This is the reason I won't let anyone work on my car..
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
This is the reason I won't let anyone work on my car..
Hi guys just wanted to share an experience I've had lately with a local Porsche specialist, this has resulted in me doing all the work myself in the future and made me lose all faith in anyones work but my own.
After purchasing my car I was advised to introduce myself to this company as they are the local shop of choice for people in my area.
After a brief conversation I discovered they had a whale tail in stock and a deal was done. They were to repair (as was second hand off an old race car), paint and install.
I'm quite capable with cars and all things mechanical but I figured being new to Porsches the "specialists" would have a very high standard of workmanship.
I dropped it in on a Monday in November and they said it would be ready by the end of the day. So I finished work early, arranged a lift to pick up car, lost a few hours of pay only to find it wasn't ready..
Same thing happened on Wednesday, car was finally ready to pick up on Thursday. Upon pick up I discovered the rear fenders were covered in scratches from where they had been leaning on it which I pointed out to the apprentice who proceeded to try and polish in the hot sun (obviously polish dried instantly on the car and probably made it worse). I figured the scratches aren't deep so I'd polish them out myself which I did.
I drove it home and put it straight in the shed without inspecting the new tail as I was far too busy and had expected it to be of a high standard considering they're a "specialist".
Fast forward to Christmas holidays when I had time to drive, detail and work on the car I had started to notice the quality of work was very poor.
After first fitting
As you can see the tail/boot didn't line up.
Poor repair on corner of tail or not repaired at all.
Obviously couldn't fit the buffer in here so was left faced back.
As you can see in these two photos they opted to put rivnuts straight into fibreglass rather than using proper mounting points via L bracket as I requested.
First time I opened the boot one of the rivnuts pulled out.
Damage to paint from where tail has rubbed on the body due to misalignment.
As shown in these two photos the tail was rubbing on drivers side and had a 1" gap on passengers side.
I contacted them in the first week of Janurary and they offered to fix it. They offered no apology, took no responsibility. They said the paint and fixings had failed (fixing had failed due to the way they were fixed)
When I collected the car once again both rear fenders are covered in scratches and the car keys/metal key ring were left on the roof.
Upon first inspection the quality seemed much better than the initial fitting. However after a few drives and a more detailed inspection I found the standard of work to be nearly as bad as the initial fitting.
Condition of car after 1st attempt at repair
Passengers side of tail is now rubbing on body.
Underside of tail is now rubbing on body near hinge.
Damage to tail when grill was reinstalled.
Once again after I had repeatedly told them about the damage from leaning on the side of the car (possibly from belt buckle) the car is scratched worse than the first time.
Thanks for reading.
Obviously I'm not going to give them a third chance.
What do you guys think? Any similar experiences?
After purchasing my car I was advised to introduce myself to this company as they are the local shop of choice for people in my area.
After a brief conversation I discovered they had a whale tail in stock and a deal was done. They were to repair (as was second hand off an old race car), paint and install.
I'm quite capable with cars and all things mechanical but I figured being new to Porsches the "specialists" would have a very high standard of workmanship.
I dropped it in on a Monday in November and they said it would be ready by the end of the day. So I finished work early, arranged a lift to pick up car, lost a few hours of pay only to find it wasn't ready..
Same thing happened on Wednesday, car was finally ready to pick up on Thursday. Upon pick up I discovered the rear fenders were covered in scratches from where they had been leaning on it which I pointed out to the apprentice who proceeded to try and polish in the hot sun (obviously polish dried instantly on the car and probably made it worse). I figured the scratches aren't deep so I'd polish them out myself which I did.
I drove it home and put it straight in the shed without inspecting the new tail as I was far too busy and had expected it to be of a high standard considering they're a "specialist".
Fast forward to Christmas holidays when I had time to drive, detail and work on the car I had started to notice the quality of work was very poor.
After first fitting
As you can see the tail/boot didn't line up.
Poor repair on corner of tail or not repaired at all.
Obviously couldn't fit the buffer in here so was left faced back.
As you can see in these two photos they opted to put rivnuts straight into fibreglass rather than using proper mounting points via L bracket as I requested.
First time I opened the boot one of the rivnuts pulled out.
Damage to paint from where tail has rubbed on the body due to misalignment.
