Screwed on dealer install of 030

[deschodt]

Here's the deal, let me know what the risks are now...

I took the car (03 C2) to the dealer for a baseline service. While there I asked for a quote for the ROW M030 suspension (I did not strictly define this, I guess, but I meant the 030 ROW kit).

The advisor calls the next day and says $1800 mounted. I figured, since it's $1100 in parts for the kit, it sounds fair for the work... I tell him to go ahead, on the phone.

I picked up my car, and upon reading the invoice carefully at home, I realize all I got was the springs, that is IT !

Now I have stock shocks with ROW springs (bad mix, right?), no M030 struts, no sway bars or whatever else.

Kicker: All the alignment work + tire balance, and labor to undo the original springs is now for nothing if I want this fixed, and I am not sure I like the current results either - it's a bit crashy and vibrates more, and it's only 10mm lower, barely noticeable... I'd be Ok with the 10mm if I got thew whole M030 experience, but all I got was a bill for $2100 (incl $500 service) and 10mm less !

Crap !!! now it's gonna be their word against mine because we "phoned" that part of the conversation. Not sure what to do... Not sure the car is safe as is, either ! That'll teach me to use a dealer, dammit...

[Loren]

If your car had the US M030 suspension then the swaybars would not change - as they are the same.

For a full RoW M030 you need new struts, springs and bump stops.

Why not approach the dealer and point to the "misunderstanding" and ask what they can do to rectify the problem?

Realizing that you still have parts to buy... why not suggest you but the parts and they give you a break on the labor?

Just a suggestion...

[deschodt]

If your car had the US M030 suspension then the swaybars would not change - as they are the same.

For a full RoW M030 you need new struts, springs and bump stops.

Why not approach the dealer and point to the "misunderstanding" and ask what they can do to rectify the problem?

Realizing that you still have parts to buy... why not suggest you but the parts and they give you a break on the labor?

Just a suggestion...

That is what I tried. They are going oit get back to me but "doubt they can eat the 8h of labor".... I am Ok with buying the rest of the parts, but not repaying the labor... The trick is that that portion was a phone quote, $1800 - which I rightly or wrongly assumed was for the entire kit mounted (1100 + labor, sounds reasonnable), I did not expect at that point I should ask " That is the entire kit, correct?" since springs only are so much cheaper !

Shared blame, for sure, but I am the one with the bill and the car that drives like crap. Besides, since the alignment it pull right, so no matetr what they are redoing that !! So public service announcement: Guys, make sure you order the whole KIT and caboodle when you get the ROW 030 !

[aracerx]

Shameful...on their part actually....AND it happens way too much in my business. The dealer "service writers" are aweful and shamelessly part of a big picture of deception. I have the problem ALL the time when I quote a price against a dealer. Bottom line is that they LIE and the do it everyday. Low ball on the in and HIGH ball on the way out. NEVER would I go ahead with such a job without a complete discussion as to what was being replaced. Some of their price stuctures are really off the wall!--ok I've vented. "Most" dealers are scum on service after warranty is up.

[deschodt]

Well, that brings up a good point. I was considering extending my warranty to cover possible RMS or engine issues in the future, but right now, I'd rather use a donkey to carry a new crate motor to me from the factory that give them any more business...

Hell if I'm going to use them for the GT3 skirts, either... The only thing they agreed to redo so far was the alignment - and mark my words, it'll end up being my car's fault for some reason !

[deschodt]

Ok, here's how this ends ( I hope). Not ideal but a compromise...

They cannot match the $1100 price on the whole kit. So they told me to go ahead and buy it at that price, and bring it to them. They will install it for 1/2 the labor, and refund me the springs they installed, which should work out to almost a blank operation - I might owe them $20....

Sure, that means I'll have paid $1300 for installing that in the end, but that beats the current donkey cart I am riding !

[aracerx]

Ok, here's how this ends ( I hope). Not ideal but a compromise...

They cannot match the $1100 price on the whole kit. So they told me to go ahead and buy it at that price, and bring it to them. They will install it for 1/2 the labor, and refund me the springs they installed, which should work out to almost a blank operation - I might owe them $20....

Sure, that means I'll have paid $1300 for installing that in the end, but that beats the current donkey cart I am riding !

REMEMBER THIS!!!

It been my experience that most Porsche owners consider "their" dealer as they would the "factory" NOTHING could be more from the truth. they are just MERE agents of Porsche and nothing more!

Besides the fact that most dealer principles got thier start in the "car" business selling junk used car in herculon suits on the side streets of their towns, WAXING those pencil thin mustaches. Many of them are just as much of a crook today as they were then. The only difference is that they steal bigger!

[deschodt]

Oh, I will... The only reason I went there was that I wanted to pull up the service history (they won't), when my warranty would expire (next may), if they had extensions for warranty (they do but I won't buy it now), I wanted to know when the next service was, and wanted the radio codes (apparently there aren't any for that year).

The suspension was an afterthought. Next time I have one of those, I'll slap myself out of it !

Edited December 16, 2006 by deschodt

[deschodt]

PS: I figured out why the car felt so much worse when I got it back with stock shocks and ROW springs.

The tech had bumped the tire pressures back to factory settings and then some, for the balancing, despite me asking them not to...

After some freeway time, I was running 41F/49R !!! That is like running on balloons ! I went down to 34-38 which is actually not bad now. I still will get the whole RoW030 done, but the car feels better already.

I know the factory says 44 rear, I know it's recommended to protect your fragile wheels, but personally I find the car drives like crap on such high pressures, and warming up to 48/49 is pretty high. I don't quite get it, my 987 with 18"was running 36R and was much more comfortable on bumps. I suppose the rear weight bias on the 996 requires more pressure, but 44 ??? it feels like the tires are made of teak ! It could be the suspension mismatch too... We'll see when I get the 030 struts !

They are P-zeros by the way, if there are tires that feel a little more compliant, let me know ;-)

[mpikounis]

Sorry if I am off-topic, but is there a way to determine whether my car has ROW M030 installed (besides the option code on the sticker)? Perhaps some part number I can read off the shocks?

[Loren]

Sorry if I am off-topic, but is there a way to determine whether my car has ROW M030 installed (besides the option code on the sticker)? Perhaps some part number I can read off the shocks?

We would need model year, coupe or cab or Targa, 6-speed or Tip -- and the color code (stripes) from your springs (front and rear).