OPC or INDY service stamps...
Discussion
I am sure this has been covered a million times, but I cant find the answer to the question I am looking for. My 997 GTS is coming up for a major service, and on my old cars I would without doubt go indy because the servicing prices are practically half the price of OPC. But my GTS is a lot more valuable than my gen.1 2006 C2S and gen 1 cayman, so should I be paying the extra to have OPC stamps to uphold the value, or should I just ignore that nonsense and go indy?
If it's in warranty people tend to stay with the OPC. Some buyers prefer to see a car serviced by an OPC, personally I'm happy with a reputable Porsche indie.
What matters most is it's done on time and you keep all the supporting paperwork so it builds a good picture of a carefully maintained car.
What matters most is it's done on time and you keep all the supporting paperwork so it builds a good picture of a carefully maintained car.
ks or the bearing issues. or over revs. etc etc. and a very good price he paid me too. 
Just incase anyone is interested, I emailed Porsche Brooklands, to ask if using and indy would invalidate my warranty, and was told "I would obviously advise getting the service done with a fully approved Porsche dealer...But so long as the car is serviced exactly to the service schedule and Porsche parts are used, taking your car to a specialist should not affect the warranty".
OPC rates for older cars aren't that bad or much more than indi's. I think i got charged something like £89 per hour at OPC Reading which included a hire car and my car being washed. I supplied my own oil for teh service and figured a full OPC service history would be worth just a little more than a mixed history. I use Northway for any actual work that needs doing though.
They can write what they like into the warranty but it can't override EU law. You can have your used Porsche serviced by any VAT registered garage to the correct schedule and it will not invalidate your warranty. Furthemore, the use of non genuine Porshe parts will not invalidate the warranty unless they can be directly linked to the claim, i.e the use of non genuine brake pads will not affect a engine claim. Porsche know this and when asked will freely admit it, however, leaving misleading info in their warranty booklet gets them lots of business. This applies to the used warranty as well as new.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yeah, like I said I totally see where you are coming from. I am still not convinced to go to an OPC, I hear what you are saying about the service intervals, but paying double the price for the same service does hurt. Then having said that, now, neither am I convinced of an indy, because of the what ifs. I think I will just have to flip a coin. Recently had a similar chat with a friend who has a 997. Slightly different as there are a lot of 997's about. We came to the conclusion that most will want OPC stamps and that only true enthusiasts won't mind a good indy on the service book.The majority of the buying public, especially those after their dream 911 will all want to see OPC stamps as it gives off the false impression that it has been better maintained.
In similar vein, I have a 997 first registerd in Jan 2012 but didn't get it's first service until Nov 14 at 20,000 mls. This service was by an OPC. I bought from a OPC who have supplied with a 2yr warrwnty and thus have accepted this late servicing. The question for me now is do I service in Jan 16 and thus comply with the four yearly requirement or go two years to Nov 16?
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I would agree but the fact is that using a non OPC does not invalidate your used warranty. This is accepted by PGB and stating that their assurances either verbal or written are invalid is a bit silly. One can generate any number of hypothetical scenarios but if you have a problem they are not going to tear the car apart looking for a non related non genuine part. If you have been silly enough to have the car repaired or serviced in a unsatisfactory manner then more fool you but there are numerous examples of PGB honouring the warranty when servicing has been carried out elsewhere. The choice is yours. anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yes, I thought that the 'non OPC won't invalidate your warranty' statement was only valid on NEW cars, not used? Having said that if you use genuine OPC parts for wear and tear stuff, say brake pads, and got them fitted by an indy would they (the OPC) ever know? Obviously if you have servicing done elsewhere, stamped up and then try and claim on the warranty I imagine you'd be shown the door.gilliambot said:
Here is the email I received from Porsche Guidlford yesterday, but yeah I see your point with regards to their wording. I would hope the Indy would back up my claim if something like what you suggested happened.
I have investigated this further with PGB and established that the acceptance of work done by Independants is discretionary in that it is not as I was led to believe a legal requirement in tying new and used policies. PGB state that ultimately the decision on cover can go to the underwriter but this is virtually unknown and that to all intents and purposes any claim is determined by Porsche. They state that they are happy to accept servicing and repair by independants as long as the work is carried out in accordance with their procedures and this would not invalidate the warranty. The fitting of non genuine parts will not invalidate the warranty unless the claim can be directly linked to those parts, i.e you can fit intake grills or a Bosche battery but it better not blow up the ECU!. The risk is that this has to be seen as discretionary, however there are lots of precedents where Porsche have accepted this. However, on the other hand I have heard of a transmission claim being turned down because the car was using third party wheels, presumably thay could be linked to the problem. Certainly any modification is very risky i.e exhaust. I certainly would prefer to send my car to the numerous Indies who are far superior, in my opinion, to the OPC's regardless of cost but there is also the question with a newish car of the value of a OPC svc record. I don't think there is much risk in using a reputable indie, Porsche themselves stated and acknowledged that they are mostly Porsche trained anyway and do accept this. I pointed out that it would be helpfull if this acceptance could be included in their warranty notes, could hapeen maybe. The OPC's are obviously familiar with this approach hence the assurances I have recieved and also gilliambot.
Edited by Baz99 on Friday 16th October 10:31
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff