Is my OPC ripping me off?

[stephen.robins]

I made a separate post about my failed sports exhaust valve. The metal bracket that works one of the vacuum actuators snapped. This is a well known fault and there are many posts on failed sports exhausts. I have the extended Porsche warranty and in the past, these have always been covered by the warranty. I took my car to my local OPC that said it was caused by corrosion and therefore not covered by the warranty.
The quote for replacing half the exhaust was £3,600. I was also told that the price for retrofitting a whole exhaust was £2,500. I don't understand how the cost for half an exhaust can be so much more than a whole exhaust?
After much complaining, I have been offered a goodwill payment but only in respect of the £3,600 quote. The OPC and Porsche GB have offered to contribute £3,000 and want me to pay the balance of £600 and they will replace half the exhaust. Should I take up their offer?

 

[Matt.Statham]

Hi Stephen,

This is a particularly relevant topic for me at the moment as my current warranty on our BGTS is due to expire in June.

I’ve noticed that the updated extended warranty terms now include a specific ‘corrosion’ clause, and I wanted to understand whether this may impact claims relating to PSE and PADM replacements. It appears Porsche may have revised the policy to limit exposure to some of these more common repair costs.

For context, our 2016 BGTS is currently booked in for a valve replacement and a new driver’s side back box. The valve has seized and cannot be removed and this work is being fully covered under the existing warranty terms. The estimated cost from Porsche Tewkesbury is £2,600.

In comparison, the £3,600 figure you mentioned seems high. Based on this, I would be prepared to accept the balance offer of £600. The PSE valve itself is approximately £600 from Porsche, which supports this position.

Your post has also helped clarify my decision regarding renewal. The new 12-month warranty quote has increased to £900, up from £675 last year, which further factors into my thinking.....

Thank you for posting this

 

[stephen.robins]

Hi Stephen,

This is a particularly relevant topic for me at the moment as my current warranty on our BGTS is due to expire in June.

I’ve noticed that the updated extended warranty terms now include a specific ‘corrosion’ clause, and I wanted to understand whether this may impact claims relating to PSE and PADM replacements. It appears Porsche may have revised the policy to limit exposure to some of these more common repair costs.

For context, our 2016 BGTS is currently booked in for a valve replacement and a new driver’s side back box. The valve has seized and cannot be removed and this work is being fully covered under the existing warranty terms. The estimated cost from Porsche Tewkesbury is £2,600.

In comparison, the £3,600 figure you mentioned seems high. Based on this, I would be prepared to accept the balance offer of £600. The PSE valve itself is approximately £600 from Porsche, which supports this position.

Your post has also helped clarify my decision regarding renewal. The new 12-month warranty quote has increased to £900, up from £675 last year, which further factors into my thinking.....

Thank you for posting this

Matt,
Please note that on 981 models the valve cannot be replaced separately as it is built into the exhaust. I think you are possibly referring to the vacuum actuator. On my car this still works and the valve is free to move in the exhaust so they only need to replace the silencer. If your quote includes the silencer (back box) and also the actuator (at £600), it shows how much I'm being ripped off. The following diagram should help.
Steve

 

[Matt.Statham]

Yes - I mean't the actuator itself. Which OPC are you referring to as that is steep cost indeed.
The corrosion clause issue may well be the same with all of them... However all OPC's vary as we know.

 

[JurassicGTS]

This is bad news, fortunately I renewed my 991.1GTS warranty for 3 years just before the change.
If this is how OPCs are going to follow the new wording, then I will not be renewing when it is due and will be going with an Independent for all my servicing, so the OPC will lose out on the rip off service charges they apply

 

[stephen.robins]

Yes - I mean't the actuator itself. Which OPC are you referring to as that is steep cost indeed.
The corrosion clause issue may well be the same with all of them... However all OPC's vary as we know.

Matt,
I'm not going to name the OPC as I have generally had good service from them. My understanding of the warranty is that repairs due to corrosion were never covered, just that the revised policy wording expressly states it. Interestingly, the revised wording has a list of items not covered due to aging and normal wear and tear and the exhaust system is not listed.
Steve

 

[ScottishSpyder]

You should be ok on PADM as it is a design fault that lets water into the electric control unit. Just had one done on my Spyder.

