JAZ Porsche
03-07-2002, 02:51 PM
#16
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All this talking about main dealers rings a bell now.
Before I bought mine, I had the car inspected by HR Owen Hatfield.
The only main problem they pointed out was an oil leak in the rear main oil seal but no problem and would last another 25000 miles.
I bought the car and before I got home I found I had a major oil leak in the rocker cover gaskets.
Two independent technicians said that it had been there for months and anybody could have spotted it. I complained to HR Owen who flatly denied there was a problem when they checked it and why would they lie (maybe because they knew the dealer well?).
I thought I was just unlucky.
I later found out that the rear brake system needed a complete overhaul including the handbrake and calipers. The air-con system also needed a complete overhaul.
Oh, by the way there were no oil leaks except for those in the gaskets.
Hummmmmmmmmm!
Does this mean that one cant trust a main dealer to perform even a service, even though potential buyers still prefer a dealer stamp on the service history.
Before I bought mine, I had the car inspected by HR Owen Hatfield.
The only main problem they pointed out was an oil leak in the rear main oil seal but no problem and would last another 25000 miles.
I bought the car and before I got home I found I had a major oil leak in the rocker cover gaskets.
Two independent technicians said that it had been there for months and anybody could have spotted it. I complained to HR Owen who flatly denied there was a problem when they checked it and why would they lie (maybe because they knew the dealer well?).
I thought I was just unlucky.
I later found out that the rear brake system needed a complete overhaul including the handbrake and calipers. The air-con system also needed a complete overhaul.
Oh, by the way there were no oil leaks except for those in the gaskets.
Hummmmmmmmmm!
Does this mean that one cant trust a main dealer to perform even a service, even though potential buyers still prefer a dealer stamp on the service history.
03-08-2002, 04:02 AM
#17
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I'm not sure what the answer is in the UK, I've tried alot of main dealers including Chapelgate in Bournemouth who on occasion are good but no one I have ever dealt with has impressed me. There is always an issue, something not quite right, I had to goto Porsche UK 3 times because they kept on giving me the wrong engine undertray!
Perhaps the answer is to goto the continent because i only see things getting worse.
Perhaps the answer is to goto the continent because i only see things getting worse.
03-08-2002, 05:52 AM
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[quote]Originally posted by Anthony_Vince:
<strong>I'm not sure what the answer is in the UK, I've tried alot of main dealers including Chapelgate in Bournemouth who on occasion are good but no one I have ever dealt with has impressed me. There is always an issue, something not quite right, I had to goto Porsche UK 3 times because they kept on giving me the wrong engine undertray!
Perhaps the answer is to goto the continent because i only see things getting worse.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I agree. Unless someone out there has got something extremely positive to say about an OPC in the UK it seems the only way to keep main dealer serviced without destroying the car may be to go to Werke 1. What a sad state of affairs. Also find it interesting that there doesn't appear to be any UK OPC techs/employees who are Rennlisters (I imagine they would have chimed in by now). If I worked on P-cars for a living I'd know about this site and I'd know how to fix a creaky windscreen at the very least <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
<strong>I'm not sure what the answer is in the UK, I've tried alot of main dealers including Chapelgate in Bournemouth who on occasion are good but no one I have ever dealt with has impressed me. There is always an issue, something not quite right, I had to goto Porsche UK 3 times because they kept on giving me the wrong engine undertray!
Perhaps the answer is to goto the continent because i only see things getting worse.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I agree. Unless someone out there has got something extremely positive to say about an OPC in the UK it seems the only way to keep main dealer serviced without destroying the car may be to go to Werke 1. What a sad state of affairs. Also find it interesting that there doesn't appear to be any UK OPC techs/employees who are Rennlisters (I imagine they would have chimed in by now). If I worked on P-cars for a living I'd know about this site and I'd know how to fix a creaky windscreen at the very least <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />
03-08-2002, 08:09 AM
#20
JZ Machtech on 07000 100911. Speak to Steve or Jonas. If you live near London it's the only number you need. I live in Croydon but still drive around the M25. They charge something like £36 per hour.
Check out the website <a href="http://www.jzmachtech.com/" target="_blank">here</a>
Check out the website <a href="http://www.jzmachtech.com/" target="_blank">here</a>
03-08-2002, 02:13 PM
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Hi,
I have to agree. I have had my car serviced initially only at HR Owen OPC . I just did not feel that they knew the car . There were too many slip ups. Often I ended up telling them what to do after consulting Rennlist! Price is almost the same as good independents - I believe that OPC only trade on their name or rather Porsches' name. Since I have stopped going to HR Owen their marketing deparment , yes MARKETING department has written and called me to encourage me to book in for a service!
