Another warranty issue that is no clear cut

[marlin]

I was speaking to some one this week who had bought a Porsche press car direct from a main dealer, who has serviced the car meticulously. The car was warranted last year no problem, however this year when presented for renewal it seems Porsche have decided that if the car has been over revved (they have six categories) into the fifth or sixth category they will not warrant the car without extensive tests. Compression test, oil change phots of old oil filter and tappet renewal and a host of other checks.

Now this person was pretty pissed as the over revving was done when the car was owned by Porsche UK (the print out proves this). As the owner of the car now he is having problems in obtaining warranty because of a car supplied by a main dealer. He is waiting to see how the issue unfolds. Interesting to say the least. So watch out if you buy a used Porsche because it can look squeaky clean in all respects including the service history, but without the electronic service print out you could be buying a car that can not have a warranty. [8|]

 

[jdpef356]

ORIGINAL: marlin

Porsche press car direc

What does 'Press car' mean - Clarkson tested?[&o]

 

[adrian996]

Hardly surprising - in a few respects. Have you seen the way these cars are driven on TG and the like...?! I doubt that they gently drive them around to get them up to working temp before they get red-lined!! [] Pity the person who ends up buying the 997.2 Turbo cab that Tiff Needel took out for the Fifth Gear episode! []

 

[sailor]

Don't these cars have a rev limiter?

JohnC
993turbo

 

[garyw]

Ye,s but as ever it doesn't stop an over rev from an 'excited' downshift []

I've never heard of them requesting this information before and quite alarmed that they should now be!!

garyw

 

[marlin]

They are looking at this information, and it will be a serious problem for some owners. I can email you as I do not wish to open this subject in a public forum yet, it may jeopardise some owners who are dealing with Porsche UK on this very issue. [8|]

 

[Porrohman]

I have been told several times that press cars are not sold on but are sent back to the factory to be stripped down and rebuilt to near new spec before they are offered for sale but maybe this is not the case!

Unless the OPC specifically stated that this was a press car and would not be covered under their warranty on renewal they will be in difficulties.

 

[944s2]

At a recent Club night at an OPC there was a nice Red C4S which caught my eye with the immortal words ex press car!

 

[Rotorhead]

The press cars are well maintained, but are often prep'd and sold on.

Normal use shouldn't be an issue, but the serious over-revs are 'driver error' - caused by a missed change - that can cause internal damage. That can be possible on any car - press car, demonstrator, or privately owned - although most often it occurs on track.

 

[Black80XSA]

If Porsche UK were able to sell the vehicle as an approved used car, with the engine revs logged, then they shouldn't have issue reissuing a used warranty for it now. It was them/OPC who should have stripped the engine prior to its last sale; its not the responsibility of the current owner to verify the engines health.

A few snippets from the Porsche used car programme marketting..

It is our mission to ensure that high quality standards are maintained or restored based on an extensive 111-point checklist. Only a vehicle that passes all the tests in this detailed inspection is given the Porsche Approved seal. This is more than just proof of quality. It is a promise "" a comprehensive endorsement of the vehicle's outstanding technical and visual condition.
Beforehand, our cars must pass every test included in our comprehensive vehicle check. Because only the best pre-owned Porsche sports cars are allowed to bear the Porsche Approved seal.

Its 111 criteria determine whether any repairs or preparatory works are required "" from the ABS to the cylinder heads. The type and scope of technical reconditioning are
based on any defects found in the technical inspection report, as well as the vehicle's age, mileage and condition.

 

[944s2]

The OPC warranty should have a Sub heading Heads we win Tails you lose!

 

[Wills]

Hmmm all this over reving is quite worrying I think its called a DME report and the over revs come into different categorys if you hit the limiter it does show up on the DME as an over rev but not a critical one.

Ranges from 1 though 6, 1 being the limiter.

My instructor at the PEC told me they sell the cars into the network after they have finished with them!

 

[marlin]

The dealer in question is checking for the over rev situation on all cars presented for trade in and has had a privately owned Boxster with this problem, so you are right any car can have this problem and its logged in the memory. Its more likely to be a car that has been tracked (press car) a obvious example remember Porsche are keen to show the press how good their cars are. So beware if you buy a used Porsche you must see the engine management print out to see if it has been over revved (down shift), because if it has you could be up the creek without a paddle come warranty time. THEY HAVE MOVED THE GOAL POSTS

 

[Wills]

I guess that makes the PDK box even more attractive!

Surely you would have to be either confused or very very unlucky to miss shift like that, I'm trying to think of which downward gear change would put you in the most danger of doing that?

3rd to 2nd is pretty safe 4th to 3rd is straight across and you'd have to be going some to drag the stick across from 5th to 2nd or from 6th to 1st (ouch can you imagine!)[]

 

[Rotorhead]

Probably easier to do with a 'short shift' set up. Accelerating to the limiter in, say, 2nd or 4th, pushing the stick forward for 3rd or 5th and momentarily selecting 1st or 3rd. You'll know if you've done it as the clutch pedal is released, so you'll immediately hit the clutch pedal and select the correct slot.

Only momentary, but the damage is done and the over-rev (that the limiter can't prevent) is logged. May cause an immediate failure, may happen later, may have caused no damage at all.

 

[Wills]

I have the short shift and its IMHO even harder to do as its very precise and has a lovely self centering action...but the fact remains it happens...lets all be careful out there! []

 

[Peter Cee]

Are we saying that the PDK cars definately can't over rev ?

As well as the DME report on over revving are there other more detailed reports which may be used against you ?

I am thinking of things like RPM over 3500RPM during first 1000 miles - relevant to me as I am coming round to the view that conventional running in may not be the best course of action to bed in the piston rings (see other post on this) :

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=563900

 

[Mark Elder]

ORIGINAL: Peter Cee

As well as the DME report on over revving are there other more detailed reports which may be used against you ?

I am thinking of things like RPM over 3500RPM during first 1000 miles ...

On an evening visit to Edinburgh OPC a few years ago one of the mechanics showed us the screen from the readout - from memory the only "ranges" counted were all high - ie red line and above. The first was very short range (I forget the numbers - but only 100 rpm or so for the first one I think - designed to count very small bounces past the red line) - so I don't think there is any counting of revs down that "running in revs" - at least not on the screen we were looking at. Was a few years ago so might have even been a 996 we were looking at - was a Cab if anyone else from Scotland remembers?

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: Peter Cee

Are we saying that the PDK cars definately can't over rev ?

I think we are.[] At least I haven't found a way to do it yet!

 

[Mark Elder]

There was a 997 Tip that had an overrev DME readout on here a while back - can't remember if the cause was ever really revealed. I think there was speculation about a software update.