Discussion
Tower Porsche in London are handily located between my house and my office.
Anybody used them? I had a random recommendation off an estate agent, but that's about it!
First things first I need to get my air con sorted out, which I suspect is a problem with the condensers.
If not and it just needs a re-gas, I'll be a happy chappy!
In the future I'll also need servicing and another couple of little things.
Cheers in advance
Anybody used them? I had a random recommendation off an estate agent, but that's about it!
First things first I need to get my air con sorted out, which I suspect is a problem with the condensers.
If not and it just needs a re-gas, I'll be a happy chappy!
In the future I'll also need servicing and another couple of little things.
Cheers in advance
I have used them. John is a nice chap.
He talks a lot and is genuinely a lovly guy.
But they often end up charging too much because they work slowly.
Price is not cheap, but it is convenient for a lot of us to sort out day to day stuff.
I would not leave very specific jobs on a modern porsche though.
He talks a lot and is genuinely a lovly guy.
But they often end up charging too much because they work slowly.
Price is not cheap, but it is convenient for a lot of us to sort out day to day stuff.
I would not leave very specific jobs on a modern porsche though.
freedman said:
Used RGA for my S2 and 993, no issues at all
Not used Tower but theyve been about a long time
I think they would be a decent call for an older car, I'd go to RGA if I had anything watercooled (if I were chosing between the 2)
A quick bit of net research has had me leaning towards this way of thinking. Mine's a 2001 Boxster so I'm thinking RGA may be the way to go.Not used Tower but theyve been about a long time
I think they would be a decent call for an older car, I'd go to RGA if I had anything watercooled (if I were chosing between the 2)
Daggerpie said:
Havent actually used them but popped in once as was passing. Quite a few air cooled 911's and a few Boxsters.
Been warned tho, its not posh waiting room with tea & biscuits, its a few old skool lock-ups under arches. (if you're nearby you prob know that already tho!)
I hear its owned by a chap called Phil Mitchell who also owns a pub. He has a 100% record of being paid allegedly.Been warned tho, its not posh waiting room with tea & biscuits, its a few old skool lock-ups under arches. (if you're nearby you prob know that already tho!)
RGA
Tower was set up to sell imported Californian cars.. then went into the servicing game when the supply of cheap cali 911s dried up. Heard a few horror stories..
Bob at RGA used to be one of the top service men at AFN in Chiswick, before setting RGA up in the early 90's.. Any problems AFN struggle with these days.. they still take to Bob to sort out.. He rebuilt my 1971 911 to new condition, and can rebuild GT2 engines that Porsche refuse to touch... So anything of any age basically..
It really is a no brainer..
Tower was set up to sell imported Californian cars.. then went into the servicing game when the supply of cheap cali 911s dried up. Heard a few horror stories..
Bob at RGA used to be one of the top service men at AFN in Chiswick, before setting RGA up in the early 90's.. Any problems AFN struggle with these days.. they still take to Bob to sort out.. He rebuilt my 1971 911 to new condition, and can rebuild GT2 engines that Porsche refuse to touch... So anything of any age basically..
It really is a no brainer..
erics said:
I have used them. John is a nice chap.
He talks a lot and is genuinely a lovly guy.
But they often end up charging too much because they work slowly.
Price is not cheap, but it is convenient for a lot of us to sort out day to day stuff.
I would not leave very specific jobs on a modern porsche though.
This does appear to be their modus operandi - do as little work as possible and stretch it out a bit..that'll be 200 pounds please... It would actually have been cheaper for me to go to an OPC when I needed some gearchange cables greasing up on my old Boxster 2.7 (they said it would take an hour- as did the OPC- in the end it took them 3 hours!)- stupid thing is- if they tidied the place up a bit and ran it professionally, it would be a goldmine with where its located. So easy to drop your car in on the way to work in the city and get a taxi or walk in if its a nice day.He talks a lot and is genuinely a lovly guy.
But they often end up charging too much because they work slowly.
Price is not cheap, but it is convenient for a lot of us to sort out day to day stuff.
I would not leave very specific jobs on a modern porsche though.
They also ripped off a friend who asked them to do a pre-check before going to get an OPC warranty. Said it would be 2 hour labour but then charged 3 hours PLUS a 'diagnostic' charge of 70 GBP that they had inferred was included as pat oft the 2 hours charge! very naughty.
i had an exhaust swap recently and it should have been 1 hour and a 1/2.
Ended up being 2h 1/2 and two mounts of £30 each... £250 instead of £125 initially quoted. Not plaisant.
They also ripped off a friend who asked them to do a pre-check before going to get an OPC warranty. Said it would be 2 hour labour but then charged 3 hours PLUS a 'diagnostic' charge of 70 GBP that they had inferred was included as pat oft the 2 hours charge! very naughty.
