Cayman R Servicing
Discussion
The Cayman R is due its big 4 year service at the end of next month and I wondered what people's approach to negotiating discounts with the OPC was. It's a while since I've used the OPC network for major stuff (used Unit 11 in Warrington for the 911s) and I'm only really considering going there as it's under warranty (and due to be renewed soon) and I know they'll find anything that needs doing that I haven't spotted and also that many people like to see the OPC stamp in the book come sale time.
As well as the major service it'll need: spark plugs, brake fluid change and MOT. Oh, and the warranty renewing
I generally change the oil more frequently than recommended but when it was last done at the OPC it came in at over £300! That included 115 (plus vat) for 1 hours labour and 117 (plus vat) for 8 litres of oil. A quick Google shows 10 litres Mobil New Life 0W40 can be had for about £70. How do the OPCs view someone supplying their own oil? I did wonder about just getting Unit 11 to do the oil and brake fluid change plus the plugs and the OPC to do the other checks to get the stamp. Any views on how this might be viewed both by a potential buyer in the future and also by the OPC when I want to renew the warranty?
As well as the major service it'll need: spark plugs, brake fluid change and MOT. Oh, and the warranty renewing
I generally change the oil more frequently than recommended but when it was last done at the OPC it came in at over £300! That included 115 (plus vat) for 1 hours labour and 117 (plus vat) for 8 litres of oil. A quick Google shows 10 litres Mobil New Life 0W40 can be had for about £70. How do the OPCs view someone supplying their own oil? I did wonder about just getting Unit 11 to do the oil and brake fluid change plus the plugs and the OPC to do the other checks to get the stamp. Any views on how this might be viewed both by a potential buyer in the future and also by the OPC when I want to renew the warranty?
I see the fixed priced service menu is online
http://porscheownerservices.co.uk/servicing/?model...
Think I might use that as the starting point - £150 for a brake fluid change is almost double what an Indy would charge
http://porscheownerservices.co.uk/servicing/?model...
Think I might use that as the starting point - £150 for a brake fluid change is almost double what an Indy would charge
You should easily be able to get money off the fixed price rate. As has been mentioned already, PCGB or TIPEC membership will get you 10% off to start with, but I have known non-members to negotiate similar amounts anyway.
I very much doubt the OPCs would go for having another garage do the oil change and them just do an inspection and stamp. They're not likely to be happy about putting their name to a job that they didn't do. Personally, to avoid warranty complications, I'd only use the specialist for between-service oil changes that don't require a stamp.
Most OPCs will allow you to supply your own oil, so long as it is the correct stuff. Costco is the cheapest for it, at under £60 for 10 litres, so half the price that the OPC charges, plus you get some left over for top-ups between services. There are some that will say they don't allow it though, so always check beforehand, and some have started charging a disposal fee so they still get to milk their customers further. If you don't fancy buying your own oil, try negotiating on the oil price, as their price is a joke given that they get it extra cheap in bulk.
You should be able to get the warranty renewal inspection free of charge if you do it at the same time as the service, so there's a nice saving of around £180.
I have found that in the past, Hatfield and Leicester OPCs have been happy to price match the local specialists on brake fluid changes, so worth trying that too. The specialists around me charge about £100, so you should be able to get at least £50 off the OPC list price.
OPCs tend to charge the maximum allowable fee for MOTs, so try to get a price match with a local testing station there too. If they won't price match, I'd just get it done elsewhere, as you're not getting anything extra by having Porsche do it (well, except for the convenience maybe).
Overall, you're still likely to pay more than you would at a specialist, but you should be able to get reasonable discounts from the list price for the jobs.
I very much doubt the OPCs would go for having another garage do the oil change and them just do an inspection and stamp. They're not likely to be happy about putting their name to a job that they didn't do. Personally, to avoid warranty complications, I'd only use the specialist for between-service oil changes that don't require a stamp.
Most OPCs will allow you to supply your own oil, so long as it is the correct stuff. Costco is the cheapest for it, at under £60 for 10 litres, so half the price that the OPC charges, plus you get some left over for top-ups between services. There are some that will say they don't allow it though, so always check beforehand, and some have started charging a disposal fee so they still get to milk their customers further. If you don't fancy buying your own oil, try negotiating on the oil price, as their price is a joke given that they get it extra cheap in bulk.
You should be able to get the warranty renewal inspection free of charge if you do it at the same time as the service, so there's a nice saving of around £180.
I have found that in the past, Hatfield and Leicester OPCs have been happy to price match the local specialists on brake fluid changes, so worth trying that too. The specialists around me charge about £100, so you should be able to get at least £50 off the OPC list price.
OPCs tend to charge the maximum allowable fee for MOTs, so try to get a price match with a local testing station there too. If they won't price match, I'd just get it done elsewhere, as you're not getting anything extra by having Porsche do it (well, except for the convenience maybe).
Overall, you're still likely to pay more than you would at a specialist, but you should be able to get reasonable discounts from the list price for the jobs.
I would always always much rather trust Jonny & Danny at Unit 11 with any car of mine than the OPC. However, if you want to keep the warranty and might not be keeping the car long term then you need to use the OPC for the service, which means get them to do everything but negotiate the best price for doing so.
The 111 point warranty check should be free as they're doing it all anyway as part of the service, the brake fluid change is EXACTLY the same job as they will do for a much more reasonable menu price on older cars (e.g. 996/986 Boxsters). If they accept this point and compromise then try discussing it with regard to the other work too (I'm not aware that anything is more difficult or time consuming on a later car than an earlier one). I always prefer that the dealer supplies the oil (but try to get a good price on it from them) as it's always better that they're responsible for the whole job. Costco is only 2-3 miles from OPC Chester, so it's worth pointing out to the OPC that Costco only charge £25+VAT for 5 litres and you'll be passing anyway so it's hardly inconvenient. If you can get them down to c£7/litre you're doing OK and they're still making money. Suggest that you're shopping around and that Wilmslow and Bolton aren't inconvenient (maybe they'll do collection/delivery) and you've been pleased with Unit 11 before too (who are an Official Porsche Parts Programme supplier and buy from Chester), but for a sensible price they'll get the work.
Once it's done, take it to Unit 11 for a geometry check and ask them to tell you if everything else looks OK under there.
The 111 point warranty check should be free as they're doing it all anyway as part of the service, the brake fluid change is EXACTLY the same job as they will do for a much more reasonable menu price on older cars (e.g. 996/986 Boxsters). If they accept this point and compromise then try discussing it with regard to the other work too (I'm not aware that anything is more difficult or time consuming on a later car than an earlier one). I always prefer that the dealer supplies the oil (but try to get a good price on it from them) as it's always better that they're responsible for the whole job. Costco is only 2-3 miles from OPC Chester, so it's worth pointing out to the OPC that Costco only charge £25+VAT for 5 litres and you'll be passing anyway so it's hardly inconvenient. If you can get them down to c£7/litre you're doing OK and they're still making money. Suggest that you're shopping around and that Wilmslow and Bolton aren't inconvenient (maybe they'll do collection/delivery) and you've been pleased with Unit 11 before too (who are an Official Porsche Parts Programme supplier and buy from Chester), but for a sensible price they'll get the work.
Once it's done, take it to Unit 11 for a geometry check and ask them to tell you if everything else looks OK under there.
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