718 as possible first Porsche - how are real world running costs?

[jeebsy]

I've got a 2015 TTS just now but have been looking at Caymans for a while - test drove a two litre one at my local Porsche Centre at the weekend and loved it so thinking about pulling the trigger. The monthly repayments are affordable but there's a nagging doubt in my head due to the possibility of big bills on it (sort of 'if you have to ask, you probably can't afford it'). I'm used to Audi tax, but Porsche tax seems something else.

I'm looking at a few 2018 GTS with slightly higher mileage. The one i'm looking at specifically now is around 60k miles (60k service has been done recently), has full Porsche service history and is still currently under Porsche extended warranty, so it's been well looked after and wanted for nothing up to this point. Realistically i'd be looking to keep it for 2-3 years which is a possible 8-10k miles based on current use.

The Porsche extended warranty seems well regarded online but the downside of that is needing to use a Porsche OPC for servicing with their exorbitant labour costs. I'm lucky to have two very good VAG/Porsche indies nearby who i've been using for the last few years and their costs for minor/major services are far more reasonable.

It would be good to get some real-world views on running costs for these - they seem to be generally quite reliable if properly maintained, but is every second service going to bring a massive kick in the stones with it? Or does using a good indi mean they are a bit more reasonable to maintain? Swallowing a big bill every once in a while is par for the course with German cars, but frequent big bills are a different proposition.

 

[Twinfan]

You can avoid big bills by keeping the car under the Porsche extended warranty, which is very good. Yes, you have to pay Porsche OPC service prices, but a service is only needed every two years. If you're only keeping it for 2-3 years then only the 8yr/80k service will be required and that's just a regular service plus spark plugs and costs ~£1000.

I would buy the GTS you're looking at if you like it, factor in the 8yr/£80k service and any warranty extension costs and enjoy the heck out of it. If it needs minor repairs then use an Indy but make sure they use genuine Porsche parts.

Job done.

 

[JaseGT4]

I've gone the other way. I don't daily mine and played about with an EV for a year before ditching it for a TT as a daily. The TT is perfect as a reliable efficient car which is a little different. The 718 is in a different league and is amazing as a special car. Would I use it daily - No. However when switching from a 911 to a new GTS my intention was to daily but I quickly changed my mind. Not sure if this helps.

 

[jeebsy]

You can avoid big bills by keeping the car under the Porsche extended warranty, which is very good. Yes, you have to pay Porsche OPC service prices, but a service is only needed every two years. If you're only keeping it for 2-3 years then only the 8yr/80k service will be required and that's just a regular service plus spark plugs and costs ~£1000.

I would buy the GTS you're looking at if you like it, factor in the 8yr/£80k service and any warranty extension costs and enjoy the heck out of it. If it needs minor repairs then use an Indy but make sure they use genuine Porsche parts.

Job done.

Is it recommended to stick to the two year intervals on these? I've always taken my Audis in annually, even though they have extended intervals now too. Both local independent aren't keen on keeping the same oil in for two years as even the long life stuff can get a bit sludgy. If it is two year intervals then that plus the warranty (in case something catastrophic happens) starts to make a bit more sense in terms of cost.

Under the extended warranty is it OK to use an indi for smaller items? For some reason in my head I assumed you'd be tied to the OPC for everything, but using an indi doesn't necessarily void the manufacturer's warranty providing they use genuine parts so that would make sense.

I've gone the other way. I don't daily mine and played about with an EV for a year before ditching it for a TT as a daily. The TT is perfect as a reliable efficient car which is a little different. The 718 is in a different league and is amazing as a special car. Would I use it daily - No. However when switching from a 911 to a new GTS my intention was to daily but I quickly changed my mind. Not sure if this helps.

Thank for the reply - I commute by bike (or train if it's wet) and don't usually have much reason to drive during the week, so even my TTS is really just a weekend car. It hasn't missed a beat, has been very reliable and hasn't asked for much in terms of maintenance, but have never really loved the driving experience. It's tuned so blisteringly quick in a straight line, but it doesn't feel especially fun or engaging. The Cayman at the Porsche dealer felt totally different as you say. Steering, gearbox, sound - everything was next level.

