Is Porsche servicing really fixed price?
Discussion
Klippie said:
Regarding taking your own oil in...I had two tubs of oil sitting in the car for the OPC to use (tech I spoke to actually said to do this) for my service said they don’t allow customers to supply their own oil, I questioned this and was told as they cannot be sure it’s the correct grade for the car (same Mobil 1 as they sell) and informed them that’s the oil I want in my car, service guy goes off to speak to the service manager and returns to say “it’s for the warranty audit” and they have to show the oil being taken from the stores to use for the service.
In my thirty five years of driving I’ve never heard so much pish from a main dealer justifying ripping you off, that day my car got an MOT, major service, plugs, brake fluid plus two years warranty renewal and to top it all they even charged for the 111 point check....I was not f
king happy and still not fking happy about it.
‘Oh really, is that your final position on this’?In my thirty five years of driving I’ve never heard so much pish from a main dealer justifying ripping you off, that day my car got an MOT, major service, plugs, brake fluid plus two years warranty renewal and to top it all they even charged for the 111 point check....I was not f
king happy and still not fking happy about it.‘Yes sir, all about the warranty audit’
‘Okay bye’
‘What do you mean, bye’?
...... sound of Porsche driving off. Done.
I’ve decided never to go back to my local opc as every time it is a stressful horrible experience. They can sod off and I’ll use an Indy with good rep or actually pay more to take it to mainland at extra cost (or France).
Just one part of the last opc visit...
Lunch time call - We recommend you change the PDK transmission oil.
I asked why and I got ‘we just do’. Asked for further details why and got nothing more meaningful.
At this point I highlighted to them that the car was a manual!!
Blatent attempt at rip off (pretty much fraud) without the most basic of checks to make it sound plausible.
Trust we’ll and truly broken. Didn’t get any optional work done and just have to hope the rest was okay.
That was two years ago and still not written the letter to Porsche I promised I’d do. (Not that it would really achieve much).
Lunch time call - We recommend you change the PDK transmission oil.
I asked why and I got ‘we just do’. Asked for further details why and got nothing more meaningful.
At this point I highlighted to them that the car was a manual!!
Blatent attempt at rip off (pretty much fraud) without the most basic of checks to make it sound plausible.
Trust we’ll and truly broken. Didn’t get any optional work done and just have to hope the rest was okay.
That was two years ago and still not written the letter to Porsche I promised I’d do. (Not that it would really achieve much).
DS240 said:
‘Oh really, is that your final position on this’?
‘Yes sir, all about the warranty audit’
‘Okay bye’
‘What do you mean, bye’?
...... sound of Porsche driving off. Done.
I’ve decided never to go back to my local opc as every time it is a stressful horrible experience. They can sod off and I’ll use an Indy with good rep or actually pay more to take it to mainland at extra cost (or France).
I absolutely agree. Unfortunately you'll find buyers who say they won't touch a car unless it has a full OPC service history. I personally think that is a silly attitude to take (I'd rather trust an Indy who relies on his reputation for business, rather than an OPC who has a captive audience) - but it is a reality and may affect resale. For that reason I'm having my 4 year service done at an OPC since I'll probably sell the car before the next service is due. Annoying.‘Yes sir, all about the warranty audit’
‘Okay bye’
‘What do you mean, bye’?
...... sound of Porsche driving off. Done.
I’ve decided never to go back to my local opc as every time it is a stressful horrible experience. They can sod off and I’ll use an Indy with good rep or actually pay more to take it to mainland at extra cost (or France).
DS240 said:
Just one part of the last opc visit...
Lunch time call - We recommend you change the PDK transmission oil.
I asked why and I got ‘we just do’. Asked for further details why and got nothing more meaningful.
At this point I highlighted to them that the car was a manual!!
.
fLunch time call - We recommend you change the PDK transmission oil.
I asked why and I got ‘we just do’. Asked for further details why and got nothing more meaningful.
At this point I highlighted to them that the car was a manual!!
.
k me that's equally terrible and hilarious at the same time. Proper Keystone Cops 
DS240 said:
‘Oh really, is that your final position on this’?
‘Yes sir, all about the warranty audit’
‘Okay bye’
‘What do you mean, bye’?
...... sound of Porsche driving off. Done.
I’ve decided never to go back to my local opc as every time it is a stressful horrible experience. They can sod off and I’ll use an Indy with good rep or actually pay more to take it to mainland at extra cost (or France).
As what has been said the OPC network service stamps is what most Porsche buyers look for as a sign the car has been so called "Properly" looked after, for example say I was driving to the south of England to look at a car privately owned specialist serviced I wouldn't know that garage and the reputation they have without doing a lot of homework, most people would dismiss this right away as its much easier to drop into an OPC and buy from there.‘Yes sir, all about the warranty audit’
‘Okay bye’
‘What do you mean, bye’?
...... sound of Porsche driving off. Done.
I’ve decided never to go back to my local opc as every time it is a stressful horrible experience. They can sod off and I’ll use an Indy with good rep or actually pay more to take it to mainland at extra cost (or France).
