997 Service - Independent or Official Dealer

[Angusfuller]

Hi all,
I have a 2007 997 I bought two years ago at 10,000 miles. It's now at 20,000 miles and is due for a 4 year service. Official Porsche are about 50pcent more than an independent.
Does anyone have any views on which one to go for? I'm thinking specifically about the effect on the re sale value of the car.
Thanks.

[sidicks]

Angusfuller said:

Hi all,
I have a 2007 997 I bought two years ago at 10,000 miles. It's now at 20,000 miles and is due for a 4 year service. Official Porsche are about 50pcent more than an independent.
Does anyone have any views on which one to go for? I'm thinking specifically about the effect on the re sale value of the car.
Thanks.

I assume you do not have the Porsche approved Used Warranty, and have no intention of doing so in the future?

How long do you expect to keep the car?

[AlexH997]

That age and mileage id go OPC

But if it's a keeper long term then specialist is fine

[jakesmith]

If t's the only service you are going to give it before selling, then go OPC as the car is still quite new & will be easier to sell especailly privately where the public love low miles & OPC stamps.
If you're keeping it for 3-4 years I would take it to an indy as it will be 10 years old when you sell it and it's a different buyer who will value good indy stamps, and the money saved and friendly personal service will be a bonus.

[Huahine]

Hi sidicks,
Thanks for the quick response. No I don't have the warranty and would expect to keep it for at least two to three years more.

[SFO]

ask OPC if they will try to price match indie prices ...

[sidicks]

Huahine said:

Hi sidicks,
Thanks for the quick response. No I don't have the warranty and would expect to keep it for at least two to three years more.

In that case I'd probably go for one of the monthly packages with an independent specialist...

(Or follow the advice from SFO!)

[Carl_Docklands]

Huahine said:

Hi sidicks,
Thanks for the quick response. No I don't have the warranty and would expect to keep it for at least two to three years more.

I would get two quotes anyway one from OPC and one from a specialist. If you haggle the OPC price will not be double for the 4 year service, between the OPC Menu prices and a top indy like 9 Excellence, there is about £100 in it for a 997 Carrera 4 year service, and that is without haggling with the OPC on parts prices.

[SFO]

and try other OPCs if at first you don't succeed.

[mushee53]

In my experience the price matching does work but once on the ramp at an OPC it's the additional works costs that can be a shock... I remember on my C2S paying £60 labour to fit the £7 cable between the fuel cap and the car…. £80 to have the leaves blown out of the front rads.... Coffee and cake was nice though

[Huahine]

Very good mushee. That did make me laugh!

[anonymous-user]

With the very low mileage I'd keep it OPC serviced to maximise resale potential. As others have said a quality indy service should be nearly as expensive anyway.

[FarQue]

The other consideration is what workshops do you have near you? An OPC with a dreadful reputation or an indy whose work is worshipped or vice-versa. It's all well and good having a service stamp but for my car I try to weigh up which local business I feel best about. A local indy I have used in the past is lower on my list since a recent staff turn around...

[mollytherocker]

uktrailmonster said:

With the very low mileage I'd keep it OPC serviced to maximise resale potential. As others have said a quality indy service should be nearly as expensive anyway.

The car is 6 years old and hes keeping it a few more years. On an 8/9 year old car it will make nil difference at resale as lng as the indy is a good and recognised one.

[anonymous-user]

mollytherocker said:

The car is 6 years old and hes keeping it a few more years. On an 8/9 year old car it will make nil difference at resale as lng as the indy is a good and recognised one.

I'd agree IF the mileage wasn't so low or it already had a few Indy stamps in the book. But in the OP's position I would want to maintain the complete OPC history at this stage. It would still make a good selling point in a couple of years time.

[Homer J]

FarQue said:

The other consideration is what workshops do you have near you? An OPC with a dreadful reputation or an indy whose work is worshipped or vice-versa.

+1

My local OPC I wouldn't trust with my lawn mower (Newcastle).

However, I'm lucky enough to have two very well respected indies within a 50 mile radius who arguably know 996's and 7's better than OPC's.....namely SCOM and Redline racing, the most successfully race team in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

No brainer for me really.

[mollytherocker]

uktrailmonster said:

mollytherocker said:

The car is 6 years old and hes keeping it a few more years. On an 8/9 year old car it will make nil difference at resale as lng as the indy is a good and recognised one.

I'd agree IF the mileage wasn't so low or it already had a few Indy stamps in the book. But in the OP's position I would want to maintain the complete OPC history at this stage. It would still make a good selling point in a couple of years time.

I agree it might make a 'good selling point' to some buyers but he is going to have to sell it for more than the extra it will cost to have it serviced plus brakes, rads etc etc and I dont think that is likely.

If he is considering an OPC warranty, then its a totally different scenario!

Edited by mollytherocker on Thursday 16th January 17:34

[Huahine]

Ok guys thank you, some useful opinions. Has anyone had any experience of Autowerke Norwich www.autowerkenorwich.co.uk ?
Thanks again.

[thegoose]

It sounds like the car's been under-serviced anyway, according to the schedule which is 2 years maximum between services (hence 2009, 2011, 2013). It's 7 years old and is due its 4 year service?

I'm not saying it would worry me too much, but I'd rather see an independent invoice showing spark plugs, fuel filter, air filter, brake fluid change etc etc (i.e. a proper, thorough job) than just an OPC stamp for a major service. I suspect the price difference for everything like-for-like will be a bit more than suggested, plus as has been said if any other work is found, I always prefer paying £60/hour than £120/hour to sort it out.

[AlexH997]

mushee53 said:

In my experience the price matching does work but once on the ramp at an OPC it's the additional works costs that can be a shock... I remember on my C2S paying £60 labour to fit the £7 cable between the fuel cap and the car…. £80 to have the leaves blown out of the front rads.... Coffee and cake was nice though

but you dont have to have the OPC do the work though? you can always take it away and have a specialist do it.