And my dealer complains that I don't bring the car to him for serv

[phillipj]

(Sorry about the typo on the title.. It 's supposed to say "complains".)

I took my Turbo for some warranty work (coolant leak) last week. I am quite good friends with the service manager. He said he would do an over all inspection of the car.

He sent me an e mail at work of what they found. It said and I quote, "Client may want to consider changing front brake pads" "Only 5mm material left". And the price for this? $1,695.00!!!!!!

First of all he knows I'm not an idiot. The pads new (ceramic brakes) are about 10mm thick. So 5mm means 50% material left.. Duh... Like I'm going to panic about the 5mm?

And $1,695.00? I priced all the parts at Sunset and it comes to about $600. I have done the front brakes on a 996 before and know how easy and fast it is.. So lets see.. $600 for parts and $1,095.00 for labor? For a 2 hour job? WTH?

I don't really understand why they try this with me.. By the way my Indie (who used to work for the dealer before starting his own shop.) will do the job for arround $850.00 That includs new dampners, spring plate kit and caliper bolts..

Ana extra $900 bucks is a lot for the dealer to wash my car... :cursing:

Edited December 1, 2011 by Loren
fixed title

[JFP in PA]

Stories like this are what keep independents in business………… Granted, dealers have higher overhead, but there are limits to how much the slick waiting area, free coffee, and bagels will cover.

[phillipj]

You forgot the car wash :jump:

[JFP in PA]

Along with the $400 oil changes.............. :eek:

[logray]

I learned the hard way about the $400 oil change. Oooops. ;)

[mcmike27]

Armed with the parts information and knowing the service mgr at our local Porsche dealer has opened up a good dialog between myself and the dealer. When it comes to these types or standard maint issues I always point out that I understand what the 'book' says when it comes to labor and for some jobs it makes sense. On these types of occasions I have had some success in 'asking' for the actual time the tech spends in doing the repair and much to my surprise they have come way off the 'dealer' Porche book price. Not always but it doesnt hurt to ask. Also I have had great success in having parts conversations with the parts mgr in getting reduced prices far less than dealer 'list' prices. They run a seperate P/L and he would rather sell me the parts at a 10% over his cost markup than lose the business to Suncoast or some other place. it also doesnt hurt that I throw in a case of good german beer every Jan when I take the car in for its yearly inspection. That $35.00 investment has saved me $$$$. :)

[phillipj]

mcmike,

Yes I agree with what you are saying.. Believe me I take care of my service manager. He looks the other way to some of my mods that may effect my warranty and I compensate him for this. But this is what I don't understand.. Why would he even give me a quote like this? He should know I would laugh.. I understand that every business has the right to make a profit. But to inflate prices to this point is absurd (ie the $400 oil change.) Perhaps he is pressured form his boss. We'll have a little chat when it comes time for me to deliver my Cristmas gift.. :cheers:

[JFP in PA]

I just love it! Then charge inflated prices, and we are supposed to resort to bribery to gain relief? Yikes!

[phillipj]

Just bribery for the warranty lol!..My small tokens of appreciation have covered about $7k in warranty work. Being an equities trader I would say that's a pretty good trade... :king:

[Dntlvet]

Phillip, just curious; how many miles on the ceramic brakes?

[phillipj]

I have 52k on the original pads. My tech says I have at least another 15k before i need to replace them. The discs are perfect. For street driving they do not need to be replaced. (unless you damage them.) No one wants to spend $8k for a set (2) of disks...Yikes...

[PAULSPEED]

The hardest part of doing the brakes is

removing the tire. I have driven to the track

and installed brakes before driving on the track.

These are the easiest brakes to do of any car

that I have ever own.

Paul

[phillipj]

Agreed Paul.... Super Easy...

[Dntlvet]

At least the car is washed by the dealership. I know guys that opt out of the wash to DIY to avoid swirls.

[ledd4u]

Guys I am a new owner of a 2007 TT. I have had Porsche before and done most of my maint. If it is not a major major repair job, I do most of it. I will be doing my oil change, brake flush, coolant, filter oil, cabin filter and little things. I love working on my car. Anyhow, any pointers or areas of concern please advise.

[gomarlins3]

We have a local shop that specializes in Porsches and I thought that if I went to him, I could save some money by going to him. Wrong. He charged the same amount per hour as the dealer AND charged the same for parts. Time to do my own maintenance since the new one is already out of warranty.

[phillipj]

gomarlins3,

That's too bad. I have quite a few really good indies near me.. Yes doing your own maintenance can save you a lot of money...Oil, filters, spark plugs, brakes all very easy to do.. Just have to have the right tools amd a good jack and stands..