 

[Twinfan]

I asked my OPC about an annual oil change and they said don't bother even with track use. The track driving manual for my 718 GT4 states to change the oil every 8000 track miles so the oil is clearly up to heavy use. If you're using the recommended Mobil 1 there's no need to change it any more frequently than Porsche say. Plus if you're running it under the extended warranty and there's a problem, you're covered as you've followed the manufaturer's interval. If Porsche thought annual changes were needed you can be sure they'd insist upon them! Don't waste your money.

As long as you fit genuine Porsche parts for any minor repairs you can use whoever you like. They're also likely to be the stuff not covered under waranty anyway e.g. brake pads so you could probably get away with non-Porsche parts if you really wanted to or go for upgraded parts. It would probably depend upon exactly which part you needed though, obviously.

The cars are generally reliable, having the extended warranty is really worth it as you'll be covered if your turbo blows up or your exhaust valves seize up etc. If you're looking at a PDK car, definitely get and keep the extended warranty. PDK gearbox parts are not available and they're a full unit replacement only from Porsche. I believe there may be the odd independent expert out there who can fix certain things, but do you want the hassle if something goes wrong?

 

[BrianJ]

The rules about using independents under the original warranty aren't the same as under a Porsche Extended Warranty, which is an insurance scheme. Under the latter, the contract quite specifically excludes using independents for service work.

 

[Wollemi]

BrianJ is absolutely correct, the terms and conditions of the extended warranty say that no one other than a Porsche Centre can do any work on the car.

 

[Twinfan]

That's not quite true. The warranty as a whole isn't turned on and off like a light switch. The exact wording of the extended warranty is:

"A claim made under Your Policy for the repair or replacement of a defective system or component shall be invalid to the extent that the defect results from any of the following:

c) Service, repair or maintenance has previously been performed on the Vehicle by You or a third party who is not an authorised Porsche Centre/Porsche Service Centre"

Assessment is done on a claim by claim basis, and the non-OPC would have had to have caused the issue you're claiming for. So if your turbo blows up, having had your brake pads changed by an Indy is irrelevant.

 

[AndrewCS]

That's not quite true. The warranty as a whole isn't turned on and off like a light switch. The exact wording of the extended warranty is:

"A claim made under Your Policy for the repair or replacement of a defective system or component shall be invalid to the extent that the defect results from any of the following:

c) Service, repair or maintenance has previously been performed on the Vehicle by You or a third party who is not an authorised Porsche Centre/Porsche Service Centre"

Assessment is done on a claim by claim basis, and the non-OPC would have had to have caused the issue you're claiming for. So if your turbo blows up, having had your brake pads changed by and Indy is irrelevant.

That`s the understanding that I have given recent chats with my local OPC and Porsche Reading ...

The subjects being ... the fitting of a Tracker by a third party / the replacement of brake components by a Porsche Partner Network garage

I was a little surprised by the flexibility shown during both calls, especially that of Porsche Reading who in the past have always been extremely vague and totally non committal regarding any enquiry on any subject. I have yet to action any of my enquiries

 

[Twinfan]

Yep, they certainly seem to have changed their approach. I nearly fell off my chair when they said they'd cover my car under the extended warranty after I'd declared my modifications! Not sure they'd be quite so accommodating if you start messing with the ECU though e.g. remaps...

 

[Wollemi]

That's not quite true. The warranty as a whole isn't turned on and off like a light switch. The exact wording of the extended warranty is:

"A claim made under Your Policy for the repair or replacement of a defective system or component shall be invalid to the extent that the defect results from any of the following:

c) Service, repair or maintenance has previously been performed on the Vehicle by You or a third party who is not an authorised Porsche Centre/Porsche Service Centre"

Assessment is done on a claim by claim basis, and the non-OPC would have had to have caused the issue you're claiming for. So if your turbo blows up, having had your brake pads changed by and Indy is irrelevant.

Thanks for posting that, it would appear that the wording has been changed since I had an extended warranty. The words that you highlighted in bold are not there in the older documentation.

That is progress and more reasonable.

 

[Twinfan]

No worries, my extended warranty was only taken out a couple of months ago so I assume it's the latest wording []

 

[jeebsy]

Thanks for all the comments, that's some really useful feedback. Two year intervals plus the warranty doesn't actually seem to bad cost wise, and it means you're protected should something catastrophic happen.

