PCGB or TIPEC? OPC Parts Discount for members?

[Jibaro]

I want to spend a bit more time enjoying my car this year, and am considering joining a Porsche club. I am based in Surrey near Reigate, and am looking at Porsche Club GB or TIPEC, and wondered if any PH's could give any experience?

Would either club get me parts discount at Guildford, Mid-Sussex or Tonbridge OPC? I'm not interested in servicing discounts as mine is looked after by 9e, but I want to get a new set of mats and maybe a splitter so if club membership gets me a bit of money off that would start justifying the subs straight away.

TIA

[mrdemon]

I would have to say PCGB.

[tr7v8]

As a TIPEC member we get 10% on parts & labour. Not sure about the dealers you've listed but Tonbridge & many others do. Living where you are your local TIPEC meet would be the SE group down in Crawley although if you fancy a blast my group (South East London North Kent) meet near Tonbridge.
Regions page is here http://www.tipec.net/community.php
Over the past 18 months we've tightened the relationships with our local OPCs for the benefit of both.

[nxi20]

You can get 10% off just by asking. I've never had to show a membership card

[WindyMiller67]

PCGB gets me 10% off at Guildford (do have to show card!).
Also with PCGB, your subscription is effectively free if you go for the Certificate of Authenticity offer (if it's still running). It's just a piece of paper admitedly, but quite useful to throw on the dash if you take the car to a show/breakfast club.
Don't have any experience of TIPEC.

[FarQue]

No problem at all gaining 10% at my local OPC (Bolton) on parts with TIPEC membership and they're always happy to help out on servicing costs as well. Very supportive of our regional TIPEC group (North West) with quiz prizes, group invites to open days etc. They also enjoy having some of our members' older cars on display occassionally (944's, 3.2's etc).

[Nurburgsingh]

nxi20 said:

You can get 10% off just by asking. I've never had to show a membership card

This.

[tr7v8]

nxi20 said:

You can get 10% off just by asking. I've never had to show a membership card

Probably true (never tried) but we have a page full of other discounts available in the TIPEC mag All Torque.

[pauljmcnulty]

Club membership shouldn't be about discounts, but I guess you could argue you have more leverage waving a card from a Club officialy supported by Porsche Cars GB when you have that conversation. If 10% is easy to get without a membership, perhaps 15% is realistic when you have the plastic? I've never tried it at a PC on anything other than parts, but the discounts I've had without haggling easily pay the membership.

More important is that you will be wasting your membership of either Club if you don't get out and join in. Try your local region first: if you like the people, then join.

[tr7v8]

pauljmcnulty said:

Club membership shouldn't be about discounts, but I guess you could argue you have more leverage waving a card from a Club officialy supported by Porsche Cars GB when you have that conversation. If 10% is easy to get without a membership, perhaps 15% is realistic when you have the plastic? I've never tried it at a PC on anything other than parts, but the discounts I've had without haggling easily pay the membership.

More important is that you will be wasting your membership of either Club if you don't get out and join in. Try your local region first: if you like the people, then join.

Good point Paul, but I suspect a lot of club members for any make & model join for discounted insurance first & maybe parts source & discounts next.
And yes joining in will maximise your membership value.

[marky911]

nxi20 said:

You can get 10% off just by asking. I've never had to show a membership card

This. I've never been in any clubs and get 10% off at Newcastle OPC.

I can't get away with clubs. They always attract, erm, you know, a certain type of car owner.
I was in the RS owners club in my early twenties with my Cosworths and I seen enough to last me a life time.

[Jibaro]

marky911 said:

I can't get away with clubs. They always attract, erm, you know, a certain type of car owner.

This has crossed my mind! Been to a few Lotus club meets in the past that were not my cup of tea, but surely porker enthusiasts are more normal?! Mmmm, maybe not!

Thanks for everyone's input, they both seem decent clubs, I'll give one of them a go.

[FarQue]

Jibaro said:

marky911 said:

I can't get away with clubs. They always attract, erm, you know, a certain type of car owner.

This has crossed my mind! Been to a few Lotus club meets in the past that were not my cup of tea, but surely porker enthusiasts are more normal?! Mmmm, maybe not!

Thanks for everyone's input, they both seem decent clubs, I'll give one of them a go.

As already said it really depends on how welcoming your local group of PCGB or TIPEC are, and of course it can take time to get to know people. I've met some really good friends through TIPEC and had a lot of good laughs. It works for me, but may not for others. It's a bit of a cliche, but you get out what you put in.

[xftdr]

TIPEC - Small, slightly amateur but very friendly, inclusive and mindful of keeping costs down for ordinary members.

PCGB - expensive, corporate focussed and at the National Level little interest in the 'cash cows' (thats the members!). At regional level different story and very friendly but after 15 years in PCGB and now 3 in TIPEC I would not go back to PCGB even if it were free .. which it isn't! And nor are their yearly shows unlike TIPEC !

Pays your money takes your chance but you can certainly get good deals at OPCS with TIPEC membership