Servicing - OPC or Good Independant ?
Discussion
There seems to be a few servicing questions going around at the moment. I would like some advice on my situation (and I guess a number of people will be in the same boat).
My car is a 99-reg 996 and has a full service history through OPC's and a warranty. The next service will be a major service. Should I go to the local OPC (as I have done previously) or a good independant such as Sports and Classic. The independant will save me a lot of money and the car will probably be better cared for. Apparently the warranty will not be affected too.
Will it look bad for re-sale if it no longer has full OPC stamped history, or is it not so important on an older car ? And is there anyone out there who uses an independant and has successfully claimed on their warranty ?
My car is a 99-reg 996 and has a full service history through OPC's and a warranty. The next service will be a major service. Should I go to the local OPC (as I have done previously) or a good independant such as Sports and Classic. The independant will save me a lot of money and the car will probably be better cared for. Apparently the warranty will not be affected too.
Will it look bad for re-sale if it no longer has full OPC stamped history, or is it not so important on an older car ? And is there anyone out there who uses an independant and has successfully claimed on their warranty ?
its a funny one, and one i face in a few months.
The logic seems to be the warranty WONT be effected - and from 'those in the know', a good indy is a better service than an OPC.
However, when you come to sell it, it depends on whether the buyer is 'in the know', or would pay less because the stamps arent all 'porsche OPC'?
The logic seems to be the warranty WONT be effected - and from 'those in the know', a good indy is a better service than an OPC.
However, when you come to sell it, it depends on whether the buyer is 'in the know', or would pay less because the stamps arent all 'porsche OPC'?
benaldo said:
Will it look bad for re-sale if it no longer has full OPC stamped history, or is it not so important on an older car ?
A few stamps from recognised indies would not (and did not) put me off buying if it's an older car. The older it gets, the more likely you're aiming at an enthusiast market and so, chances are, they'll be aware that there's no detriment (and often, quite to the contrary!) in using a good indie.
Mike at Sports & Classic seems to be a safe pair of hands and certainly has a good reputation on here. I shall be giving him a call in the next few weeks to sort out my own P&J's next service.
Yes, i had some major work done at Gantspeed, they are perfectionists and specialise in restoring, doing a diff job and a service for them was relatively minor / easy work and they are not cheap.
When i sold the car i had to explain who they were to the buyer....explaining why they are so much better than OPC
When i sold the car i had to explain who they were to the buyer....explaining why they are so much better than OPC
I have gone through the same thoughts recently. Eventually after much mind changing have decided that Sports and Classic will do it. Why because I trust Mike more than the OPC and know that he will be more thorough and of course price.
I eventually made the decision because I own the car and want whats best for me (and it) rather than the next owner and would be more than happy to explain my logic to any future buyer.
I eventually made the decision because I own the car and want whats best for me (and it) rather than the next owner and would be more than happy to explain my logic to any future buyer.
benaldo said:
Exactly. Anybody out there currently looking for a 996 - would you be bothered ?
For what it's worth,i'm currently looking for my fist 996.Although i am completely new to the world of Porsche,it hasn't taken me very long to realise that i should be far less interested in wheather an OPC has done the servicing as opposed to a reputable indie,and that it is more important that all the sevices are carried out on time,and correctly. Before i buy my car it will be inspected thoroughly,and how well it has been cared for in it's life,as well as the services,will be assesed.This is what will determine my purchase.
Coming from the planning to buy sector rather than the current owner group; I agree with what the others have said but I think the important thing is how long are you going to keep your car for? If you are selling in the next year then I'd go for the OPC option if you plan on keeping it for a couple of years then go the indy route.
Purely personal choice but I like to see that the first few services have been done by an OPC (or any other franchised main dealer for any car eg, BMW for BMW’s, etc) but after the original warranty has run out so long as they are a specialist I would be happy.
It is nice to see that if a car has been to a number of specialists someone has sent it to an OPC at some point later in it’s life as it gives piece of mind that any minor recall (or major) work will have been done and logged onto the database.
As said though the above is pure personal opinion without much knowledge of the oily bits.
Then again if I was looking at GT2’s I’d be happier seeing that someone like Parr had worked on it than OPC Anglesey…
It is nice to see that if a car has been to a number of specialists someone has sent it to an OPC at some point later in it’s life as it gives piece of mind that any minor recall (or major) work will have been done and logged onto the database.
As said though the above is pure personal opinion without much knowledge of the oily bits.
Then again if I was looking at GT2’s I’d be happier seeing that someone like Parr had worked on it than OPC Anglesey…
I'm looking to buy a 996 and, being a car enthusiast, would be very happy with a full service history at a well-known specialist. In fact, I get my current car, a Fiat, serviced at a specialist as most Fiat main dealers know nothing about turbo chargers and 20 valve engines these days!
BUT everyone on here is a car enthusiast, so I doubt you'll get the same response if you were to sell to an average buyer. Comes back to the point a few posts ago in that if you're likely to sell it soon, then better to keep with the main dealer history - if you're keeping it for 2 - 3 years, plus, I'd go down the specialist route.
Just my 2p's worth.
BUT everyone on here is a car enthusiast, so I doubt you'll get the same response if you were to sell to an average buyer. Comes back to the point a few posts ago in that if you're likely to sell it soon, then better to keep with the main dealer history - if you're keeping it for 2 - 3 years, plus, I'd go down the specialist route.
Just my 2p's worth.
Sports and classic is near Knutsford and the one dealing I have had with Mike was excellent.
Personally I will be keeping the car for another couple of years and by that time it will be a 9-10 year old car so most buyers (as noted earlier) will be enthusiasts and will either be happy with a well known indie and would probably be getting an inspection anyway. It wouldn't surprise me if the car came out better from an inspection if a good indie had maintained it rather than an OPC !
Personally I will be keeping the car for another couple of years and by that time it will be a 9-10 year old car so most buyers (as noted earlier) will be enthusiasts and will either be happy with a well known indie and would probably be getting an inspection anyway. It wouldn't surprise me if the car came out better from an inspection if a good indie had maintained it rather than an OPC !
Good thread as I'm in the same boat myself (well, a '99 996 but you get my drift...). Veering towards Jaz in Wembley rather than West London OPC as they've impressed me far more with their general attitude and seem to have a good reputation.
But, the car has a full OPC SH to date and is under warranty. So, is it worth getting one last service (a minor one) done at the OPC in case it shows up an RMS or other warranty issue... decisions, decisions...
But, the car has a full OPC SH to date and is under warranty. So, is it worth getting one last service (a minor one) done at the OPC in case it shows up an RMS or other warranty issue... decisions, decisions...
If the indy finds something covered until warranty they will tell you then take it to OPC and get them to resolve it under warranty. You will only need to pay the labour for them to analyse the fault.
For example I drove out to S&C as I got out of the car Mike commented that the idler pulley bearing had gone. I was also having problems with the battery at the time. Took the car to OPC Wilmslow and told them about the pulley and asked them to check the alternator output. They then changed the pulley bearing and alternator under warranty. Total cost to me £90 for the labour to check the bearing and test the alternator.
For example I drove out to S&C as I got out of the car Mike commented that the idler pulley bearing had gone. I was also having problems with the battery at the time. Took the car to OPC Wilmslow and told them about the pulley and asked them to check the alternator output. They then changed the pulley bearing and alternator under warranty. Total cost to me £90 for the labour to check the bearing and test the alternator.
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