expensive exhaust

[jonathan]

When having my S1 2.5 944 (1988) MOTd at Porsche Centre Edinburgh I was told my exhaust back box had a split which would get worse and ideally need replaced. Iwas quoted just over £1100.00 including fitting but on searching on google I see I can get the piece for about £160.00 plus Vat. Have they got it wrong or, if not, why so dear ?

 

[swright]

My god you could have a custom built full stainless sports system for that!!!!!!!!!!

They are either very confused or are trying it on!! I suggest buying the one for £160 and getting a good independent exhaust fitter to fit it for you.

 

[Big Dave]

Quick tip...
DONT go back to OPC Edinburgh....[][]

 

[pauljmcnulty]

ORIGINAL: jonathan

When having my S1 2.5 944 (1988) MOTd at Porsche Centre Edinburgh I was told my exhaust back box had a split which would get worse and ideally need replaced. Iwas quoted just over £1100.00 including fitting but on searching on google I see I can get the piece for about £160.00 plus Vat. Have they got it wrong or, if not, why so dear ?

Hi,

There are still lots of 944 owners who have their cars serviced by the main dealer. I'd agree that some dealers do offer a special rate for older cars, but the counter-argument is that it's unlikely there will be any trained staff with experience of the older models working there. They also tend to have only one standard to work to - factory settings and as-new.

You'll find that most of the Porsche-trained mechanics from the 1980s are working in independant businesses now, and the aftermarket parts are as good as original if bought through decent suppliers such as Bert Gear. I'm sure one of the Scottish region 944 owners can point you in the direction of a reliable independant.

I'm often asked whether losing the 100% Porsche dealer history will de-value a car. With the values so low now it's not going to make a difference, and arguably a history from a well-respected independant is worth more when selling.

 

[jonathan]

Thanks for that ! I will get back in touch with the OPC and see whether they've missed a decimal point somewhere. Will let you all know how I get on. PS I am a member since 2004 so will have to sort that with PCGB.

 

[mik_ok]

Motortune of Shotts ~ J5 of the M8 close to the Harthill Antennae.
01501 822247
Speak to Peter. Knows 944s inside out.

Were always very good for me (when I went in with my list, Peter would argue any points where he felt I'd be wasting my money). I've never read any negative comments about them and labour rates are of course a fraction of OPC.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

PS I am a member since 2004 so will have to sort that with PCGB.

Sorted! []

 

[RC18B 911 turbo]

I got my fully stainless Hayward & Scott for £695, what they quoted you is horrendous for a standard exhaust but I suppose it is an OPC though.

 

[poprock]

ORIGINAL: mik_ok

Motortune of Shotts ~ J5 of the M8 close to the Harthill Antennae.
01501 822247
Speak to Peter. Knows 944s inside out.

Were always very good for me (when I went in with my list, Peter would argue any points where he felt I'd be wasting my money). I've never read any negative comments about them and labour rates are of course a fraction of OPC.

I'll second that. Peter has looked after all three of my 944s over the years and does an amazing job. Top bloke.

If you're looking for something closer to home, there's also Brian Miller Motors in Edinburgh. Very good with 944s too.

Both Peter and Brian are ex OPC mechanics who went out on their own many years ago and made successful businesses specialising in Porsches.

 

[jonathan]

Thankyou to everyone for all the help - I am very impressed by the friendliness and helpfulness of this forum - have had the car since 2005, drove it to Switzerland for my 40th in 2006 and love it to bits. Will follow up the Edinburgh lead as that will be the closest for me. Thanks again !

 

[Neil Haughey]

ISTR my exhaust cost about £400 must have been 5 years ago though, bought from a previous incarnation of silverstone OPC. I went with the OEM exhaust on the basis that the original lasted 13 years so must have been very good quality. Word of warning though, the OEM stainless system is amazingly heavy if anything the aftermarket systems are a nice idea just to save weight and the ones Bert sells seem like good quality at a low price. Many guys have bought systems from Bert over the years and I don't recall much if anything negative said about them.

 

[jonathan]

Went to EdinburghOPC to check their quote today - yes, the price was just for the back box and fitting (£1100 !) - just for fun got a quote for new belt and water pump - wait for it - £1700.00 ! - £1200.00 for labour alone. Off to Motortune in Shotts on Friday to see Peter - will keep you posted. Happy New Year to all.

 

[mik_ok]

Good stuff Jonathon. Just watch the speed bumps on the run up to his premises- you won't ground but they are damn steep so take em slow.

 

[944 man]

Youll think but Im being pedantic, but the following might save you some confusion. A 1988 2,500cc 944 is a series two, all 'oval dash' cars are series twos. The cars made up until August 1985 are series one vehicles. 'S2' is a marketing name and it doesnt stand for series two; it actually follows on from the 1987 944Super.

Simon

 

[944 man]

When I last bought an original back box they were only £100, but moving forward 12+ years I would be looking at a straight through stainless Dansk rear section. I bought one a few months ago for £130 delivered and Im extremely happy with it. It was quiet initially, but it settled down after a couple of hard laps of Bruntingthorpe the following day and its really quite throaty now...

 

[Fen]

OPCs were knocking out back boxes for 99 quid a few years ago, but as with many parts such as steering shafts the asking price can vary by as much as 500% or even 1,000% on them.

 

[944 man]

They dropped to that price in 1996. Water pumps were a similar price too, which caused much excitement. I think that people realise now that its the manufacturer purging excess inventory that theyre no longer obliged to keep (after a model turns a certain age), rather than a good turn to help out owners of lower value cars (as PP heralded it...)

 

[Fen]

It was more like 2001 or 2002 I'm thinking of.

It still surprises me today how often some owners seem to think Porsche is like some sort of benevolent grandfather. It's a faceless, mercenary corporation that tries to maximise profit and builds the vehicles it believes it can sell for the maximum return just like any other, and has been for quite some time now. They only care about the 944 era models if they can make money on spare parts and possibly as a hook to get owners to buy into more expensive and newer models as a pathway to buying new eventually.

 

[jonathan]

I appreciate that - I don't think it's pedantic at all and I've often wondered exactly what it is I'm driving ! Will ensure I get it right from now on.

 

[jonathan]

Agree of course that they're there to make the cash but I was pleased when MOTing the car through them last year I got all the fuel pipe recall work done for free which I was otherwise unaware of.