Wheeler Dealers : Occasions à saisir

Rarely do shows about often dry topics like car repair resonate with so many people, but it's clear that the British-produced "Wheeler Dealers" hits precisely this mark. With its simple, average-guy approach to buying, repairing, and selling used cars, it conveys an equally simple encouragement to the non-mechanic that anyone with a wrench and a bit of ambition can tackle most repair jobs.

Mike Brewer and Edd China make the perfect tandem of street buying smarts and mechanical know-how that has allowed them to turn a profit on nearly every car they've taken on. Mike's vehicle knowledge combined with his folksy yet hard-charging sales smarts makes you think he could sell venom to a cobra and make the cobra think it was his idea. China's vast yet understated knowledge of the mechanicals combined with his easy-going "let's get cracking" attitude shows how simple many seemingly daunting repairs can be. Obviously, some repairs require tools and resources beyond the scope of many do-it-yourself types, but the mere notion that nothing is beyond the scope of someone willing to "give it a go" makes Wheeler Dealers an unmistakable winner - even if don't own a single "spanner" (wrench).

Here's hoping "Wheeler Dealers" goes on for many years to come!

Some won't like this show. If you need drama to enjoy your TV, don't watch this. It's drama free. I have enjoyed shows like West Coast Customs, but they play off the drama more than the work on the cars.

This show does spend nearly half the time on looking for a car, buying a car, the final test drive and the sale. I would not mind seeing a bit more of the work on the car, but I do think they do a good job showing the work done - you have to time elapse a lot of stuff to put it into an hour.

There's a great variety of cars on the show. And nearly any work you can imagine on the car - from a routine engine service to a chassis replacement. They do very little customization. What they do is minor. They mainly keep the cars original. Many of the cars are classics! Unlike American garage car shows, they don't spend half their time on in show ads. I enjoy a show like two guys garage, but they spend way less time showing actual work than this show.

Edd China is very meticulous in his work, which is enjoyable to watch. Mike Brewer is perpetually cheerful and optimistic, which I enjoy. Mike overplays the whole 'it just needs a lick of paint, and a bit of work' routine, but it's just a bit of simple comedy - hard to complain about it.

What I like about this show is that, unlike a lot of American shows, it sticks to the point and doesn't invent false drama. VERY refreshing these days.

I loved watching wheelers dealers till Edd China left the show. It wasn't the same and actually just unwatchable with out him. Let's face it he was the star of the show. So if you are going to start streaming it, stream seasons 1-12 then just switch it off.

I have watched nearly every season of this show and thoroughly enjoy it. I tire of Mike quickly, but I know he plays a necessary role and Edd is following up with some fine wrenching of his own. He really shines when explaining the detail of his work. I wish Edd's portion of the show might be extended for another 20 minutes to further explain his technique and ideas. As a shady-tree mechanic, this is the part of the show I find fascinating.

Learning about the variety of automobiles they bring through is a fun and fulfilling experience, but my one jab is that Mike needs to let Edd drive the cars he repairs.

Wheeler dealers is a British motoring show where an used car, that needs a bit of care and love, is bought and mended or sometimes more thoroughly restored and sold afterward, hopefully with a profit. Seems like there are tons of similar shows out there, right? Answer is yes, there certainly are but Wheeler Dealers have some simple touches that makes it stand out the rest.

First of all the cars featured are all somehow special, often referred as modern classics. In this show you will not see any hyper cars and outrageously expensive classics, like Ferrari F40 or rare Talbots. What you are going to find are cars affordable nowadays by most average persons. Cars range from few hundred quid worth Austin Mini to more (but not stupidly) expensive sport cars, like BMW 8. series and Lamborghini Urraco. Earlier episodes had really small budgets but have grown as the series has progressed.

The best part is the way that the work is presented. The emphasis is actually on mending and rebuilding, instead of ridiculous drama that many American shows (American Chopper, Running West Coast Customs etc) sadly feature. The process is pretty detailed and some interesting technical characteristics of each car can be seen. You can actually learn thing or two about the mechanics by watching the show. For me, this is the key point which makes Wheeler Dealers an absolute classic.

The show is presented by Mike Brewer - the dealer and Edd China - the mechanic. Mike buys and sells the cars and tracks down some parts needed and gives some consumer advice while Edd takes care of the car and wonderfully explains everything he does.

Wheeler dealers is not very popular show and is mostly known by real car enthusiasts. As being one myself, I can't really speak for "regular" people but it really is presented in a fun manner, not in Top Gear's way, but even so I think almost anyone is able to enjoy it.

So if you have even a little interest about the technical side of cars, the show is highly recommended. A must for enthusiasts!