997.1 Turbo Warranty renewal dilemma
Discussion
Hi All,
Sorry about this as I appreciate many have asked & the search function does not provide adequate replies & conclusions.
Anyway...
My car, 2008 997t is due it's major service, brake fluid & warranty end of January, best part of £2.5k and I can only warranty the car for 2 more years.
What to do?
A) Go reputable independent for 1/4 of the of the cost and maintain a "just in case/slush fund"
B) suffer the rip off service costs again and maintain the OPC warranty.
I have no plans on selling the car which I've owned nearly 4 years now (I don't swap and change at all, with my last Porsche in my possession for 7 years) but you never know what the future holds so never say never.
I think I'm a little disgruntled by the lack of discount offered on servicing and the staffs blasé attitude.
I know for a fact that if a major service is carried out they often waive the fee for the inspection for warranty renewal as its all covered, so having asked if they could offer a better deal on the £1250 for a major service and £150 for fluid change, she said "we're giving you the 111 point check so NO, those are the prices"
Respected & reputable independents are half the price!
Thoughts & advice please, especially from those with experience/current owners
Many thanks
Sorry about this as I appreciate many have asked & the search function does not provide adequate replies & conclusions.
Anyway...
My car, 2008 997t is due it's major service, brake fluid & warranty end of January, best part of £2.5k and I can only warranty the car for 2 more years.
What to do?
A) Go reputable independent for 1/4 of the of the cost and maintain a "just in case/slush fund"
B) suffer the rip off service costs again and maintain the OPC warranty.
I have no plans on selling the car which I've owned nearly 4 years now (I don't swap and change at all, with my last Porsche in my possession for 7 years) but you never know what the future holds so never say never.
I think I'm a little disgruntled by the lack of discount offered on servicing and the staffs blasé attitude.
I know for a fact that if a major service is carried out they often waive the fee for the inspection for warranty renewal as its all covered, so having asked if they could offer a better deal on the £1250 for a major service and £150 for fluid change, she said "we're giving you the 111 point check so NO, those are the prices"
Respected & reputable independents are half the price!
Thoughts & advice please, especially from those with experience/current owners
Many thanks
Couple of things:
If you wanted to sell it privately, the OPC History and Warranty would probably add 5%++ to the value of the car, and make it easier to sell.
Remember it's a £100k car (or was), and if something crucial fails, it could be very costly.
On the other hand, as you say, may be now is the time to look at trying to reduce the operating costs, set aside some funds, and keep your fingers crossed.
If you wanted to sell it privately, the OPC History and Warranty would probably add 5%++ to the value of the car, and make it easier to sell.
Remember it's a £100k car (or was), and if something crucial fails, it could be very costly.
On the other hand, as you say, may be now is the time to look at trying to reduce the operating costs, set aside some funds, and keep your fingers crossed.
Phone a few other OPCs and see what they will do. 10% off parts is automatic if you are a member of PCGB. In your shoes if you want to keep the car stock and drive the wheels off it the OPC warranty is worth having. They do tend to quibble towards the end of the warranty cycle with claims from my experience but its still worth having on turbo when you consider an exchange engine is £30k. It should pay for itself if the car is used dd.
You'll be surprised how keen other OPCs are for the business. I've tried Dick Lovett Swindon instead of OPC Hatfield and very happy. Extra distance if you book a loan car not an issue at all. From memory i managed to get the major spark plug service done for £1,100. inc vat. This included cost of 111 point inspection and a brake fluid change after some haggling. Cost of the 2 year warranty was circa £2k - you may as well renew for 2 years as it works out slightly cheaper. So total bill of £3k. If you take your own oil (which I don't bother with) even cheaper.
9e 28 said:
You'll be surprised how keen other OPCs are for the business. I've tried Dick Lovett Swindon instead of OPC Hatfield and very happy. Extra distance if you book a loan car not an issue at all. From memory i managed to get the major spark plug service done for £1,100. inc vat. This included cost of 111 point inspection and a brake fluid change after some haggling. Cost of the 2 year warranty was circa £2k - you may as well renew for 2 years as it works out slightly cheaper. So total bill of £3k. If you take your own oil (which I don't bother with) even cheaper.
That would certainly be more like what I'd rather pay for sure. I have a good rappor with the male service manager with my local OPC and he's a kind gentleman, but every time the female calls me it's like she's the boss and what she says goes, no discounts no going the extra mile!!! Clash of personalities or something but I hate talking to her!!!!
I have a 2008 turbo too - am happy servicing and maintaining with RGA and 9E, and keeping back something each year for larger replacements. So far touch wood the costs have been wear and tear items that wouldn't be covered by warranty anyway.
