Basic advice brakes and service

[bduggporsche]

Hi All

Loving my 07 boxster but not very up on the mechanical side and new to the area (basingstoke) hence the very basic advice required

Have had the brake light come on in the boxster and presume this is pads but not sure which set. Anyway been quoted fitted for pairs from a very big tyre fitter near here (not a chain one) who I have been recommended to

Front pads 113
Front disc 192
Back pads 107
Back disc 205

Prices look ok but is there anything I should be looking out for e.g. Brake fluid done at same time

Secondly my nearest opc is reading and I would like to keep stamps going so was quoted 480 for a minor. Are they any good or should I be heading elsewhere.

Many thanks in advance and hope the questions are acceptable on this board.

Rgds

 

[Motorhead]

Hi Brian,

You could always ask Reading PC for an equivalent quote for comparison (they're the actual Porsche importer incidentally). Of course, they'll be using original Porsche parts and it would be worth asking your tyre fitter what pads and discs they're using for their quote.

Porsche now specify that the brake fluid should be changed every 2 years and if this has been done it should be noted in your service booklet, especially if it was done by a PC. If you don't know when it was last done it would certainly be worth having it carried out at the next service. If you're having a service, brake fluid change and disc/pad change you should be able to negotiate a discount.

I'm not local so can't comment on Reading PC but I'm sure that others here can and might also be able to recommend some alternative Indies in your area.

Jeff

 

[bduggporsche]

Hi Jeff

Many thanks for the quick reply. Did not even think to get a quote from Porsche as presumed it would be silly money (well for me anyway). I will ask about the parts being used, you can tell I am bit simple in these matters.

Brake fluid was done with last major services so from what you say add this on to the next service then. Maybe another silly question but will an Indy stamp still count in the real world?

Will see what reading say for an all in quote but get the feeling the mrs will have to start cutting back on the hundred and one suggestions she has come up with for Xmas already.

Rgds

Brian D

 

[uknick]

I paid Reading OPC about £1,420 for fitted front and rear pads and discs about a year ago on my Cayman 2.7. That price does include all the extras such as sensors, bolts and screws that an OPC tend to replace at the same time. That lot came to about £250.

You could try Northway, the independent near to Aldermaston. They seem to have a good reputation.

And then go back to Reading OPC and see if they will move on the price.

 

[Motorhead]

If it's only a minor (5 year?) service Brian, you probably won't need a brake fluid change.

5-6 years is when the PCs start to lose interest and, if you've not got a Porsche extended warranty which ties you into the Porsche dealership network, many owners have their cars looked after by a reputable Indie. They can and do offer an excellent service - generally their technicians are ex-PC and are very experienced and capable - and will have some form of Porsche diagnostic capability. If you choose to take this route I don't think that an Indie stamp in the service book is necessarily a problem provided that they are recognised as a Porsche specialist. However, I do think that it looks better if you stick to using one specialist provided you're happy with their service.

PH have a useful list here:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=48&t=394669&mid=0&nmt=Specialists%2C+sales+and+servicing

Jeff

 

[Jonathan G]

Hi, your OPC sounds expensive for servicing. I was quoted a few months ago by my local OPC for minor and major services. Minor is £265 and major £395, both including VAT. It seems the OPCs have dropped their prices in recent months so I am considering going back to mine in Guildford instead of an independant. My car is 10 years old though but at these prices they are just about as cheap as a good independant. Perhaps because my car is 10 years old this is why the service prices are cheaper, I would negotiate as most service centres are keen to get business.

 

[Motorhead]

Unfortunatley, the lower prices are only applicable for 986/996 series cars like yours Johnathan. I think that the PCs have realised that they're losing a lot of business to the Independants and have reduced their prices accordingly. Mind you, you may have to watch out for them charging for "extras".

If they're prepared to do this for the older cars, as you say it's always worth negotiating if they want your business.

Jeff

 

[spyderman]

The menu prices for minor and major are a relative bargain - until you start adding "extras" like air-con refresh, etc. I had OPC Silverstone do my Major this year but I've recently had my brakes done by a new indy in Wolverton for probably half of what an OPC would have charged for a comparable job.

Chris #88

 

[notechmike]

I would also suggest checking with OPC. Mid Sussex OPC in Burgess Hill (West Sussex) always price match this sort of thing for me - bit of a trek for you but if one will do that then maybe another will also.