997.2 GTS booked in for 4yr service at OPC Chester
Discussion
So my GTS is due for its 4-year service at the end of next month and because it has the extended Porsche warranty it means an expensive trip to the dealers...
Most frustrating really as being the owner of a garage there is nothing that we couldn't do here except give it that all important OPC service stamp in the book! I believe that this is a condition of the extended warranty and the full Porsche history may help come resale time on a car of this pedigree.
So I had a decision to make on which OPC to use as i'm close to both Wilmslow and Chester and have heard / read glowing reports & complaints about both! After speaking with both dealer service departments it was Chester that gave me more confidence and a sharper price (yes I will be taking my own oil as we are a Mobil 1 dealer) so its booked in mid-February for 4 year service including new spark plugs, brake fluid change and a few warranty niggles to be looked at.
On a plus side I get the use of the much rated Macan for a few days (but hope my wife doesn't decide to swap her X5 for one!) whilst its being worked on.
Have others faced a similar dilemma when deciding on which dealer to use and what swayed it for you?
Will keep you all posted once the work has been done...
Most frustrating really as being the owner of a garage there is nothing that we couldn't do here except give it that all important OPC service stamp in the book! I believe that this is a condition of the extended warranty and the full Porsche history may help come resale time on a car of this pedigree.
So I had a decision to make on which OPC to use as i'm close to both Wilmslow and Chester and have heard / read glowing reports & complaints about both! After speaking with both dealer service departments it was Chester that gave me more confidence and a sharper price (yes I will be taking my own oil as we are a Mobil 1 dealer) so its booked in mid-February for 4 year service including new spark plugs, brake fluid change and a few warranty niggles to be looked at.
On a plus side I get the use of the much rated Macan for a few days (but hope my wife doesn't decide to swap her X5 for one!) whilst its being worked on.
Have others faced a similar dilemma when deciding on which dealer to use and what swayed it for you?
Will keep you all posted once the work has been done...
I used Chester for three of my four Porsches over the years. However I had mixed results from them, and the first time they made such a mess of things they felt it necassary to give me a goody bag to apologise. The final straw for me was a bodged Aircon repair. I took it in when it stopped working on my 997 Cab, I told them it had suddenly stopped working, and Sarah (can't remember her last name) in the service department said 'it probably needs re-gassing'. But I said I wanted it checked properly and not just re gassing. Picked it up next day and when I tried to use it later that day it was the same. I'd paid £200 to re-gas it. I took it back and it was clear they hadn't checked it properly. They did the second time and found a leaking rad. I said to Sarah when I picked it up that she should refund the cost of the re-gas as they clearly didn't check the system properly but she refused. I even contacted the dealer principle about it and he never bothered to even get back to me. Next year I bought a 911 Turbo from Wilmslow, a sale that would have most likely gone to Chester. But for £200 they lost that sale and all my future custom.
I told Sarah to remove my details from their system and I've had no further contact from them. Pretty disgraceful service for a Porsche dealer really.
My experience with Wilmslow has been excellent overall. I had an issue with one member of their service team but he was gone the next time I went in!
I told Sarah to remove my details from their system and I've had no further contact from them. Pretty disgraceful service for a Porsche dealer really.
My experience with Wilmslow has been excellent overall. I had an issue with one member of their service team but he was gone the next time I went in!
Edited by Isysman on Tuesday 20th January 10:01
SkinnyPete said:
I dont want to say too much on a public forum as I have a complaint outstanding, but its similar theme to the posters above.
Thanks for the comments so far guys although they do call my decision into question. I know there are going to be good and bad reviews for each and guess the proof is trying them out and seeing. I am fastidious with detail so I've emailed my exact requirements to them and will present a work order to them when I drop the car off.My cars previous owner used an OPC for tyres at some point and the centre-locks were over-tightened way above the correct 600NM when I removed them to fit my winter wheels.... hardly inspires confidence!
Ive used Wilmslow for many years and have had good results.
I used to deal with the service manager, Alan, when he was at Tech9 when they were heavy into their racing back in 2007/08. Great Guy and very helpful. He then left Tech 9 for the service manager job at Wilmslow.
If you want to talk technical then you need Stuart from the workshop, he is wonderful.
If i could choose one Porsche Techy to do all my work it would be him.
I did do a simple oil change at Chester OPC a couple of weeks ago but that was only because they could do it that very next Saturday Morning and was £60 cheaper combined with the fact that I could go shopping in the 3 hours they needed it whereas wilmslow I would have had nothing do just sat there.
My main gripe with Porsche is their warranty.
Having experienced the joy of Ferrari warranty with Graypaul coming back to Porsche is always a disappointment. Ferrari have nailed warranties and have the best attitude and service bar none.
They basically approve everything and often offer unexpected good will cover for non warranted items. Intelligent and superbly satisfying experience whereas Porsche are just waiting to say NOT COVERED. They love saying it and usually very early in a conversation.