I also subscribed to Christophorus last June. I have not received an issue to date (except one French edition) despite numerous calls.
I also agree that the average age of the technician that works on your car is 16 at an OPC- I can't help but feel that they are learniong on my car. Believe me I am a real official franchise nut. I force my mother and brother to get their cars serviced at OBC (BMW) and they seem to know what they are doing, but I cannot delude my self that OPC are proficient in the same way.
My vote goes with GT one , but they are the only ones that I have tried so far.
Tito.
I have to agree. I have had my car serviced initially only at HR Owen OPC . I just did not feel that they knew the car . There were too many slip ups. Often I ended up telling them what to do after consulting Rennlist! Price is almost the same as good independents - I believe that OPC only trade on their name or rather Porsches' name. Since I have stopped going to HR Owen their marketing deparment , yes MARKETING department has written and called me to encourage me to book in for a service!
I also subscribed to Christophorus last June. I have not received an issue to date (except one French edition) despite numerous calls.
I also agree that the average age of the technician that works on your car is 16 at an OPC- I can't help but feel that they are learniong on my car. Believe me I am a real official franchise nut. I force my mother and brother to get their cars serviced at OBC (BMW) and they seem to know what they are doing, but I cannot delude my self that OPC are proficient in the same way.
My vote goes with GT one , but they are the only ones that I have tried so far.
Tito.
03-08-2002, 03:29 PM
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Thank God you guys are all very honest and clearly knowledgeable about your cars.
Amazingly, I have used most of the dealers mentioned above - AFN Chiswick, Park Lane, Reading & Guildford, Chaplegate, JZ Machtech & Arlington.
No doubt JZ Machtech are the more knowledgeable and honest. Can’t comment on their prices. They installed lowering sports springs on my car and aligned with no probs. Everything they have told me to date has been bang on – having conferred with Rennlist forum. The only criticism I have of them is they are too far from me – I wished they were 10mins drive from me!
1) Arlington – IMO they are typical OPC, get it in & out ASAP.
2) AFN Reading, Park Lane, Chiswick & Guildford –
a) AFN Guildford missed leaking expansion tank on my ’99 C2 Cab! Could have caused me £££. However, AFN Guildford did all servicing on my previous car – a 2.5ltr Boxster – faultlessly.
b) AFN Reading replaced my roof motor and canvas without any hitches.
c) AFN Park Lane were always friendly and a joy to deal with.
d) AFN Chiswick, I found they were too busy for my liking but nonetheless professional in their mannerism.
3) Chaplegate – again IMO they are typical OPC, get it in & out ASAP. My car has SO3 tyres with the sidewalls clearly marked 40PSI MAX. After the last service, and having instructed to service desk that the tyre PSI must be left as I had it, it was changed to 36PSI fronts & 44PSI rears! I found this by chance when the car became very unpredictable on the motorway – ‘floating’ at the slightest pass of a van, bus or lorry. The right settings are 28PSI fronts & 30PSI rears – found this to be optimum for me. They also replaced a faulty component on the drivers’ window and have not been able to put the window back to its original settings – leaks air & water badly. I have given up on them on that particular issue really.
Overall, I would use OPCs for the service stamp. For anything else – performance upgrade, technical advice & installations etc – I have more confidence in the likes of JZ Machtech, Jaz & Gtone.
Amazingly, I have used most of the dealers mentioned above - AFN Chiswick, Park Lane, Reading & Guildford, Chaplegate, JZ Machtech & Arlington.
No doubt JZ Machtech are the more knowledgeable and honest. Can’t comment on their prices. They installed lowering sports springs on my car and aligned with no probs. Everything they have told me to date has been bang on – having conferred with Rennlist forum. The only criticism I have of them is they are too far from me – I wished they were 10mins drive from me!
1) Arlington – IMO they are typical OPC, get it in & out ASAP.
2) AFN Reading, Park Lane, Chiswick & Guildford –
a) AFN Guildford missed leaking expansion tank on my ’99 C2 Cab! Could have caused me £££. However, AFN Guildford did all servicing on my previous car – a 2.5ltr Boxster – faultlessly.
b) AFN Reading replaced my roof motor and canvas without any hitches.
c) AFN Park Lane were always friendly and a joy to deal with.
d) AFN Chiswick, I found they were too busy for my liking but nonetheless professional in their mannerism.
