Porsche 911UK Forum

Welcome to the @Porsche911UK website. Register a free account today to become a member! Sign up is quick and easy, then you can view, participate in topics and posts across the site that covers all things Porsche.

Already registered and looking to recovery your account, select 'login in' and then the 'forget your password' option.

Negative Review: Stratton Motor Co & Autowerke Norwich

BChivs

Well-known member
Joined
2 Aug 2017
Messages
366
1st Porsche ruined by Stratton Motor Co and a mis informed PPI by Autowerke Norwich

Sorry in advance for the long post!😕

As some of you know I bought a 996 C4S in Sept last year.....I met a few of you on the run down to the Goodwood Charity Event shortly after, but unfortunately this was the first and only run out I made in the car😔

I knew of all the common issues with these cars when I began my search, and thought I had done my due dillegence by paying £300 for a comprehensive PPI but unfortunately for me on this occasion I was Mis-informed......

It all started driving home, and the Brakes were just not working...to a dangerous level! I kept saying to myself perhaps it's me and I'm not used to it?
Then once home Parked it on the drive and at this stage happy as a kid in a sweet shop. The next morning went to start it, and noticed the oil level was alarmingly low on the dash....checked the stick and sure enough no oil! I also noticed it was smoking from one exhaust.

I was going on holiday the next day for a fortnight so left it at home and went away forgetting about the issues.

When I got back off holiday I booked it in at OPC for a service....it was due on purchase but negotiated a discount from the dealer so I could get it done at main dealer.....This is where the real problems began.
My worries of the brakes were confirmed, and the OPC said they were shot! Not even really functioning! Along with this they found a fairly comprehensive list of issues but did not probe too in depth being just a service appraisal! I was a bit shocked to be told there were a number of issues with the car which were not identified on the PPI 2 weeks previous!
I complained to the supplying dealer but they were very dismissive and unhelpful, and wanted a further pinion on the brakes. I took it to a local MOT test station where they said although the brakes would just scrape through an MOT, they were knackered and one side would not lock up and a massive imbalance.

At this stage I begin doubting the PPI report.....I booked the car into my local independent specialists to get some of the bits sorted including 6 new coil packs and a drive belt.....whilst there I paid extra to have a further in depth inspection including borescope...what I expected to be done the first time!

When I collected the car the news I was given made me feel physically sick. A significant list of issues, none of which were highlighted to me on the initial PPI Including, failed top mounts, RMS leaking, Scavange pumps leaking, heavily corroded fuel rails, leaking coolant from water pump, drive shafts and diff seal leaking.....the list goes on and on - and the worst bit.....bore scoring to cylinders 4,5 and 6!😔

I wrote a formal letter to the supplying dealer requesting these issue are sorted.....to begin with they wanted me to return the car as the doubted the report. I refused as the supplying dealer was 250 miles away and I was also not happy about a 5.5hr Drive with all the problems. They eventually agreed to collect the car which was the end of Nov last year.....

They have had my car since!

There have been many emails back and forth and I have done my damdest to keep it amicable, but more or less all responses were to the same tune that they refuse to accept the bore score issue and a number of other issues. They have cherry picked the less expensive issues. They did agree to the fuel rails.
I had not agreed a way forward with them, nor had we come to any resolution and was shocked to receive an email a few days later to say they had taken the engine out without my knowledge.
I told them to stop work and not to touch the car any further until we had agreed a way forward.

From here we went round and round in circles by email for some time and I had excepted that it was a stale mate and the car would not be repaired. I was further taken back when the supplying dealer suggested they could probably sell the car on my behalf and return me the majority of my money!! Obviously I wasn't happy with that suggestion!
I wrote a further formal letter stating that in line with my consumer rights, as they had refused to repair I was entitled for my money to be refunded and would expect payment in 14 days.....This didn't happen.

It is now in the hands of a solicitor.....I was further shocked to discover late last week that whilst having a quick cuppa before work I was browsing on Autotrader only to find they were trying to sell my car without my knowledge or permission! I rang my dad and asked if he would call to enquire and they gave a load of ***** that it was a car they had taken in a couple of days ago and it's just in prep! They even had the neck to give my reg no, and also said it would come with the balance of a warranty.....my warranty!
And also for £2.5k more than I bought it for!

I informed my solicitor about it and wrote them a very angry email to which they back tracked and said they were just testing the water! Funnily enough now removed!

I received an email from them today offering my money back, but not all of it....basically the offer is approx £500 less than I paid.

Not sure what to do at this stage.....if I pursue with a solicitor I could potentially claim all my costs which far exceed the offer, but then there's the time, hassle, stress and expense.
I'm gutted to lose money on it, but part of me just wants to move on and put it behind me and get a new car.

I wasn't going to post this....a bit embarrased really. Been a car nut all my life and nobody wants admit they got suckered into buying a lemon.

It's left me a little hesitant with the brand but don't want to give up on it yet. I don't think I'd go for another 996 C4S, and although I've probably just been unlucky I'd most likely go for a less problem prone model like a 996 Turbo or a Gen2 997 S.

What should I do? take the money and move on or go for what im due?
 
c4s

Take the money, forget about it and move on! You will save yourself £500 worth of stress if you end the tawdry affair now.
 
that is quite an experience

Who did the PPI and who is the supplying dealer ?

and do you have a link to the car that is being resold !
 
