Menu toggle

Servicing-specialist or main dealer?

Dean Peach

New member
I'm about to have my 1991 964 C4 serviced and I'm contemplating going to a specialist rather than a main dealer. The car has always been serviced at a main dealer in Swindon so far. Does it make any difference being a specialist ie does the service have as much clout on the service history when selling a car on. Are there any main dealers or Specialists in the Midlands (I live in Bednall near Stafford) anyone on here could recommend ? I'm thinking of Autobahn in Coventry as I have been over and chatted with one of the guys and he seemed very knowledgable and enthusiastic and a nice bloke too. The car has covered 22,400 miles.
Cheers
Dean
 
For me it a balance of cost v knowlege. As the car gets older the OPCs are not as 'good; in my mind as they are more upto-date with the newer models.

There are some very good independants that will look after your car and are more used to working on the 'older' models on a day-to-day basis.

As to service value, a good independant is often worth more than an OPC stamp in my eye.

Obviously just my view
 
Dean,

By complete coincidence we had a 964 meeting at OPC Swindon a couple of weeks ago and you may find a quote from Jon Kent interesting.

He said in a recent Yahoo Group post:

"[FONT=sans-serif"]Andy and I spoke to Richard Denning (Sales Manager) after the meeting.
[FONT=sans-serif"]He thanked US for bringing a great selection of cars.
[FONT=sans-serif"]He worked there 12 years as a mechanic, so 964s were his bread & butter.
[FONT=sans-serif"]He'd lost count of the number of DMFs he'd replaced.
[FONT=sans-serif"]He also mentioned most of his mechanics had not seen many 964 up close, nevermind worked on them !"

I think that comment probably holds true for the majority of OPCs. Unless they have mechanics into their 40s and 50s the chances are that they will have rarely seen a 964. The independants, however, are a different story and you will find a host of 964 experience. Being based in Milton Keynes I can't give you any good pointers for indies near you but I'm sure others will come up with some suggestions.

I agree with Ian in that a service stamp from a respected indie is probably worth more than an OPC for a car of that age.

Regards

Dave
 
I also agree that a good independent service stamp is probably better than an OPC one. That reflects the fact that most indies were OPC technicians at some point who left and set up on their own or were snapped up by someone else who did and most will have dealer training on the cars of 10-20 years ago.

Something else to consider is that with a 944 S2 for example a full OPC history is a bad thing as that means the chain between the cams will never have been checked and therefore the car will almost certainly need a pair of camshafts, chain and tensioner.

However the caveat is that people who are coming to the marque for the first time will invariably see a full OPC history on a car as something attractive. Perversely then it is (especially in the case of the 944 S2, but to a certain extent to all older models) not really a good thing but it has a high perceived value. In other words the car will probably be better serviced by a good independent but will have better resale value with all OPC stamps in the book. If it has been outside the OPC network for servicing before then there is absolutely no advantage taking it back there again however, and it's debateable if the exta money you would realise come resale with a full OPC history would not be outweighed by the money you'd save through cheaper an better quality servicing while you own the car.

I use aspecialist indy for all my cars if that makes any difference, even though the BMW had full dealer history when I bought it.
 
Dean

Specialist all the way for me.

Knowledge of the specialist, in my experiance, is far better on the older cars than an OPC.
+ labour rates are usually a lot better, I pay £40 per hr labour for my specialist and he has a real love of air cooled cars.
Around the midlands you've got GCR in Leicester, Autobaun in Cov and Zentrum in Nottingham to mention a few.

Rob
 

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Back
Top