How many still use dealer for service work? Expectations.....

[WTL]

So im have a few dealer questions ---  And whether anyone still uses a Porsche Dealer for working on your car?

 

Haven't gone back in about 2 years as they had botched new tire install and didn't get my parts in time for a DE.....  BUT, I also have not been able to find a good independent shop either.  Might try that again....

 

But more recently ive noticed a possible brake fluid leak ( when cleaning the inside of one of the wheels recently, in addition to the normal brake dust, I had gooey substance smeared/mixed in with the dust).  I did not take the wheel off but did not notice anything unusual from what I could see.  The brake reservoir was also below min mark maybe 1/2 in.  Also would like a 2nd opinion on the shocks as they seem not comfortable at all when bumps.

 

So here's the dealer part.....  in re: to the shocks the dealer says if the shocks are gone the ride would be too bouncy NOT rigid and suggested them checking out the PASM/Sport Mode settings - maybe not resetting.  Also diagnose possible brake leak.   So the dealer says they have the head tech they wold want to give it to but he's the only one cert to work on Tycans and they are busy and short handed.  Also says parts are hard to get.  I said no rush, schedule me in at you convenience im in no rush.  They give me a week out and tell me it could take a week or so to diagnose then parts could be an issue so it may be in the shop a couple of weeks.  Huh I say?!?  Can you keep inside I ask.  Nope, not until we start working on it after the parts come in.  So I ask, its ok to push me out some more so it can be diagnosed in same day it comes in.  Well, it doesnt work like that he says - not sure how much we can do at once so it'll most likely take some days on and off to get it diagnosed.....

 

ok, I don't get it....  Isn't that the point of an appointment?  Get it in the shop to get it looked at the same day its dropped off?  Am I being unreasonable in asking that?  Have things changed that much w/ dealers?  There is not another close by....

[Silver_TT]

not all dealers are the same..... i have even seen the same dealer change considerably over time (mostly due to new management, makes sense).  another dealer in your area might give you a different response.

 

My personal opinion is there's not too much I need a dealer for.  Recalls, an ECU update or something like that.  Otherwise I'm only using them to do like $50 tire patches since they are 5 mins from my house.

 

For everything else a good indy with OE parts will be approximately half the dealer price.  You should definitely invest in trying to find a good indy.

Edited May 17, 2021 by Silver_TT

[WTL]

Yep. Unfortunately there isn’t another Porsche Dealer within about 2 hrs. Heck the dealer here won’t even patch a tire - they tell me Porsche won’t let them - liability issues they say. I tried a few months back actually. And, the Indy I went 2, literally 1 minute away from the house, the guy used about 1/2” drill bit to make the hole bigger for the plug.  I have seen guys [ and me] use a Phillips let’s say to ream the hole a little, but never a big bit on a drill. I keep on waiting for that to shoot out….  

[Silver_TT]

Could depend on the type of tire, where the damage to the tire is, etc.  I actually just had a nail go into the tire of my Audi Q5 2.0T TFSI last week or so and it's in the outer edge so not repairable.  I opted to replace all 4 tires to not have any mismatching and for safety since my wife and kids mostly drive the car.  Would hate to have something bad happen, God forbid, because I wanted to save a few hundred bucks.

 

Try to invest some time in finding a good indy.  My method is I have a good indy but provide OE parts and fluids to him which I mostly buy from Sunset by VIN (even my indy who has 25+ years on VW/Porsche/Audi doesn't have access to dealer tools).  This leaves very little room for error and I tee up the job for him by dividing the parts up into each job making it very easy with no room for error.  I'm just trying to make it easy for him, which should help me out too.  I also leave him very brief notes of anything specific since it could be another guy doing the actual work, not the owner I talked to.  I also learn about the job in detail so I can talk to him about it and make sure I understand the approach and what will be done.  I spent a lot of time learning the engine so I can do this without wasting his time... on one hand I'm kind of anal... on the other hand he's told me he appreciates it.

[WTL]

Tks.  Im going to ask again to some of the guys in the local Club.  Being a little OCD myself, I also try to help out and like to provide parts, etc., when possible.  The problem around here though is that tech's, repairman, painters, etc., usually tell you one thing and do another - usually not even close to what's suppose to happen.  I think it's something in the water or maybe because we're below sea level.....  Case in point - had some window glazing cut, replaced, primed and painted.  I used a reputable painter and was careful to research class A materials, etc. especially because my builder used crap, didn't follow specs and the job was very poorly done.  Quote from new guy included specific materials I asked about and they told me they were suppose to use.  When the guy was doing the job I noticed totally different, generic stuff he was using.  When I called him on it and then talked to the owner of the business, he asked, "Who told you we were using the other stuff?"...  I replied, your 2nd in command whom I set this whole thing up with and who came out, went over it all and gave me the quote.  