3) Chaplegate – again IMO they are typical OPC, get it in & out ASAP. My car has SO3 tyres with the sidewalls clearly marked 40PSI MAX. After the last service, and having instructed to service desk that the tyre PSI must be left as I had it, it was changed to 36PSI fronts & 44PSI rears! I found this by chance when the car became very unpredictable on the motorway – ‘floating’ at the slightest pass of a van, bus or lorry. The right settings are 28PSI fronts & 30PSI rears – found this to be optimum for me. They also replaced a faulty component on the drivers’ window and have not been able to put the window back to its original settings – leaks air & water badly. I have given up on them on that particular issue really.
Overall, I would use OPCs for the service stamp. For anything else – performance upgrade, technical advice & installations etc – I have more confidence in the likes of JZ Machtech, Jaz & Gtone.
03-08-2002, 04:19 PM
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That seems sorta sensible.
Get an OPC official service stamp but get xtras done by the independents.
Funny really, since the independent technicians would probably have initially trained at an OPC.
<img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />
Get an OPC official service stamp but get xtras done by the independents.
Funny really, since the independent technicians would probably have initially trained at an OPC.
<img src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" border="0" alt="[hiha]" />
03-09-2002, 01:13 PM
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Very true BINS.
Seems as though OPCs may be losing their grip as Porsche begins to have more customer base.
I hope independents prosper as long as they are doing to our car what they would do to theirs.
When I used JZ Machtech, I was assured that the car would be road tested after the installation of the lowering kit. True to their word, I arrived earlier to collect the car - just could not wait - and on the way back to them I actually saw the car being driven on the open roads. It looked great - better than I expected, as it was lower - and drove even better when I collected on the way back.
Going back to the Chaplegate & the leaking drivers window, I was promised the car would be road tested after the installation of a new window motor - well, IF the engineer had test driven the car with the OBVIOUS air leak and still passed it, then God bless him & the dealership!
It is a shame that some dealership seem to live on past excellence or reputation
Seems as though OPCs may be losing their grip as Porsche begins to have more customer base.
I hope independents prosper as long as they are doing to our car what they would do to theirs.
When I used JZ Machtech, I was assured that the car would be road tested after the installation of the lowering kit. True to their word, I arrived earlier to collect the car - just could not wait - and on the way back to them I actually saw the car being driven on the open roads. It looked great - better than I expected, as it was lower - and drove even better when I collected on the way back.
Going back to the Chaplegate & the leaking drivers window, I was promised the car would be road tested after the installation of a new window motor - well, IF the engineer had test driven the car with the OBVIOUS air leak and still passed it, then God bless him & the dealership!
It is a shame that some dealership seem to live on past excellence or reputation
03-11-2002, 09:06 AM
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Greg1234,
When I got he car back from a major service there appeared to be no difference from when it went in, other than an emptying of my wallet.
GtOne also seemed to be too keen to sell me stuff that I didnt need, suggesting I replace both distributor caps and rotors and both front wishbones along with new tyres and wheel allignment and zymol the car. ( and I know I'm not the only person who gets told this).
I would say that perhaps they were erring on the side of caution, if it was'nt for the fact that they missed one major fault (which I have since been told anyone who calls themselves a 'specialist' and test drove may car should have spotted).
In their favour I will say that the car did run OK (even without the extra work).
I Just won't be going there again.
LA993
Black 993na LHD.
When I got he car back from a major service there appeared to be no difference from when it went in, other than an emptying of my wallet.
GtOne also seemed to be too keen to sell me stuff that I didnt need, suggesting I replace both distributor caps and rotors and both front wishbones along with new tyres and wheel allignment and zymol the car. ( and I know I'm not the only person who gets told this).
I would say that perhaps they were erring on the side of caution, if it was'nt for the fact that they missed one major fault (which I have since been told anyone who calls themselves a 'specialist' and test drove may car should have spotted).
In their favour I will say that the car did run OK (even without the extra work).
I Just won't be going there again.
LA993
Black 993na LHD.
03-11-2002, 09:11 AM
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LA993 -
interesting. FWIW they also mentioned distributor cap replacement to me - just in case it was worn. I guess there's a fine line between someone making recommendations based on their own experience - which is what you want - and someone "trying it on".. at the time I put this down to the former and not the latter. If you wanted to share your other suspicions with me via email or something that would be interesting. They are currently one of two places I am considering for work on my car....
interesting. FWIW they also mentioned distributor cap replacement to me - just in case it was worn. I guess there's a fine line between someone making recommendations based on their own experience - which is what you want - and someone "trying it on".. at the time I put this down to the former and not the latter. If you wanted to share your other suspicions with me via email or something that would be interesting. They are currently one of two places I am considering for work on my car....