If you want the OPC service then they have you by the balls but it really pisses me off they seem to think its perfectly acceptable to rape your wallet every time you walk in the door.
Klippie said:
As what has been said the OPC network service stamps is what most Porsche buyers look for as a sign the car has been so called "Properly" looked after, for example say I was driving to the south of England to look at a car privately owned specialist serviced I wouldn't know that garage and the reputation they have without doing a lot of homework, most people would dismiss this right away as its much easier to drop into an OPC and buy from there.
.
I think that's because most buyers have no idea how little skill is involved in a service. .
bcr5784 said:
I absolutely agree. Unfortunately you'll find buyers who say they won't touch a car unless it has a full OPC service history. I personally think that is a silly attitude to take (I'd rather trust an Indy who relies on his reputation for business, rather than an OPC who has a captive audience) - but it is a reality and may affect resale. For that reason I'm having my 4 year service done at an OPC since I'll probably sell the car before the next service is due. Annoying.
Yes, that's right. We forum folk forget that the great unwashed, the Porsche drivers who don't wave back, are the majority out there and they want to see that OPC stamp. I'm of a similar mind, although if I was buying a car with GCR or RPM service stamps, I'd do a little research and perhaps be more assured the car has been looked after and that the owner is an enthusiast who knows his indys.We at caymanoc.com had a club meet at RPM last Sunday and Greg, one of the bosses, surprised me by saying they have factory support. In other words they, like an OPC, connect directly with Porsche for technical advice. Could they do my major 40k service and keep my extended warranty intact? I believe they could. Would I be happy with that? Hmmm... two things still cause me not to: 1/ No OPC stamp for resale. 2/ When I have a warranty issue, will the OPC I'm towed to say "Ooops, what's this RPM stamp in your service book sir?"
But on the flip side, what savings will I make on servicing? Will an indy suggest I change the PDK oil in my manual gearbox? Will I feel my car is being more properly looked after?
At least the OPCs are aware of the "threat" from the indys. My usual OPC had nothing but praise for GCR in Leicester, saying that many of their technicians now worked there. But what we need, and will perhaps never see, is someone like RPM being able to confirm their work on our cars does not affect warranty, be it in the first three years or after, and that Porsche have sanctioned this in writing. That day will of course never come as Porsche would be cutting their own dealer network's throats financially.
bcr5784 said:
Klippie said:
As what has been said the OPC network service stamps is what most Porsche buyers look for as a sign the car has been so called "Properly" looked after, for example say I was driving to the south of England to look at a car privately owned specialist serviced I wouldn't know that garage and the reputation they have without doing a lot of homework, most people would dismiss this right away as its much easier to drop into an OPC and buy from there.
.
I think that's because most buyers have no idea how little skill is involved in a service. .
There really is not a lot to servicing a car, especially with all the ramps and tools to hand.
Car dealers make most of their money on after-care; Porsche do so on sales as well, but they certainly know how to over-charge!
Cheib said:
DS240 said:
Just one part of the last opc visit...
Lunch time call - We recommend you change the PDK transmission oil.
I asked why and I got ‘we just do’. Asked for further details why and got nothing more meaningful.
At this point I highlighted to them that the car was a manual!!
.
fLunch time call - We recommend you change the PDK transmission oil.
I asked why and I got ‘we just do’. Asked for further details why and got nothing more meaningful.
At this point I highlighted to them that the car was a manual!!
.
k me that's equally terrible and hilarious at the same time. Proper Keystone Cops Wanted to know why it was being recommended on a 6yr old car with 12,000 miles.... just kept getting ‘we just recommend it’. Asked why they were going against Porsche recommendations but got same line as before.
In the other comment about walking away, I’d at least go to another accommodating OPC if an Indy wasn’t an option.
I just hate the local place. Sales team have no knowledge and my views on servicing is clear. Without the captive wealthy market, who change car every 6 months just because or the latest greatest GT model is automatically ordered, the place would be out of business.
But no other choice without great expense going to mainland from Jersey.
Took mine for its first service 6 months ago to my local OPC whom i did not buy the car from. Nothing short of fantastic. Called up told them I'll bring my own Oil, confirm the grade etc. Dropped the car off, picked up a Cayenne, left, came back, to collect, paid, got free mints, an hour chat and off i went home. Seems some are better than others.
JayK12 said:
Took mine for its first service 6 months ago to my local OPC whom i did not buy the car from. Nothing short of fantastic. Called up told them I'll bring my own Oil, confirm the grade etc. Dropped the car off, picked up a Cayenne, left, came back, to collect, paid, got free mints, an hour chat and off i went home. Seems some are better than others.
That's all well and good, but don't you find the mints rattle in the rectangular Porsche tin when cornering? A very poor packaging design indeed, spoiling the thought which went into the Porsche shaped mints within.
I got sick to my rotting teeth of the awful noise and so had them removed (the mints, not the teeth).
Ok, I’ve been quoted a little over £1100 inc Vat for my 4 year service on my CGTS 10500 (I know, shameful). My local Indipendant quoted just over half that with Vat. I’m not looking to sell the car anytime soon, I didn’t extend my initial 3 year warranty, so I’m going with the Indipendant because I can’t see why I wouldn’t.
