MAIN DEALER , RIP OFF MERCHANTS?

[anonymous-user]

Dropped my 02 996 TT (only done 10k miles!) in for a service and they carried out a service which cost about 450 as they said that was all that was needed doing , they then rang me to say the plugs needed doing (£500+) , and i have a VERY SMALL rad/coolant leak on the front of the car in the LH & RH side air dams , i hhave them been quoted £2100 + vat + fitting to replace these rads!

I have fooked them off , and now im seeking advice , indeed there IS a small leek as i have found but i dont know where to go from here , and do plugs really need doing at 10k miles / 4 years

Paul

[sundiver]

Surely the rads are covered by Porsche warranty?

[philelmer]

Does it really cost £500 to change 6 spark plugs??

[ragtop]

Very rarely with Porsche cover the rads or the air con condensors - they always blame "external elements" such as corrosion or stome damage.

Daft I know, but sadly true.

[mbutchers]

Plugs are apparently 'quite tricky' to get to, so labour charge is quite high. 4 years is the interval for plug change, however, if the car's running ok, I wouldn't bother. Alternatively get an Indie to do it for you.

[scaryx50]

i remember the poster sportsclassic quoting a price for the front rads , maybe worth looking.
plug replacement requires removal of the bumper. I have an 02 TT and use an independent,
and i've more faith in them than an opc

[CatherineJ]

Daft Question, how do they know the plugs need changing without taking them out? Surely if they are tricky to change they muct be tricky to view to decide they need changing?

Or am I missing something?

[mbutchers]

CatherineJ said:

Daft Question, how do they know the plugs need changing without taking them out? Surely if they are tricky to change they muct be tricky to view to decide they need changing?

Or am I missing something?

It's purely a service interval thing 'Plugs at 48k or 4 years'. Same as brake fluid change every 2 years - most cars don't need this either.

[Fatboy]

scaryx50 said:

plug replacement requires removal of the bumper.

That really is ing stupid - I reckon all designers should have to spend 2 years after their design goes on the market servicing their creations - that way we wouldn't get such daft packaging....

[bluesatin]

I had a major service done on mine yesterday (996TT) and they tried everything under the sun for extras (£150 to clean the disk holes was a good one). The bit that got me was the cost of over £100 for oil which they charge by the lt- I think it costs them less than £30! Next time I am going to ask for the empty contianers!

[jeremyc]

bluesatin said:

The bit that got me was the cost of over £100 for oil which they charge by the lt- I think it costs them less than £30! Next time I am going to ask for the empty contianers!

Supply the oil yourself.

[anonymous-user]

Thanks for the very radip reply's on this , dealers really do take the piss! i can symphatise on the oil front too as i was charged £90 for 9 litres , the cleaning of brake holes just takes the biscuit , i can do that in 1 hour (all 4 corners) , £150 an hour , YES PLEASE!

Paul

[pugsey]

Here's a neat trick - sad to have to do it but there you go. Before dropping your car off for service fill the washer fluid right to the top. I did this and when washer fluid still appeared on the bill pointing out the error and quietly suggesting an attempted rip off immediately put OPC on back foot and allowed me to question everything else on the bill. Shouldn't be necessary - and have to say my current OPC are actually ace - but works if you've got your suspicions.

[dozer996]

Paul,
I had a leaking ali a/c rad on my old 996 c4. I rang a mobile a/c fitter whom we use on our plant and he supplied a replacement rad for @ £200 (I would need to check). I can get a number for you but the point I'm trying to make is try a local a/c or rad company and you'll be suprised how easy it will be to sort (even for a turbo - me thinks). If the car was less precious you could get it repaired (c/w garauntee!) but the ali is probably rotting (due to the positioning of them they collect leaves and general debris). Hope this helps. Let me know if you need a number. I'm Leicester based but this man has worked around the country for us. Good luck!

[bluesatin]

Jeremy

Used to do supply oil, and fill scree wash but getting soft in my old age. Still like them giving me the one litre containers that they use (not)

[vpr]

Radiators are a common problem. If one is leaking you can bet they all are or will be soon.

I thought I only had one leaking till I took the car apart....They were all weeping. I changed all 3. Did it myself....stuff that £2100.

Cars booked in at OPC for the full service (4yrs). The cars only done 22k but I'll change the plugs because If I sell the car the next guys is gonna ask the Q. I always supply my own oil.....saves a few quid.......I'm not tight.....really I'm not.

[james s]

I've often wondered about taking my own oil, but suspected they would simply add on an additional half hour of labour to make up for the lost profit. Perhaps I'm too cynical

[arwebs]

I also had an a/c rad changed last year by my local indy - £200 + £75 for labour, plus VAT. OPC wanted over £1000. Guess who just serviced the car?

[adam b]

who on earth gets an OPC to do non-warranty stuff like this?

that's what specialists are for - OPCs are for the stamp collection only

[glenn mcmenamin]

I had one of my 3 TT front rads replaced this year under warranty, i think there
was some recall/ fault on them ??

Didn't argue though....

G.