Porsche change the goalposts on warranties

[gd]

The short post is that rev range 3 is no longer considered acceptable as of this week, following a decision by Porsche to change the rules.

The longer post...

I purchased a low mileage 997tt from an indie 3 months ago, and to make sure it was OK we had the 111 point check and full major service performed at my local OPC, and with a few minor fixes it passed with flying colours. I was advised of a small number of over-revs in ranges 1-3, but nothing in 4-6, and was told that I could have the Porsche Warranty on that basis... but only in 90 days after another 111 point check.

Roll forward 90 days... it goes in today for the check. They say that everything is perfect, but just before collection they call back to tell me that the RR3 reading is not acceptable now and it neads a leak, compression and oil test. The explanation is that in the last few weeks Porsche have changed the rules, and it went into force 3 days ago.

To say I am unhappy would be an understatement. So far the OPC are being understanding and are doing the tests FoC, and if it passes these tomorrow (fingers crossed!) then we'll all be happy, but I thought everyone else should know just in case you're considering some used pork with the objective of getting an OPC warranty put on it.

And if anyone's got any suggestions of what to do if it fails... please let me know!

Gary

[Magic919]

My OPC were making similar noises a year ago, so I'm surprised to read this. Tightening up happened quite some time ago and there have been numerous posts on the subject.

If they refuse to cover it then no warranty or a third party one are the remaining options. There's still a good chance it won't come to that, but fully expect that tests might be back on the menu again in two years time.

[gd]

Magic919 said:

My OPC were making similar noises a year ago, so I'm surprised to read this. Tightening up happened quite some time ago and there have been numerous posts on the subject.

Really? I'd researched this as much as I could and couldn't find any problems with RR3, even on here, and the OPC were definitely OK about it back in August.

[majordad]

Remember the Porsche Extended Warranty is with a 3rd partty insurer. I ve had grief to the tune of £1000 + last month when they refused to cover the bearing on the Carden Shaft of my 2004 Cayenne S. Wear and tear they said. And if you re whipping up them revs they will say the same.

[mollytherocker]

It's quite simple, if they don't want you, walk.

There are many other options and plenty of people who will take your money. Find a good Indy and you won't go back.

It's their loss.

[Martian O]

mollytherocker said:

It's quite simple, if they don't want you, walk.

There are many other options and plenty of people who will take your money. Find a good Indy and you won't go back.

It's their loss.

[gd]

I know, I know... and there are a few good indies around here, so yes, I might just have to do that.

Just been quoted £875 for a WarrantyDirect 'luxury car' policy, seems like reasonable cover and includes wear and tear on items insured too. So at least I have a plan B. Anyone else here tried/use them?

[Lordglenmorangie]

Martian O said:

mollytherocker said:

It's quite simple, if they don't want you, walk.

There are many other options and plenty of people who will take your money. Find a good Indy and you won't go back.

It's their loss.

+1

[Trev450]

gd said:

I was advised of a small number of over-revs in ranges 1-3, but nothing in 4-6, and was told that I could have the Porsche Warranty on that basis... but only in 90 days after another 111 point check.

Do you have this in writing? If so, I would have thought that they are bound to honour the agreement.

Failing this, a good 3rd party warranty as suggested but do a search on Warranty Wise as they don't cover anything near what the Porsche one does. I would check out the Hartech one personally.

[thegoose]

gd said:

I know, I know... and there are a few good indies around here, so yes, I might just have to do that.

Just been quoted £875 for a WarrantyDirect 'luxury car' policy, seems like reasonable cover and includes wear and tear on items insured too. So at least I have a plan B. Anyone else here tried/use them?

The only thing that's guaranteed with a third party warranty is that you will have spent £875 (or whatever), whether you get any money from the warranty company/insurer if anything goes wrong with your car is entirely to chance (usually a very slim one). Personally I'd keep the premium cash in my pocket, knowing that I have at least that amount to help towards any failures (which given how thoroughly your car seems to have been checked out seems unlikely anyway).

[static2010]

Can someone tell me what the differences are in the rev ranges?

I was on the understanding there were only 2 classes.

1 being over revved before changing up & the other being a forced over rev by changing down too soon...

[porkyspecialist]

static2010 said:

Can someone tell me what the differences are in the rev ranges?

I was on the understanding there were only 2 classes.

1 being over revved before changing up & the other being a forced over rev by changing down too soon...

On older cars (996's) there was only 2 ranges, this moved on with the 997, do a quick search & all in it's very long entirety shall be revealed.

[Great Pretender]

gd said:

The short post is that rev range 3 is no longer considered acceptable as of this week, following a decision by Porsche to change the rules.

The longer post...

I purchased a low mileage 997tt from an indie 3 months ago, and to make sure it was OK we had the 111 point check and full major service performed at my local OPC, and with a few minor fixes it passed with flying colours. I was advised of a small number of over-revs in ranges 1-3, but nothing in 4-6, and was told that I could have the Porsche Warranty on that basis... but only in 90 days after another 111 point check.

