OPC 'Experience'

[craig johnson]

Thought I'd share this...

Never had the pleasure of experiencing what the OPC have to offer so jumped at the chance to sample the delights of the free inspection at Nottm OPC that Patrick (our RO) had kindly arranged.

Young lad had a good look around and a poke, nice big clean workshop, well looked after etc. etc. Written report provided declaring brake pads "50% worn". Good me thinks, had them 2 years, done about 16,000 miles on them, got about 12000 miles left in them to be on the safe side, change em in a a year and half...

2 weeks later, break pad wear indicator comes on. Strange- faulty sensor perhaps?

[] No...

All 4 pads were worn, the rears two having cut through the sensors. []

Rang OPC twice who couldnt be bothered to call back. Most unimpressed with both the customer service and poor attention to something that is quite severe and potentially dangerous (I know there's plenty of wear left when indicator comes on but still basic!) and wouldnt trust them with my car again. Still I have sampled the 'OPC's and can now advise anyone, particularly with an older car, not to bother. Lesson learned. Lesson shared. Just my opinion obviously and no doubt others have different experiences, hopefully more positive.

Craig

 

[peanut]

lets face it they are probably not interested in cars that are as old if not older than they are.[]

They probably like being able to just plug in the diagnostic equipment so its all done for them these days.

At the end of the day most jobs are probably going to be done by 16 year old untrained primates `under supervision '[] I take my pigs to a local performance car specialist now at least I know that all the work will be done by a mature mechanic who is time served and qualified, probably at half the rate.

 

[Mark Elder]

Yes, this exactly matches my experience. Sad to say.

 

[carrera7]

Sorry to hear you have had problems. The age of the car should have nothing to do with it. I have spoken to the DP and the matter is being looked into. If you dont hear from them by Monday would you please let me know. RO

 

[jason]

Sadly when I took my car to the OPC for the free check I watched the young lad spend about 10 mins fiddling with the dashboard looking all confused.

In the end he came over to me and asked if I could show him where the mileage is.

How much confidence does that install!

It's a no brainer for our cars locally though. If you are Notts and above go to Mike at Zentrum and Leicester and south go to Chris at GCR.

www.zentrum.co.uk

www.gcrcentral.co.uk

 

[Mark Elder]

ORIGINAL: carrera7

... The age of the car should have nothing to do with it. ....

I hope your call to the DP has a positive outcome, but the practical reality is that the age of the car does affect the outcome of their actions.

1) Some OPCs seem to try/care and understand that they need to support the enthusiast for the long term good will it brings. If Notts is one of these, great. But even then, the training and experience the mechanics get means they simply will not have the knowledge or background to take care of cars without automated diagnostics - and they probably don't see enough of them now (to gain the experience) because so many of us have "learned our lesson" and won't take our cars there.

2) Some OPCs appear to go out of their way to make owners of older cars stay away (no profit in them).

I brought a 993 because I wanted one (not because I could not afford a 997), and I intended to continue it's OPC service record (I also wanted to use them because they are so close to my home too). However, was given such poor service (and brush off when I complained) that I won't go back. (And I've since found a indy who is just great - although a long journey to reach).

 

[Helen Goff]

i'm afraid to say OPC have No experience and no real interest in anything older than 5-7 years. they will also charge you about double what a good indi will charge you.

i took my 993 to OPC Notts for a winter check and was very pleased that i did as the young lad spotted that the holes in the brake discs had become blocked (i hadn't noticed that). services manager seemed supprised i didn't take them up on their kind offer to clean the holes out for a estimated £200-£300 [8|].

i think it took Larry about half an hour to do it for me............ cost: 1x cup of coffee and a biscuit [][][]

 

[Helen Goff]

Have to add that if you have a New car then (from my experience) OPC Notts service department is pretty good.

 

[carrera7]

Hi Mark, Whilst I appreciate that the indies have the knowledge of the older cars and dont have the overheads( Leicester OPC cost £5.5 million to just set up) the advice about wear should not have been given and calls should have been returned irrespective of the age of the car. David Harrington the DP accepts this and is very appologetic.

 

[smallspeed]

I've no experience with OPC's for servicing and repair, but I can say the parts departments seem to go out of their ways to help you.. I have used Nottingham, Silverstone and Leicester, and all seem good. Nottingham always help me out, even directing me there in realtime once over the phone when there was a huge crash and I tried to find my own way through the city centre!.. Silverstone have posted parts to me to save me the drive, and re-coded my boxsters key for me for nothing (others had said it cost them 1/2hr labour around london and at reading). Ive only used leicester once, but they got the parts in quick, and the guy remembered me the next time I went in there..