Ended up being 2h 1/2 and two mounts of £30 each... £250 instead of £125 initially quoted. Not plaisant.
Paracetamol said:
erics said:
I have used them. John is a nice chap.
He talks a lot and is genuinely a lovly guy.
But they often end up charging too much because they work slowly.
Price is not cheap, but it is convenient for a lot of us to sort out day to day stuff.
I would not leave very specific jobs on a modern porsche though.
This does appear to be their modus operandi - do as little work as possible and stretch it out a bit..that'll be 200 pounds please... It would actually have been cheaper for me to go to an OPC when I needed some gearchange cables greasing up on my old Boxster 2.7 (they said it would take an hour- as did the OPC- in the end it took them 3 hours!)- stupid thing is- if they tidied the place up a bit and ran it professionally, it would be a goldmine with where its located. So easy to drop your car in on the way to work in the city and get a taxi or walk in if its a nice day.He talks a lot and is genuinely a lovly guy.
But they often end up charging too much because they work slowly.
Price is not cheap, but it is convenient for a lot of us to sort out day to day stuff.
I would not leave very specific jobs on a modern porsche though.
They also ripped off a friend who asked them to do a pre-check before going to get an OPC warranty. Said it would be 2 hour labour but then charged 3 hours PLUS a 'diagnostic' charge of 70 GBP that they had inferred was included as pat oft the 2 hours charge! very naughty.
I only have praise for Tower - admittedly I live around the corner which could have something to do with it! My 993 was looked after for 18 months by them with no issues, work always completed on-time and on-budget. They certainly prefer their air-cooled Pork, but have handled any issues with my Cayman S very well. When I took the Cayman in for its pre-Warranty check at my local OPC, I mentioned a spongey brake pedal to them. OPC recommended new discs all round, I took it to John who showed me four pristine discs on my car, and instead replaced the brake fluid for £50 which solved the problem. As always on the internet, people with gripes tend to have the motivation to post, so I thought I'd add a bit of a balance to the discussions!
Kinda sad to hear that Tower Porsche is like this, but it's the reason I started the thread, so I'm glad I asked!
I'll report back my customer service findings from RGA, seemed quite helpful on the phone. The guy I spoke to reckoned that if both condensers need doing it'll be about £600. Obviously wouldn't hold them to this as they've never seen the car, but you wouldn't expect much variation from a formal quote and final bill as seems to be a recurring theme with Tower.
First bit of maintenance I've had to do on it, so I'm hoping it goes smoothly and cost effectively
ETA: Just seen post above ... always interesting to have a different review ...
I'll report back my customer service findings from RGA, seemed quite helpful on the phone. The guy I spoke to reckoned that if both condensers need doing it'll be about £600. Obviously wouldn't hold them to this as they've never seen the car, but you wouldn't expect much variation from a formal quote and final bill as seems to be a recurring theme with Tower.
First bit of maintenance I've had to do on it, so I'm hoping it goes smoothly and cost effectively
ETA: Just seen post above ... always interesting to have a different review ...
Edited by JohnnyPanic on Friday 19th June 11:57
I've used Tower as well, and would (cautiously) recommend them.
Time is the issue. Work is NEVER ready when they say it will be. Whether this working-slowly translates into jobs taking longer and hence costing more is something I don't know; I've always had a firm price for work before going ahead with it.
Jon is a friendly chap tho' and will chat for hours. This is why work takes so long.
I'd happily use them, but do everything DIY now.
Oli.
Time is the issue. Work is NEVER ready when they say it will be. Whether this working-slowly translates into jobs taking longer and hence costing more is something I don't know; I've always had a firm price for work before going ahead with it.
Jon is a friendly chap tho' and will chat for hours. This is why work takes so long.
I'd happily use them, but do everything DIY now.
Oli.
booones said:
I only have praise for Tower - admittedly I live around the corner which could have something to do with it! My 993 was looked after for 18 months by them with no issues, work always completed on-time and on-budget. They certainly prefer their air-cooled Pork, but have handled any issues with my Cayman S very well. When I took the Cayman in for its pre-Warranty check at my local OPC, I mentioned a spongey brake pedal to them. OPC recommended new discs all round, I took it to John who showed me four pristine discs on my car, and instead replaced the brake fluid for £50 which solved the problem. As always on the internet, people with gripes tend to have the motivation to post, so I thought I'd add a bit of a balance to the discussions!
I presmume it was 2 years old and needed the brake fluid changing anyway..but as usual OPCs always want to change discs and pads. I am not saying that Tower are dishonest but they do seem to have to charge more becuase they are slow- I guess this keeps them going- I was very tempted to make them an offer the business as I imagine it could be an absolute gold mine with where it isGassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff