new discs & pads!
Discussion
After some advice;
Dissapointed at my OPC as last week had a major 24000 service done at 19500 miles (23 months from new with me) and they did a few things under warranty but all fine.
Today notice and feel a grinding from my front brakes - take it in and for it to be looked at and to be told that the front Discs are badly corroded and need changing, rear discs need skimming/changing and all pads to be changed.
No mention of this at the major service and Im upset that the discs need changing at under 20k miles. I would expect min 35k from them. OPC will ask Porsche GB for goodwill/warranty claim but cant promise any help.
1 mild track day 2 years ago, and normal fast road use every day.(19500 miles in 22 months.),
I would expect new pads but discs at the same time seems wrong? Also me having to notice a change in the braking and report it to them after they had srviced the car is dissapointing.
Any views advice pls?
ps - its a 996 Targa
>>> Edited by superlightr on Wednesday 23 June 15:41
Dissapointed at my OPC as last week had a major 24000 service done at 19500 miles (23 months from new with me) and they did a few things under warranty but all fine.
Today notice and feel a grinding from my front brakes - take it in and for it to be looked at and to be told that the front Discs are badly corroded and need changing, rear discs need skimming/changing and all pads to be changed.
No mention of this at the major service and Im upset that the discs need changing at under 20k miles. I would expect min 35k from them. OPC will ask Porsche GB for goodwill/warranty claim but cant promise any help.
1 mild track day 2 years ago, and normal fast road use every day.(19500 miles in 22 months.),
I would expect new pads but discs at the same time seems wrong? Also me having to notice a change in the braking and report it to them after they had srviced the car is dissapointing.
Any views advice pls?
ps - its a 996 Targa
>>> Edited by superlightr on Wednesday 23 June 15:41
Unfortunately, that seems representative of the levels of service (from both a customer and vehicle standpoint) that OPC's seems to offer these days....
Stick with independants who often have more of a reputation to lose...
For them not to have at least taken a look at the discs seems shoddy to say the least. They may also have just wiped your oil filter rather than have changed it (this is a joke BTW).
Caveat emptor. Under new euro regs, you are free to take your car anywhere, and as long as the service schedule is adhered to as per the manufacturers instructions, they must honour any warranty with the vehicle and any associated claims.
Stick with independants who often have more of a reputation to lose...
For them not to have at least taken a look at the discs seems shoddy to say the least. They may also have just wiped your oil filter rather than have changed it (this is a joke BTW).
Caveat emptor. Under new euro regs, you are free to take your car anywhere, and as long as the service schedule is adhered to as per the manufacturers instructions, they must honour any warranty with the vehicle and any associated claims.
I've come to the conclusion the discs are made of candyfloss (like the floor mats 
) 
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=34201
My car with 15k miles on the clock is currently in having the second set of replacement discs and pads on the fronts and the first set of discs and pads on the rears. I have to admit though that my car does do a bit more than occasional fast road use.
Incidently my OPC gives 10% discount on servicing to members of Porsche Club GB (£50 per year). Checking over my running costs you will notice this benefit more than pays for itself. Indeed should save me about £150 on the brake work being done at the moment, as well as the £90 saved in april during the 2nd year service.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Wednesday 23 June 16:35
) www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=34201
My car with 15k miles on the clock is currently in having the second set of replacement discs and pads on the fronts and the first set of discs and pads on the rears. I have to admit though that my car does do a bit more than occasional fast road use.
Incidently my OPC gives 10% discount on servicing to members of Porsche Club GB (£50 per year). Checking over my running costs you will notice this benefit more than pays for itself. Indeed should save me about £150 on the brake work being done at the moment, as well as the £90 saved in april during the 2nd year service.
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Wednesday 23 June 16:35
often thay say the discs are "cracked or corroded" and they are actually fine.
Some dealers are either very over cautious or are just ripping customers off.
Heres an example.
My neighbour and I both have 996s
two years ago, we both did virtually the same number of track days (at the same time)....about 10 in a year. In that year, my car went to Colchester OPC for two regular services. I only needed one set of front pads.
He took his car to Lindbrook OPC tonbridge. In one year he has two sets of discs and two sets of pads.
