Porsche Club - PCGB
Discussion
Are there any benefits to joining http://www.porscheclubgb.com ?
Do you get discounted parts at OPC or more likely Europarts / GSF, and perhaps discounted insurance from the likes of Adrian Flux?
Any other "clubs" or associations worth consideration?
edit: seen this: http://www.porscheclubgb.com/Membership/Benefits.a...
However, is it worth joining??
Thanks
Do you get discounted parts at OPC or more likely Europarts / GSF, and perhaps discounted insurance from the likes of Adrian Flux?
Any other "clubs" or associations worth consideration?
edit: seen this: http://www.porscheclubgb.com/Membership/Benefits.a...
However, is it worth joining??
Thanks
Edited by Xstyle on Sunday 18th December 23:00
Come on over to www.tipec.net £50 for 2 years membership & we get 10% from suppliers, a lot of OPCs etc.
tr7v8 said:
Come on over to www.tipec.net £50 for 2 years membership & we get 10% from suppliers, a lot of OPCs etc.
Yip, I'm a member of TIPEC too. I've saved a lot more than my membership through discounts. But that's not the reason I joined. A club is only any good if you join in, no matter which club. If you just want to get the club magazine and save a few quid, you might not feel the true benefit. IMHO if you attend a few meetings, shows, events and runs then it is even more enjoyable. It's not all anoraks with beards.
Any club is all about its local members. I'm in TIPEC and we have a great bunch of people (North West) and some are now good friends of mine.
You can get out of these clubs what you put in. I wish I had more time to help out with organisation myself but my bloody job stops me being as reliable as I would like to be.
Go to your local monthly get together and see if you fit in.
MTR
You can get out of these clubs what you put in. I wish I had more time to help out with organisation myself but my bloody job stops me being as reliable as I would like to be.
Go to your local monthly get together and see if you fit in.
MTR
mollytherocker said:
You can get out of these clubs what you put in. Go to your local monthly get together and see if you fit in.
MTR
North West notorious for swingers MTR
but have to say PCGB appears in a mess. If I were to join a club, which doesn't leave floaters after a flush, it would be the ATAF6TYGTHCGB.co.uk (Andiroo Thrash a Flat6 Till You Get The Horn Club GB, ),... however till then Tipec for me too, if I ever get round to it 
Just left PCGB after 15 years membership. Sick to death of the club and its poorly organised and expensive events. PCGB is a business and is all about making money. It also has a monetary attachment to Porsche Cars; the interests of the brand trump interest of the members.
At the local regional level there are genuine enthusiasts but they tend to exist despite the central club not because of it. The only event that has been consistently any good through the years has been Porsche Polo and you don't have to be a member to attend.
At the local regional level there are genuine enthusiasts but they tend to exist despite the central club not because of it. The only event that has been consistently any good through the years has been Porsche Polo and you don't have to be a member to attend.
xftdr said:
Just left PCGB after 15 years membership. Sick to death of the club and its poorly organised and expensive events. PCGB is a business and is all about making money. It also has a monetary attachment to Porsche Cars; the interests of the brand trump interest of the members.
At the local regional level there are genuine enthusiasts but they tend to exist despite the central club not because of it. The only event that has been consistently any good through the years has been Porsche Polo and you don't have to be a member to attend.
These sentiments sum it up perfectly. At the local regional level there are genuine enthusiasts but they tend to exist despite the central club not because of it. The only event that has been consistently any good through the years has been Porsche Polo and you don't have to be a member to attend.
Just before the water cooled cars appeared on the scene, the club finances were in a mess so they appointed some guy on a £100k salary to help exacerbate the problem. I presume that Porsche cars were then bailing them out so that was when the interests of the members became secondary.
Sorry - just seen the bit in your post about members benefits. Here are my experiences after years of membership
Publications:
A glossy monthly publication. Almost every month there is a feature about the latest new car from Porsche. There are regional and register round ups and shed loads of adverts. Frankly Porsche & 911 World is far more interesting
Website & Forum:
The website forum is open to non-members as well and you can get some interesting tips from it. The PCGB Members Only Forum is heavily censored by the club and I have heard, but cannot substantiate, that the club has taken disciplinary action against members who have posted certain items.
Regions & Registers:
Keep the club going despite of the central hub that is the vast expense of Cornbury House and its directors not, I suspect, because of it. Here real car enthusiasts get together and do fun and interesting stuff together. Lots of my ex-fellow members told me this was the only reason they remained - friendships at local levels.
