Thank God for the independents !!
Discussion
Just wanted to leave a note of praise for the independents out there !
I went to Michael Bourne of Sports and Classics in Mobberley, Cheshire yesterday to get new front discs and pads and get my Dension Ice Link Plus wired up to the armrest lock box. Unfortunately my coolant header tank really gave up the ghost by the time I arrived with coolant everywhere. Mike was great about it and sent his wife on the 1hr return trip (!!) to the local OPC to get a new one and was able to do everything during that 1 stay. He then spotted a misfire and was able to replace a worn out coil (from the coolant leak) also. The car now feels great and the price?? Only £600 for everything !! I reckon it would have set me back at least £1,200-£1,400 at an OPC and I wouldn't have been able to see them take care of the car and have a good chat as I did with Mike.
Good Stuff !! I hope all independents are like this !
Lets send some praise out to these guys !!
I went to Michael Bourne of Sports and Classics in Mobberley, Cheshire yesterday to get new front discs and pads and get my Dension Ice Link Plus wired up to the armrest lock box. Unfortunately my coolant header tank really gave up the ghost by the time I arrived with coolant everywhere. Mike was great about it and sent his wife on the 1hr return trip (!!) to the local OPC to get a new one and was able to do everything during that 1 stay. He then spotted a misfire and was able to replace a worn out coil (from the coolant leak) also. The car now feels great and the price?? Only £600 for everything !! I reckon it would have set me back at least £1,200-£1,400 at an OPC and I wouldn't have been able to see them take care of the car and have a good chat as I did with Mike.
Good Stuff !! I hope all independents are like this !
Lets send some praise out to these guys !!
Which is why I will continue to get the servicing done at the OPC's but when it needs actual work doing, I'll be off to the indies !!
I'd rather meet and get to know the person working on the car. Sadly at the main dealers, you never know if you are getting a good mechanic or a YTS at £100ph !
I'd rather meet and get to know the person working on the car. Sadly at the main dealers, you never know if you are getting a good mechanic or a YTS at £100ph !
As someone who does buy the odd Porsche from time to time I will say I do not penalise a car at all if it has been serviced by a good recognised independent specialist. You would expect a car to be serviced by the main dealers for the first 3 or 4 years but after that use someone you know, trust and who is a recognised marque expert.
Henry
Henry
Unfortunately uncle H not all purchasers are as broad minded as your goodself.
I certainly wouldn't be put off a car because it didn't have main dealer history, and we all know about cars that have all the OPC stamps but have not been looked after or have missed their service points by several thousand miles.
An independant will always live or die by their reputation. If they are good, well established and have satisifed customers no one should be wary of their stamps in their books.
In fact, as the car has been fettled by a specialist, the chances are when investigating its history you will get a chance to speak to the actual bloke who has handled the cars oily parts rather than someone who is reading information from a computer screen.
I certainly wouldn't be put off a car because it didn't have main dealer history, and we all know about cars that have all the OPC stamps but have not been looked after or have missed their service points by several thousand miles.
An independant will always live or die by their reputation. If they are good, well established and have satisifed customers no one should be wary of their stamps in their books.
In fact, as the car has been fettled by a specialist, the chances are when investigating its history you will get a chance to speak to the actual bloke who has handled the cars oily parts rather than someone who is reading information from a computer screen.
Aahh Thanks for the kind words...
I am a fairly newly established business (15months) and would like to help others with porsches so as a goodwill gesture .............
For the first 10 people to e-mail me i will give you a free basic health check over on your vehicle..absolutely no obligation or any thing totaly free check over.
Thanks
mike
www.sportsandclassic.com
E-mail michael@sportsandclassic.com
I am a fairly newly established business (15months) and would like to help others with porsches so as a goodwill gesture .............
For the first 10 people to e-mail me i will give you a free basic health check over on your vehicle..absolutely no obligation or any thing totaly free check over.
Thanks
mike
www.sportsandclassic.com
E-mail michael@sportsandclassic.com
The service side of Porsche is not complex, changing brake disc,pads,etc is basic.and Know different to a Skoda its the Engine strip down or tranmission that needs the specialist tools thats when you need a Dealer or Specialist with the Knowledge and the tools.Changing brake disc is 2 bolts on the caliper and 2 phillip screws on the disc and remove a bolt that secures the flexi to the strut takes all of 4mins max...
Yes that may be the case but what happens when the caliper bolt pulls the threads from the hub ?
i have manufactured all tooling for this problem and have done quite a few over the years...
