What is a 'Porsche Specialist' in your eyes ?

[CampingGaz]

It's an often banded about term by independant Porsche Sales garages, Service Centres and Ph'ers, but what does it mean to you?

What do you expect, what do you check out, what do you ask when dealing with them for the first time, is the Sub Forum 'stickie' still a good & current place to start, does it mean much ?

Is it stil a case of Buyer beware or should one expect better if that term's being banded about in advertising, websites etc ?

From a few recent threads, it seems some are being let down ?

Edited by CampingGaz on Thursday 21st May 10:51

[Scooty100]

CampingGaz said:

It's an often banded about term by independant Porsche Sales garages, Service Centres and Ph'ers, but what does it mean to you?

What do you expect, what do you check out, what do you ask when dealing with them for the first time, is the Sub Forum 'stickie' still a good & current place to start, does it mean much ?

Is it stil a case of Buyer beware or should one expect better if that term's being banded about in advertising, websites etc ?

From a few recent threads, it seems some are being let down ?

Edited by CampingGaz on Thursday 21st May 10:51

Using a forum to research other experiences is always a good starting point however the name and shaming rule (which has been discussed on many occasions) prevents most from finding out 'who dunnit' Not that this seems to affect Tripadvisor so yes to a degree its a let down.
This said PM's wizz round anyway so people find out.

So from an 'Specialist' id say you expect honesty and integrity.

Recent history tells us this isn't always the case so using a 3rd party for an inspection is always a good idea

Edited by Scooty100 on Thursday 21st May 12:37

[PR36]

I want a specialist to only work on Porsches (obviously), for any tech that works on my car to be properly trained, to have the latest diagnostic tools and equipment and to have an understanding of cars faults/history as well as modifications/tuning specific to my car. What I don't want is the model where there is one knowledgable technician who 'eyeballs' the work after its done by the others who just left college. Also I don't want to be sold things which I don't need, to have repairs done not needed, or be told that the tuning parts they sell are better than others when in reality they are just a dealer for them. It would also be nice to know what the hourly rates are as it seems a common ploy to disguise or simply not quote them. I expect to be charged significantly less than opc...!

Some of this is wishful thinking but I think with the internet if you do enough searching (even despite name and shame policies on forums) you can find enough about indies to make some kind of judgement, even ignoring those strange posts where people seem to pop up out of nowhere to 'recommend their favourite indy who just did a wonderful job'. I have often thought about opening my own indy as it seems whoever I go to is usually ridiculously busy despite their being a multitude of other reputable indy's within spitting distance and it seems if you can develop a good reputation its something of a license to print money, although im sure someone will be along to say what hard what work it is, difficult customers etc etc and people like me just would'nt have a clue whats involved...!

[SEE YA]

Do your research, the internet is useful to ask people on Indy garage's.

A fair price for the work being done.

Some of the quotes, I got for a new clutch fitted were 2k apart?

Also be honest with the customer.

[g7jhp]

There is a list of Porsche Serving Specialists at the top of Porsche General, some are excellent others aren't and I would use them

I personally have used and would recommend Jaz, JZM and RSJ.

There are some I wouldn't use.

I'd suggest posting up a specialist you're considering using and ask for recommendations with PM (personal message) for any info which might be 'naming or shaming'.

[davek_964]

To me, the term "specialist" implies many years experience of working on that marque. They should be very familiar with the cars, and know the common issues and how to fix them.

The problem is, unless they are very careful with their recruitment - it's usually not the "place" that's the specialist, it's the people. And if the people leave and are replaced, the specialist tag may no longer apply.

I don't particularly want my car fixed by a generic mechanic no matter how good they are. I want somebody who knows the cars very well.

[Digga]

In terms of servicing, would we not include Hartech in the "Tried and trusteds"?

[Magic919]

It's as meaningless as 'banded about'.