Events:
The last few years have seen some really really dreadful events - costly too. I have left because I am not prepared to be ripped off by the club anymore - the club I have already paid membership to belong too but which still invites me to fork out a fortune to attend its annual festival and then get ripped off by caterers, car auction houses and the like. The only event, indeed the best event by a very long way is the Porsche Polo at Kirtlington Polo Ground run by a very nice old boy and his wife if I recall. We will keep attending as it is open to non-members. Low key, friendly, lots to entertain everyone and a really good fun day.
Track Days:
Never done one so can't comment. No reason to doubt that they are not good events.
Motorsport:
Seems to cost the club members a fortune to subsidise club attendance on the basis of corporate image and brand. In fairness I have not been but neither was I attracted to do so as it seemed a fairly eliteist event
Club Shop:
Its good and Jen that runs it is a delightful lady always helpful and fun to chat to. Of course it only sells PCGB branded stuff which, surprisingly, is good value. But of course if you don't belong to the club.... !
Technical Advice:
I am sure it is there but it is vested in individuals in registers not in the club per se. And I have always found that posting on PH elicits as good a response if not better.
Insurance:
Never once got a good deal as a direct result of club membership. Found my own and it was cheaper by a long way. Not saying this is not of benefit to members but simply that by shopping around as an individual you get just as good, if not better, deals.
Publications:
A glossy monthly publication. Almost every month there is a feature about the latest new car from Porsche. There are regional and register round ups and shed loads of adverts. Frankly Porsche & 911 World is far more interesting
Website & Forum:
The website forum is open to non-members as well and you can get some interesting tips from it. The PCGB Members Only Forum is heavily censored by the club and I have heard, but cannot substantiate, that the club has taken disciplinary action against members who have posted certain items.
Regions & Registers:
Keep the club going despite of the central hub that is the vast expense of Cornbury House and its directors not, I suspect, because of it. Here real car enthusiasts get together and do fun and interesting stuff together. Lots of my ex-fellow members told me this was the only reason they remained - friendships at local levels.
Events:
The last few years have seen some really really dreadful events - costly too. I have left because I am not prepared to be ripped off by the club anymore - the club I have already paid membership to belong too but which still invites me to fork out a fortune to attend its annual festival and then get ripped off by caterers, car auction houses and the like. The only event, indeed the best event by a very long way is the Porsche Polo at Kirtlington Polo Ground run by a very nice old boy and his wife if I recall. We will keep attending as it is open to non-members. Low key, friendly, lots to entertain everyone and a really good fun day.
Track Days:
Never done one so can't comment. No reason to doubt that they are not good events.
Motorsport:
Seems to cost the club members a fortune to subsidise club attendance on the basis of corporate image and brand. In fairness I have not been but neither was I attracted to do so as it seemed a fairly eliteist event
Club Shop:
Its good and Jen that runs it is a delightful lady always helpful and fun to chat to. Of course it only sells PCGB branded stuff which, surprisingly, is good value. But of course if you don't belong to the club.... !
Technical Advice:
I am sure it is there but it is vested in individuals in registers not in the club per se. And I have always found that posting on PH elicits as good a response if not better.
Insurance:
Never once got a good deal as a direct result of club membership. Found my own and it was cheaper by a long way. Not saying this is not of benefit to members but simply that by shopping around as an individual you get just as good, if not better, deals.
Edited by xftdr on Monday 19th December 09:32
"Just before the water cooled cars appeared on the scene, the club finances were in a mess so they appointed some guy on a £100k salary to help exacerbate the problem. I presume that Porsche cars were then bailing them out so that was when the interests of the members became secondary."
Does that have any basis in fact at all? If so please do let us know!
@ xftdr, there is no truth that the members-only forum is censored AT ALL; the only moderation there is minimal and affects only the odd person who consistantly and seriously breaches the forum rules, just the same as here, and no action has been taken against anyone for posting there. The only posts "moderated" over the recent, and very difficult, circumstances were two people's posts that contained allegations that were liable to get them in legal trouble. They were well-informed that it was in their interest that the comments were removed and they are free to post there now.