As long as it's like for like that's a big saving. I'm looking to do the same with mine in the future. 2nd year (first service) this year at the supplying OPC, first MOT/oil change/pre warranty expiry check over in year 3 then indy from that point on.
Out of interest, why didn't you extend the warranty? I have Zunsport grilles on mine which is why I won't be extending. I may look into an aftermarket PASM module in year 3 too.
Out of interest, why didn't you extend the warranty? I have Zunsport grilles on mine which is why I won't be extending. I may look into an aftermarket PASM module in year 3 too.
I had my soon-to-be two year old 2016 Cayman 981 2.7 manual serviced for the first time last week at Leicester (15,000 miles, minor service + brake fluid change). The bill was £577.82, less than the quoted £590, so I'm happy with service cost at <£300/yr.
They lent me a new Boxter S PDK. Very rapid, but the engine noise wasn't inspiring. PDK is almost too good.
They lent me a new Boxter S PDK. Very rapid, but the engine noise wasn't inspiring. PDK is almost too good.
Edited by James McScotty on Sunday 28th January 17:42
Twinfan said:
As long as it's like for like that's a big saving. I'm looking to do the same with mine in the future. 2nd year (first service) this year at the supplying OPC, first MOT/oil change/pre warranty expiry check over in year 3 then indy from that point on.
Out of interest, why didn't you extend the warranty? I have Zunsport grilles on mine which is why I won't be extending. I may look into an aftermarket PASM module in year 3 too.
My 2014 981 has full Zunsports, front, side, rear. Last year Leicester OPC were quite happy to extend my warranty for 2 years with the grills fitted for the 111 point check. I'd already OK'd this before taking it in. Before fitting the Zunsports in 2016 I'd checked with OPC Sutton Coldfield who said there would be no invalidation of the original warranty.Out of interest, why didn't you extend the warranty? I have Zunsport grilles on mine which is why I won't be extending. I may look into an aftermarket PASM module in year 3 too.
Budweiser said:
Ok, I’ve been quoted a little over £1100 inc Vat for my 4 year service on my CGTS 10500 (I know, shameful). My local Indipendant quoted just over half that with Vat. I’m not looking to sell the car anytime soon, I didn’t extend my initial 3 year warranty, so I’m going with the Indipendant because I can’t see why I wouldn’t.
Greig at RPM explained to me last week that their servicing a car under warranty or extended warranty will not invalidate it. I'm quite convinced by him he's correct. But his 40k service price is only £200 less than what I have negotiated with my OPC which is an hour less drive away, a loan Madam for the day, and a Porsche stamp in the service book. DJMC said:
My 2014 981 has full Zunsports, front, side, rear. Last year Leicester OPC were quite happy to extend my warranty for 2 years with the grills fitted for the 111 point check. I'd already OK'd this before taking it in. Before fitting the Zunsports in 2016 I'd checked with OPC Sutton Coldfield who said there would be no invalidation of the original warranty.
Original warranty will be fine, its the extended warranty that's the issue. My OPC said they'd have to come off for 111 point check.I'll ask again before I decline the extended warranty, but it does seem to vary from OPC to OPC. Under the strict letter of the law they're not allowed.
Twinfan said:
Original warranty will be fine, its the extended warranty that's the issue. My OPC said they'd have to come off for 111 point check.
I'll ask again before I decline the extended warranty, but it does seem to vary from OPC to OPC. Under the strict letter of the law they're not allowed.
Take it to Leics OPC for the extended warranty then? They didn't quibble at all when I asked about mine. The technicians were saying what a great idea the grilles were.I'll ask again before I decline the extended warranty, but it does seem to vary from OPC to OPC. Under the strict letter of the law they're not allowed.
Many opcs knock money off for being part of a Porsche club. Opc Bristol does this - my last major service was within £50 of the Indy’s - and I got to play with a pammy for the day.
Using indy’s during your manufacturer and extended warranty period, even if done with genuine parts, could leave you open to problems. If the engine blows due to oil issues, opc could claim that the Indy is at fault.
Outside warranty, imho the indy’s are better - mine gives me a list of things that need doing or can wait
Using indy’s during your manufacturer and extended warranty period, even if done with genuine parts, could leave you open to problems. If the engine blows due to oil issues, opc could claim that the Indy is at fault.
Outside warranty, imho the indy’s are better - mine gives me a list of things that need doing or can wait
Twinfan said:
As long as it's like for like that's a big saving. I'm looking to do the same with mine in the future. 2nd year (first service) this year at the supplying OPC, first MOT/oil change/pre warranty expiry check over in year 3 then indy from that point on.
Out of interest, why didn't you extend the warranty? I have Zunsport grilles on mine which is why I won't be extending. I may look into an aftermarket PASM module in year 3 too.
I did have the inspection done. OPC weren’t concerned about the grills. Very happy with the Indy so I thought, why not....Out of interest, why didn't you extend the warranty? I have Zunsport grilles on mine which is why I won't be extending. I may look into an aftermarket PASM module in year 3 too.
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