Optomistic OPC

[David M]

Just had a major service performed at Specialist Cars of Malton who identified that at least one coolant radiator and one air con radiator was leaking (and potentially more). They could have replaced them but as the car was under warranty I booked into JCT 600 Leeds for them to investigate.

Good news is that they are currently replacing them under warranty but called me this morning with their wish list of other work:

• rear number plate lights dim and need replacing!;
• front discs 85% worn and need replacing;
• rear discs 65% worn and would recommend replacing;
• rear tyre depths not great and uneven wear - recommend replacing tyres and full geometry check.

They don't know but the clutch is also slipping (when I really give it some extra boost ;-)...) but I am fully responsible for that!

Is this normal for an OPC to give you the hard sell or should I be worried - I politely declined their suggested work. The front pads were replaced and the brake fluid changed as part of the major service last week but I am going to get them to price just to replace the front discs only. I accepted the rear number plate lights more in bemusement. Must remember to claim my PCGB discount.

I will replace all tyres and have the geometry set by a specialist when all the tyres need replacing.

Any comments?

 

[PGAdamopoulos]

Hello David
I had all of my radiators replaced, in two lots and I had to pay for them.
You are lucky that are going to be replaced under warranty.
Apparently, they are another weak point of the cooling system, and I would advice you to change all of them if they have started going. It is just a matter of weeks before all af them fail.
Make sure that they bleed the system adequately, pressuere test it and you check your coolant level for the next few days.
Cheers

 

[Guest]

NEVER take one opinion ,always get a second , OPC`s are on a bonus scheme,
Good luck.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

It's standard OPC practice to tell you your disks and pads are shot, then charge you 4 times the price to get them done.
At most you could replace the front disks (from Eurocarparts) yourself (1 hour job) or at an indi.

 

[Gordon Attar]

David
Specialist Cars would have told you if the other repairs were needed and at 85% you would have started to not
The discs, pads and tyres are standard replacement practice at far to many OPC's for my liking.

Have a quick look yourself by looking through the spokes, sorry dont know the std disc depth on a 996, but do get a third opinion

 

[David M]

Thanks for the comments. Just got the car back today with aircon and cooling radiators replaced under warranty. Aircon regassed and now have cold air.

They also replaced the rear plate lights under warranty (probably because I told then not to bother but the person I told left the day after booking my car in!) and they also replaced the missing plastic cover under the seat.

So everything done and it didn't cost me a bean!

Car is booked in to SCM later this week for a clutch so will given them the inspection report and ask for their opinion on the brakes and tyres.

I had just ordered two replacement light fittings and one of the underseat plastic covers from Germany so they are all spare now.

If anyone want the other parts at cost then just drop me a PM. Plastic over (OPC £45 - Germany £10). Rear plate lights (OPC fitted £80 - Germany delivery £25 for 2). Plus P&P.

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

David, where did you get your parts from in Germany ?

TIA

 

[David M]

Nathan

I found the parts through Ebay.

Here is a link to the rear lights http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PORSCHE-964-993-996-986-968-REAR-LICENSE-PLATE-LIGHT_W0QQitemZ220105811920QQihZ012QQcategoryZ10408QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And his email address is porschedaddy at web.de - he is called Chris (tian).

HTH

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

Thanks, will remember him when I next need something.

 

[Guest]

I had a similar experience with Sheffield OPC (also owned by JCT 600) when I bought my warranty. They presented me with a list of 8 things that needed fixing. It turned out (on questioning them) that only 1 item needed sorting for the warranty purchase.

I took the list to Strasse and they sorted the stuff and I saved a load of cash.