I used to deal with the service manager, Alan, when he was at Tech9 when they were heavy into their racing back in 2007/08. Great Guy and very helpful. He then left Tech 9 for the service manager job at Wilmslow.
If you want to talk technical then you need Stuart from the workshop, he is wonderful.
If i could choose one Porsche Techy to do all my work it would be him.
I did do a simple oil change at Chester OPC a couple of weeks ago but that was only because they could do it that very next Saturday Morning and was £60 cheaper combined with the fact that I could go shopping in the 3 hours they needed it whereas wilmslow I would have had nothing do just sat there.
My main gripe with Porsche is their warranty.
Having experienced the joy of Ferrari warranty with Graypaul coming back to Porsche is always a disappointment. Ferrari have nailed warranties and have the best attitude and service bar none.
They basically approve everything and often offer unexpected good will cover for non warranted items. Intelligent and superbly satisfying experience whereas Porsche are just waiting to say NOT COVERED. They love saying it and usually very early in a conversation.
It's a few years back but I had my service at Wilmslow and asked them to fix the drivers window as the one touch full open/close didn't work. They called in the day to say the water pump was leaking and would be replaced under warranty. So good service, good info and reassured me. Went to collect it, started it up and was greater by the low coolant warning, drove off and stopped for petrol. They had fixed the window problem but now the window didn't drop the 10mm or so when opening the door.
As for Chester all I can say is that I looked at the 'official used porsche selection' and they were awful. I expect official porsche used cars to be fully prepped and checked before going on sale, not what you don't see won't be repaired.
Not helpful I know, but in the NW there are several specialists.
As for Chester all I can say is that I looked at the 'official used porsche selection' and they were awful. I expect official porsche used cars to be fully prepped and checked before going on sale, not what you don't see won't be repaired.
Not helpful I know, but in the NW there are several specialists.
Having owned 12 Porsches in the last 13 years and living up the road from you Chris, I had the same options many times and here are my thoughts....
Chester - traditionally poor at prepping used cars, although they have since been taken over so maybe have improved in the last 12 months. After purchasing cars from Wilmslow, where their used cars are pretty much indistinguishable form new, I was horrified at what they attempted to palm off on me - and it took 3 attempted collections before we finally got to where I was happy with it. Their service department has always provided excellent service and they are far more open to negotiating on price / providing own oil etc. However I have never had any really complicated repairs carried out, but general service and minor warranty stuff was always carried out efficiently and I haven't suffered any of the 'you need new disks and pads syndromes' even when you don't.
Wilmslow - I haven't used them for a couple of years, but there is good reason. I found with Wilmslow there was huge differences in peoples opinion of them as a dealer and having bought numerous cars from them and had all my servicing done for years there I developed my opinion on why. I really got the feeling that they dealt with people they 'knew' well very differently to the random stranger. When I knew the sales and service managers by first name, and they knew me as a good customer everything was impeccable. However, after an absence from the brand for a year, and my contacts moving on elsewhere - I found them very distant, difficult to deal with and it seemed I was the one always having to chase.
J
Chester - traditionally poor at prepping used cars, although they have since been taken over so maybe have improved in the last 12 months. After purchasing cars from Wilmslow, where their used cars are pretty much indistinguishable form new, I was horrified at what they attempted to palm off on me - and it took 3 attempted collections before we finally got to where I was happy with it. Their service department has always provided excellent service and they are far more open to negotiating on price / providing own oil etc. However I have never had any really complicated repairs carried out, but general service and minor warranty stuff was always carried out efficiently and I haven't suffered any of the 'you need new disks and pads syndromes' even when you don't.
Wilmslow - I haven't used them for a couple of years, but there is good reason. I found with Wilmslow there was huge differences in peoples opinion of them as a dealer and having bought numerous cars from them and had all my servicing done for years there I developed my opinion on why. I really got the feeling that they dealt with people they 'knew' well very differently to the random stranger. When I knew the sales and service managers by first name, and they knew me as a good customer everything was impeccable. However, after an absence from the brand for a year, and my contacts moving on elsewhere - I found them very distant, difficult to deal with and it seemed I was the one always having to chase.
J
c4sman said:
chrisABP said:
so its booked in mid-February for 4 year service including new spark plugs, brake fluid change and a few warranty niggles to be looked at.
Interested to know what your warranty niggles are Chris?Horn push on steering wheel stays in resulting in horn being permanently on! Highly embarrassing the first time it happened so not used the horn for last 2 months!
Wet/greasy inside of windows is something I have had on every Porsche I've owned. Had doors stripped several times under warranty and its never really been fixed. I just carry a microfibre in the door pocket now to keep it clean.
Annoying, but I've just grown to live with it.
Probably not what you wanted to hear
Annoying, but I've just grown to live with it.
Probably not what you wanted to hear
MrTickle said:
Having owned 12 Porsches in the last 13 years and living up the road from you Chris, I had the same options many times and here are my thoughts....