The concerns here cross manufacturer boundaries; Ive had a lot of dealings with mercedes and bmw in the past, and their sales guys are aloof, receptionists snooty, and the parts guys seem to know their stuff and remember their customers. I don't want to tar every dealer with the same brush but I've yet to use a main dealer of any luxury/exclusive car manufacturer that isn't the same.. Jag (miltonkeynes) wouldn't give me a test drive when I was considering one as a company car, Lexus (leic) wouldnt even talk to me, i think im invisible to porsche sales guys and receptionists, vw and audi have always talked down to me except one occasion when I was wearing a suit (my mrs has vw/audi's and they are fine with her though!)

One interesting thing I found is while mercedes and bmw are generally unhelpful, the smart and mini guys are the most friendly people you could ever wish to meet!.. leic bmw couldnt care less about me until i actually bought my 5 series (old company car) but the woman in the mini showroom, who I chatted to once about the new cooper s is great.. I saw her again about 18months later at the m3 launch (I was there as a mate has an order in for an alpina b3 coupe and they had one there that night) and she remembered me, my name, and we pretty much picked up conversation where we left off.. My mum has a similar relationship with the smart people at oxford merc, however if she takes my dads merc in for a service she gets the same blank looks and rubbish service I used to get..
Not sure why someone shouldn't get that level of service on the bigger cars too, but there we go; if i brought a maybach for example I would want to come out of the dealership with a sparkling clean backside from all the kissing []

ben

ps.. jason's bang on with his recommendation; gcr are superb, they do all the work on my car which I can't do myself and I have no complaints whatsoever

 

[craig johnson]

ORIGINAL: jason

If you are Notts and above go to Mike at Zentrum and Leicester and south go to Chris at GCR.

www.zentrum.co.uk

I have taken my 911 to Mike since I had it, so 2 and half years. Was very satisfied with his service/prices and knowledge. You just wonder what you amy be missing out of from the main dealer of a performance marque.

Whilst I'm giving feedback, Mike was fantasctic over Christmas. The Sat evening before Chrimbo, my car decided to spew oil everywhere- the road, garage floor, wheels etc., which turned out to be a split oil pipe. Frantic call to Mike, out of hours, Chrimbo weekend when the garage was shut! He returned my call in few minutes, and offered to open up the garage on Sun, in his own time, before he left for the North doing the Xmas visits etc. and kept the car for me until I returned from a week holiday. Fantastic customer service, and couldnt have asked for more at a worse time.

Am awaiting a call from Nottm OPC and will let you know the outcome in fairness to them.

Craig

 

[peanut]

ORIGINAL: Helen Goff



i think it took Larry about half an hour to do it for me............ cost: 1x cup of coffee and a biscuit [][][]

ooooooooh Helen you are cheap ! ( 118 118 advert voice)


Was that £200 per disc or per hole ? [][][]

 

[Helen Goff]

ORIGINAL: peanut




ooooooooh Helen you are cheap ! ( 118 118 advert voice)

why thank-you, you say the nicest things []

 

[garyw]

Not just the classic cars having issues by the sounds of it...

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=344388

garyw

 

[jason]

ORIGINAL: smallspeed

ps.. jason's bang on with his recommendation; gcr are superb, they do all the work on my car which I can't do myself and I have no complaints whatsoever

Of course I was.

ORIGINAL: craig johnson

ORIGINAL: jason

If you are Notts and above go to Mike at Zentrum and Leicester and south go to Chris at GCR.

www.zentrum.co.uk

I have taken my 911 to Mike since I had it, so 2 and half years. Was very satisfied with his service/prices and knowledge. You just wonder what you amy be missing out of from the main dealer of a performance marque.

Whilst I'm giving feedback, Mike was fantasctic over Christmas. The Sat evening before Chrimbo, my car decided to spew oil everywhere- the road, garage floor, wheels etc., which turned out to be a split oil pipe. Frantic call to Mike, out of hours, Chrimbo weekend when the garage was shut! He returned my call in few minutes, and offered to open up the garage on Sun, in his own time, before he left for the North doing the Xmas visits etc. and kept the car for me until I returned from a week holiday. Fantastic customer service, and couldnt have asked for more at a worse time.

Am awaiting a call from Nottm OPC and will let you know the outcome in fairness to them.

Craig

Case rests for the defence M'Lord [][][]

 

[MarkK]

I took our 964 to Leicester OPC before Christmas,they were freindly+helpful, car got serviced and MOT'd and a couple of things fixed,came back clean- i have no complaints at all,seemed like enthusiasts to me[]Will deffo use them again for services, MOTs and parts.

 

[craig johnson]

Had a conversation with David Harrington at the OPC. Was very apologetic and has invited me in for a coffee and a chat to talk over their service.

He did appear to be more concerned about my call not being returned rather than missing a worn key component, and explained that they have some issues with their switchboard- apparently has an overspill facility and calls can go to any person that may be answered and messages passed on to the most appropriate person.

So fair do's for calling me back and apologising but not filled with confidence from the technical side. Will let you know how I get on if I pop in!

Craig