I have all tooling and know how to strip and rebuild these engines and am 1 of very few offering gearbox rebuilds that not even a dealer can repair...
So You dont need a dealer with the right equipment and people..
i have manufactured all tooling for this problem and have done quite a few over the years...
I have all tooling and know how to strip and rebuild these engines and am 1 of very few offering gearbox rebuilds that not even a dealer can repair...
So You dont need a dealer with the right equipment and people..
tripeface said:
The service side of Porsche is not complex, changing brake disc,pads,etc is basic.and Know different to a Skoda its the Engine strip down or tranmission that needs the specialist tools thats when you need a Dealer or Specialist with the Knowledge and the tools.Changing brake disc is 2 bolts on the caliper and 2 phillip screws on the disc and remove a bolt that secures the flexi to the strut takes all of 4mins max...
Whats your point? That any garage is a rip off when it comes to Porsches and you should do the work yourself because they're so easy?
I don't think I'd be buying your car somehow...
Personally, VGA in vauxhall will be getting all the non warranty work
They are working on fixing some niggles i had with the targa roof blind. Its almost fixed as havent been able to leave it with them for too long, but i think the cost of getting that fixed and a few other things tweaked is about £500 maybe.
Compare that to the OPC quote of £3k to fix the blind...
They are working on fixing some niggles i had with the targa roof blind. Its almost fixed as havent been able to leave it with them for too long, but i think the cost of getting that fixed and a few other things tweaked is about £500 maybe.
Compare that to the OPC quote of £3k to fix the blind...
Autostrasse in Coggeshall gets my vote.
Dropped in last week as my screenwash was getting dumped into the wheel arch and not the windscreen. In, on a ramp 20 minutes later, all working and a free coffee.
Called them on the spur, went in next day, job done while I wait (20 mins) and left a little lighter in the wallet but I mean a little ! In fact no-one beleived me how reasonable the price was !!
Gets my vote for its next indie visit.
OPC for servicing though just for the stamps.
Dropped in last week as my screenwash was getting dumped into the wheel arch and not the windscreen. In, on a ramp 20 minutes later, all working and a free coffee.
Called them on the spur, went in next day, job done while I wait (20 mins) and left a little lighter in the wallet but I mean a little ! In fact no-one beleived me how reasonable the price was !!
Gets my vote for its next indie visit.
OPC for servicing though just for the stamps.
The point I am making is servicing is as easy as most other cars,brakes,oil,filters etc.its the major overhauls when special tools are needed and the know how. re tapping a stripped thread is a basic engineering skill learnt in your first week of your first year as a motor engineer. I have a over 38 yrs experiance in the motor trade as a mechanic and service manager and a degree in motor engineering. I was involved with motor racing many years ago in all this time i never came across any one who made his own tap and die set??
Know its for idiots,You would never Heli coil a Brake caliper on a high performance car or a shoping trolly for that matter, You are incorrect in a BIG WAY you must be a Merchant Banker.The motor trade is full of improvers and allways has been, BEWARE OF THEM LIKE THE PLAGUE.....
Has This Site any real Motor Men or Women???? DRIVING Porsche????
Has This Site any real Motor Men or Women???? DRIVING Porsche????
Why not reply...?
What is wrong with heli-coiling a hub for a caliper mount ?
youre the engineer with the degree and 38 yrs experience...and im the 1 thats wrong in a big way so come on tell me...
What is wrong with heli-coiling a hub for a caliper mount ?
youre the engineer with the degree and 38 yrs experience...and im the 1 thats wrong in a big way so come on tell me...
Edited by sportsandclassic on Wednesday 6th September 21:54
Edited by sportsandclassic on Wednesday 6th September 21:55
Heli coils were used to repair damage to threads in alloy cylinder heads I.E. sparkplugs(KNOW STRESS or WATER)
and alloy sump drain plugs not PORSCHE BRAKES. We are taking 160mph+ sportscars not Morris 1000 classics. Alloy and steel + water = corrosion.Disc Brakes are open to the elements on the Porsche,This can happen in days in the wrong condtions for the alloy and steel mix.HERE ENDS THE LESSON IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ONE OF MY SEMMINARS.
and alloy sump drain plugs not PORSCHE BRAKES. We are taking 160mph+ sportscars not Morris 1000 classics. Alloy and steel + water = corrosion.Disc Brakes are open to the elements on the Porsche,This can happen in days in the wrong condtions for the alloy and steel mix.HERE ENDS THE LESSON IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ONE OF MY SEMMINARS.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff