The upside to a big service

[sprior]

got my 996 back today from having a spot of work done.

Had it booked in (at last) for the switchable exhaust, plus service.

The usual suspects came up - drop links, header tank and a slight weep from the RMS (must have been tiny 'cause used no oil at all in 12K miles).
I didn't mind being told the brake servo hose needed replacing, til I heard it was an engine out job - but there's always an upside:
It meant I could get the clutch changed, and the RMS done for next to no extra labor.

All in, at a smidgy over 4K, I am totally satisfied.
The noise gets 4 and half stars, so the extra work is just a bonus.
Heed these words - no sports exhaust is a wasted assett. Beg, busk or borrow, you know you want one.

[kamal996]

sprior said:

got my 996 back today from having a spot of work done. Had it booked in (at last) for the switchable exhaust, plus service. The usual suspects came up - drop links, header tank and a slight weep from the RMS (must have been tiny 'cause used no oil at all in 12K miles). I didn't mind being told the brake servo hose needed replacing, til I heard it was an engine out job - but there's always an upside: It meant I could get the clutch changed, and the RMS done for next to no extra labor. All in, at a smidgy over 4K, I am totally satisfied. The noise gets 4 and half stars, so the extra work is just a bonus. Heed these words - no sports exhaust is a wasted assett. Beg, busk or borrow, you know you want one.

4 grand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[markburnt]

Yes, lets say that again...

4 GRAND!!

Four Thousand Pounds!!

There is another four letter word beginning with F!!!!!

[silver993tt]

looks like he included the price of the switchable sporst exhaust in the price of the service. What's the price of that exhaust? Maybe that explains the high amount?

[dazren]

I'm guessing about half the £4k was the new sports exhaust system. Also there is a new clutch hidden in the remaining £2k of servicing costs.

DAZ

[kamal996]

dazren said:

I'm guessing about half the £4k was the new sports exhaust system. Also there is a new clutch hidden in the remaining £2k of servicing costs. DAZ

The exhaust systems can be sourced from the US at a little under £1000. The RMS should have been covered by goodwill and he could have spent the remainder on getting rid of the yellow indicators and putting on a set of 18" wheels so that the car looks as good as it now probably sounds

[MOD500]

Surely the warranty would be void if the chap put a non OEM exhaust on Kamal?

Just a thought, will the OEM sorts exhaust be more attractive come re-sale time compared to a car with a non OEM sports exhaust on? As potential buyers will not view the car as modified, compared to say if a Gemballa or Techart exhaust was installed?

Thanks


MOD.

[kamal996]

MOD500 said:

Surely the warranty would be void if the chap put a non OEM exhaust on Kamal? Just a thought, will the OEM sorts exhaust be more attractive come re-sale time compared to a car with a non OEM sports exhaust on? As potential buyers will not view the car as modified, compared to say if a Gemballa or Techart exhaust was installed? Thanks MOD.

I am talking about a Porsche OE one


Taking from www.rennlist.com-

"Brandywine 610-886-1000 $1499.95. I just got off the phone w/them. Ask for Justin...he's trying to sell me an aerokit! Bought my PSE from them"

Even if you add shipping and VAT it would come in at around £1100. add £150 for a good independent to fit and you have an OE PSE.

Anyway his car is pretty old and probably not under warranty AND

the yellow indicators and 17" wheels will do a lot more damage to the residuals than a non-OE sports exhaust!

[sprior]

kamal996 said:

The exhaust systems can be sourced from the US at a little under £1000.

Indeed. Found one on ebay at about USD1600 if I remember. I did a bit of poverty pleading with the OPC and ended up paying GBP917. Add in VAT to one number and freight and inbound duty to the other and I did the right thing.

kamal996 said:

The RMS should have been covered by goodwill

The labor charge for the RMS was zero - now that is goodwill. Can't even identify the part cost for sure on the invoice, but think it's on about page 3 in the list of things about 30ish GBP.

kamal996 said:

and he could have spent the remainder on getting rid of the yellow indicators

fashion victim

kamal996 said:

and putting on a set of 18" wheels

My extensive research into tyre widths drew this conclussion - outright tyre grip is related to inflation pressure and compound. Sticker under the trunk lid says for 18 inch tyres recommendation is much higher pressure, so they have less grip.

kamal996 said:

as good as it now probably sounds

And boy, does it sound good.

The real truth is that there was loads of stuff in the 4K - but you only live one.

[MOD500]

Fair play.

Get the aerokit Kamal, you know it makes sense!

[kamal996]

sprior said:

kamal996 said: The exhaust systems can be sourced from the US at a little under £1000. Indeed. Found one on ebay at about USD1600 if I remember. I did a bit of poverty pleading with the OPC and ended up paying GBP917. Add in VAT to one number and freight and inbound duty to the other and I did the right thing. kamal996 said: The RMS should have been covered by goodwill The labor charge for the RMS was zero - now that is goodwill. Can't even identify the part cost for sure on the invoice, but think it's on about page 3 in the list of things about 30ish GBP. kamal996 said: and he could have spent the remainder on getting rid of the yellow indicators fashion victim kamal996 said: and putting on a set of 18" wheels My extensive research into tyre widths drew this conclussion - outright tyre grip is related to inflation pressure and compound. Sticker under the trunk lid says for 18 inch tyres recommendation is much higher pressure, so they have less grip. kamal996 said: as good as it now probably sounds And boy, does it sound good. The real truth is that there was loads of stuff in the 4K - but you only live one.

Thats still seems an inordinate amount to spend on a 1998 car...Personally (and I am sure not all of you agree) I get the simple stuff like servicing done by main dealers (for the sake of a damn stamp) and anything non-standard by independents.

I still cannot see how you get to £4k if you didnt even pay the 7 hours labour for the RMS and paid £1k for the exhaust but.

In relation to wheels...I am but a fashion victim but driving a 996 reveals this about anyone (as otherwise they would be driving a 993



>> Edited by kamal996 on Thursday 22 July 10:38

[aceparts_com]

Kamal, maybe you can explain the logic behind getting a stamp from an OPC if you get all the work done at a reliable independent?

My TT had a FPSH which I thought I would keep up. BIG MISTAKE! There servicing skills are appaling, and to cut a very long story short they refunded most of my money.
PARR motorsport is the only place my car will ever go again. Alternaitvely I will do the work myself. I feel much happier knowing everything is done properly than simply knowing the service book looks pretty.

[kamal996]

aceparts_com said:

Kamal, maybe you can explain the logic behind getting a stamp from an OPC if you get all the work done at a reliable independent? My TT had a FPSH which I thought I would keep up. BIG MISTAKE! There servicing skills are appaling, and to cut a very long story short they refunded most of my money. PARR motorsport is the only place my car will ever go again. Alternaitvely I will do the work myself. I feel much happier knowing everything is done properly than simply knowing the service book looks pretty.

There really isnt much to servicing a 996. Change oil and filter at 12k intervals. spark plugs at 48k. A few air filters here and there. What usually happens is that the OPC finds lots of little things like drop links, brake pads etc. Take the list to a decent independent and get the work done for half price.

The main advantage for a "full PSH" is that when you put in a goodwill claim for leaky main seals or dodgy bores then Porsche GB asks for a copy of the service book to be faxed to them. If it is all up to date etc then you have a good chance of getting things fixed FOC.

My own dealings with OPC service centres have actually been good. Its just the labour costs that are ridiculous.

>> Edited by kamal996 on Thursday 22 July 11:37

[aceparts_com]

4K services and they can afford a couple of RMS here or there!

[Andy v386]

Hi there,

Im new to all this chat room stuff so bear with me!

Just reading the banter about servicing costs and whether or not to got OPC or not.

I have a 2000 996 C4 and have kept it with OPC's to date but I'm now wondering when is a good age for it to go with a specialist and if there is one in the Kent area.

Also a point of interest, I have had quotes for work from Kent, London and Essex OPC's and found massive diffences in cost.

Finally the bit about the 17 to 18 inch wheels - I took my 17's of and fitted 18 inch Tech Art wheels which have a very wide offset, totally transformed the handling of the car for the better, I seem to get better tyre wear as well.

[clubsport]

Hi andy....whether to service at opc depends if you have a porsche warranty on the car? as soon as the warranty runs out it seems ok to go to a reputable specialist.Doesn't seem to harm values if well looked after.
Kent seems a bit sparse for servicing,,there is paul devyea in shoreham,,seems ok, but i have not used them.
i tend to go a little further afield into Surrey where you can choose from Parr,Camtune,Gt1 & RSR and possibly some others i have missed or never used.

[Andy v386]

clubsport said:

Hi andy....whether to service at opc depends if you have a porsche warranty on the car? as soon as the warranty runs out it seems ok to go to a reputable specialist.Doesn't seem to harm values if well looked after. Kent seems a bit sparse for servicing,,there is paul devyea in shoreham,,seems ok, but i have not used them. i tend to go a little further afield into Surrey where you can choose from Parr,Camtune,Gt1 & RSR and possibly some others i have missed or never used.

I never renewed the warrenty after the first year, a grand on top of the annual costs is steep!

I will have a look into Camtune as you are the second person that has mentioned them.

[aceparts_com]

PARR are the only ones i'd trust my car with. They ar right on the ball and as they look after the Porsche factory race GT3's should know what they're doing.

[kamal996]

Residuals and goodwill claims are both affected by non OPC servicing...I suggest servcing a current model Porsche which is up to 4-5 years old with an OPC as Porsche seem to honour goodwill claims up to this point. I had a RMS and a new ECU under goodwill on a 3.5 year old Boxster.