Servicing at OPC or Independent

[andy64]

Hi
New to Porsche and my first ever post.Can anybody please help with the following servicing related questions.
I bought a 2009 911 PDK 997.2 Cab from an OPC about 18 months ago. Obviously it came with the 2 year OPC warranty. When the next service is due it will be 10 years old with approximately 38,000 miles. My questions are :

Will it need a 40,000 mile or 10 year service ( seems to be a huge price difference on Porsche website)?

Service at OPC and renew the warranty?

Service at OPC but don’t renew warranty and use independent from then on?

Service at independent this time and switch to independent from now on , or does that de-value car at future sale?

Many thanks for your thoughts.

Andrew

 

[tscaptain]

Hi Andrew and welcome to the forum. Moved this to a more appropriate place!
For my money I would suggest it will be a 10 year service. I presume it has a full (2 year interval) service history to date? Secondly, I would have a PC and extended warranty. Mine is 10 years old next March and that's what I'll be doing.

 

[AndrewT]

Will it need a 40,000 mile or 10 year service ( seems to be a huge price difference on Porsche website)?

I would think it's due for a 10 year service.

Service at OPC and renew the warranty?

I imagine you may have bought your car from an OPC because of the peace of mind given by it's full OPC history and the OPC warranty, go for this option to continue with that peace of mind especially if you worry that something might go wrong.

Service at OPC but don’t renew warranty and use independent from then on?

Possibly a good option if you are happy that your car has been reliable and is not likely to go wrong, and useful if someone else wants to buy an extended warranty at a later date.

Service at independent this time and switch to independent from now on , or does that de-value car at future sale?

Your car might then not appeal to private buyers who want the peace of mind of an OPC history and warranty so could take longer to sell. If you're likely to trade it in the value would depend on many things in addition to where you've had it serviced.

If you choose not to extend the warranty you could get the basic oil/filter service done at an OPC to get the service book stamped and get the more costly work such as brakes and spark plugs done at an independent.

 

[Motorhead]

Andy,

As you'd imagine, your questions have been well-covered on these forums over the years..!

I'd agree with Andrew's comments. The only thing I'd add is that since your car is now 10-years old a PC service history - although always desirable - is perhaps less critical on an older car especially if the purchaser is a Porsche enthusiast. Provided you use a well established Porsche Independent then it's unlikely that a car with FPSH will command a premium price tag, although it could sell more easily privately especially if it has a Porsche extended warranty.

Just follow your gut feeling and go with whatever makes you feel most comfortable and which you can afford over your planned period of ownership.

Jeff

 

[Nasdacbull]

Hi Andrew
i have the same car but 2010. I will be buying the two year extended warranty for peace of mind. The car is 10 years old and parts do wear with age even with low mileage. Had to replace the O2 sensors even though my car has only 48000 miles.

 

[andy64]

Thanks for the replies, really appreciated.
If I do use an Independent for some work, who would you recommend?
( I’m based in Brighton ).
Again, thanks in advance.

 

[Nasdacbull]

I bought the car from an independent dealer and I have really disappointed with their service. I am travelling at the moment and I am in Luxembourg. The car will be going to Porsche here.
Rates are 128€ an hour, which compares very favourably with independent rates in the UK. The Porsche guarantee on the work is valid worldwide. They also offer 15% off if you are part of a Porsche club. Maybe not Brighton but something to consider if you are near France.

 

[Motorhead]

Andy,

Unfortunately I'm not in your area so can't recommend anywhere specifically, but you've got Parr, Precision Porsche and Paragon in your locality. I'd get along to a Regional meeting and ask for advice and recommendations from Members there; or you could just contact the RO who I'm sure would be happy to help.

Jeff

 

[golfprorich]

Thanks for the replies, really appreciated.
If I do use an Independent for some work, who would you recommend?
( I’m based in Brighton ).
Again, thanks in advance.

I use Precision Porsche based in Sheffield Park for anything I don't do myself, really good service there

 

[andy64]

Many thanks. They do seem to be the most appealing.

 

[golfprorich]

Many thanks. They do seem to be the most appealing.

They really are a good bunch, I get most my parts through them, saves me driving to Mid Sussex. They know I do my own stuff apart from alignments which they do and have always offered advice (and even the odd tool) even though I don't spend a huge amount with them. The fact they are like that means that when I do need to put my car anywhere it will go to them []

 

[RogerAldridge]

I am now on my third 997 and have always relied on my local Independent for servicing and work. I think the only reason to go OPC is if you want to renew the warranty, and having said that you need to be aware that it does not cover everything on older cars. I have also had a mixed experience when I did try the OPC. On my previous car I wanted to replace the plastic fins that sit in front of the radiators. They are not expensive to buy so I thought I would get the OPC to fit them for convenience. (Removal of front bumper) When I collected the car I thought it looked OK but later when washing it I thought the panel gaps looked wrong. My Independent spotted it straight away. The OPC had forgotten to fit the retaining clips on the front bumper which pulls the bumper tight, so the gaps were wrong. Independents are dealing with 997s every day and the technicians are ex OPC so I have great faith in their knowledge and ability, whereas OPC technicians are having to learn new cars constantly and can make mistakes. Lastly cost wise OPC charge £150 per hour plus VAT, Independents £65/75 per hour plus VAT so for me it is a no brainer. I agree that you should talk to your local members, I am sure they will recommend a suitable local Independent.