For example clutch was replaced last month but I went to 9E and got the uprated Sachs 890 for much less cost than an OPC would charge for the standard item.
For example clutch was replaced last month but I went to 9E and got the uprated Sachs 890 for much less cost than an OPC would charge for the standard item.
Adam B said:
I have a 2008 turbo too - am happy servicing and maintaining with RGA and 9E, and keeping back something each year for larger replacements. So far touch wood the costs have been wear and tear items that wouldn't be covered by warranty anyway.
For example clutch was replaced last month but I went to 9E and got the uprated Sachs 890 for much less cost than an OPC would charge for the standard item.
Thanks Adam, For example clutch was replaced last month but I went to 9E and got the uprated Sachs 890 for much less cost than an OPC would charge for the standard item.
May I ask what mileage you were at when it was replaced?
Mine is currently reading 36k
r1flyguy1 said:
Thanks Adam,
May I ask what mileage you were at when it was replaced?
Mine is currently reading 36k
not at all, 32k, but I put this down to it being a London car with 4 previous owners - first clutch I have ever had to replace in 25+ years of driving, if it had been my car from new I would have been disappointed if it was even half worn by 32kMay I ask what mileage you were at when it was replaced?
Mine is currently reading 36k
I will be in the same position in the middle of next year.
My late 2008 997t gen 1.5 will be due a major service and warranty extension, and yes, looking down the barrel of a 3.5k bill for a car that I do 2-3k miles in a year (it's a weekend car - and has only 16k miles on it so far) is a bit steep.
But I am more nervous of taking it out of the OPC warranrty scheme, as said earlier the potential costs if something goes pop are astronomical, and if I do have to sell it I'd hope that because it's got a full OPC history and warranty I'd get some of that back.
But then I keep looking at what I could sell it for, and with the another 3.5k on top of that I could almost be in an F430, or maybe I would just get a new Boxster GTS with the warranty included....
My late 2008 997t gen 1.5 will be due a major service and warranty extension, and yes, looking down the barrel of a 3.5k bill for a car that I do 2-3k miles in a year (it's a weekend car - and has only 16k miles on it so far) is a bit steep.
But I am more nervous of taking it out of the OPC warranrty scheme, as said earlier the potential costs if something goes pop are astronomical, and if I do have to sell it I'd hope that because it's got a full OPC history and warranty I'd get some of that back.
But then I keep looking at what I could sell it for, and with the another 3.5k on top of that I could almost be in an F430, or maybe I would just get a new Boxster GTS with the warranty included....
Cheers Adam,
I'm third owner, 1st was London based owner, 2nd the OPC, not sure why though!!!
Been out in it today, 36.6k on the clock and clutch still feeling fine
. Thankfully.
Hi gd,
Did you purposely buy a late Gen1? If I'd have known then what I know now I'm wondering if I'd have waited a few more months and bought a Gen2.
Don't get me wrong I love my Gen1, but like the updates of the gen2.
As the other kind posters have pointed out, I made a quick call to my 'not as local' OPC and where I purchased my car from and their major service & brake fluid change is £200 cheaper!!!! Go figure!!!
Can't believe the difference. I always supply my own mobil1 oil too so will save a bit there too.
I'm third owner, 1st was London based owner, 2nd the OPC, not sure why though!!!
Been out in it today, 36.6k on the clock and clutch still feeling fine
. Thankfully.Hi gd,
Did you purposely buy a late Gen1? If I'd have known then what I know now I'm wondering if I'd have waited a few more months and bought a Gen2.
Don't get me wrong I love my Gen1, but like the updates of the gen2.
As the other kind posters have pointed out, I made a quick call to my 'not as local' OPC and where I purchased my car from and their major service & brake fluid change is £200 cheaper!!!! Go figure!!!
Can't believe the difference. I always supply my own mobil1 oil too so will save a bit there too.
r1flyguy1 said:
Hi gd,
Did you purposely buy a late Gen1? If I'd have known then what I know now I'm wondering if I'd have waited a few more months and bought a Gen2.
Don't get me wrong I love my Gen1, but like the updates of the gen2.
Sort of... I spent a few months looking at Gen 1's before realising that there were a small number of cars made in late 2008/early 2009 with the interior updates of the Gen 2 (later PCM, bluetooth, USB, etc.) and yet they still had the Gen 1 Mezger engine and Gen 1 exterior, which I prefer over the Gen 2. Finding a good, low mileage, manual one of these in black with full PSH took quite a bit of looking around... but that was part of the fun. Did you purposely buy a late Gen1? If I'd have known then what I know now I'm wondering if I'd have waited a few more months and bought a Gen2.
Don't get me wrong I love my Gen1, but like the updates of the gen2.
