Servicing - OPC or Specialist?

Guest · Dec 1, 2007

Hi all. I have owned my 996 Carrera 4 for just over a year now and am approaching a major service at 96000 miles and looking for some advice. The car has been serviced at OPC's up to 68000 miles followed by a major at ninemeister, back to an OPC for a minor and then PARR for a yearly. My question is should I get it serviced at an OPC again or at this kind of mileage is it worth just going to a specialist? would I be sacrificing any residual value in the car by taking it to a specialist and if so how much, since I guess this needs to be taken into account? I am certainly not the richest man on the planet and have had to save up some money since owning the car to ensure I can pay for a quality service. I am aware that my OPC offers 10% discount for memebers, which will help, but after adding up fixed price menu total comes to around £1100, thats without them finding anything wrong with it! What should I do? Thanks

Richard_Hamilton · Dec 1, 2007

Unless you have an OPC warranty, I'd say specialist. It will make very little difference to the residual value on a car of that mileage and age. It obviously didn't matter to you that it was serviced by 9M or Parr, so I doubt if it would worry many potential buyers, as long as you use a decent Porsche specialist. I think that buyers of cars of this age realise that a specialist will do as good a job as an OPC. It's just important that you have it serviced at the correct intervals.

Just my 2p's worth.

Nice looking car BTW.

Robertb · Dec 1, 2007

I agree with what Richard said. At the end of the day, the critical thing is that its been looked after right. You'll save money at a specialist, and arguably get a better job done.

NIL98 · Dec 1, 2007

Ditto. OPCs are unbelieveably expensive in comparison. IMO specialists are enthusiasts and you get a much better service. My 911 has always been serviced out of the OPC due to age / mileage. I recently bought a low mileage Cayenne and fully intended to keep it with OPC stamps but when it came to the crunch it was £400 difference sor same thing. I have an aftermarket warranty so went back to my favourite indy (PCT coventry).

Rodney Naghar · Dec 1, 2007

but after adding up fixed price menu total comes to around £1100

Just wondering how your menu servicing price came to that much after discount, when I had my major done in March at an OPC for almost half that?

Richard_Hamilton · Dec 1, 2007

Transmission oil changes are due at 96k, and if it's a tip, you've got the ATF change which is £300+. Drive belts, plugs, fuel filter? brake fluid? ...........

Diesel130 · Dec 1, 2007

I'm with Richard - at that mileage, esp as you've 2 specialists already - go with a specialist again. Good choice of colour ;-) what wheels are those ?

Guest · Dec 1, 2007

Thanks guys for all your sound advice! At least by getting it serviced at an independant specialist I have some money left over to go towards my insurance!

To answer Rodney Naghar's Q about the £1100 bill for the major, as Richard said, this is because it requires not only the major service @ £538 but qlso plugs (£168) transmission oil (£93) front final drive oil (£62) drive belt (£ 88) Brake fluid (£ 113) and fuel filter (£ 128) and of course a mobil 1 top up @ £15. All comes to a tidy some of around £1200 without the 10% discount! It certainly all adds up for a 96000 service.

Diesel130 - The wheels are the original Carrera 4 17in alloys and sit on an 030 sports option chassis, which I think helps to make it look a lot better on 17's. Have been tempted to get some 18' turbo look wheels for it but I think this may make the ride even harder as the 030 option does make it a firm ride already, but great drive!! Also don't often see these original wheels as much as the turbos.

Rodney Naghar · Dec 1, 2007

Blimey! Take it as far away from an OPC as u can [8D]

Diesel130 · Dec 2, 2007

ORIGINAL: Grifter50

and of course a mobil 1 top up @ £15.

Only £15 ?

Anyway - stick with the indi. BTW: Mine is on 17" for just that reason - more compliant ride, but on the turbo alloys - don't think I've seen the carrera ones before.

xaftershockx · Dec 2, 2007

I'm in a similar dilema!!

I need a lot doing to the car!!

Although its only done 13000 miles ... yes I know but long story!!

Its up for Oil. Brakes. Pads and Discs! Plus whatever else is found!!

I really want my local garage to look at it. He is a top mechanic and knows his stuff!!

Then I'm very seriously thinking of going to Hartech. Long haul but there lifetime warranty seems a great one.

So my thoughts are.

Local guy does all the work.. A lot cheaper than an indie!! I wouldn't go near an OPC after what I have read. Sad that really. (plus £100+ an hour!!!)

Get Hartech to check it over and take out there lifetime warranty!

ok now where am I going wrong?? Please Pleaee tell me I've got this thought through??

Oh then off to get my geometry sorted.

Blimy one day I might actually drive it!!!