Porsche Maintenance - Sussex Area?
Porsche Maintenance - Sussex Area?
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delays

Original Poster:

792 posts

244 months

Sunday 24th January 2016
quotequote all
Evening PH,

I have relocated from sunny Glasgow to the even-sunnier South East - specifically, Sussex. Lovely place, lovely people, plenty of pubs and plenty Porsches! Only good things to say, so far.

My 2009 Cayman 2.9 came with me, packed to the gunnels for the relocation. It's due a service at some point in the near future - a "Major" inc plugs and most likely brake fluid - and therefore I've been skulking about to see what I can find. Unlike the Central Belt of Scotland, where you can count Porsche specialists (inc. OPCs) on one hand, I'm overwhelmed by the options down here.

OPC Tunbridge have been pretty snappy at getting back to me, so comments would be helpful, and I'm also within reasonable distance from Mid Sussex, London, Guildford and the Service Centre at Brooklands.

Given the car's age, I don't think the OPC is strictly necessary. I work within walking distance from Parr, then there's 9Excellence (who come recommended from a local 928 owner), JOTA, Sussex Performance Centre, Carrera Performance...

So - bit of a wide question - owners nearby, who do you use, who would you recommend and who would you avoid?

Cheers!

sidicks

25,218 posts

250 months

Sunday 24th January 2016
quotequote all
delays said:
Evening PH,

I have relocated from sunny Glasgow to the even-sunnier South East - specifically, Sussex. Lovely place, lovely people, plenty of pubs and plenty Porsches! Only good things to say, so far.

My 2009 Cayman 2.9 came with me, packed to the gunnels for the relocation. It's due a service at some point in the near future - a "Major" inc plugs and most likely brake fluid - and therefore I've been skulking about to see what I can find. Unlike the Central Belt of Scotland, where you can count Porsche specialists (inc. OPCs) on one hand, I'm overwhelmed by the options down here.

OPC Tunbridge have been pretty snappy at getting back to me, so comments would be helpful, and I'm also within reasonable distance from Mid Sussex, London, Guildford and the Service Centre at Brooklands.

Given the car's age, I don't think the OPC is strictly necessary. I work within walking distance from Parr, then there's 9Excellence (who come recommended from a local 928 owner), JOTA, Sussex Performance Centre, Carrera Performance...

So - bit of a wide question - owners nearby, who do you use, who would you recommend and who would you avoid?

Cheers!
My 997 C4S came from Tonbridge (new) in 2006 (not Tunbridge !!) and they were pretty good for the first few years of my ownership when they carried out all of the servicing and warranty work for me.

However, when the new 991 was released I told them I was thinking about upgrading my car and asked whether I could have their demonstrator as a courtesy car when I brought my 997 in for a service. They weren't very accommodating and after some fuss, the best they could offer was a test drive for an hour.

As part of a Porsche Cub GB open day, I had previously visited Mid-Sussex OPC, so I thought I'd give them a try and they instantly offered a 991 S for the day, while my car was being serviced. After that I used them for all servicing and warranty work and they were given my deposit for a 991 GT3 in March '13, indicating that I would be 3rd on their list. They subsequently delivered that car to me and obviously the car has been back to them for servicing work.

During the 'engine recall' debacle, they were faultless and did everything they could to ensure that the recall inconvenienced me as little as possible.

I live 7 miles from OPC Tonbridge but still choose to drive the 30 miles or so to OPC Mid-Sussex, not least as it's quite a decent cross country drive! Having said that, OPC Tonbridge were not so bad that I'd actively put people off from using them!


delays

Original Poster:

792 posts

244 months

Sunday 24th January 2016
quotequote all
sidicks said:
My 997 C4S came from Tonbridge (new) in 2006 (not Tunbridge !!) and they were pretty good for the first few years of my ownership when they carried out all of the servicing and warranty work for me.

However, when the new 991 was released I told them I was thinking about upgrading my car and asked whether I could have their demonstrator as a courtesy car when I brought my 997 in for a service. They weren't very accommodating and after some fuss, the best they could offer was a test drive for an hour.

As part of a Porsche Cub GB open day, I had previously visited Mid-Sussex OPC, so I thought I'd give them a try and they instantly offered a 991 S for the day, while my car was being serviced. After that I used them for all servicing and warranty work and they were given my deposit for a 991 GT3 in March '13, indicating that I would be 3rd on their list. They subsequently delivered that car to me and obviously the car has been back to them for servicing work.

During the 'engine recall' debacle, they were faultless and did everything they could to ensure that the recall inconvenienced me as little as possible.

I live 7 miles from OPC Tonbridge but still choose to drive the 30 miles or so to OPC Mid-Sussex, not least as it's quite a decent cross country drive! Having said that, OPC Tonbridge were not so bad that I'd actively put people off from using them!
Thanks sidicks, appreciate you taking the time to type that out.