There's always problems with any organisation the size of PCGB, but it has to be that size in order to have the many benefits. I'd agree with a lot of the comments made here, particularly xftdr's. Like any Club it's only going to be good for you if you use the local Region, use the relevant Register and go to events. There are going to be more cheap, or free, events as the cost issue was accepted and learned from. Many thousands of people love it, the internal issues were sorted out in September and it's moving forward in a far stronger way. Not everyone likes it, of course, so make your own mind up; there's plenty of ways to try it out for nothing.
Oh, Motorsport isn't funded by the members, either. In fact it is self-funded with backing from sponsors.
Does that have any basis in fact at all? If so please do let us know!
@ xftdr, there is no truth that the members-only forum is censored AT ALL; the only moderation there is minimal and affects only the odd person who consistantly and seriously breaches the forum rules, just the same as here, and no action has been taken against anyone for posting there. The only posts "moderated" over the recent, and very difficult, circumstances were two people's posts that contained allegations that were liable to get them in legal trouble. They were well-informed that it was in their interest that the comments were removed and they are free to post there now.
There's always problems with any organisation the size of PCGB, but it has to be that size in order to have the many benefits. I'd agree with a lot of the comments made here, particularly xftdr's. Like any Club it's only going to be good for you if you use the local Region, use the relevant Register and go to events. There are going to be more cheap, or free, events as the cost issue was accepted and learned from. Many thousands of people love it, the internal issues were sorted out in September and it's moving forward in a far stronger way. Not everyone likes it, of course, so make your own mind up; there's plenty of ways to try it out for nothing.
Oh, Motorsport isn't funded by the members, either. In fact it is self-funded with backing from sponsors.
this is always an issue with car clubs- be it aston, porsche, jaguar etc etc.
Those who complain, perhaps its worth asking what you do want from a car club...
...I bet if you ask 20 people wbhat they want from a car club, we'd be lucky if we only got 20 different answers. And thats the problem: no club can cater 100% for everyone, as everyone wants different things.
And it is true that some people want the moon on a stick: a free club with free (yet exclusive) track days with Porsche 962/911GT1 on tap to try, and woe betide the club if the gravel in the car park is the wrong shade of beige. The internet will hear of this!!
Those who complain, perhaps its worth asking what you do want from a car club...
...I bet if you ask 20 people wbhat they want from a car club, we'd be lucky if we only got 20 different answers. And thats the problem: no club can cater 100% for everyone, as everyone wants different things.
And it is true that some people want the moon on a stick: a free club with free (yet exclusive) track days with Porsche 962/911GT1 on tap to try, and woe betide the club if the gravel in the car park is the wrong shade of beige. The internet will hear of this!!
pauljmcnulty said:
"Just before the water cooled cars appeared on the scene, the club finances were in a mess so they appointed some guy on a £100k salary to help exacerbate the problem. I presume that Porsche cars were then bailing them out so that was when the interests of the members became secondary."
Does that have any basis in fact at all? If so please do let us know!
@ xftdr, there is no truth that the members-only forum is censored AT ALL; the only moderation there is minimal and affects only the odd person who consistantly and seriously breaches the forum rules, just the same as here, and no action has been taken against anyone for posting there. The only posts "moderated" over the recent, and very difficult, circumstances were two people's posts that contained allegations that were liable to get them in legal trouble. They were well-informed that it was in their interest that the comments were removed and they are free to post there now.
There's always problems with any organisation the size of PCGB, but it has to be that size in order to have the many benefits. I'd agree with a lot of the comments made here, particularly xftdr's. Like any Club it's only going to be good for you if you use the local Region, use the relevant Register and go to events. There are going to be more cheap, or free, events as the cost issue was accepted and learned from. Many thousands of people love it, the internal issues were sorted out in September and it's moving forward in a far stronger way. Not everyone likes it, of course, so make your own mind up; there's plenty of ways to try it out for nothing.
Oh, Motorsport isn't funded by the members, either. In fact it is self-funded with backing from sponsors.
Paul you have been a loyal and vocal supporter of the club on here for a long time and I do't doubt your personal integrity. Indeed my apologies for the factual inaccuracy of Motorsport and very happy to be corrected on that issue.Does that have any basis in fact at all? If so please do let us know!
@ xftdr, there is no truth that the members-only forum is censored AT ALL; the only moderation there is minimal and affects only the odd person who consistantly and seriously breaches the forum rules, just the same as here, and no action has been taken against anyone for posting there. The only posts "moderated" over the recent, and very difficult, circumstances were two people's posts that contained allegations that were liable to get them in legal trouble. They were well-informed that it was in their interest that the comments were removed and they are free to post there now.
