2011 997.2 GTS Warranty renewal...Or not
2011 997.2 GTS Warranty renewal...Or not
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Discussion

chrisABP

Original Poster:

1,117 posts

176 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
Purchased my GTS from 911 Virgin back in September 2014 with a healthy remainder of a 2 year extended Porsche warranty in place. In the subsequent 18 months and just 4,000 miles i've used the warranty just once (squeaky smeary window seal & non-functioning boot light) and had another enquiry refused (key fell apart with a broken plastic lug internally yet Porsche say this wasn't covered!) which cost me just £15 to fix. OPC wanted to charge me £400 for a whole new key!

Taken the decision not to renew in March for a number of reasons including:
I find OPC's attitude to Warranty conditions ridiculous (Bosch battery is far superior to the naff MOLL unit).
Crazy charge just to check the car over (which they recently serviced!) before accepting the renewal.
I refuse to remove the BOSCH S5 battery (superior to the Porsche item), the Sharkwerks bypass pipe (the exhaust isn't even covered under the extended warranty) or the H&R springs all of which have made the car better.
After fitting the exhaust mod and the springs I would not expect Porsche to accept any liability for the exhaust or suspension anyway because I appreciate they may effect associated parts but the battery - come on!

So i'm going to enjoy my mods and keep the money aside for the rainy day should it ever occur. This isn't a cost cutting exercise as I will continue to use the OPC for servicing (with additional oil & filter changes annually) but I want the flexibility to be able to continue to change my car without the unrealistic restrictions that the warranty brings.

What are other 997.2 GTS owners doing?

Chris

Trev450

6,734 posts

200 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
The right decision imo. As soon as you can break away from the ludicrous requirements of P warranties the better.

Shiverman

908 posts

137 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
Still on the fence at the moment but I have just over a year to run on the current warranty.

Totally agree about the battery and it would be nice to make some gentle mods without them saying things like the HR springs have invalidated the warranty and you'll have to pay for that water pump sir.

Currently got 9k on the clock and I have had a - clutch switch, gearbox linkage (still difficult to select 2nd when cold), water pump and two rear lights (condensation). So I guess with that lot I've covered the cost of the warranty. Must say all the work was undertaken with no hassle and great service so I can't complain either.

Also had the window seals changed due to smearing but they wouldn't cover that under warranty. Windows now squeak when you wind them up and down and the smearing is worse! You can't win them all - I think I'll drop it to them for an MOT in a couple of weeks and ask them to look at them again.

Still loving the car though even if it is quieter and higher than it should be.

nigestar

67 posts

139 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
chrisABP said:
Purchased my GTS from 911 Virgin back in September 2014 with a healthy remainder of a 2 year extended Porsche warranty in place. In the subsequent 18 months and just 4,000 miles i've used the warranty just once (squeaky smeary window seal & non-functioning boot light) and had another enquiry refused (key fell apart with a broken plastic lug internally yet Porsche say this wasn't covered!) which cost me just £15 to fix. OPC wanted to charge me £400 for a whole new key!

Taken the decision not to renew in March for a number of reasons including:
I find OPC's attitude to Warranty conditions ridiculous (Bosch battery is far superior to the naff MOLL unit).
Crazy charge just to check the car over (which they recently serviced!) before accepting the renewal.
I refuse to remove the BOSCH S5 battery (superior to the Porsche item), the Sharkwerks bypass pipe (the exhaust isn't even covered under the extended warranty) or the H&R springs all of which have made the car better.
After fitting the exhaust mod and the springs I would not expect Porsche to accept any liability for the exhaust or suspension anyway because I appreciate they may effect associated parts but the battery - come on!

So i'm going to enjoy my mods and keep the money aside for the rainy day should it ever occur. This isn't a cost cutting exercise as I will continue to use the OPC for servicing (with additional oil & filter changes annually) but I want the flexibility to be able to continue to change my car without the unrealistic restrictions that the warranty brings.

What are other 997.2 GTS owners doing?

Chris
How many miles do you do? I'm undecided. How much better is the Sharkwerks over the std PSE on the GTS? Sounds like it is worth keeping...

Big E 118

2,468 posts

197 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
I haven't taken up a warranty for the same reasons you're debating it. Bosch battery and x-pipe/springs and other small mods.

If the car was completely standard I would probably warranty it but when you start modding and reducing the warrantied parts of the car while still paying the same premium I don't think the value is there.


chrisABP

Original Poster:

1,117 posts

176 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
nigestar said:
How many miles do you do? I'm undecided. How much better is the Sharkwerks over the std PSE on the GTS? Sounds like it is worth keeping...
Not as many as I would like to do! Have a choice of cars to use which keeps the mileage off but this year would like a trip up to the Highlands or a run over to the Ring again.

The Sharkwerks bypass in my opinion makes the 997 GTS sound like a proper 911 - almost GT3 like when fully lit! I was so disappointed with the PSE so it was the first essential mod once I picked the car up.

