It looks like the end of my Porsche days

[Car Mad Dave]

Apologies in advance for the rant.

I have really enjoyed my 997 GTS however, I find the attitude of Porsche GB to owners somewhat lacking and sad to say, the end result is I have lost my belief in and passion for the brand.

It's not appropriate to go into details here or bore Phers with the details but long story short is that a hairline crack has developed on my front bumper. I am OCD on care and maintenance of all my cars and for the 911 I have regular and additional servicing and have also invested in the extended warranty with the consequential commitment to the OPC network. You can guess what's coming. Porsche GB are adamant that this is due to external force and hence is not covered by the warranty. I know this is not th case, especially given th internal location of the split but I cannot prove it. Anyway, it seems an easy out and concerns me more given we are dealing with a safety part (front bumper).

My experience other marques to date (Ferrari, McLaren) is very different. End result is I shall vote with my feet. Given Porsche GB's ability to shift metal in today's market I'm sure one less owner and enthusiast is irrelevant, hey ho and rant over.

[PorscheGT4]

try getting a new bumper with any one on a 6 year old car !!

Some one's prob hit it parking into it.

Get it sold and move on.

[SFO]

Car Mad Dave said:

Porsche GB are adamant that this is due to external force and hence is not covered by the warranty.

seems an entirely reasonable position to me

Porsche GB cannot be expected to just accept your view and what you perceive to be the truth; they look at it from the perspective of the balance of probability and likelihood of a manufacturing defect of a 4 year old bumper. In any event, does the Porsche warranty even cover items like front bumpers?

[alcatraz236]

you can't expect to claim that under warranty

[Phooey]

Yep, give the missus a clip round ear and move on lad

[g7jhp]

We need a picture of the crack!

[Car Mad Dave]

I would agree bumper damage is an unlikely warranty claim. Looking at it from the manufacturers point of view, there is a risk of opening the floodgates. Of course, I will view my case as different, hence why I even bothered in the first place. The crack is on an internal lip of the moulding and Porache GB technical confirmed they have had RTA front bumpers severely damaged but no crack where mine is. The inference is (I guess) that I have closed the bonnet on some foreign object which has resulted in a crack to the moulding. I know I haven't so I conclude a manufacturing fault. But advice is right, sell and move on.

[Car Mad Dave]

Here's a pic as requested.

[Bennachie]

If the crack is the horizontal black line in the picture it is most unusual. Is it along the line if the 'return' of the moulding into the bonnet aperture?

[Magic919]

I'm not sure the front PU is my idea of a safety part. I'm not too surprised Porsche aren't keen to pay though.

[Car Mad Dave]

Yes the black line is the split in the moulding. It is a very unusual position that has nothing to do with bumps or knocks, hence why I have made such a fuss.

[mollytherocker]

It certainly looks unusual. But I cant see that being anything but damage, as opposed to some sort of stress crack.

Has it ever had a front repair?

No way any dealer would replace it under warranty I am afraid, especially given the age of the car etc.

[g7jhp]

OP understand it's frustrating but surely it's worth replacing/ repairing the bumper and enjoying the car?

If your don't like your OPC move to another or go independent.

Edited by g7jhp on Tuesday 20th October 21:13

[981Greg]

Car Mad Dave said:

Here's a pic as requested.

A zoomed out picture would be interesting...

[981Greg]

I'm sure Car Mad Dave wont agree, but...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4uivPpzCGo

[Car Mad Dave]

Fellow Phers, thanks for all the comments and views. For the record, my OPC have been very supportive and thought it was a reasonable case, but it was Porsche GB who would not agree. As someone asked, here is a zoomed out pic, not sure it adds much apart from showing I have a nice clean unblemished front bumper!

[mollytherocker]

Thats not the bumper is it? Is it not just a plastic cover?

[Rulu]

maybe a goodwill gesture from them might change your mind about them ?

I introduced the brand to very good friends recently and they ordered a brand new car, they couldn't believe how they were treated after they said they didn't need the finance. This wasn't a Chanel handbag for £3k ! a brand new Porsche ! anyway they expected more,

that reminds me I haven't phoned them to ask for my commission

[Buster73]

Another mountain being made from a molehill , sell your car , move on life is too short to man.

[Car Mad Dave]

MTR, it is the front bumper, the bumper moulding creases to go under the bonnet and under the black plastic moulding (if that makes sense). Cheers, CMD