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Independent or OPC for servicing?
https://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=9501		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  928GTSM [ Fri Sep 17, 2010 10:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Independent or OPC for servicing?
:? I had a polite letter from my OPC a few days ago telling me that my car is apparently due for a service but before booking it in I thought I'd get a comparison on cost and the views/experiences of others on here. I called an independent garage who quoted me £480.00 and the OPC who quoted me £525.00 although this did not include spark plugs or transmission fluids if they needed changing and it being me both are bound to need doing. I'm assuming that by the time the OPC have finished the bill may be around the £700.00 mark. The independents price included plugs but not transmissions fluid so equally could end up beteen £550.00 & 600.00.
Up until 16 000 miles ao the car had regularly been serviced at OPC's but the last owner had routine work carried out by a garage he owns or a nearby independent. I'm not sure if there is any benefit to getting the car back under the factory umbrella or if it's just money wasted for the privilege of having an OPC stamp in the book.
What's the consensus of opinion from members on here as to which way I should go? :?
Author:  Brett928S2 [ Sat Sep 18, 2010 12:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
Hi :)

Ok....nobody I know who owns a 928 ever has an OPC service it...not at £120 plus vat an hour they dont lol....

What service precisely are they doing for that price as its too cheap....

For that you would get an oil and filter change and a set of plugs.....max...

Oh and also the usual "your discs and pads need changing sir, that will be another £1000 plus....

Use an independent is my advice and tell them what you want done and it should be half the price...

If I was doing a FULL service here is what I would CHANGE (not check)

OIL
OIL FILTER
FUEL FILTER
AIR FILTER
POLLEN FILTER (if you have one)
SPARK PLUGS
DISTRIBUTOR CAP
ROTOR ARM
ANTI FREEZE CHANGED not checked (every 2 years)

Also Tranny fluid if an auto with bottom tranny gasket kit...if requested,,,

Or diff/gear oil if manual....

That lot from an Independent SHOULD cost you around £500 or LESS ...

From an OPC IF YOU SPECIFY that lot to them...it WILL be over £1000... minimum :(

Once its been serviced by an Independent then no point in wasting money at an OPC ...IMHO ..it makes no difference to the value when selling...unless complete OPC history...

All the best Brett :)
Author:  Lee 944 [ Sat Sep 18, 2010 7:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
Mine has been serviced by a Indy' for the last 10 years under the PO. I have used an Indy up in Scotland now for my ongoing work and the service is excellent. The guys know the 928 and I think that is the diffrence. OPC don't see many 928's and any mechanic who started after 1995 didn't serve his time on them. I think what matters is using someone who will give you good customer care and keep you happy about the condition of your car. The PO of my car was happy with the garage he used "Addspeed Performance Cars" however I think some of the work is shocking. There is a reciept for re-seal on the cam cover and it is the worst peice of fannying up with black silicone I have ever seen, so it's getting re-done this month. So the point is, make sure you are happy that they know what they are doing, OPC might not see 928 for years at a time, especially at the prices they charge.

Money is a factor, but making sure that work is done right is the most important. If I lived in England, I'd be going to Stroud to see Paul Anderson, but I know geography is a bitch and it is not "just up the road" for everyone.
Author:  J.J. [ Sat Sep 18, 2010 7:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
Pick your indi' carefully. They aren't all good. If you post were your based you will get some recommendations. I use neither but a well recognized rally mechanic. Despite his qualifications & speed. He charges £60 an hour & seems to do twice as much in that hour to everybody else.
Author:  stratfordshark [ Sat Sep 18, 2010 8:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
OPC or Indy, with a 928 the priority is to find a place where whoever works on your car is familiar with and enthusiastic about 928s. Even if such people still exist within OPCs, it will be impossible to ensure they are the ones working on your car.

The mysterious cut-out problem you described in another thread should be your concern rather than routine servicing. Whoever can solve this problem swiftly and logically should get the service business afterwards. As far as the schedule goes, Brett's list of jobs to actually do is spot on.
Author:  JW590 [ Sat Sep 18, 2010 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
After the obvious thing, like they know what they're doing, I think it is important to find somebody you feel comfortable with (you'll know as soon as you meet them) and can trust.

Maybe somebody where you are already knows such a person - but it doesn't say where you are.
Author:  tr7v8 [ Sat Sep 18, 2010 10:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
Our local OPC charges £77+VAT PH for 993 & older and will negotiate on big jobs.

They have several mechanics trained on 928/24/44 as tey were around when they were new. I know they do lots of 4 pots & we've seen 928s in there.
The issue would be anybits will be genuine OPC so no chance of getting OEM bits & lowering the price.
Don't automatically assume all indies are great as they aren't, some get nowhere near my 944 & I wouldn't let them work on pushbikes!
Author:  Brett928S2 [ Sat Sep 18, 2010 7:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
Hi :)

Our local Opc dropped the price for older cars for a few months, but then the Dealer Principle changed and the rate went back up to normal national rate (£120 + vat)

So its down to your local Dealer Principle.... if you want to use them worth a ring to see if they will do a lower rate for "old" cars...

All the best Brett :)
Author:  lindsayhbrown [ Sat Sep 18, 2010 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
I always had my old 944S serviced at my local OPC, labour at £70 per hour and never had any problems, was even able to knock the costs down quite a bit at times, last time I got £250 knocked of a 12k service, cam/balance belts and front end overhaul
Author:  928GTSM [ Sat Sep 18, 2010 10:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
:) The normal rate at my local OPC, I live in Ipswich, Suffolk, is £130.00 per hour, when I spoke to the service manager he stated that they have reduced their prices for older Porsches as they were aware they were losing business to indy's. To the best of my knowledge the nearest indy to me who I'm told know their way around a 928 our Autostrasse at Coggeshall in Essex but I'm open to suggestions?
Brett I can do all the things you mention myself but my thought is that somebody that knows exactly what they're looking at will be able to tell me what else needs doing and on what sort of timescale, e.g. bushes, drive belts, those sort of things. My previous experience with my local BMW & Mercedes dealerships were for the most part very positive, they'd always phone before carrying out additional work, free loan car, car returrned valeted etc. although I appreciate your paying for it. I am however quite happy to go to an indy if anybody has experience of Autostrasse or any other that they can recommend in my area for a 928.
Stratfordshark I'm hopefully making progress with the cutting out business, I don't know what it is but I now know it's not the fuel pump or the relay's as they tested o.k., it's definetely temperature related and I shall be ordering and changing the throttle position sensor next as you suggested. :)
Author:  Lee 944 [ Sun Sep 19, 2010 8:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
The Indy I'm using just now told me that if I buy the parts he will fit them, this will stop him having to charge vat on the parts and the labour. He does seem to be enthusiastic about the car and is helping me prioritise the jobs I have.
Author:  928GTSM [ Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
Lee 944 wrote:
The Indy I'm using just now told me that if I buy the parts he will fit them, this will stop him having to charge vat on the parts and the labour. He does seem to be enthusiastic about the car and is helping me prioritise the jobs I have.


That's helpful, just a shame he's so far away from me! :)
Author:  Lee 944 [ Sun Sep 19, 2010 9:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Independent or OPC for servicing?
True, but ask around some local garages near you. I found a guy who is Porsche trained and started up by himself buy pure chance. There is a well know indy near me who has positive praise in the praise/grumble section on this site, however after my experience there I wouldn't take mother in laws car there ( and I hate her with a passion ). They work to a high standard, but the owner is a complete dcik. It looks like the garage who looked after my 928 for the last 10 years let the PO down too, good job you don't live in Horsham.
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