Servicing

Prattie · 8 Aug 2014

Hi all

Interested to hear views on whether there are perceived different values when a car has a main dealer service history against a specialist.

Can be a huge difference in cost but not if you get it back in the end.
Or, is it just an easier sale but for the sale values.

Steve

T8 · 8 Aug 2014

An OPC service history for at least the first few years is always desirable and will make the car easier to sell. How much it actually adds to the value is uncertain.

As cars get older it's more critical that a well documented history of work done is kept. Invoices are just (or more) important than stamps in the book. If the work is done by recognised specialists the fact that it's not OPC isn't really relevant.

DarrenG · 8 Aug 2014

Just booked my 997 GT2 in at Leeds OPC, told them I would supply oil, it has to be new sealed and correct, Mobil 1 New Life, told them that I didn't need them to spend £300 checking bulbs and topping up washer fluid,
so spending money on useful stuff:-
- Engine Oil and filter (only done last year 2.5k ago)
- Brake fluid changed
- fuel filter and some other bits
- poly V drive belt
- Pollen filter,
- Gear box transmission oil changed.
Air filter is K&N and wasn't due for changing anyway, not doing plugs as done only 4k ago and not due for 12k anyway, and car is never tracked and has an easy life really so completely unnecessary and will do them April next year.

All in £603, personally think its a bargain considering its OPC as they said they check over the car anyway. Means all fluids In The car are being changed every two years, with engine oil yearly or 2.5k as it's cheap enough. Expensive month though as also bought 2 new Michelin Cup 2's along with 2 new TPMS sensors that will be going on car when tyres changed as now 6 years old and front right battery has packed in, and to top it off the tax is due end of month. Still worth every penny and I don't begrudge keeping it mint!

scottuk · 9 Aug 2014

I use OPC to service both of my cars.

The 996 is on a fixed price menu, which is not too expensive for regular service work, I then use my local Indy for any repair work that I want carried out, for me this is the best of both worlds.

For my Cayenne, I employ a similar approach, but mostly believe that it will help retain more residual value for the car if advertised for sale with FPSH.

Ultimately good cars will sell at the right price, provenance is always a consideration for me, and i believe worth continuing where a previous careful owners has left off.

cheshire911 · 9 Aug 2014

The one word that has been omitted in this thread is "perception"

People buying a car 'generally' perceive a full main dealer history as a better history even though main dealers are highly variable in terms of quality of service, diagnostic abilities and outcomes. But that makes them no different than indys who are equally variable in these parameters.

BUT, if one chooses a good main dealer, the fixed prices for routine servicing are a no-brainer. Work outside of routine is likely to be for an indy as they offer a high quality at a lower price (generally). But the cheaper labour argument has to be factored against the backdrop that an indy is likely to see older cars and will likely use a higher labour time for a given job versus the Porsche book time because things may take longer with corroded bits etc.

On the question of resale value, only time with a large sample base will tell if a main dealer history car will fetch more. However, based on a small sample size (2) I have a line of people wanting to buy both my cars - the Merc E-Class and the 996 Turbo - because people state they know I have spent money maintaining both in tip-top condition with full main dealer history. In fact the Merc has not been outside of main dealer at all other than for tyres - even a light bulb change was at the main dealer as well as new windscreen wipers.

So my take is that the main dealer history may lead to a quick(er) sale versus a herd of similar cars without it.

SEE YA · 9 Aug 2014

As with many, older Porsche's its very rare to find one that has all OPC.

Many will have both OPC, INDY and other invoices .

The main thing is to show its been looked after ?

Zingari · 9 Aug 2014

Newer cars OPC yes. Older I'd prefer a good Indy who let's me see the work and advises me on any preventative issues etc.

I liken main dealer garages to 'fitters'. They dont fix/repair anything they just bang on a new part and charge you top price for the pleasure :hand:

I also wonder how many 'technicians' in an OPC actually have or regularly work on air-cooled cars :dont know: In which case their 'experience' doesn't go much further than the technical bulletins :what:

Despite all their technical finesse they still cant stop the piston slap, bore scoring, RMS/IMS failure in some models :floor: I wonder if an OPC actually recommends a LTT :?: (That would be akin to admitting liability)

I'm less interested in the stamp in the book and more on the invoice that actually lists work done. Previous owner took my 964 to OPC and the bills are eye-watering :what:

madalaa · 9 Aug 2014

...... for my 993 ...... I would never think about using a OPC ....... my Indie knows my car ....... I know my Indie .......

Prattie · 9 Aug 2014

My car 993 has 52000 on it,it has in the last 4 yrs had five oil changes in approx 8000 miles.
Last seen properly at Opc at 43000 for a full service.
Brakes done and last service done by seller( Indy) prior to sale 1000 miles ago. Prior to that one it's been dealer serviced.
OPC called offering full service (presumably annual or 10000 approaching) fixed price just under. £700 Indy would probably be 500 at a guess.

Feel I ought to take it up then the book has a stamp for the next few yrs based on my small mileage. Hence my thread.

Steve

Zingari · 9 Aug 2014

^ Does that include spark plugs :dont know:

Has a stamp for the next few years :hand: If you dont service it annually regardless of mileage that will be a deal breaker for some when you come to sell it on given the recommendations in the handbook.

I did 1,500 miles once in a year (some do less) but still had a service usually at the MOT anniversary

993 Major service at my place is £315+VAT. Not sure if plugs are included but I bet they aren't at OPC.

Brake fluid? Change every two years. Auto box fluid? If its not been done (and I know it hasn't reached the mileage point yet) given the age I'd do it

Prattie · 9 Aug 2014

That's interesting zingari I suppose my next call has to be to ask what they are going to do.
An ind has said the plugs are a three hr job and I can see that at 100 approx an hr the extra May we'll be there.
I think the brake is extra also a silly thing but pollen filters air con recharge I bet would be extra.
I'll check and post.

Steve

AndyS · 10 Aug 2014

Zingari said:
^ Does that include spark plugs :dont know:

993 Major service at my place is £315+VAT. Not sure if plugs are included but I bet they aren't at OPC.

Yes they are at your place. I went there for the last Major, and they changed all 12 plugs...... :thumb:
(don't know about OPC though?)

cheshire911 · 10 Aug 2014

I recently had a full major service and brake fluid change at one of my two local OPC's. The one I go to has a very good name, has technicians that are not 25 year-old acne-ridden YETI's (Youth Training Scheme or YTS kids), send me a video of the health check, allows me to go through the car on a ramp after the service with what's been done and their stamp is a good omen among OPC stamps.

There is another OPC near me, but if my car broke down outside them, I would rather push it home or have it low-loaded to the other OPC, because I cannot speak to the technician who will work on my car to suss out if he knows the car, I am not allowed to discuss the car with the technician who did the car and breaking past the big-busted receptionist whilst a feast for my 60 year-old eyes means I'll not even get to the service manager!

I cannot comment on 993 cars but for 996 Turbo the fixed prices are in all honesty a non-brainer. They are well priced and a major includes plugs at £750 inc VAT (plugs is 2.5 hours book time). The major service is 7.5 hours book time I was told. For a car that has main dealer history and has not lost its virginity, I try to keep the servicing side of things going via OPC's. But that could all change if they stop being competitive and if indy's widen the gap between their prices and that of the OPC's fixed prices.

Major stuff such as rads/condensors, engine rebuilds etc. I would never give to an OPC - it will be expensive and if they identified such work at a service, I'd not go-ahead and then have it done by my indy.

As with other things in life, it is about choices. Just make sure that whatever route you choose, the car is under the careful care of someone who knows the model and the place has a good name and reputation.

SEE YA · 10 Aug 2014

My one going in for a service this week, the 24k one its not due it however its been serviced more than it needs to anyway.

Less than £425 I supply the oil as well at a Indy.

Zingari · 10 Aug 2014

cheshire911 said:
...........and breaking past the big-busted receptionist whilst a feast for my 60 year-old eyes means I'll not even get to the service manager!

Hmm sounds interesting :?: Obviously not Wilmslow then unless there's a new receptionist :dont know:

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