Your post serves as a reminder that I should look into joining the PCGB and get myself along to some of the events down here.

sidicks

25,218 posts

250 months

Sunday 24th January 2016
quotequote all
delays said:
Thanks sidicks, appreciate you taking the time to type that out.

Your post serves as a reminder that I should look into joining the PCGB and get myself along to some of the events down here.
I have to be honest that for me, the main benefit of my PCGB membership has been 10% off parts, but it's not clear that you wouldn't get that with hard negotiating anyway. However there have been plenty of things organised that I could have attended if I'd have wanted to.

Just remembered, Tonbridge OPC were really good in sorting out a tyre for my GT3 last year when no-one else had any in stock.

Dan911

2,648 posts

237 months

Sunday 24th January 2016
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OPC Mid Sussex for an OPC, used them for years.

9 excellence (Horley) for an Indy


Budflicker

3,799 posts

213 months

Sunday 24th January 2016
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Precision Porsche near Haywards Heath are very good.

anonymous-user

83 months

Monday 25th January 2016
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Try Paragon Porsche.

JulesV

1,801 posts

253 months

Monday 25th January 2016
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I use both Mid Sussex and Precision. Both are excellent.

Big E 118

2,468 posts

198 months

Monday 25th January 2016
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I've used Tonbridge OPC and a friend has used Mid Sussex for years, both good centers.

Parr have recently done a lot of work on my car and they were very professional and I'm very happy with the work they have done. 9e I haven't used but have only heard good things.

Precision Porsche in Sheffield Park are very good and looked after a previous car for me and I've sold a car to Paragon before and they were very professional although I have no experience of servicing there.

So good news, you've got plenty of choice!

seawise

2,276 posts

235 months

Monday 25th January 2016
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I use Paragon for the older cars and OPC Mid-Sussex for new. Both very good.

petej

225 posts

236 months

Monday 25th January 2016
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Another thumbs up for Paragon GB from me.

delays

Original Poster:

792 posts

244 months

Monday 25th January 2016
quotequote all
Overwhelmed by the number of options down here.

I've resolved to get the car serviced at an Indie but use the OPC for any warranty work (car came with 12 months Inchcape Group warranty). Will do some price comparisons on the above establishments and take it from there.

Thanks for the help folks and hope to see you out and about on the roads in the area! driving

andye30m3

3,499 posts

283 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
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I've used OPC mid sussex since I bought my GT3 for servicing. Most other stuff I'd do myself. I've just moved to a few miles from Tonbridge so may well use them in the future. I did get a price from them for a major service on the GT3 but it was a reasonable amount more than Mid sussex.

For indys I've heard good things about Paragon, could also try http://www.octanegarage.co.uk its run my one of the ex paragon guys who seams knowledgable when I've spoken to him and being a smaller outfit maybe better value.


sidicks

25,218 posts

250 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
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andye30m3 said:
I've used OPC mid sussex since I bought my GT3 for servicing. Most other stuff I'd do myself. I've just moved to a few miles from Tonbridge so may well use them in the future. I did get a price from them for a major service on the GT3 but it was a reasonable amount more than Mid sussex.
It's a nice cross-country drive from Tunbridge Wells / Tonbridge to mid-Sussex!

TheAnimal

3,473 posts

222 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
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Mid Sussex gets the thumbs up from me. They always had my custom for work on my RS60 since 2009, and they will be delivering my RS in due course. It's always a pleasure to deal with them.

sidicks

25,218 posts

250 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
quotequote all
TheAnimal said:
Mid Sussex gets the thumbs up from me. They always had my custom for work on my RS60 since 2009, and they will be delivering my RS in due course. It's always a pleasure to deal with them.
When is it arriving? I'd love to pop down and take a look!

I'd even be happy to run it in for you so that you could thrash it as soon as you collect it?!

TheAnimal

3,473 posts

222 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
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sidicks said:
When is it arriving? I'd love to pop down and take a look!

I'd even be happy to run it in for you so that you could thrash it as soon as you collect it?!
LOL... June hopefully smile

Fl0pp3r

870 posts

232 months

Tuesday 26th January 2016
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Paragon will see you right certainly, not the cheapest but you get what you pay for to some degree.

I use LaRose in Kemsing (Kent) for my GT3, not too far from you, and John their chief mechanic is ex-Walkinshaw racing. Nothing he doesn't know about Porsche, and i find them very open, honest and good VFM.

Pip1968

1,393 posts

233 months

Wednesday 27th January 2016
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I have found Paragon provided a good service as well as Porsche Tonbridge. I also gave 9e a go recently for a suspension job which they botched although were quick to sort out something that to be honest was a schoolboy error. I have to say I was a bit disappointed with 9e having heard such good things before deciding to use them.

Pip