944 garages in Bristol

[iangrant]

Hey all,

I just bought my first Porsche (a black 944S), and I took it to Porschtech in Bristol (where I live) to have it serviced. No complaints, seemed to do a good job, but not only is it my first Porsche, it's my first car, so I am new to the joys of servicing and mechanics.

Hence, are there any other good places to take my 944 to in Bristol? What are people's opinions/experiences with Porschtech?

My car needs a few little non-enginey jobs like the central locking and that heater-always-on-hot valve/switch problem, do all mechanics do that kind of thing too, or is that like another ball game? I ask because Porschtech gave it an inspection during the service, and gave me a list of things they found, like it will need a new exhaust back box soon, etc., but they didn't pick up on any interior problems like the central locking or heating, not that I necessarily expected them to, but, you know..

Any and all tips greatly appreciated!


Ian.

 

[Guest]

Hi Ian,
My S2 is from Bristol Cheder Gourge, it was always taken to Dick Lovett (what a name haha) Official Porsche Centre. Much cheaper servicing than in London.

 

[iangrant]

Hiya,

Is that the one out at Cribbs Causeway? I didn't consider an OPC -- I heard that their mechanics are only really trained on the newer cars, and specialists are better for older cars like the 944, but I guess it varies from OPC to OPC?
What are their prices like?

ORIGINAL: Andriko

Hi Ian,
My S2 is from Bristol Cheder Gourge, it was always taken to Dick Lovett (what a name haha) Official Porsche Centre. Much cheaper servicing than in London.

 

[timward]

when I got my first porsche, a 944, porschtech did both the report and the subsequent servicing. Both were fine. I'm a little surprised that they didnt remark on things like the heater cos its a perennial 944 problem, as can be the central locking. however, they will certainly be able to fix these things. Rob Morley is an ex-technical director of the PCGB (I think that s the title he had, certainly along those lines). I doubt if you'll come across something he cant fix. My experience of porschetech was generally satisfactory, thought the bill for sorting the 944 was four figures, a lot more than they had led me to expect from the report.

Ive since found a closer sepecialist who sorts me out - a plug here for Oaktree Garage in Newton Poppleford near Sidmouth, Devon. The proprietor Crispin is a very old school mechanic who plays fair and charges reasonably. (See my very recent post on this subject on the pistonheads forum). It will be an hour each way for you to travel from Bristol but he is very good.

Ive also heard good things about Steve Bull in Wiltshire, again not too far if you want to expand your options. But I think Porschtech will do you fine. Just make sure. as with all enthusiast/specialists, that you get a quote/ballpark figure before they start, otherwise they sometimes get a bit carried away....

 

[iangrant]

Cheers.

I don't really want to travel far, I came across PorscheShop's service prices, and they are about £100 cheaper than Porschtech, but then I'd have to go to Halesowen and back!
It sounds like I am in good hands with Porschtech then, so long as I know I'm not paying £100 more for a worse mechanic! Mind you, with 'Porsche' in their name, you'd expect them to know what they're doing.

 

[jr2015]

Hi Ian,
I don`t think you`d get as good a service from an OPC as an Independant like Porschecraft ( who have a good reputation )on a 944 as the OPc`s never see them these days whereas the Independants work on them regularly.The bill from the OPC won`t bring you much joy either.
Having said that OPC service kits are good value for money especially if you get the 10% discount on showing your membership card.
regards,
jr.

 

[iangrant]

I couldn't see anything from the bonnet. I read somewhere else the valve is located in the passenger footwell, so I stuck my head in there but there is so much stuff in there I didn't know what I was looking for. Off to the mechanics I guess.. there are lots of other things I need to get looked at anyway.

 

[AndyRR]

Hi Ian, another excellent independent is a guy called Andy Moss who is based near Honiton in Devon, ex opc and very good with early cars right up to the current stuff, still a bit of a drive but £30 per hour and no vat may make it worth the trip, has a courtesy car if booked beforehand, contact;07762244477. There is also an independent in Barnstable, NDevon called Martin Reed but don't have any contact details for him. Hope that helps, Andy.