Chris

Ape50

78 posts

179 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
I have a year remaining on the OPC warranty and have done the Sharkwerk and most recently the battery (replaced with a Bosch S5). I plan to keep the car for a long while and will replace the Pzeros with PSS in due course. I have had no issues so far other than a small rattle fixed under warranty and have no plan to renew it.

Sure it's an insurance policy but I never take out extended warranties and think the 997 Gen 2 has a decent enough track record so far...

nigestar

67 posts

139 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
chrisABP said:
Not as many as I would like to do! Have a choice of cars to use which keeps the mileage off but this year would like a trip up to the Highlands or a run over to the Ring again.

The Sharkwerks bypass in my opinion makes the 997 GTS sound like a proper 911 - almost GT3 like when fully lit! I was so disappointed with the PSE so it was the first essential mod once I picked the car up.

Chris
It seems like a no brainer then not to renew it. curious to know what does it cost to supply & fit the sharkwerk? maybe I'll do that instead of renew the warranty. I must admit the 997 GTS PSE seems lame.

Cheib

25,332 posts

203 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
What's the deal with the battery ? Standard one no good ?

Trev450

6,734 posts

200 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
Cheib said:
What's the deal with the battery ? Standard one no good ?
Pretty much, yes. They generally don't last as long as you'd hope for.

Ape50

78 posts

179 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
Cheib said:
What's the deal with the battery ? Standard one no good ?
Pay £250 for a standard battery with a 2 year warranty fitted by your OPC or £100 for a Bosch with a 5 year warranty and fit it yourself ?

nigestar

67 posts

139 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
Cheib said:
What's the deal with the battery ? Standard one no good ?
I use CTEK MXS 5.0 trickle charger which is same brand as the Porsche one and the std battery seems fine. Though I keep reading that it is not.

kilarney

491 posts

251 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
My warranty runs another 2 yrs and im sure i wont renew for the reasons you have all cited but for now i am keeping stock. The main reason is Im pretty sure Im going to have a gearbox replaced due to weak 2nd gear synchro which I get the impression is excessively weak even though many comment on it. Once thats done i will consider the sharkwerks.

Magic919

14,415 posts

229 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
Not sure the GTS bit makes a difference, but I haven't renewed the warranty on the 997.2s. I don't think it's great value and it's become quite hard to get work done.

I complained about the driver's window a few times and finally the regulator failed at the end of a Euro trip. Luckily I was on the way to the Chunnel when it gave up. It's about £500 to get it fixed and I prefer to pay that and decide when to do it.

i've got the Sharkwerks bypass on both cars and they did warranty work with no discussion. One now has the Bosch and the other runs the Moll (3 years now).

The warranty costs would need to drop a lot to tempt me back. Renewal, especially with the silly 111 point check charge every time, is just too high.

In terms of miles, the cars split 20,000 a year 60/40.

gilliambot

141 posts

160 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
I have chosen to take out the warranty. Mostly because I drive my GTS everyday, it's currently over 50,000 miles and climbing, and my big worry is that the PDK will fail. Chances are slim, but I don't want to risk that. From my experience Porsche batteries get a bad rap (or is it wrap?!). My GTS is still on its original battery, and my old gen 1 C2S had its first battery change in 2013 that would be after 7 years.

Cheib

25,332 posts

203 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
nigestar said:
Cheib said:
What's the deal with the battery ? Standard one no good ?
I use CTEK MXS 5.0 trickle charger which is same brand as the Porsche one and the std battery seems fine. Though I keep reading that it is not.
I have a CTEK so I guess I will be using that...picking my GTS up next week.

c4sman

834 posts

182 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
My warranty runs out in June for my 2011 GTS manual. Car has been so reliable that i don't see the point and will bank the cash for hopefully any small items that go wrong. Had an OPC service last year and there were zero advisories, so all good, fingers crossed!

Fl0pp3r

870 posts

231 months

Tuesday 23rd February 2016
quotequote all
Right move Chris imo - you're better off out.

I run my GT3 outside of warranty, take it to an excellent Indy, don't feel like I have to grab my ankles come service time, and I can fit whatever tyres/battery/exhaust I want.

I'd rather put money aside for rainy day costs than line Porsche's coffers in warranty insurance premiums. thumbup

Koln-RS

4,117 posts

240 months

Wednesday 24th February 2016
quotequote all
I happily renew my Porsche warranties.

I think its good value, gives peace of mind and, most years, I've had a few bits covered, and never any quibbles.

But, where it adds value, is if you ever want to sell privately, which I've done several times. It is very attractive to prospective buyers. I look after my cars and often sell to friends and we both feel comfortable that the Warranty protection covers any unexpected issues.

A modified car with no warranty would be less easy to sell IMO.

monthefish

20,467 posts

259 months

Wednesday 24th February 2016
quotequote all
chrisABP said:
Purchased my GTS from 911 Virgin back in September 2014 with a healthy remainder of a 2 year extended Porsche warranty in place.
confused

I thought traders couldn't sell with the balance of manufacturers warranty? (have Porsche relaxed their rules on that?)