Chester - traditionally poor at prepping used cars, although they have since been taken over so maybe have improved in the last 12 months. After purchasing cars from Wilmslow, where their used cars are pretty much indistinguishable form new, I was horrified at what they attempted to palm off on me - and it took 3 attempted collections before we finally got to where I was happy with it. Their service department has always provided excellent service and they are far more open to negotiating on price / providing own oil etc. However I have never had any really complicated repairs carried out, but general service and minor warranty stuff was always carried out efficiently and I haven't suffered any of the 'you need new disks and pads syndromes' even when you don't.
Wilmslow - I haven't used them for a couple of years, but there is good reason. I found with Wilmslow there was huge differences in peoples opinion of them as a dealer and having bought numerous cars from them and had all my servicing done for years there I developed my opinion on why. I really got the feeling that they dealt with people they 'knew' well very differently to the random stranger. When I knew the sales and service managers by first name, and they knew me as a good customer everything was impeccable. However, after an absence from the brand for a year, and my contacts moving on elsewhere - I found them very distant, difficult to deal with and it seemed I was the one always having to chase.
J
Very helpful thank you. I really struggled to talk to the service department at Wilmslow and found them quite condescending in their answers to my question. When our customers ask for a price on a 4 year service that is what they get - the total price. Wilmslow gave me a price and only when I quizzed them on what was included did they 'ask me' if it needed spark plug change! Then I asked if it included the brake fluid change which it didn't....Chester - traditionally poor at prepping used cars, although they have since been taken over so maybe have improved in the last 12 months. After purchasing cars from Wilmslow, where their used cars are pretty much indistinguishable form new, I was horrified at what they attempted to palm off on me - and it took 3 attempted collections before we finally got to where I was happy with it. Their service department has always provided excellent service and they are far more open to negotiating on price / providing own oil etc. However I have never had any really complicated repairs carried out, but general service and minor warranty stuff was always carried out efficiently and I haven't suffered any of the 'you need new disks and pads syndromes' even when you don't.
Wilmslow - I haven't used them for a couple of years, but there is good reason. I found with Wilmslow there was huge differences in peoples opinion of them as a dealer and having bought numerous cars from them and had all my servicing done for years there I developed my opinion on why. I really got the feeling that they dealt with people they 'knew' well very differently to the random stranger. When I knew the sales and service managers by first name, and they knew me as a good customer everything was impeccable. However, after an absence from the brand for a year, and my contacts moving on elsewhere - I found them very distant, difficult to deal with and it seemed I was the one always having to chase.
J
Chester were at least courteous and precise on the details and price which gave me the confidence to proceed. They were happy for me to supply my own Mobil 1 oil (we are stockists) and gave me a trade rate on the price.
I will report back once the experience is complete....
Chris
We buy all our Porsche parts from them and the parts guys are spot on.
chrisABP said:
Drivers window whenever put down comes back up wet/dirty on the inside - might sound petty but so annoying having to clean the inside every time its put down!
I had this on the Sport Classic and was told there is no fix and no point trying.I asked them to try and it made no difference at all.
I asked them to try again and they said "Chargeable" seeing as we had a go under the warranty once and we will not be able to do any thing better than it is.
Two thick bands of grease up my window every time.
This is where Ferrari would sort it regardless and Porsche back out real quick.
Now into my 4 year of Porsche ownership, I've used Wilmslow solely as it's the closest for service/warranty and they have been pretty good, Laura in the service department has always been great and helped wherever possible I cannot praise her enough to be honest. They haven't necessarily messed anything up as such but somethings have dragged on, parts on back order (not their fault) then wrong parts delivered (but only finding out once my car was in to have the parts replaced) and then forgetting to complete something which resulted in me having to go back again, 3 times for the same job in effect.
I have tried to buy a car from them recently but that didn't progress well and my business went to Bolton which was a pleasant experience so far.
I have tried to buy a car from them recently but that didn't progress well and my business went to Bolton which was a pleasant experience so far.
5517 said:
chrisABP said:
Drivers window whenever put down comes back up wet/dirty on the inside - might sound petty but so annoying having to clean the inside every time its put down!
I had this on the Sport Classic and was told there is no fix and no point trying.I asked them to try and it made no difference at all.
I asked them to try again and they said "Chargeable" seeing as we had a go under the warranty once and we will not be able to do any thing better than it is.
Two thick bands of grease up my window every time.
This is where Ferrari would sort it regardless and Porsche back out real quick.
The door inner where the glass drops on a 911 is 'wet' which is why there's a plastic membrane behind the door trim and drain holes in the bottom of the doors, but certainly in my Cayman that didn't mean I had crap on the windows.
SS7
shoestring7 said:
I can't think of any reason why the normal operation of the windows should coat the glass in grease every time they're used.
SS7
Its a global Porsche problem.SS7
here is a random link on the subject from 7 years ago...
http://www.planet-9.com/987-cayman-boxster-problem...
Edited by 5517 on Wednesday 21st January 12:41
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