997 MAJOR SERVCE

[jonathanw]

I got persuaded to have the aircon checked and regassed by a very persuasive service manager. I got ..conned and about £200 lighter in the pocket. It was totally unecessary on a 2 year old car with about 12k miles. On the many previous Porsches I have had I have never required aircon service.

 

[davidcross]

I have the first major service coming up next month and thought id ask if any usual "scams" i shud look out for from the OPC. There was a mention of providing my own oil as rather than pay their ludicrous prices but wondered if anything else i shud be aware of??? i probably will get any subsequent work done at autostrasse and will probably tell them this in advance in the hope they be honest with me. I did only buy the car from main agent last year and have only done 5k miles so im kinda hoping im not gonna get too stung!!!!

 

[davidcross]

Thanks jonathon ill look out for that one...my aircon seemingly works fine. I take it if i tell them im relaxed about it it wont do any harm to the car.

 

[charanpal71]

If it's 2 years you'll be up for a brake fluid change, which seems to vary across the network - Reading charge about 120GBP

 

[davidcross]

This not part of the service charge anyway???? Its the 4 year service and car now done 20k but just flew through MOT

 

[garyw]

ORIGINAL: davidcross This not part of the service charge anyway???? Its the 4 year service and car now done 20k but just flew through MOT

I'd just point out as I'm sure you're aware that a MOT has nothing to do with a serviceable condition on a car... Many items that pass the MOT would be warned upon service and visa versa... Aircon and brakes are the normal scams all garages come up with, however if you don't take their professional advice its at your own risk..!! Also bearing in mind that if you plan on keeping the warranty it now looks like it needs to be done at the OPC, It seems not to contravene block excemption as its optionable [&:] garyw

 

[davidcross]

tks gary, does that mean that all work has to be carried out by an OPC in order for the warranty to remain valid or can i use specialist for servicable repair work??

 

[davidcross]

sorry gary i missed the point there.so they insist on doing the repairs. Sounds very much like a scam

 

[paulfcraven]

The OPC service charges are negotiable, try them by asking for an all in price of labour and materials. They should quote a price of £885 for the 4 year service. My OPC reduced that to £750, which I accepted. One minor item was under warranty but they suggested that the front discs needed replacing (23000miles) I declined. My local Indie looked at them the same day and said they wouldn't change them just yet. Be hard nosed.

 

[davidcross]

Paul, i have worked on the basis that 997"s are on a "fixed price" service menu. Full major service is cira £550....am i missing something??

 

[berty987]

Check the service book, there are items listed that are in addition to the minor and major service that are calendar rather than mileage dependant. Items such as brake fluid, poly rib belts, tyre glue, and cabin filter are common add ons. I believe 911 owners are more fortunate than boxster/ cayman owners as the spark plugs are included in the service pricing. If you look at the differences between a minor and major service , you will see that the majority of the additional cost is labour for additional checks on brakes and the coolant system.

 

[davidcross]

to be honest if they throw me a bill for a grand ill be more than happy as i wont be seeing them for another 2 yrs anyway!!!!

 

[davidcross]

one final thing on the subject of brakes, is that i bought the car last year from a opc and my understanding is that brakes are replaced if anymore than 30% worn when supplied by an opc. on that basis having only covered 5k miles since purchase i wouldnt expect them to tell me they need replacing. its not like ive done any track done etc

 

[Rodney Naghar]

ORIGINAL: davidcross on that basis having only covered 5k miles since purchase i wouldnt expect them to tell me they need replacing.

That's precisely what you should expect, on the basis that they don't expect to see you for another couple of years, so want to play it safe! Ahem....right!

 

[davidcross]

Well their gonna get told that an indis gonna be be doing any subsequent repairs so see what happens

 

[garyw]

ORIGINAL: davidcross Well their gonna get told that an indis gonna be be doing any subsequent repairs so see what happens

Certainly worth saying to them to see if they want the business.. and if sales are anything to go by, then they will want the business [] garyw

 

[Black80XSA]

ORIGINAL: davidcross Full major service is cira £550....am i missing something??

Oh yes !! Major service £583 Brake fluid £153 ( a nice 20% rise in price in the last 12 months !) Check drive belts £27 Replace tyre sealant £42 Spark Plugs £193 !!! £998 to you sir - would you like the air con serviced too ??

 

[davidcross]

spark plugs are actually included in the 911 service but point taken.the aircon Is fine so let's see how we get on

 

[Alex L]

Aren't 997 Spark Plugs REALLY hard to get at and replace?! Or is that just Turbos? http://www.teamspeed.com/forums/997-996-turbo/10862-fyi-higher-mileage-modified-turbos.html

 

[Black80XSA]

ORIGINAL: davidcross spark plugs are actually included in the 911 service but point taken.the aircon Is fine so let's see how we get on

Spark plugs are not included in the major service - they are a separate item based on age or mileage (same as tyre sealant and brake fluid). [link=http://www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/default.pdf?pool=uk&type=download&id=porscheservice-servicepricing-type997&lang=none&filetype=default]http://www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/default.pdf?pool=uk&type=download&id=porscheservice-servicepricing-type997&lang=none&filetype=default[/link] If you call an independent then chances are they DO include spark plugs in their quote - i reckon you will be looking at about £600 for the lot at Northways for example.