 

Turns out he's the same guy who sets up the workers, etc and they just ignored what they told me.

 

Its a common theme here .....

 

Anyhow, TMI.  Going to look around today.   tks..

[Silver_TT]

If it makes you feel better it's not just in the water down there.  People are like that here too.  I could give you a million examples but it seems to have gotten worse in the current environment where they are all very busy so there is less incentive to care and retain business I suppose.  I'm in the middle of having my bathroom redone and my wife is an architect so we have "inside information".  You still have to watch people like a hawk and understand every single little aspect and decision of the job, just like working on a car.  Else you're leaving it up to someone else and most people aren't going to treat it like their own....

 

And based on the things I have read about most people and what they are going to do to their cars, I am completely horrified

[WTL]

So I went to check out 2 independent shops.  I like the 1st one but they told me they are not taking new customers.  The second seemed ok too but unfortunately was booked up until end / middle July.  So I headed back to dealer.  Not hearing back since I dropped the car off this past mon, I dove out this am.  They told me they left a message on my house line....  Weird I say as I had no missed calls from them and no messages - i did double check when I got home and no missed calls from Porsche.....  Oh well.  The service manager went over the ticket with me - the oily, grease on the front driver wheel is a leaking axle boot he says - rebuild $2441.00 w/ alignment.  New $2026, but not sure if the alignment is included in the price - "have to check".  He said the shocks, PSM are fine.  Everything else looks good....  As im trying to wrap my head around the axle boot issue, he offers to take me out to the car and show me.  It was in the shop, but not in the air...  As were talking to the mechanic assigned talking about the boot, whats involved etc, the mechanic offers to lift the car.  I didn't want to put him out so I declined as he was working on another job.  In hindsite, I should have accepted.  So now the manager says the price for the new and the rebuild are the same price because the rebuild price seems not to have included the alignment...  I say weird, same for new vs rebuild - I guess ill take new....  Then the mgr say ill have to double check the prices as I don't know why the alignment wasn't included.  I then ask the mechanic, so the shocks / psm were ok, right.  he says, I didn't know anything about the shocks.  the manager shows him the ticket and the mechanic says he missed that and didn't check them or the psm.   Now, im wondering why the manager told me they were ok and there was nothing worng with them when they were never checked.....  Mechanic says he will check it out.

 

The manager and I go inside for him to re-work the boot prices.  Comes back and now rebuild is $2000.00 and new is $2550.00....

 

NOT impressed so far.  But I know that going in.

[Silver_TT]

The cost the dealer quoted is very expensive but that's what is expected from a stealer.  Not taking new customers is a bit weird but being booked out a couple of weeks or so is pretty normal.  My indy and I have a great relationship and he might be able to sneak me in for an emergency...... but when I schedule work with him it's usually 2-3 weeks out.  Good shops are busy.  This is usually fine as I try to kill my problems before they get too bad so usually nothing is so urgent it can't wait a couple of weeks.  Gives me enough time to order the parts from Sunset, have them shipped, and organize everything to make sure nothing was missed.  Once you establish a good relationship with someone you might find it easier to schedule things with them.

[WTL]

I think what he meant by saying not taking new customers was that he had all the work he could handle.  Guessing.  he was nice about it.....  No biggie as I like the other guy better. I don't mind waiting but seemed a little excessive this time and I had no idea what the leak was/is...

 

Anyhow, adding this visits ticket to my spreadsheet and see I missed 2 things on the dealer invoice - the mileage is off by 10,000 - they listed 10,000 miles more than what I have.  Also, they said they did a brake flush, and the fluid is higher than what it was when I went in, but its no where on the invoice.  Called dealer and was told its part of the "Minor Service" package they have down.  If so, this is the 1st time I've gotten a brake flush and its not specifically listed - I see the oil, the filter, drain plug, cabin filter, etc., but NO brake flush listed.  So who knows....

 

 

   This is the kind of stuff that drives me nuts.

 

[WTL]

Ok - tks again for the tip on an indy....  I ended up going to one I had actually been to before twice - but had forgotten about.  Made the apt. last week for yesterday and the car was ready today at lunch.  2 new horns and 4 new drive axle boots and checked the oil.  All good and the car was spick and span on pick up.  Parts were im sure less than dealer and labor too - not a steal - but I wasn't expecting that anyway.   Seems to be all good ( but I haven't looked at the boots though) and the horn works too.....  Im pretty sure they'll be the go-to now - they've been around for awhile and they are long time local club participants and supporters.    A no brainer to the dealer bs and drop off and we'll see if we can have it ready in 4 days...  The indy was by no means looking for work either but, I think, may value a customer as much as a customer should value good work.

[Silver_TT]

Strong work!  Met my indy through PCA too.... can't even remember it's been so long, I think he did my first track inspection.