As shown in these two photos the tail was rubbing on drivers side and had a 1" gap on passengers side.
I contacted them in the first week of Janurary and they offered to fix it. They offered no apology, took no responsibility. They said the paint and fixings had failed (fixing had failed due to the way they were fixed)
When I collected the car once again both rear fenders are covered in scratches and the car keys/metal key ring were left on the roof.
Upon first inspection the quality seemed much better than the initial fitting. However after a few drives and a more detailed inspection I found the standard of work to be nearly as bad as the initial fitting.
Condition of car after 1st attempt at repair
Passengers side of tail is now rubbing on body.
Underside of tail is now rubbing on body near hinge.
Damage to tail when grill was reinstalled.
Once again after I had repeatedly told them about the damage from leaning on the side of the car (possibly from belt buckle) the car is scratched worse than the first time.
Thanks for reading.
Obviously I'm not going to give them a third chance.
What do you guys think? Any similar experiences?
#2
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
That’s frustrating and without question a good reason to give up using the local shop. Sounds to me like you could start your own shop considering the work you have already done!
#4
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Painful to look at. In my opinion, that's a ****-poor effort by complete and utter careless hacks. I'd diplomatically discuss a full refund.
Andreas
Andreas
#5
Three Wheelin'
sorry to hear,
try to ask a refund,
I had similar issue, In my case they were doing things well and damaging others, they refund me but it will not cover what needs fixing... sometimes its so difficult to do everything, space, tools and time could be an issue...
try to ask a refund,
I had similar issue, In my case they were doing things well and damaging others, they refund me but it will not cover what needs fixing... sometimes its so difficult to do everything, space, tools and time could be an issue...
#6
Registered User
Man I swear I have been screwed more times by Porsche fixit shops than not. I took my 968 to a "super duper amazing reputable Porsche shop" in Dallas who regularly advertises in Excellence. They did the same thing, scratched up my fenders leaning over the engine. Then they never even fixed the problem that I had.
This is what I have learned........"I TYPICALLY KNOW MORE ABOUT MY CAR THAN THEY DO".
I only let others work on my car when I do not have time to do it myself.
This is what I have learned........"I TYPICALLY KNOW MORE ABOUT MY CAR THAN THEY DO".
I only let others work on my car when I do not have time to do it myself.
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#8
Drifting
Perhaps but that does not excuse the hack job, especially since they supplied the wing and lid. Any competent shop would have handled it differently.
#9
Rennlist Member
That work is plainly unacceptable. Thankfully the work was largely confined to the aftermarket wing, and they didn't do any permanent damage to your car (except perhaps some rubbed paint). A full refund is in order, and I wouldn't let that shop ever touch my car again.
#11
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Hi marine blue! Definately frustrating and definately won't be using them again. Haha I'd love to start my own shop! Mind you I wouldn't be too efficient! Took me 50 hours to install carpet!
#12
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Hi Jesus, havnt contacted them yes as I only noticed it really on the weekend (obviously they are closed) and wanted opinions of what to do next as I don' think it should take 3 goes to get it right. I will contact them today.
#13
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
And yes I agree just careless, I can' walk away from a job unless I'm 100% happy wit it, I can't imagine they would be happy with the job they have done.
I'l contact them today and see what they say.
#14
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Never again!
Last edited by Dingo; 03-12-2018 at 08:15 PM.
#15
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
Man I swear I have been screwed more times by Porsche fixit shops than not. I took my 968 to a "super duper amazing reputable Porsche shop" in Dallas who regularly advertises in Excellence. They did the same thing, scratched up my fenders leaning over the engine. Then they never even fixed the problem that I had.
This is what I have learned........"I TYPICALLY KNOW MORE ABOUT MY CAR THAN THEY DO".
I only let others work on my car when I do not have time to do it myself.
This is what I have learned........"I TYPICALLY KNOW MORE ABOUT MY CAR THAN THEY DO".
I only let others work on my car when I do not have time to do it myself.
And I also agree, in the 1 year i have studied about my car I would say I definately know more about it than them... when I first purchased the car the windshield washer light was on so I asked what the filler was next to the fuel filler.... they said it was the headlight washers and they usually take the globe out of the warning light as it's quite common I then went and purchased adrians book and joined reenlist!