Is Porsche servicing really fixed price?

[DJMC]

2014 Cayman 2.7 coming up to 40,000 miles. Under extended warranty to May 2019.

My usual OPC (Sytner Leics) are quoting £1,022.66 inc. VAT for this major service including:
- Brake fluid change
- Spark plugs
- Chassis inspection
- Drive belt inspection
The service receptionist was keen to tell me Porsche operate "fixed price servicing", which made me think it perhaps wasn't?

My next nearest OPC is Sytner Sutton Coldfield who did undercut their sister OPC in 2015 when quoting for cruise to be retro fitted.
But are there deals to be done on servicing too?

Thanks for any info.

[DJMC]

Paul_D said:

had my car serviced at Sutton - good price. Ask for Sharon - brilliant service advisor. I think you can negotiate a bit

How much was cruise control to have it retrofitted if you dont mind me asking?

TIA

BTW average major service is approx 950-1200.

I think cruise was £500 incl? Iirc the correct price was £550 so not much of a saving but Leics wouldn't budge. I dealt with Avril in 2015 but I think she moved to Wolves when they were supposed to be closing SC and moving, as did Dave the service manager who did the cruise deal.

They seem a little more relaxed and friendly at SC and the trip over there to see a client the other week took less time than I thought, about the same as Leics. Plus, I've had a couple of "run-ins" with Leics. Twice I've booked the car in, turned up, and what they said over the phone wasn't the case. 1/ Quoted for 4 tyres £10 more than my local tyre co. - arrived, price quoted was for TWO tyres! DP later apologised after listening to the call where his service guy does quote the price for all four. 2/ Speaker buzz warranty claim - booked in for this specific item - arrived, it's a chargeable repair as the car is in year three of its warranty.

I'll give SC a call...

[DJMC]

I've spoken to SC and Vanya said she'd see what the service manager would do, as an existing customer.

Phoned me back and pitched me an excellent all-in price so now booked in early March, with a Macan for the day.
Leics gave me a Merc 220d last time. Not a nice drive.

I guess chassis check is:



From (USA list): https://gaudinporschelv.com/images/dealer_images/4...

[DJMC]

woodysnr said:

Shop around ...I saved over £££££££ + Got the BF or free and forget the tyre gunk and the 1 ltr top up off Mob 1 .What is a chassis check on a 14 plate car .

I bought some Halfords tyre gunk (Two for £9) on a BOGOF offer last months as my Porsche gunk will be out of date in Feb.
I'm aware usage of gunk renders the tyre scrap, but I wonder if the OPC will tell me that non-Porsche gunk will invalidate my warranty? (Chuckles to self)

I think the 1ltr Mobil 1 in the zip up case is standard?

[DJMC]

Paul_D said:

coolio.

Should have mentioned me, would have got a discount as I am always there

You work there??? Or does you car have issues?

[DJMC]

EGTE said:

In all seriousness, it's very possible they will do exactly that at the next inspection.

I always expect some bizarre conversation when dealing with an OPC. Logic doesn't enter into it.

There's also the prospect of the lovely offer of a "health check video" (sales opportunity), and the ominous phone call just after lunch when they say something along the lines of... "We've inspected your tyres/discs/pads and they could do with changing. Would you like us to...?"

[DJMC]

Just had a mad thought re: oil...

At a major service the oil IS included in the price, yes? Rather than being added under "fluids" or "parts" etc?

Getting very cynical in my old age!

[DJMC]

bcr5784 said:

I absolutely agree. Unfortunately you'll find buyers who say they won't touch a car unless it has a full OPC service history. I personally think that is a silly attitude to take (I'd rather trust an Indy who relies on his reputation for business, rather than an OPC who has a captive audience) - but it is a reality and may affect resale. For that reason I'm having my 4 year service done at an OPC since I'll probably sell the car before the next service is due. Annoying.

Yes, that's right. We forum folk forget that the great unwashed, the Porsche drivers who don't wave back, are the majority out there and they want to see that OPC stamp. I'm of a similar mind, although if I was buying a car with GCR or RPM service stamps, I'd do a little research and perhaps be more assured the car has been looked after and that the owner is an enthusiast who knows his indys.

We at caymanoc.com had a club meet at RPM last Sunday and Greg, one of the bosses, surprised me by saying they have factory support. In other words they, like an OPC, connect directly with Porsche for technical advice. Could they do my major 40k service and keep my extended warranty intact? I believe they could. Would I be happy with that? Hmmm... two things still cause me not to: 1/ No OPC stamp for resale. 2/ When I have a warranty issue, will the OPC I'm towed to say "Ooops, what's this RPM stamp in your service book sir?"

But on the flip side, what savings will I make on servicing? Will an indy suggest I change the PDK oil in my manual gearbox? Will I feel my car is being more properly looked after?

At least the OPCs are aware of the "threat" from the indys. My usual OPC had nothing but praise for GCR in Leicester, saying that many of their technicians now worked there. But what we need, and will perhaps never see, is someone like RPM being able to confirm their work on our cars does not affect warranty, be it in the first three years or after, and that Porsche have sanctioned this in writing. That day will of course never come as Porsche would be cutting their own dealer network's throats financially.

[DJMC]

JayK12 said:

Took mine for its first service 6 months ago to my local OPC whom i did not buy the car from. Nothing short of fantastic. Called up told them I'll bring my own Oil, confirm the grade etc. Dropped the car off, picked up a Cayenne, left, came back, to collect, paid, got free mints, an hour chat and off i went home. Seems some are better than others.

That's all well and good, but don't you find the mints rattle in the rectangular Porsche tin when cornering?
A very poor packaging design indeed, spoiling the thought which went into the Porsche shaped mints within.
I got sick to my rotting teeth of the awful noise and so had them removed (the mints, not the teeth).

[DJMC]

Twinfan said:

As long as it's like for like that's a big saving. I'm looking to do the same with mine in the future. 2nd year (first service) this year at the supplying OPC, first MOT/oil change/pre warranty expiry check over in year 3 then indy from that point on.

Out of interest, why didn't you extend the warranty? I have Zunsport grilles on mine which is why I won't be extending. I may look into an aftermarket PASM module in year 3 too.

My 2014 981 has full Zunsports, front, side, rear. Last year Leicester OPC were quite happy to extend my warranty for 2 years with the grills fitted for the 111 point check. I'd already OK'd this before taking it in. Before fitting the Zunsports in 2016 I'd checked with OPC Sutton Coldfield who said there would be no invalidation of the original warranty.

[DJMC]

Budweiser said:

Ok, I’ve been quoted a little over £1100 inc Vat for my 4 year service on my CGTS 10500 (I know, shameful). My local Indipendant quoted just over half that with Vat. I’m not looking to sell the car anytime soon, I didn’t extend my initial 3 year warranty, so I’m going with the Indipendant because I can’t see why I wouldn’t.

Greig at RPM explained to me last week that their servicing a car under warranty or extended warranty will not invalidate it. I'm quite convinced by him he's correct. But his 40k service price is only £200 less than what I have negotiated with my OPC which is an hour less drive away, a loan Madam for the day, and a Porsche stamp in the service book.

[DJMC]

Twinfan said:

Original warranty will be fine, its the extended warranty that's the issue. My OPC said they'd have to come off for 111 point check.

I'll ask again before I decline the extended warranty, but it does seem to vary from OPC to OPC. Under the strict letter of the law they're not allowed.

Take it to Leics OPC for the extended warranty then? They didn't quibble at all when I asked about mine. The technicians were saying what a great idea the grilles were.