 

[Matt.Statham]

You should be ok on PADM as it is a design fault that lets water into the electric control unit. Just had one done on my Spyder.

That's really good to know and thanks for sharing

 

[Windy_Miller]

Yes - I mean't the actuator itself. Which OPC are you referring to as that is steep cost indeed.
The corrosion clause issue may well be the same with all of them... However all OPC's vary as we know.

Actuator is £221 from Design 911 for an OE one and D911 always over charge. So from OPC with discount probably closer to £150.

FYI I replaced both actuators on a 987 Cayman S - very simple to do (once rear bumper off) and I think on 981 don’t even need to remove bumper (as nuts facing the ‘right way’ on 981 to be able to access them). Can’t comment on 991 / 997 for ease of accessing to replace, but the parts are common across 9x7 and 9x1 platforms.

Eg

Dedicated to your Porsche needs

Design 911 supply car parts, spares and accessories, to both retail and to the trade. Our car product and accessory range includes brakes, exhausts, tyres, wheels and panels and interiors. #Porsche #ServiceCentre #Essex

design91.uk

 

[CLIFFWILKINS]

Sorry to hear your problems Steve.
These actuators are a real pain often just sticking
Tracy had hers replaced under Warranty few years back.
Good luck mate with a fix
Hope to see you soon Steve

 

[daro911]

Sorry to hear your problems Steve.
These actuators are a real pain often just sticking
Tracy had hers replaced under Warranty few years back.
Good luck mate with a fix
Hope to see you soon Steve

Do they stick in the OPEN position or can it be either open or closed

"Was My OPC Ripping Me Off"

May 2024!! 8th Year Service my Porsche Centre rang me to say my exhaust needed a refresh which they could do whilst servicing the car for a mere £1600.00 I said thanks but No Thanks

I then took car to 2 indi's who said no gasket leaks currently and all clamps fine! Funnily enough they both checked only near side and as and when gaskets & clamps needed replacing they quoted £350.00 & £400.00

Months later passing by JAZ Porsche so popped in for a 3rd opinion they said only one gasket needed (offside) and all clamps were fine and if I had an hour they would do it while I wait - £82.06 later I was back on the road all sorted

 

[stephen.robins]

Do they stick in the OPEN position or can it be either open or closed

"Was My OPC Ripping Me Off"

May 2024!! 8th Year Service my Porsche Centre rang me to say my exhaust needed a refresh which they could do whilst servicing the car for a mere £1600.00 I said thanks but No Thanks

I then took car to 2 indi's who said no gasket leaks currently and all clamps fine! Funnily enough they both checked only near side and as and when gaskets & clamps needed replacing they quoted £350.00 & £400.00

Months later passing by JAZ Porsche so popped in for a 3rd opinion they said only one gasket needed (offside) and all clamps were fine and if I had an hour they would do it while I wait - £82.06 later I was back on the road all sorted

The valve is free to move as I can rotate it by hand. The vacuum actuator also works it is just the metal connection from the actuator to the valve that has snapped. The only parts needed is a new silencer (back box) and a gasket and two bolts. Not sure why the OPC has quoted for a new clamp and tailpipes! The labour charge appears to be astronomical.

 

[ianthow]

The valve is free to move as I can rotate it by hand. The vacuum actuator also works it is just the metal connection from the actuator to the valve that has snapped. The only parts needed is a new silencer (back box) and a gasket and two bolts. Not sure why the OPC has quoted for a new clamp and tailpipes! The labour charge appears to be astronomical.

I assume that, if you are able to move it, the lever is still attached to the shaft so the lever itself has broken (or the ball has broken off.) In either case a good fabricator should be able to do a weld repair with some new metal.

 

[stephen.robins]

Ian,
Thanks. Your picture shows the bracket that has snapped as shown in this photo. I'm told it can be welded.
Steve

 

[Eldavo]

Speak to Kristian at Krolltek Fabrication on Brunswick Industrial Estate and tell him I sent you - he’ll tell you what can be done: Krolltek