Porsche Centre Cambridge for parts - experience

[Veerzigzag]

I would not normally previously think of getting original Porsche parts from an OPC but the positive comments about them on this forum swayed my choice - instead of ordering online from the parts specialists as usual I phoned the order through to Cambridge OPC. Parts were two front drop links for the ARB and associated bushes and washers. They gave me a better price than my usual online supplier, plus a discount. Total was £85 instead of £116 online. And you don't go into some industrial parts store to collect them - you wait in the posh bit out front, with a coffee, and a butler brings them out on a tray. Well, that's what it seemed like.

 

[edh]

ORIGINAL: Veerzigzag
...and a butler brings them out on a tray. Well, that's what it seemed like.

[]

It's a shame my nearest PC is 15 miles away otherwise I might use them more.

 

[GlennS]

ORIGINAL: Veerzigzag
you wait in the posh bit out front, with a coffee, and a butler brings them out on a tray. Well, that's what it seemed like.

As you have now discovered, sometimes they have the best prices around for new parts; they're always worth giving a ping.

The OPC experience is usually very slick. The only time I completely flummoxed them in Reading was when I tried to settle a £1.66 parts invoice with a £2.00 coin. OPCs, it seems, "don't do cash". After a fair degree of panic they rather shamefacedly had to ask me to put it on my credit card.

 

[Lowtimer]

Indeed. I am always surprised when new owners come on here asking "where's a good place to buy parts for a Porsche" without even considering the official source. For me, the fact that Porsche supports its old cars so well for spare parts is one of the real plus points of having an old Porsche versus an orphan brand, or one from a company which doesn't really care about its old cars.

 

[Veerzigzag]

the fact that Porsche supports its old cars so well for spare parts

...and OPC told me to get a quote from them for any service work, which I shall, although I am planning to attend the Auto2000 open day this Sunday. Great to be spoilt for choice with a 24-year-old car.
And when my 944 is on the ramp at Auto2000, I don't think I will be able to stop myself asking Auto2000 what I (they) will have to do to get her ladyship ready for track days....oh dear.

 

[kasspa]

Mike, Auto2000 CANCELLED this sunday.... 31st march

New date 26th May at 1100

Dont turn up & be all alone......

 

[jdpef356]

You got in before I did Paul!


Back to pc cambridge. Always helpful even when they cannot price match or better. You get the best cup of coffee in Cambridge and a look around some wonderful cars - always good for the soul[]

 

[zcacogp]

The OPC is good, and buying from them is always pleasant. Plus my local OPC is five minutes away on a bike (essential transport when your 944 is broken and needs parts!)

They can be good on price, but can be quite hilariously expensive. Over £200 for a CV joint, a few years ago. (Bought for £45 from a specialist.) Well over £400 for a fuel pump. (Bought on-line for less than £100). Nearly £600 for a water pump. (Bought from a German parts specialist for 175EUR.) Nearly £900 for a fuel tank support strap for a 928, along with two weeks delivery time. (Made for less than a tenner from some steel strip. In fact, there was so little to the part that we triple-checked they were talking about the same thing.)

You HAVE to use them sometimes as they keep parts that other suppliers simply don't have, but it's rare to find them cheaper than the likes to ECP, GSF, Promax etc etc etc.


Oli.

 

[Veerzigzag]

Mike, Auto2000 CANCELLED this sunday.... 31st march

Wretched weather....thanks for letting me know.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

ORIGINAL: Lowtimer

Indeed. I am always surprised when new owners come on here asking "where's a good place to buy parts for a Porsche" without even considering the official source. For me, the fact that Porsche supports its old cars so well for spare parts is one of the real plus points of having an old Porsche versus an orphan brand, or one from a company which doesn't really care about its old cars.

I couldn't agree more. I've always bought bits from Exeter, but after meeting Glenn from Leicester PC I got the last lot from him with a very good Club discount and posted same-day. What more could you want?

Even if you don't buy from them, look the part number up on PET and it'll take two minutes to get a price. At least then you know what other suppliers should be charging.

 

[944Scott]

I dont have an OPC local to me but for all the small parts I have had over the last 18mths Colchester have happily posted parts out to me.

 

[Veerzigzag]

...and to cross threads to the one about what this forum is good for - this is an excellent example of something that I would not have considered if I had not found out about it here.
So that's all sorted - Paul - now can you fix the weather please??

 

[robdimond]

I'm now just up the road from OPC Cambridge. I bought some water pump bolts from them (about 6 quid worth!) and they were very helpful. I had previous good experiences buying bits from OPC Exeter. After meeting Glenn from OPC Leicester at Rutland I intend to give him a crack at my business for the next (inevitable!) pile of bits.

 

[Frenchy]

My local OPC is in Kendal about 50 miles away from me, Jonathon and Andrew are great and will ferret about for small items without question and will always try and match other "specialist" wherever possible.
Some things are daft price wise whereas other parts are silly cheap, i would love to know the pricing structure at Porsche.
Buying form OPC will help out with Porsche themselves carry on supplying parts for our cars.

 

[Chrishazle]

Porsche Tonbridge have been the same for me - helpful, post parts to me (they're about 45 minutes drive from me) and excellent prices, especially with my PCGB discount. Also incredibly helpful on a Saturday morning when I was heading for a region meet just up the road from them and my indicator flasher unit played up - knowledgable mechanic checked it, found the flasher unit had gone TU, parts had a replacement off the shelf, just cost me the price of the part. My first port of call when I need things for my 968.

 

[T911UK]

If the parts are main dealer only then, on 944's especially, an OPC will be cheapest most of the time. If the parts are available OEM its a different matter

 

[Peter_Bull]

I even get my OPC parts delivered if they are in my area and I live 40+ miles away from OPC Bolton. Great service.