We dont really drive that differently. Mine was a C2 and his is a C4.(C4s are supposed to be a little harder on brakes)
More recently he has used Colchester for two services, still doing track days, and gues what...no pads or discs changes as yet.
Some dealers are either very over cautious or are just ripping customers off.
Heres an example.
My neighbour and I both have 996s
two years ago, we both did virtually the same number of track days (at the same time)....about 10 in a year. In that year, my car went to Colchester OPC for two regular services. I only needed one set of front pads.
He took his car to Lindbrook OPC tonbridge. In one year he has two sets of discs and two sets of pads.
We dont really drive that differently. Mine was a C2 and his is a C4.(C4s are supposed to be a little harder on brakes)
More recently he has used Colchester for two services, still doing track days, and gues what...no pads or discs changes as yet.
Agree with Peter on this one. After intially being told my discs needed replacing at my first annual service, Porsche GB confirmed they are perfectly servicable with cracks of upto 7mm. Of course one Bruntingthorpe session later we had broke through the 7mm "allowance" quite successfully. I know of people who run with cracks longer, the important thing is not to let them join up or reach the edge of the disc.
The OPC tried the same stunt at the second annual service when the front cracks were only 3mm and the rear cracks were 2mm.
DAZ
The OPC tried the same stunt at the second annual service when the front cracks were only 3mm and the rear cracks were 2mm.
DAZ
My advice to superlightr is to get at least one 'second opinion ' . If you know some fellow 996 owners then compare notes . If you have a look yourself ( take wheels off one at a time ) you will be better placed to discuss things with OPC , you might even spot what the cause is. Corrosion tends to take place on the back face of the discs which are hard to get at or observe , I'm sure a dentist would have tools for the job !
superlightr said:
thanks for the replies.
There are no cracks, just ridges on the disc and corrosion. no didnt say about the track day but it was 20 months ago and was very gentle.
20k for a set of disc is low in my view.
Mine were always a little ridged. Corrosion will come off with some heavy braking on a good run.
I think they are talking pants.
Goto another OPC and get an opinion.
Dont pay up yet.
The perceived premature wear is only one part of the problem. You need to read carefully the owners service booklet and see what should have been carried out as an integral part of the 24,000 mile service, you should find that a check and subsequent report on brake component condition is a part of said service.
This situation would give me a total loss of confidence in the actual work carried out. Ask for a copy of the job card and look for your self what has been ticked, if the technician has ticked ok for brakes this gives you grounds to complain to the Dealer Principal. If tech has marked with a X and you were not informed this is equally as bad. Either way get on to them about the standard of workmanship and duty of care/due dilligence on safety items, then hit them hard for sympathy claim on premature wear as a gesture to restore your faith.
Allan
This situation would give me a total loss of confidence in the actual work carried out. Ask for a copy of the job card and look for your self what has been ticked, if the technician has ticked ok for brakes this gives you grounds to complain to the Dealer Principal. If tech has marked with a X and you were not informed this is equally as bad. Either way get on to them about the standard of workmanship and duty of care/due dilligence on safety items, then hit them hard for sympathy claim on premature wear as a gesture to restore your faith.
Allan
996 and boxster brakes are notoriously soft and prone to corrosion. The main cars afflicted are weekend or irregular use cars and ones which are washed and then not taken out for the brakes to dry. Cars with less miles on them are actually affected more than high-milers. If you have a weekend car you should maybe expect to change the brakes every 2 years minimum regardless of miles.
Also remember the OPC have to assess if the brakes will last until the next time they see the car (possibly 1 year) as many people entrust the looking after of their car to the OPC...so they have to evaluate if the brakes will last a full year, if not then they are legally bound to recommend replacement...so they're not necessarily out to shaft you, and may even be looking after your interests.
Also remember the OPC have to assess if the brakes will last until the next time they see the car (possibly 1 year) as many people entrust the looking after of their car to the OPC...so they have to evaluate if the brakes will last a full year, if not then they are legally bound to recommend replacement...so they're not necessarily out to shaft you, and may even be looking after your interests.
the opc service guy went and got a form which had various boxes and spaces for their comments and there was the comments about the brakes and pads on their job sheet, but no one told me about it.
