OPC Servicing Standards
Discussion
I picked the car up from the OPC yesterday after having the (4 year) major service, brake fluid and spark plugs change plus the 111-point warranty check done. A puncture in one tyre was reported which I've just had sorted at my local tyre place but it was obvious from taking the wheel off to do it that the wheel hadn't been recently removed.
I find it a bit odd that the wheels wouldn't have to come off for either the brake fluid change or the 111-point check. I just wondered what others thought about this and whether they would expect the wheels to be removed for either/both of these two jobs
I find it a bit odd that the wheels wouldn't have to come off for either the brake fluid change or the 111-point check. I just wondered what others thought about this and whether they would expect the wheels to be removed for either/both of these two jobs
DRH986 said:
My Cayman had full OPC service history when I bought it but I'm pretty sure that only one bleed nipple per caliper had ever been disturbed when I bought it with 46k miles at 6 years old. Not good practice in my opinion and an example of why I prefer to maintain my cars myself.
Not good 
Didn't renew my warranty due to multiple failings by OPC - some of which are documented on PH. Excellent specialist who's no further away than the OPC now gets my business. It's not a question of money (although the saving is useful), it's about quality of work and attention to detail.
PorscheGT4 said:
I don't see how they can bleed inner and outter nipples on the calipers, my major was also non wheels off.
But I don't let OPC do my fluid on the brakes, I tend to do that.
They did not even pick up all my brake sensors were cut and twisted together.
The service notes WM 470855 do say that the fluid should be drained on every caliper at both bleeder valves. Surely this can't be done with the wheels onBut I don't let OPC do my fluid on the brakes, I tend to do that.
They did not even pick up all my brake sensors were cut and twisted together.
Bottom line is that all OPCs are just car garages that work on a huge number of cars that don't belong to their staff.
If you listen to any advice, or trust implicitly, any work they do on your vehicle without any form of mechanical knowledge then you're just as likely to have a problem as any other car make owner.
I use OPC only to stamp the book, having found from actual experience that even that level of basic maintenance can be beyond them on an off day, I would never allow them to do something important on my car. Instead I would use a trusted Indie who have as much of an interest in my car and a job well done as I do.
And even these are hard to find.
If you listen to any advice, or trust implicitly, any work they do on your vehicle without any form of mechanical knowledge then you're just as likely to have a problem as any other car make owner.
I use OPC only to stamp the book, having found from actual experience that even that level of basic maintenance can be beyond them on an off day, I would never allow them to do something important on my car. Instead I would use a trusted Indie who have as much of an interest in my car and a job well done as I do.
And even these are hard to find.
On the subject of brake fluid changes...I recently stripped / cleaned / de-scaled the brakes on my car (OPC maintained) and noticed the caps on the inner bleed nipples have never been removed, as its due another fluid change my question to them will be why, the fluid in the inner pistons need flushed out too...is this common practice for OPC's
We are paying a fortune for these services the OPC's are doing the bare minimum it seems...not good enough for cost involved, why are the brakes not stripped and cleaned at each service two years is a long time to run brakes without maintenance.
The brakes on my car have never felt better I will service them myself every year now.
We are paying a fortune for these services the OPC's are doing the bare minimum it seems...not good enough for cost involved, why are the brakes not stripped and cleaned at each service two years is a long time to run brakes without maintenance.
The brakes on my car have never felt better I will service them myself every year now.
When they did my brake fluid recently the outer nipples had been disturbed, didn't check the inners...
Reading threads like this makes me wonder why I bother with opc warranty / servicing, oh well its all paid for the next two years.
The reassurance can be nice but at the same time I can't wait to fit PSS, a Bosch battery and some proper engine mounts.
Reading threads like this makes me wonder why I bother with opc warranty / servicing, oh well its all paid for the next two years.
The reassurance can be nice but at the same time I can't wait to fit PSS, a Bosch battery and some proper engine mounts.
You cannot beat an old fashioned mechanics service…
The regular disappointments from Porsche dealers are main reason I do my own as soon as any warranty has expired.. I always do fluids etc myself along with regular wheels off cleaning. I only ever use OPC when it involves plugging the car into the computer and even then I check the Indy out first…These days Its all about relieving you of folding stuff and if you were getting a good service for the cost then that wouldn't be too bad!!
Its a shame many people put far too much emphasis on a manufacturers service history rather than a good service history!!
I am friends a small trusted TVR specialist who employs very good mechanics whom I trust implicitly to do the work needed on the ramps I can't manage or don't have time for. The rest is about how much you are comfortable with.
i think this isn't just Porsche.. I also have a VW polo which I treat exactly the same way!!
The regular disappointments from Porsche dealers are main reason I do my own as soon as any warranty has expired.. I always do fluids etc myself along with regular wheels off cleaning. I only ever use OPC when it involves plugging the car into the computer and even then I check the Indy out first…These days Its all about relieving you of folding stuff and if you were getting a good service for the cost then that wouldn't be too bad!!
Its a shame many people put far too much emphasis on a manufacturers service history rather than a good service history!!
I am friends a small trusted TVR specialist who employs very good mechanics whom I trust implicitly to do the work needed on the ramps I can't manage or don't have time for. The rest is about how much you are comfortable with.
i think this isn't just Porsche.. I also have a VW polo which I treat exactly the same way!!
Edited by Dollyman1850 on Sunday 26th April 12:06
After reading this I have to give my feedback on the service I received from OPC East London during my 3 years of 996 turbo owner ship
My car was serviced and maintained meticulously by them, don't get me wrong the first time it went in the bumper was fixed slightly out of line, I pulled it and it was put right straight away, from that point on the car was treated like royalty, and the service was faultless, if I ever own another Porsche, sorry I should say when, I will not hesitate to go back to OPC East London.
Just for the record the advisor I dealt with was Neil Sutton, great bloke and very helpful.
My car was serviced and maintained meticulously by them, don't get me wrong the first time it went in the bumper was fixed slightly out of line, I pulled it and it was put right straight away, from that point on the car was treated like royalty, and the service was faultless, if I ever own another Porsche, sorry I should say when, I will not hesitate to go back to OPC East London.
Just for the record the advisor I dealt with was Neil Sutton, great bloke and very helpful.
I tend to avoid the OPC now my GT3 is more than 10 years old. But when I had a 996 C4S I was advised by an OPC not drive the car otherwise I will destroy the gearbox because I had N1 tyres on the front and N2 on the back... At the same service they said I needed to change both water rads because they were leaking - it was in fact one of the air-con rads. And many years ago they dented my 964 and denied it. Mind you an independant returned that same car after a service with no oil in it... but he is no longer in business. So it is all about trust, I only use smaller independents where you can build a relationship with the mechanics and trust their advice.
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