There's always problems with any organisation the size of PCGB, but it has to be that size in order to have the many benefits. I'd agree with a lot of the comments made here, particularly xftdr's. Like any Club it's only going to be good for you if you use the local Region, use the relevant Register and go to events. There are going to be more cheap, or free, events as the cost issue was accepted and learned from. Many thousands of people love it, the internal issues were sorted out in September and it's moving forward in a far stronger way. Not everyone likes it, of course, so make your own mind up; there's plenty of ways to try it out for nothing.
Oh, Motorsport isn't funded by the members, either. In fact it is self-funded with backing from sponsors.
But,
The fact remains that the club is a business first and foremost; and it is a business with a very close relationship with Porsche Cars GB. For example, when Boxster engines started blowing up I recall asking the club register for help with Porsche UK - none was forthcoming.
And I am afraid that I am simply not prepared to give the Club a third chance (and more of my money) after the debacle of Saturday's RAC 50th event. The club finally agreed to refund my entry ticket price to charity but that was after much pushing and threat of taking club to trading standards - with the support of a number of other members as well I should add. I have posted about it on here previously. Ragley Hall and Blenhiem were both very poor events and I hung on hoping that things would improve. They did not.
I keep hearing that the club has magically changed since September. One EGM does not offer any proof of that and in the last edition of PP that I received was a very long winded set of minutes from the EGM which suggested that it was very ill tempered.
When PCGB becomes a car club again and is interested in members not balance sheets and corporate image then i might be interested but frankly it is not worth the money anymore.
Previous posters have suggested you only get from a club what you put in. On a philisophiocal level that may be right. I arranged many regional and register events during my time and they have been fun. But as i said earlier the fun is despite the club hub rather than because of it and pretty much every single time the hub has arranged something like a national event it has been an expensive disappointment. A great many people were unhappy about RAC 50th Saturday yet the PP just had loads of photos of people from the Fri and Sun happily contributing; no mention of the large number of people very angry and disappointed.
Good luck to the club. I hope it changes but to suggest that it has already is I think a stretch too far
Can't disagree with you there, I'd certainly considered my position this year and whether I bothered any more.
Actually the EGM was surprisingly good-natured for the most part, and despite being one of the most vocal petitioners for "change" I was convinced to keep sticking with the moves forward. I think there was a sea change there and complacency won't be accepted from now on.
For me membership is free anyway, the discounts I get on things outside the Porsche benefits are more than membership subs alone. That's not a reason to join something though.
Actually the EGM was surprisingly good-natured for the most part, and despite being one of the most vocal petitioners for "change" I was convinced to keep sticking with the moves forward. I think there was a sea change there and complacency won't be accepted from now on.
For me membership is free anyway, the discounts I get on things outside the Porsche benefits are more than membership subs alone. That's not a reason to join something though.
pauljmcnulty said:
"Just before the water cooled cars appeared on the scene, the club finances were in a mess so they appointed some guy on a £100k salary to help exacerbate the problem. I presume that Porsche cars were then bailing them out so that was when the interests of the members became secondary."
Does that have any basis in fact at all? If so please do let us know!
I was a member of PCGB between ‘94 and 2003, but did not keep copies of the club magazine, but if you know anyone who was around then, I am sure they can show you the relevant stuff. The problems started with the lease of Cornbury House and fitting it out.Does that have any basis in fact at all? If so please do let us know!
All of a sudden, it was announced that this guy had been head-hunted as the club’s saviour on £100k pa; I don’t think he lasted much longer than 1 year, but his CV had sounded good.
Most car clubs that I have been a member of have a bunch of hard-tasked members that do all the graft, usually without thanks, let along 6-figure remuneration, so the events stick vividly in my mind. It did demonstrate that the club intended to be a fully commercial operation. When the mass-produced water cooled cars came along shortly afterwards, I had the distinct impression that some other piper was calling the tune and not the members.
I personally believe that too cosy a relationship exists between Porsche Cars GB, Official Porsche Centres and PCGB. My guess is that you do not see any articles about independent garages or retailers, even though many have a long history with the marque. The club seems more about reinforcing brand loyalty / qualities than meeting the genuine needs of its members, particularly if some conflict of interest arises, e.g. premature engine failure.