Roll forward 90 days... it goes in today for the check. They say that everything is perfect, but just before collection they call back to tell me that the RR3 reading is not acceptable now and it neads a leak, compression and oil test. The explanation is that in the last few weeks Porsche have changed the rules, and it went into force 3 days ago.

To say I am unhappy would be an understatement. So far the OPC are being understanding and are doing the tests FoC, and if it passes these tomorrow (fingers crossed!) then we'll all be happy, but I thought everyone else should know just in case you're considering some used pork with the objective of getting an OPC warranty put on it.

And if anyone's got any suggestions of what to do if it fails... please let me know!

Gary

On the understanding that an over-rev is engine revolution beyond the limiter, I struggle to see how any normal person could achieve this in a road car, unless they were a complete spastic. And that being said: what else has happened to the car?

Why would anyone buy a car where this has happened (that they are aware of)?

Sorry, not very helpful I know.

[porkyspecialist]

Great Pretender said:

unless they were a complete spastic.

Jeez, can you still say that without getting banned?
Edit, I'm all for free speech, but surely that one will go the same way as the Joey one of the same era ?

Edited by porkyspecialist on Friday 2nd November 23:55

[edo]

I guess an over-rev happens as a result of down shifting too early - not something I have ever done myself but we all make mistakes.

The 997 S we bought from Swindon Porsche had overrevs - as shown up in the check done by the chap I sold it to.

I think at the time it worked out at something like a total of about .5 of a second in rev range 3 and 3 years earlier!

[static2010]

Search produced this:

These are the rpm ranges for a gen-1 997

Range 1: 7300-7500rpm
Range 2: 7500-7700
Range 3: 7700-7900
Range 4: 7900-8400
Range 5: 8400-9500
Range 6: 9500-11000

Range 1 'overrevs' can be caused just by hitting the limiter on the way up, so the number can be very large with no harm whatsoever. I believe an occasional Range 2 can happen the same way so OPC's tend not to care at all about R1 and R2. Same with R3 but I'm assuming you (or a previous owner) will need to have mistimed a change to push the rpms that high. R4 seems to divide opinion amongst OPCs from what I've read - some don't seem to bother, others want oil analysis.

R5 ignitions have the potential to do serious damage so full analysis will always be required and, again from what I've read, warranty may be denied.

R6 will likely have detonated your engine anyway, so it's a moot point!


Enlightening to say the least...

[gd]

static2010 said:

Search produced this:

Range 1 'overrevs' can be caused just by hitting the limiter on the way up, so the number can be very large with no harm whatsoever. I believe an occasional Range 2 can happen the same way so OPC's tend not to care at all about R1 and R2. Same with R3 but I'm assuming you (or a previous owner) will need to have mistimed a change to push the rpms that high. R4 seems to divide opinion amongst OPCs from what I've read - some don't seem to bother, others want oil analysis.

R5 ignitions have the potential to do serious damage so full analysis will always be required and, again from what I've read, warranty may be denied.

R6 will likely have detonated your engine anyway, so it's a moot point!

Enlightening to say the least...

My point was that Porsche now want engine inspections for RR3, whereas it used to be for 4 and 5 only, as per your search.

RR3 seems to be caused by a missed shift at speed. In my case, 36 ignitions turns out to be about 1/10 second in RR3 resulting in a lot of hassle trying to get a warranty that 3 months ago wasn't an issue.

[static2010]

porkyspecialist said:

Great Pretender said:

unless they were a complete spastic.

Jeez, can you still say that without getting banned?
Edit, I'm all for free speech, but surely that one will go the same way as the Joey one of the same era ?

Edited by porkyspecialist on Friday 2nd November 23:55

Jack Dee put this in simpler terms. "kids will find anything to take the piss out of each other on the playground"
When they called each other "Spastics", they changed the name to Scope to be politically correct.

So what do they call each other on the playground? "Scope Kid!"

I guess it depends on how sensitive you are...

[gd]

Great Pretender said:

On the understanding that an over-rev is engine revolution beyond the limiter, I struggle to see how any normal person could achieve this in a road car, unless they were a complete spastic. And that being said: what else has happened to the car?

Why would anyone buy a car where this has happened (that they are aware of)?

Sorry, not very helpful I know.

Do a little more research. You'll find that a lot of cars that have been driven rather than just polished will have lots of 1's and 2's, and a simple missed shift can result in some 3's... and in nearly all cases its not an issue, unlike 5's and 6's. Not sure I'd call someone that for missing a cog, s**t happens sometimes.

I bought the car because there are very, very few with no over-revs (I was looking for over 6 months, and looked at a lot), it is in great condition and 3 months ago the OPC also said it was a great car and had no issues with RR3.

Thanks for your input.

[static2010]

Think I put one on mine about a month ago, floored in 2nd & hit the red before i knew it.

Surprised to find it just cut rather than bouncing off the limiter.

Oops!