They are truly awesome cars, but I do feel guilty for using it so little. I keep flipping from thinking of it as a keeper to thinking of selling it, and back again as I know I will regret it instantly! But I am still no looking forward to parting with £3.5k in one drop and not having anything to show for it...
On a gen1 997 Turbo which are pretty rock solid engine-wise, I personally wouldn't be in favour of renewing. Primarily because I prefer to have my car looked after by a good Indy, where parts and servicing are not inflated, where I can choose parts and tyres I want to fit (the Sachs clutch is a good example), and where I can reinvest the money i've saved into a slush fund for large unexpected bills.
Once that premium's paid, that money's gone, and I for one don't believe that the warranty pays for itself in the majority of owner cases. Porsche makes more than a pretty penny from the scheme (it has just extended the term from 10 to 15 yr old cars...why I wonder?!) and from the revenue it generates by obliging people to service their cars at OPC's. Put another way - unless you're unlucky enough to have to claim for an engine, then you'll almost certainly be on the losing end.
Now, if we were talking about a 997.1 C2S - my advice would be somewhat different!!
Once that premium's paid, that money's gone, and I for one don't believe that the warranty pays for itself in the majority of owner cases. Porsche makes more than a pretty penny from the scheme (it has just extended the term from 10 to 15 yr old cars...why I wonder?!) and from the revenue it generates by obliging people to service their cars at OPC's. Put another way - unless you're unlucky enough to have to claim for an engine, then you'll almost certainly be on the losing end.
Now, if we were talking about a 997.1 C2S - my advice would be somewhat different!!
Agreed, my only concern on Porsches is a major engine cost and I avoided that to a very large degree by buying a Mezger turbo. Only costs I have had is consumables - a clutch, brake pads and a suspension bit (control arm I think). So not items covered by warranty.
I would trust the two indies I use over OPC mechanics too. Before I factor in the much lower labour rate
Another advantage was exemplified on the brake pads, 9E quoted 300+ for OEM and 214 for a good alternative that Ken said would be fine if I didn't track. Another £100 in the slush fund
I would trust the two indies I use over OPC mechanics too. Before I factor in the much lower labour rate
Another advantage was exemplified on the brake pads, 9E quoted 300+ for OEM and 214 for a good alternative that Ken said would be fine if I didn't track. Another £100 in the slush fund
I don't believe the 997.1 turbo is as reliable as the older 996 turbo engine wise. Yes both have the same engine but one runs conventional turbos the other VTGS as most of you are aware. The extra heat generated by VTGS doesn't do the engine in the 997.1 turbo any favours at all IMO. My OPC claimed they only had to replace 3 engines in 996 turbos over the last 15 years.
I bet there have been far more 997.1 turbo rebuilds/replacements than that in the last year alone.
When my blown 997 turbo engine was looked at by Ken at 9e he advised that it literally melted. This happened on an extended high speed run. Porsche refused to honour warranty initially but in the end they caved in and I was sent a new factory fresh engine with brand new turbos, exhaust et - or. £30k + worth of work on an exchange basis in real money.
Wouldn't wish that sort of repair bill on anyone hence an OPC warranty on a 997.1 turbo well worth the extra cost IMO. Having said that most 997 turbos are driven at more normal speeds and never get into 5th and 6th at WOT for obvious reasons.
As a footnote the day I got the car back from my OPC 5 months later I sent it to Ken at 9e for the treatment and thought sod the warranty completely ignoring my own advice! Couldn't be happier with the 9e upgrades! If anyone wants to see what a 997 turbo is like now with 9e hybrid GT2 RS turbos etc give Ken a call and be prepared to start doing some man maths. Its like having a GT2 RS touring only a bit quicker lol!
I bet there have been far more 997.1 turbo rebuilds/replacements than that in the last year alone.
When my blown 997 turbo engine was looked at by Ken at 9e he advised that it literally melted. This happened on an extended high speed run. Porsche refused to honour warranty initially but in the end they caved in and I was sent a new factory fresh engine with brand new turbos, exhaust et - or. £30k + worth of work on an exchange basis in real money.
Wouldn't wish that sort of repair bill on anyone hence an OPC warranty on a 997.1 turbo well worth the extra cost IMO. Having said that most 997 turbos are driven at more normal speeds and never get into 5th and 6th at WOT for obvious reasons.
As a footnote the day I got the car back from my OPC 5 months later I sent it to Ken at 9e for the treatment and thought sod the warranty completely ignoring my own advice! Couldn't be happier with the 9e upgrades! If anyone wants to see what a 997 turbo is like now with 9e hybrid GT2 RS turbos etc give Ken a call and be prepared to start doing some man maths. Its like having a GT2 RS touring only a bit quicker lol!
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