may be better off finding a few more tilt-tray operators numbers and putting them into your phone. KB

My experience with NRMA has been good. Last time we needed a bloke to come out it took all of about 30 mins which was not bad since we were up in the middle of nowhere. Not all the towies are the same Mike. Last time I had a break down it definately didn't take 4 hours for them to come...

I JUST joined (well renewed actually) NRMA like 2 days ago and you can get the package for towing up to 50kms... anyway 25kms is heaps far, crows nest to coogie can't be more than 15kms???

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

I think NRMA are good got my Mini going a couple of times once I was out the middle of the bush basically and as for the towing. I threw a valve in my old Mazda 808 in Bondi (had the 50km towing membership at the time). The towie turned up in an hour and took it no worries.

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225hp atw on 14psi. 1/4 Mile no idea. Take one 1971 Mini Clubman, one Starlet GT Halfcut, Simmer over a warm MIG Welder, and Voila Minstar! www.mpdesign.id.au

NRMA is fantastic...

I have had a tow about a million times with my mini's...

Only charge when you go over 30 or 60k's depending on the plan your with...

even if you go over the distance its usually pretty cheap rate anyway...

Hmmm tow truck drivers are usually late up to a hour... 6 hours is a tad bloody insane thou.. (hope you got it for free)

They don't send a guy out if you know whats wrong.. I just tell them diff or gearbox is broken I need a flat bed..

only ever get a flat BED..

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Baracade
Relationships! The only time you get to sleep with the enemy!
1972 US Export Moke in Bundaberg QLD

They're not towtruck drivers because they excelled at school.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

when i first got my mini one of the hydro bags busted so i rang up nrma and asked for a flat bed and the sent the other piece of crap truck that lifts the rear of your car.

anyway the mini was really lowbecause no hydro fluid so he didnt hook it up properly and abot 20 metres from my house we hear this bang it had come loose and ripped my rear beaver panel off. he was pissed told me to get a real car and everything else.

but moral to the story is nrma broke it so it went to coffs harbours best panel beaters and a new one was put on which turned out great because the old one was rusted out.

but all in all nrma are great for roadside.

sorry for the large reply im stuck inside today because im sic.sorr.

harley

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67' Matic
73' S

Good to see some great feedback on NRMA. I have a lot of freinds who work in the sydney office and they are genuinely nice people. I'll make sure to pass the message on

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Was a member for over 10 years with no complaints, only ever needed 1 tow and that was on the poor old HQ after it spat a rod through the sump coming up the mountain from the Gong , still made it all the way to the nearest phone at waterfall though, that was one tough old girl

Been a member for a while and its damn expensive, but they do give good help

Never had a problem with the roadside assistance.

Duc's Moke broke down a while back and we joined him under my name on the spot, got a truck out (was at windsor on Sunday so took four hours though) and then they shipped the Moke back no dramas. Didnt send a patrol car. I told them not to bother. If you let them nkow you dont think that anything will fix it (as it is with Ducs Moke.. ah ha) then they just send a tow truck.

Damn nice guy too. Wish I got his number to tell NRMA after.

Yeah one free tow with the nrma will pay for you membership.
I used to have the plus membership and had the car registered in
the country so when the car needed a new gearbox i got a hire car and accomodation because officially i was not at home and on holidays.
im sure i had the hire car a week and accomodation a couple of days.
well worth it.
I must get it again now im going to have a mini on the road again.
unit

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Cooper S Mk 2

6 Hours for some one you knew
NRMA..I have expressed my disatisfaction on No Real Mech Availble before but not going in to it...Except...My wife was stranded in Bankstown in Morris..turned out to be the Points had closed up but the service Man was unable to locate the problem. Sue had to wait 2 hours to get towed home.

In saying this Recently the Head gasket went and a road sevice Man did the Bushies compression test...Told My wife "you have less compresstion in 1 & 2 Cylinder"....What do you think Sue Said..."Ow the heads gasket gone then"...I would loved to seen his face

Morris is still with Road side service for the fact that the Tow can be handy if I'm not avalible to give her a hand or I'm unable to do a tempary fix it
NRMA do give good service Most of the time and they have thier place and for many people
I also Believe MTA also do the same National

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

Been an NRMA member since 1972. Any time I needed road service or a tow (many moons ago my poor old EJ holden blew two diffs and two motors- defective parts!!! )they were always reliable.When my Lux is registered it will be on their books.

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68 Deluxe. All the Options and Mods. Bling-Bling.

Oh it was "only" 4 hours. 6 was all togehter including my repair attempts, talking to the g'box nicely trying to convince it there's no point in screwing around, and then treatening the engine and then weeping in histerics against the front wheel, and talking to the g'box a bit more

But yea, this guy is gooone, hes a pain in the arse. I atleast have one or 2 arrivals on time recorded to my name. But this guy's been late by many hours every single time. I guess fool me once something something, fool me six or more times something something else (cant realy remember how the saying goes). oh yeah "shame on me"

I dunno if I can afford to keep the car, but if I do then it NRMA in and him out.