The updated wording is also great to know - have already priced up a GT4 RS shift lever to go in the car so at least now that won't be going against the spirit of the policy. Could that see a softening of position towards the Zunsport grills now too possibly?

 

[Twinfan]

As stated above, it'll be claim dependent. You can fit them, but what if you have overheating issues with your car and Porsche say its due to the reduced air flow caused by the grilles?

 

[Tetris Keyring]

Everything I’ve read has the grills as a real grey area, from invalidating warranties to OPC’s turning a blind eye.

I really like them but just felt it’s not worth the risk. I know people say Porsche would have to prove they were at least partially the case of the issue, but I can’t imagine much worse than have a significant warranty claim and this being an issue to getting it dealt with.

 

[jeebsy]

Would probably take a steer from my local OPC on their view (given some don't seem to think they are an issue), but erring on the side of fitting them for now. Maybe it's the internet amplifying the problem but stone damage to the radiator/condenser seems really common. And if the car is only going in every two years, even half an hour to remove them prior to taking the car in isn't much of a time expenditure.

I worked in motor and warranty for the Financial Ombudsman Service for a few years earlier in my career and Porsche could decline the claim but, based on the wording above, and assuming there isn't anything else about aftermarket parts, if you took it to the FOS, the FOS would ask them to produce evidence that the grills were to blame - a written opinion from a senior technician might be enough to satisfy this. You'd then need to get an opinion to counter that and it would basically turn into top trumps.

But point taken - if it's an expensive one, you don't potentially want your car out of commission for months while you argue about the cause of the failure.

 

[Wollemi]

Everything I’ve read has the grills as a real grey area, from invalidating warranties to OPC’s turning a blind eye.

I really like them but just felt it’s not worth the risk. I know people say Porsche would have to prove they were at least partially the case of the issue, but I can’t imagine much worse than have a significant warranty claim and this being an issue to getting it dealt with.

If it’s any help, Porsche Leeds advised me to get Zunsport grilles and apologised that they were not able to fit them for me.

 

[Tetris Keyring]

Yes that’s very helpful actually

Thanks

 

[MrDemon]

You can avoid big bills by keeping the car under the Porsche extended warranty, which is very good. Yes, you have to pay Porsche OPC service prices, but a service is only needed every two years. If you're only keeping it for 2-3 years then only the 8yr/80k service will be required and that's just a regular service plus spark plugs and costs ~£1000.

I would buy the GTS you're looking at if you like it, factor in the 8yr/£80k service and any warranty extension costs and enjoy the heck out of it. If it needs minor repairs then use an Indy but make sure they use genuine Porsche parts.

Job done.

?

it's a 2018 car so the big 6 year service will need doing at circa £1.6k plus the £2k warranty cover. This is due in 2024 so thats £3.5k gone, the cars do low MPg and tyres are very expensive as is in insurance and TAX, disk pads ect as they are all big. It's still a Porsche at the end of the day so no cheap running costs vs say a golf or is Audi TTS, I pay £450 for a set of tyres and my last service was £210 and I get 40mpg on a run.

you CANNOT avoid big bills imo it will cost double his AUdi TT running costs and them some when you need to buy shocks and disks/pads, and keep up with Porsche warranty etc. I don't run cars over 30k miles they drive sub par imo unless you PAY For new parts, this will have it's org shocks I bet. AT 60k miles the shocks will be crap, but people run them, but it will be past its best. Car could costs £1000's over the next 4 years easy could be £10k If you don;t have your Porsche serviced at Porsche any warranty claim will be met with sour faces. I asked about a claim on my 718 last month, they reply was "it depends how many Porsche you have had and if you get the car serviced here !!" I said I just want to make a warranty claim ! Take a car out the network and say goodbye to any good will or iffy claims. ps I get my car services there but ffs it's bloody hard work at OPC now days.

 

[jeebsy]

The 6 year service has just been done by the previous owner so fingers crossed it's just the 600 a year for the warranty extension I'll need to swallow short term.

I average 30mpg in my TTS by balancing out the spirited driving with a bit of tootling in 4th at 30mph, otherwise low 20s is more realistic. Tyres for the 20s are 200 a corner for Michelin. It's not what I would class as a cheap runaround but obviously the Porsche is going to be a step up.