Re: c4s

stichill99 said:
Take the money, forget about it and move on! You will save yourself £500 worth of stress if you end the tawdry affair now.
+1
 
I agree.
Take the money and leave it there.
If it were me I just would not want the stress and hassle it would just make me unhappy.

Nothing to be embarrassed about at all my friend.
Its not the brand that is the issue but the dealer.

Try an OPC, yes you pay a bit more but it has its benefits especially if there is an unseen issue that rears its head.

Hope all goes Ok :thumbs:
 
911UK said:
that is quite an experience

Who did the PPI and who is the supplying dealer ?

and do you have a link to the car that is being resold !

The PPI was done by Autowerkes Norwich....TBH I had no previous knowledge of this firm but they came across fairly conscientious and were well located to the dealer.
As it was a long distance purchase I told them I wanted a very thorough inspection....that they were my eyes.....It was not a cheap PPI and was charged £300. The report is very vague, and they missed huge list of obvious problems. This is not normal wear and tear stuff, but serious leaks and mechanical parts failed!
It's a little word of warning really to all those that drop their trust in a PPI when buying....its not a complete safety blanket and there are good and bad PPI's as much as there are good and bad dealers.
 
I'd take the money and run.

Yes you should be getting all the money but there is too much at risk and car dealers often phoenix.

I would also be complaining to the PPI person and perhaps use small claims court action, they will likely settle, especially if you are 250 miles away as it will be heard in your local court I think.

A PPI on a car is often as much use as a house purchase survey......but I think it would be hard to justify missing the brakes.
 
BChivs said:
911UK said:
that is quite an experience

Who did the PPI and who is the supplying dealer ?

and do you have a link to the car that is being resold !

The PPI was done by Autowerkes Norwich....TBH I had no previous knowledge of this firm but they came across fairly conscientious and were well located to the dealer.
As it was a long distance purchase I told them I wanted a very thorough inspection....that they were my eyes.....It was not a cheap PPI and was charged £300. The report is very vague, and they missed huge list of obvious problems. This is not normal wear and tear stuff, but serious leaks and mechanical parts failed!
It's a little word of warning really to all those that drop their trust in a PPI when buying....its not a complete safety blanket and there are good and bad PPI's as much as there are good and bad dealers.

A PPI not to pick up that the car brakes were not functioning is just incompetent by Autowerkes Norwich and downright dangerous.

If the car was sold based on the PPI and any work done based on that PPI then you should seek compensation including recovery of your legal costs plus others costs from Autowerkes Norwich.

You have an offer for the car but go back and ask for the full amount plus a contribution to your costs.

Sharing the car reg and a link to the advert would alert any other buyers to be wary of the car in it's condition and the potential reputation of the seller.
 
Sorry to hear your story BChivs :nooo:

Take the money, a £500 loss sounds like a lucky escape to me :thumb:

Don`t run away from the Porsche Marque too quickly, there are plenty of helpfull folk on 911uk to point you in the right direction to get yourself into a nice 911 by using the right people and independent dealers :thumbs:
 
Horrendous professionalism from both Autowerks and supplying dealer.

I would be ringing the dealer on Monday morning and revering them to this thread before you name and shame. I am of the opinion that nothing lasts than the purchase price should be returned to you but I fear that the additional outlay you have suffered will be lost as protocol should have been return of car to the dealer rather than throwing money at it.

I really feel for you and hope that all works out for you in the end. The Mod's have asked you to mention the dealer involved so as to avoid repetition of events for other unsuspecting 911UK members. It's not often such an opportunity to name and shame arises so go ahead.

Good luck with the outcome of this scenario and the replacement Mezger/DFI.
 
911UK said:
The PPI was done by Autowerkes Norwich..

A PPI not to pick up that the car brakes were not functioning is just incompetent by Autowerkes Norwich and downright dangerous.
.

Did you say Autowerkes Norwich :dont know:

Next thing is that they will be offering you £250 just like Friends Green Porsche :sad:

:frustrated:

Can't find a Registered address for them either :dont know:

NR6 6BY doesn;t work and neither does Autowerkes Norwich :?

:sad:
 
Found the little *****

Matthew Geoffrey Leslie Baxter

AUTOWERKE SPECIALISTS LTD

Company Number 07884743

:thumb:
 
HSC911 said:
Found the little *****

Matthew Geoffrey Leslie Baxter

AUTOWERKE SPECIALISTS LTD

Company Number 07884743

:thumb:
'The emphasis is on accurate diagnosis of problems and efficient and thorough repairs' :?:
 
So just to be clear .....

AUTOWERKE SPECIALISTS LTD of Norwich do crap PPI Inspections on a Porsche.

So anyone looking for a PPI in Norwich should not use AUTOWERKE SPECIALISTS LTD in Norwich based on your experience :?:

I would love to know who the supplying dealer is :dont know:

# obviously all of the above is based on you being a genuine customer and are known to the forum :wink:
 
What an absolute horror story! I'd personally be looking to recover 100% of the costs, why are they offering £500 less?

Maybe ask your solicitor to draft an email with the costs and time incurred sorting out the issues, including the fact you had to make do with another car, pay solicitor fees, transport the car to various specialists, and the days it took to get things sorted... Certainly sounds like a job for trading standards
 

New Threads

Forum statistics

Threads
124,350
Messages
1,439,423
Members
48,707
Latest member
race911turbo
Back
Top