£75 +vat OPC hourly rate for cars over 7 years old

[HazleyPayne]

Hi

Just found out my local dealer ( Hatfield) have reduced their hourly rate to £75 +vat for cars over 7 years old. That includes my 2005 997 which I think is a good deal as the local independent is charging £72 +vat.

Not sure if all OPC have this offer but thought it worth telling everybody.

[marky911]

I'll stick to my friendly Indy at £40 per hour or £200 per day for me.

I'm not bring funny though, cheers for the heads up. I'm sure some will find it useful and I agree it's ok pricing from an OPC.

[mrdemon]

I pay £35 inc vat !

OPC at £90 is not really great value is it ESP the day rate.

[otolith]

When dealers offer a lower labour rate for older cars, you have to question how they can justify their standard rate.

[drmark]

otolith said:

When dealers offer a lower labour rate for older cars, you have to question how they can justify their standard rate.

Because they have huge overheads. The lower rate is simply to a carrot to owners they traditionally lose to indy sector, not a reflection of their margins.

[Paza3]

Swindon OPC do the same I think , as they price matched indy on service costs. £35+Vat is an amazing rate!

[mrdemon]

Inc vat :-)

But no one should be more than £60+ vat imo for a car mechanic that's still a nice day rate for longer jobs.

[POORCARDEALER]

mrdemon said:

Inc vat :-)

But no one should be more than £60+ vat imo for a car mechanic that's still a nice day rate for longer jobs.

29 quid an hour plus the vodka is super cheap

[Trev450]

They tempt you in with a lower labour rate and then hit you with the "it needs new discs, tyres, etc" routine.

[SunDiver]

I don't mind going to the OPC for my 993. Prices don't seem that much more, though I don't do big miles in it so that helps. Usually it's somewhere between 200-500 for a service and the experience has always been positive.

And...I get a brand new Porsche for the day as courtesy car, which is always interesting. Usually a Boxster or Cayman but I've had a Panemera once and a 911 (non-S) once. It'd cost as much as the service to hire one for the day and I look forward to the experience of trying out the modern ones.

[pcn1]

SunDiver said:

I don't mind going to the OPC for my 993. Prices don't seem that much more, though I don't do big miles in it so that helps. Usually it's somewhere between 200-500 for a service and the experience has always been positive.

And...I get a brand new Porsche for the day as courtesy car, which is always interesting. Usually a Boxster or Cayman but I've had a Panemera once and a 911 (non-S) once. It'd cost as much as the service to hire one for the day and I look forward to the experience of trying out the modern ones.

But do the main dealers have any spanner men who remember the "older" cars and how to look after them ?

[Crimp a Length!]

pcn1 said:

SunDiver said:

I don't mind going to the OPC for my 993. Prices don't seem that much more, though I don't do big miles in it so that helps. Usually it's somewhere between 200-500 for a service and the experience has always been positive.

And...I get a brand new Porsche for the day as courtesy car, which is always interesting. Usually a Boxster or Cayman but I've had a Panemera once and a 911 (non-S) once. It'd cost as much as the service to hire one for the day and I look forward to the experience of trying out the modern ones.

But do the main dealers have any spanner men who remember the "older" cars and how to look after them ?

Absolutely........probably be a spotty youth trying to plug a lap top into a 3.2 or looking for Rad leaks on it .

[otolith]

drmark said:

otolith said:

When dealers offer a lower labour rate for older cars, you have to question how they can justify their standard rate.

Because they have huge overheads. The lower rate is simply to a carrot to owners they traditionally lose to indy sector, not a reflection of their margins.

It's obvious why they offer the lower rates, however their overheads are not reduced when serving less well off customers.

[Crimp a Length!]

I'll stick with me Indy, more personal experience 35-40/hour and my guys talk me through everything with you whilst car is on ramps and don't do anything for the sake of it.

[Storm996]

Trev450 said:

They tempt you in with a lower labour rate and then hit you with the "it needs new discs, tyres, etc" routine.

+1

[SunDiver]

pcn1 said:

SunDiver said:

I don't mind going to the OPC for my 993. Prices don't seem that much more, though I don't do big miles in it so that helps. Usually it's somewhere between 200-500 for a service and the experience has always been positive.

And...I get a brand new Porsche for the day as courtesy car, which is always interesting. Usually a Boxster or Cayman but I've had a Panemera once and a 911 (non-S) once. It'd cost as much as the service to hire one for the day and I look forward to the experience of trying out the modern ones.

But do the main dealers have any spanner men who remember the "older" cars and how to look after them ?

Not all of 'em. But many do. And to be honest, if it's a stamp in the book and changing the oil, the OPC can manage that. If I wanted an engine rebuild, oil leaks fixed or the suspension changed, I'd be off to an indie...:-)

[drmark]

otolith said:

It's obvious why they offer the lower rates, however their overheads are not reduced when serving less well off customers.

Of course not but the OPs point is a bit like asking why pubs offer happy hours, or special deals for the over-65s, and suggesting drinks / food always be at the lower price. It is about maximising the return on your overheads.

Edited by drmark on Sunday 27th July 15:33

[mollytherocker]

Crimp a Length! said:

Absolutely........probably be a spotty youth trying to plug a lap top into a 3.2 or looking for Rad leaks on it .

[Rockster]

otolith said:

When dealers offer a lower labour rate for older cars, you have to question how they can justify their standard rate.

Not sure it brings to mind any question about justifying the rate. I suspect the lower price is an attempt to bring in service/repair business from owners of older cars.

I can't speak to the situation in the UK but some Porsche service departments I've been in and around here in the USA (admittedly a very very small number compared to number of dealers total, but still I think a representative sample) are not that busy. New car prep doesn't require much time and there's not much warranty work and relatively new cars do not account for much shop time, so what is left is to entice owners of older out of warranty cars, cars that are starting to or going to need not only servicing but possibly repairs, in order to keep the shop busy.

[otolith]

The obvious answer is that they are charging as much as they think any particular market will tolerate. Which is fine, "because you suckers are willing to pay it" is the oldest justification there is, but you don't often hear it admitted.