Am i being ripped off?

[bkc888]

1. I have a pretty reputable warranty from: https://www.warrantydirect.com

2. My 01 Boxster with 50,000 miles had a minor RMS leak and MAF malfunction. So I took it to my local porsche dealer.

3. The warranty only covers for something like 9.2 hours of work while the dealer charges for 14 hours of work?

4. I have to pay the difference of something around $750.

Is that normal practice or am I being made a fool? Sorry, just wondering. Any advice on lowering the cost of repairs in the future? Any other reputable repair shops around Los Angeles that you guys might recommend? Thanks!

[infocusf8]

Just my two cents but I haven't heard of a third party warranty being of much use at all. There always seems to be a hitch with them where they get out of paying for something or you end up paying what seems like enough to have covered the cost to begin with. I reluctantly purchased one with my '99 Box and the first time I had to use it the inspector declared the repair a pre existing condition. I could see where it was all going and cashed the warranty in and put the money in a savings account to cover repairs. So far I've only used about 2/3's of it. The insurance companies are in business to make money not pay it out.

[beauar]

14 hours of work would involve them going to a bar to get drunk and then passing out and then fixing the car. WTF? How can a job like this that involves removing the transmission take this long? You are getting screwed. My dealer can take the whole car apart in less time. I was quoted like 5 1/2 hours if it ever needed to be done. I am only speaking to the RMS leak. I would only get one done and then submit another claim for the extra time and pay the small deductible.

1. I have a pretty reputable warranty from: https://www.warrantydirect.com

2. My 01 Boxster with 50,000 miles had a minor RMS leak and MAF malfunction. So I took it to my local porsche dealer.

3. The warranty only covers for something like 9.2 hours of work while the dealer charges for 14 hours of work?

4. I have to pay the difference of something around $750.

Is that normal practice or am I being made a fool? Sorry, just wondering. Any advice on lowering the cost of repairs in the future? Any other reputable repair shops around Los Angeles that you guys might recommend? Thanks!

[RFM]

Looks like bkc888 have a Tiptronic gearbox since the warranty cy. offers 9.2 hours, any warranty cy. will pay this time rate for a car with a manual gearbox, cause it takes only max. half the time to do the job, they have also the official factory time schedules. Perhaps the repair shop is not experienced enough to achieve the time schedule as it should (time schedules are draw up on new cars, not on used and possible rusty and damaged cars), the difference is then charged to the customer, that's the way how it works over here.

[dallison]

my indy will do the job for about 8-900 w/o warranty

[phillipj]

You have to expect the dealer to always gouge you. Find a good Indy. There are plenty in LA. I'm in the Pasadena area and I can recommend a couple in my area if you like. I'm sure your warranty company will pay any authorized Porsche shop.

14 hours labor for what you need is absurd.

Edited November 10, 2009 by phillipj

[raleigh5]

i removed the tiptronic from my boxster recently. took me approx 20 hours to remove. this was my 1st time removing a trans from any porsche. though i have removed from other vehicles. next time through, i'd think it will take me 2/3 the time...so, about 14 hours. i am sure the pro mechanics can do this job in far less time. but still, i am going to say that i cannot see how others here are saying that the 14 hours they charge for the complete RMS replacement is out of line. maybe i am missing something?

[bkc888]

thanks for the replies. But yes, I guess it should be obvious to me that the dealer gouges me.

[Bill_SoCal]

I work with two dealers in So Cal...both are great and equal distances from my home. Have you tried another dealer? If I can't do it myself, it goes to the dealer...I have found mine to be fair and reasonable. And yes, there are a lot of independents...had a bad experience when I was new to the Porsche experience with my first Boxster. Won't do that again...without getting gouged, I like to think you get what you pay for.

All the best,

Bill :beer:

[speedntktz]

I work with two dealers in So Cal...both are great and equal distances from my home. Have you tried another dealer? If I can't do it myself, it goes to the dealer...I have found mine to be fair and reasonable. And yes, there are a lot of independents...had a bad experience when I was new to the Porsche experience with my first Boxster. Won't do that again...without getting gouged, I like to think you get what you pay for.

All the best,

Bill :beer:

Would like your advice on independent shops. Had bad experience with one that was worse than the dealer.

[mikefocke]

Have you asked the warranty company to review the claim in light of the possible difference in labor rates for cars with different transmissions? Everyone I know of changes lots more for the TIP equipped cars when R&Ring the trans.