Coming out of waranty, should I have it checked?

[eben]

My 2002 C4S is coming out of factory warranty in about 3 weeks.

I have no known issues ( looks dry underneath ). It is not due for service for 4 more months.

Has 24000 km ( 15000 mi ). I just shelled out for a 3 year extended warranty beyond the factory one.

I did all my own work on my old SC so it bugs me to pay others for service. The last oil change cost me over $500 (cdn). On the other hand I knew this car wasn't going to be cheap to own when I bought it. Should I take it in for a check up just in case in the next few days? What do you think?

[cajun]

My 2002 C4S is coming out of factory warranty in about 3 weeks.

I have no known issues ( looks dry underneath ). It is not due for service for 4 more months.

Has 24000 km ( 15000 mi ). I just shelled out for a 3 year extended warranty beyond the factory one.

I did all my own work on my old SC so it bugs me to pay others for service. The last oil change cost me over $500 (cdn). On the other hand I knew this car wasn't going to be cheap to own when I bought it. Should I take it in for a check up just in case in the next few days? What do you think?

I wish I had gotten an extended warranty. I had to pay to have my transmission replaced right after the warranty expired. I would have it checked by an independent shop - ask around for recommendations. Then if they find anything, you can take it in to the dealer for repair. Good Luck!

[lixmas]

My 2002 C4S is coming out of factory warranty in about 3 weeks.

I have no known issues ( looks dry underneath ). It is not due for service for 4 more months.

Has 24000 km ( 15000 mi ). I just shelled out for a 3 year extended warranty beyond the factory one.

I did all my own work on my old SC so it bugs me to pay others for service. The last oil change cost me over $500 (cdn). On the other hand I knew this car wasn't going to be cheap to own when I bought it. Should I take it in for a check up just in case in the next few days? What do you think?

I wish I had gotten an extended warranty. I had to pay to have my transmission replaced right after the warranty expired. I would have it checked by an independent shop - ask around for recommendations. Then if they find anything, you can take it in to the dealer for repair. Good Luck!

if your in or around the west coast, wiessach performance is a good bet, a little expensive, but thorough. Scan automotive in North Van are really good for anything porsche, I would call them first.

[TRIATHLETE]

My 2002 C4S is coming out of factory warranty in about 3 weeks.

I have no known issues ( looks dry underneath ). It is not due for service for 4 more months.

Has 24000 km ( 15000 mi ). I just shelled out for a 3 year extended warranty beyond the factory one.

I did all my own work on my old SC so it bugs me to pay others for service. The last oil change cost me over $500 (cdn). On the other hand I knew this car wasn't going to be cheap to own when I bought it. Should I take it in for a check up just in case in the next few days? What do you think?

What are you worried about if you already bought the extended warranty? IMO - taking it in now is a waste of time and money. On the other hand, had you NOT bought the warranty, a complete eval by an independent shop prior to warranty expiration would be a no brainer.

The inspection on my CPO 99 C2 cost $80 and was well worth the piece of mind. Ironically/luckily nothing major was found as my car experienced all of the known issues (RMS, Coolant tank, power seat motor, oil leaks, cruise control, MAF, coil pack) during the two year CPO warrany and was repaired on Porche's nickel (except for the coolant tank - not covered). Good luck!

[eben]

I guess I am leaning toward ' waste of money ' too because I am pretty sure that there are none of the issues that you ( Triathlete ) mentioned. What I was wondering was how likely there are hidden things that might show up on a code reader that indicate some impending failure.

The other thing I was wondering was why you guys are suggesting an independant shop. Why I wouldn't trust the dealer while it is still under warranty? Don't they have every reason to dig up any issue? Am I naive? Thanks for the comments.

[PeterC4]

I guess I am leaning toward ' waste of money ' too because I am pretty sure that there are none of the issues that you ( Triathlete ) mentioned. What I was wondering was how likely there are hidden things that might show up on a code reader that indicate some impending failure.

The other thing I was wondering was why you guys are suggesting an independant shop. Why I wouldn't trust the dealer while it is still under warranty? Don't they have every reason to dig up any issue? Am I naive? Thanks for the comments.

The dealer is good to visit for certain things....but $500 Cdn. for an oil change? Just did mine at my local guys who have a lot of Porsche visitors and they are great at the basic stuff. He even fixed the nail in my tire for free...oil change...$200 cdn.

[eben]

I guess I am leaning toward ' waste of money ' too because I am pretty sure that there are none of the issues that you ( Triathlete ) mentioned. What I was wondering was how likely there are hidden things that might show up on a code reader that indicate some impending failure.

The other thing I was wondering was why you guys are suggesting an independant shop. Why I wouldn't trust the dealer while it is still under warranty? Don't they have every reason to dig up any issue? Am I naive? Thanks for the comments.

The dealer is good to visit for certain things....but $500 Cdn. for an oil change? Just did mine at my local guys who have a lot of Porsche visitors and they are great at the basic stuff. He even fixed the nail in my tire for free...oil change...$200 cdn.

I guess it was more than just an oil change, called minor maintenance, parts ( 3 filters ) and oil total was 285 labour 160 + tax = 507

[TRIATHLETE]

I guess I am leaning toward ' waste of money ' too because I am pretty sure that there are none of the issues that you ( Triathlete ) mentioned. What I was wondering was how likely there are hidden things that might show up on a code reader that indicate some impending failure.

The other thing I was wondering was why you guys are suggesting an independant shop. Why I wouldn't trust the dealer while it is still under warranty? Don't they have every reason to dig up any issue? Am I naive? Thanks for the comments.

Take heart that you have a 2002 - much tighter car than my 99 C2. Having said that, I wouldn't be too sure about the dealer "finding" warranty problems as my dealer sold me the car with all the oil leaks, no cruise control and other issues right off the lot. So much for that 100 point pre-inspection.

It wouldn't bother me that much except that the average time the dealer had my car to fix said issues was a week and a half for each problem. That is unacceptable considering I had an appointment for every repair!

IMHO, there could be a conflict of interest while you are under warranty. From what I've been told, the mechanic performing the warranty work only gets paid 50% of his rate. No incentive there to find something they can't charge you for. Perhaps that is why my car sat around the shop so long... :cursing:

As far as stored codes warning of impending doom go, don't think that's the case. My dealer didn't even bother to check them last time the car was in. He said no need to check unless I have a CEL (check engine light) on the dash.

Finally, it is comforting to know that my $80 is going to ONE guy that knows what he's doing and doesn't have to support a multi million dollar showroom. My guy fixed a few minor problem in less than half a day. In by 8 - out by noon. That's customer service. Good luck.

[GaryAZ]

Triathlete that's horrible service from a Porsche dealer.

Eben here's my story: My car was coming out of warranty @28K miles. I took it in to the dealer and had the 30K service done. The adviser called me and said "We need to keep your car another 2 days. Your new motor gets here tomorrow afternoon". huh? RMS leak was deemed irrepairable so I got a new motor under warranty. I didn't even know it was leaking. I looked in the garage and there was one drop on the floor. They didn't charge me for the 30K service, but I paid for a new clutch - parts only. They didn't charge labor on the clutch since they were "in there" already.

I subsequently bought an extended warranty too. Would the extended warranty writer have approved a new motor? Who knows - hope I don't have to find out. FWIW.

[eben]

Thanks for the input guys.

I probably will take it in for a quick going over. Although it is not due for service, maybe its time for the 2yearly brake fluid change.