Like Paul, I was one of the members demanding the EGM and went to it, left satisfied at its outcomes, one of which was a reduced tie in to Porsche GB.
Clubs are value for money if you can get out of them WHAT YOU WANT.
PCGB is large enough to offer lots of different things, so lots of different people can be satisfied.
I love the local Region (East Midlands for me) and its members and events, the racing and track days, as I also love taking pictures of cars.
I like going to car shows and events and representing both the club and the marque and bantering with the TIPEC guys.
I don't find any problems with any other members, despite having a black wife and driving a tatty old 944.
I joined the club when I bought my first 944 a few years ago and is one reason I still have a Porsche!
There are variations in both clubs on national and regional levels and I would suggest going to your local meetings for both, to see which suits. Its the local group of members who you get along with which will make a club the club for you.
Clubs are value for money if you can get out of them WHAT YOU WANT.
PCGB is large enough to offer lots of different things, so lots of different people can be satisfied.
I love the local Region (East Midlands for me) and its members and events, the racing and track days, as I also love taking pictures of cars.
I like going to car shows and events and representing both the club and the marque and bantering with the TIPEC guys.
I don't find any problems with any other members, despite having a black wife and driving a tatty old 944.
I joined the club when I bought my first 944 a few years ago and is one reason I still have a Porsche!
There are variations in both clubs on national and regional levels and I would suggest going to your local meetings for both, to see which suits. Its the local group of members who you get along with which will make a club the club for you.
This question gets asked every six months or so.
I've been a member for 8 or so years now and my region (lancashire) is excellent. I've done track days with the club, cotswold rally and Le Mans 5 times - all good.
Nationally its a bit of a mess but does seem to be turning the corner, and likes been said, good and bad in all car clubs.
I've been a member for 8 or so years now and my region (lancashire) is excellent. I've done track days with the club, cotswold rally and Le Mans 5 times - all good.
Nationally its a bit of a mess but does seem to be turning the corner, and likes been said, good and bad in all car clubs.
rdjohn said:
I was a member of PCGB between ‘94 and 2003, but did not keep copies of the club magazine, but if you know anyone who was around then, I am sure they can show you the relevant stuff. The problems started with the lease of Cornbury House and fitting it out.
All of a sudden, it was announced that this guy had been head-hunted as the club’s saviour on £100k pa; I don’t think he lasted much longer than 1 year, but his CV had sounded good.
Most car clubs that I have been a member of have a bunch of hard-tasked members that do all the graft, usually without thanks, let along 6-figure remuneration, so the events stick vividly in my mind. It did demonstrate that the club intended to be a fully commercial operation. When the mass-produced water cooled cars came along shortly afterwards, I had the distinct impression that some other piper was calling the tune and not the members.
I personally believe that too cosy a relationship exists between Porsche Cars GB, Official Porsche Centres and PCGB. My guess is that you do not see any articles about independent garages or retailers, even though many have a long history with the marque. The club seems more about reinforcing brand loyalty / qualities than meeting the genuine needs of its members, particularly if some conflict of interest arises, e.g. premature engine failure.
Thanks for that. I guess as it's so long ago it's hardly relevant any more, certainly before my time. All of a sudden, it was announced that this guy had been head-hunted as the club’s saviour on £100k pa; I don’t think he lasted much longer than 1 year, but his CV had sounded good.
Most car clubs that I have been a member of have a bunch of hard-tasked members that do all the graft, usually without thanks, let along 6-figure remuneration, so the events stick vividly in my mind. It did demonstrate that the club intended to be a fully commercial operation. When the mass-produced water cooled cars came along shortly afterwards, I had the distinct impression that some other piper was calling the tune and not the members.
I personally believe that too cosy a relationship exists between Porsche Cars GB, Official Porsche Centres and PCGB. My guess is that you do not see any articles about independent garages or retailers, even though many have a long history with the marque. The club seems more about reinforcing brand loyalty / qualities than meeting the genuine needs of its members, particularly if some conflict of interest arises, e.g. premature engine failure.
I do agree about the compromise between Porsche's support and involvement, for instance the £10 day at the Experience Centre for members was worth the year's subs alone, and the perception of "control". Anyone who's interested in the details of how that's changed only has to ask their Club volunteers, who learned a lot about it in November.
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