Im reasonably happy with the past service I have received apart from the above,
Perhaps just a good thrash will sort them out, but had a good blast today but no luck,also I dont like the feel as I can feel & hear the corrosion.
I would expect the pads to be replaced but am surprised the discs have worn down so far. As other posts have said Porsche dont necessary make then to last as long as other cars - even my M5 discs lasted until 35k!
Much appreciated the replies. After bad safety issues with the M5 I get very twitchy on brakes and suspension.
Im reasonably happy with the past service I have received apart from the above,
Perhaps just a good thrash will sort them out, but had a good blast today but no luck,also I dont like the feel as I can feel & hear the corrosion.
I would expect the pads to be replaced but am surprised the discs have worn down so far. As other posts have said Porsche dont necessary make then to last as long as other cars - even my M5 discs lasted until 35k!
Much appreciated the replies. After bad safety issues with the M5 I get very twitchy on brakes and suspension.
Interesting thread...I have been thinking about the OPC / indie route when mine is due for a service. The OPC in Newcastle where I got it from have serviced it from virtually new, and the head tech chap has over 20 yrs Porsche experience, so knows the older cars (like my 993) inside out, and more to the point knows my car very well. I know I have to have all work done there for a year to keep the warranty up, and was thinking of extending the warranty for another 1 or 2 years there after....meaning I have to keep the OPC servicing up to validate the warranty...but I don't know what the level of cover is when you extend the warranty past the initial 12 months??
But.......there are some very good indies near me; Strasse, 9M, Specialist Cars of Malton, and Tech 9 (a little further a field in Liverpool). Who according to form give better service than OPC's at lower prices.
Its a hard choice
MOD.
>> Edited by MOD500 on Thursday 24th June 20:12
But.......there are some very good indies near me; Strasse, 9M, Specialist Cars of Malton, and Tech 9 (a little further a field in Liverpool). Who according to form give better service than OPC's at lower prices.
Its a hard choice
MOD.
>> Edited by MOD500 on Thursday 24th June 20:12
Pads and Disks - don't talk to me about Pads and Disks !!!!! I believe what OPCs know about their own cars fits in a pencil case !
My pads were nearly new (apparently) on a 996TT and 5,600 miles later were down to just 10% remaining on front and rears equally. Mine is tip' so wear is higher and I did one hardish track day but still !!!
Any manufacturer can make great breaks, just use a softer compound. Same principle as great tyres, softer compound. Same principle as becoming the worlds most profitable car company, softer customers !
An I am the mug for letting them do it, so it is doubly annoying !
My pads were nearly new (apparently) on a 996TT and 5,600 miles later were down to just 10% remaining on front and rears equally. Mine is tip' so wear is higher and I did one hardish track day but still !!!
Any manufacturer can make great breaks, just use a softer compound. Same principle as great tyres, softer compound. Same principle as becoming the worlds most profitable car company, softer customers !
An I am the mug for letting them do it, so it is doubly annoying !
after a good drive at the weekend, the brakes feel fine now. Im sure ive got the corrosion off.
Spoke to the OPC, cancelled the new discs and pads, my pads are down to 30% and even though I ask the % left on the discs they fluffed it and said he would have to double check. I take it that the tickness is fine, just the corrosion - it had been sitting for 5 days -
So we will see how long the pads last, I understand a warning light will come on when they wear down for replacement. The car may well be sold in 12 months time (10k about in a year) so if i dont have to replace them for at least a year then that will be good.
its anoying not to have their advice - ie has the car been sitting Sir? some hard braking will take the corrosion off, and at 20k miles the discs should have at least another 10k miles.
Spoke to the OPC, cancelled the new discs and pads, my pads are down to 30% and even though I ask the % left on the discs they fluffed it and said he would have to double check. I take it that the tickness is fine, just the corrosion - it had been sitting for 5 days -
So we will see how long the pads last, I understand a warning light will come on when they wear down for replacement. The car may well be sold in 12 months time (10k about in a year) so if i dont have to replace them for at least a year then that will be good.
its anoying not to have their advice - ie has the car been sitting Sir? some hard braking will take the corrosion off, and at 20k miles the discs should have at least another 10k miles.
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