Service Time - 997 GTS

[c4sman]

That time of year is arriving soon. I'm in Surrey and have had what seems to be a good price quote form Porsche Byfleet service centre. The car is under Porsche warranty, 4 years old, 16k miles and due a major service with plugs and brake fluid (if I want all of the warranty to stay in force).

Anyone used Byfleet and feel good or bad about their experience?

[D16RR_Rich]

Out of interest his did their service price compare with Guildford OPC and Reading OPC?

Thanks

[c4sman]

Quite a bit cheaper than West Sussex. Waiting for Guildford to ring me back and haven't tried Reading due to distance, although I used to use them all the time when I bought a brand new 987 S and with a 997.1 S

[D16RR_Rich]

c4sman said:

Quite a bit cheaper than West Sussex. Waiting for Guildford to ring me back and haven't tried Reading due to distance, although I used to use them all the time when I bought a brand new 987 S and with a 997.1 S

Interested as my 997.2 turbo will need servicing soon

[Cobnapint]

I've bought a couple of 911's from Byfleet with no problems. I think they know their onions, they have a proper service area.

Since March this year, they have been renamed as Porsche Service Centre Brooklands.

[mm450exc]

I use Byfleet (now called Brooklands) to service my GT3. A lot of GT3 owners service there.

I tested quite a few OPC and Byfleet is hands down the best by far!

Most OPC have no idea what they are doing, not thorough, use improper tools for the job and break things....

[c4sman]

Great, car is booked in for next month

[nigestar]

c4sman said:

Great, car is booked in for next month

What is the ballpark cost at Byfleet? Got my 4 year service coming up and Byfleet nearest.

[c4sman]

just over £1k for major, brake fluid and plugs

[r1flyguy1]

D16RR_Rich said:

c4sman said:

Quite a bit cheaper than West Sussex. Waiting for Guildford to ring me back and haven't tried Reading due to distance, although I used to use them all the time when I bought a brand new 987 S and with a 997.1 S

Interested as my 997.2 turbo will need servicing soon

Edited by r1flyguy1 on Sunday 17th May 07:55

[r1flyguy1]

For some reason I can't reply to quotes in this thread, it just posts with allowing me to add text!!

I was wondering if because the word 'turbo' is used the OPC will have a significant mark up on the servicing costs

[c4sman]

I believe there is indeed a mezger tax.

[mollytherocker]

c4sman said:

I believe there is indeed a mezger tax.

Care to expand?

[c4sman]

mollytherocker said:

Care to expand?

GT3's and Turbos attract a higher fixed price service than all Carreras and they both have mezgers.

[Fl0pp3r]

c4sman said:

Quite a bit cheaper than West Sussex. Waiting for Guildford to ring me back and haven't tried Reading due to distance, although I used to use them all the time when I bought a brand new 987 S and with a 997.1 S

I realise OPC's are effectively independent frachises, but i am surprised if Porsche allows servicing costs to vary significantly between them...?

[c4sman]

The franchises can compete. Some OPCs are part of Porsche UK, whereas some are independent and have a little more freedom, particular for older cars.

[hygt2]

r1flyguy1 said:

I was wondering if because the word 'turbo' is used the OPC will have a significant mark up on the servicing costs

Shouldn't be. I was quoted just under £1k for a major service on my 996 Turbo including plugs at OPC East London. If you add brake fluid change then just over £1k sounds about right.

I didn't use OPC in the end as Ken at 9E looks after my car.

[c4sman]

996 has gone onto an older car price list so that OPCs can compete with indies who usually pick up servicing on older cars. Gen 2,997s are not on that discounted price list yet, so your 996 turbo will be significantly cheaper to service than a gen2 turbo for example.

You have demonstrated why OPCs discount on older cars.

[Magic919]

Some Gen 2 997s are on the 5 plus scheme and older ones will get the 7 plus discount soon.

[c4sman]

Well the GTS service at Byfleet/Brooklands is complete. Service was excellent and trouble free at a very reasonable price (less than originally quoted). And I got an added bonus. Normally when I get a modern car service it is a little disappointing when you get the car back as it feels exactly as good as when you put it in the garage (as normally there is nothing wrong with my cars when the service is due). This time under the same circumstances the car came back feeling much better than ever (I have had it about a year). Throttle response in normal mode felt like sports mode and sports mode even better, and it really seems to pull a lot harder than before. Maybe Porsche know what they are saying by forcing you to change the spark plugs at 4 year interval, even if you have only done 16k miles!

A real result and based on the excellent condition report from the the garage, this car is feeling more and more like a keeper.