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Major service questions

G

glamdring

Member
My car is in at OPC Cambridge for it's 4-yr service the week after next.

The car has only done 25k miles and the basic service is £610 as most people know.

Of course they have also recommended me to get the plugs done (another £170) even though the car hasn't done the 40k recommended miles, and have the drive belt checked (another £54) again even though it's not done the 40k miles and is here on time only. So we're up to £834 and whilst that doesn't present a problem, I'm not a fan of needlessly spending my 'benjamins'.

So, a question or two for the more experienced 997 owners. Is it:

a) worth getting the plugs changed and the belt checked if I'm under the recommend miles
b) worth me buying the plugs separately to save a few quid if I do get them changed?
c) worth buying the oil separately to save a few quid?

I'm told I can supply my own parts so the oil/plugs might be cheaper elsewhere, no?
 
Highlights the variation in OPC charges for the service "add-ons" to the published Porsche basic cost.

In Aug 2010 I paid Sutton Coldfield £203 76 Exc VAT for plugs but "only" £24 Exc VAT for belt check but later told by Solihull they do not charge for belt check

Well worth ringing round local OPCs before committing to have the service carried out.
 
The oil will definately be cheaper elsewhere - Costco if you have one nearby and are/know a member and Opie oils if not. I dont know about the plugs but I suspect they will be too. They will normally also change the tyreweld thingy at 4 years so watch out for that, plus presumably an MOT for another £57.50 or whatever it is now. Is it under warranty and do you plan on renewing? If so you can probably negotiate the cost of the 111 point check into the service cost which is a bit of a saving. Otherwise just ring another OPC and see if you can get them to do it cheaper!
 
Interesting point.

I just spoke to OPC Leicester and they charge:

£590 for the service
£200 for the plugs
£no charge for the belt check

Yes it is still under warranty, due renewal Oct 2011. Can I get them to do that ahead of time do you think?
 

Hi

My car is going in ot the OPC next week for its 4 year major service, the only saving is the oil they will allow me to provide this but still insist on a plug change the car has just into four digits on the speedo at 10309 miles!
 
Personally I'd forget the plugs if they aren't due anytime soon, and your car is running fine.
 
I would think (expect) that as the car is under warranty, you'll have to put up with whatever they decide. My Boxster went for 6 years with the same plugs and didn't show any misfires (except when the fuel pump failed!).
 
?Is it only the turbo models that require the rear bumper to be removed to change the spark plugs for which my OPC (same network as Cam.) charged me 599 (inc. spark plugs but mainly labour), over-and-above the basic price (690 in this case).
Are you getting the brake fluid changed also in this price?

As to the need to change spark plugs one OPC told me that there have been issues with plug threads fusing and 4yrs was designed to avoid that. Maybe part of warranty territory...
 
J, the Turbo's have to be removed in order to get access to some of the plugs- although it can be done without their removal from a US thread a saw...with a bit of a struggle!!
I paid a similar price to you. [:(]

The spark plugs could make a difference to the smooth running and economy of your car... even if they show no problems in normal use prior..


garyw
 
I had spark plugs done when my coil packs were done under warranty and it was under 200 quid or there abouts but normally they charge for a Turbo about 700 quid +VAT as it's a good few hours.

I also had brake fluid done and a service and they did all that for 700 quid inc VAT too, which was about 150 quid discount. :D

Glasgow OPC have not been the best for me in some cases but this time they looked after me and I can honestly say they are a good bunch of guys, it's just sometimes with the electrics they need the computers to tell them whats wrong or they are stumped.

I had a turbo warranty claim also and they dealt with it very well, so sometimes it's good but sometimes they haven't a clue.

Overall I rate them 7/10 as they mean well and are the friendliest people you could hope to meet.
 
Mine is in for the major next month (on 23.5K miles and not 4 years old yet either....have been quoted £1,400 by my local......think I'll need new rear pads too at another £425.....
 
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