Rust!
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From: London, UK
Rust!
Hi guys,
My beloved 993 appears to be developing rust! Just along the edge of the fender that is adjacent to the front edge of the right hand door. It only consists of some white dots on the paint work but the service manager thinks it may be rust. I have to say I was devastated by this news.
More so because I have an unofficial service stamp and oil change done by the people that sold me the car. Also the paint work inspections are 3/6 completed by OPC. The service manager suggests that this is enough for Porsche UK not to honour the 10 year anticorrosion warranty, ( the car is currently 7 years old). I will put it to them that I have always used OPC - but I do not hold out much hope.
I would urge anyone with a complete P service history to consider this before changing to specialist unofficial servicing.
Any comments / suggestions ?
Tito
My beloved 993 appears to be developing rust! Just along the edge of the fender that is adjacent to the front edge of the right hand door. It only consists of some white dots on the paint work but the service manager thinks it may be rust. I have to say I was devastated by this news.
More so because I have an unofficial service stamp and oil change done by the people that sold me the car. Also the paint work inspections are 3/6 completed by OPC. The service manager suggests that this is enough for Porsche UK not to honour the 10 year anticorrosion warranty, ( the car is currently 7 years old). I will put it to them that I have always used OPC - but I do not hold out much hope.
I would urge anyone with a complete P service history to consider this before changing to specialist unofficial servicing.
Any comments / suggestions ?
Tito
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Paint work inspections???? OPC???
Was car in a crash? If so, and/or car was repainted, could be cause.
Body panels as far as I know are galvanized steel, so unless they were damaged they should not be rusting.
Good reason to avoid a repainted/repaired car.
Was car in a crash? If so, and/or car was repainted, could be cause.
Body panels as far as I know are galvanized steel, so unless they were damaged they should not be rusting.
Good reason to avoid a repainted/repaired car.
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Hi Ray,
The car to my knowledge is undamaged - German cars are sold with a certificate stating that they are undamaged if that is the case I have this certificate - I don't know if these are easy to fake but the Germans are usually pretty fastidious about these things.
OPC - Official Porsche Centre.
In the service book there are slots for regular paint inspections - I dont' know if this is the case for US cars.
The service manager mentioned that he has seen this area rusting in 993's before. Also he inspected the car and did not think it had been damaged before. His conclusion was that the rust was there from day one before the galvanising process. He clearly stated that the paint inspection requirement was there to avoid claims such as mine. I guess I will have to bite the bullet.
Tito
The car to my knowledge is undamaged - German cars are sold with a certificate stating that they are undamaged if that is the case I have this certificate - I don't know if these are easy to fake but the Germans are usually pretty fastidious about these things.
OPC - Official Porsche Centre.
In the service book there are slots for regular paint inspections - I dont' know if this is the case for US cars.
The service manager mentioned that he has seen this area rusting in 993's before. Also he inspected the car and did not think it had been damaged before. His conclusion was that the rust was there from day one before the galvanising process. He clearly stated that the paint inspection requirement was there to avoid claims such as mine. I guess I will have to bite the bullet.
Tito
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From: Dana Point, CA
Hmmmm .... there is no slot for a paint inspection in my service book. I'm guessing it's a European thing.
I actually utilized the factory 10 year anti-corrosion warranty about two years ago. Had a small rust bubble at the base of the windshield. Took the car to the dealer, and after verifying the rust wasn't caused by collision damage, they had it repaired without further question. Incidentally, my car had been to both dealers and independents over its lifetime, and this had no bearing on the warranty repair.
I've since heard that an improperly replaced windshield can lead to rust at the base of the windshield. I had my windshield replaced in '97, so it may have been the source of the rust. I'm monitoring the finish at the windshield seal, and if I find another bubble, I'll need to have the windshield removed, things cleaned up, then the windshielf reinstalled.
Anyway, back to your problem. I'm having a hard time understanding what the point is of a paint inspection. The only advantage I can see is noting a problem before it's too advanced. But, in your case, this sounds like exactly what you may have done--noted the condition before it was too advanced.
I tend to believe that if you push the issue (ask for the manager, call the regional P-car rep, etc.), you'll stand a good chance of having this repaired under warranty. At least this approach has a good chance of succeeding in the US.
I actually utilized the factory 10 year anti-corrosion warranty about two years ago. Had a small rust bubble at the base of the windshield. Took the car to the dealer, and after verifying the rust wasn't caused by collision damage, they had it repaired without further question. Incidentally, my car had been to both dealers and independents over its lifetime, and this had no bearing on the warranty repair.
I've since heard that an improperly replaced windshield can lead to rust at the base of the windshield. I had my windshield replaced in '97, so it may have been the source of the rust. I'm monitoring the finish at the windshield seal, and if I find another bubble, I'll need to have the windshield removed, things cleaned up, then the windshielf reinstalled.
Anyway, back to your problem. I'm having a hard time understanding what the point is of a paint inspection. The only advantage I can see is noting a problem before it's too advanced. But, in your case, this sounds like exactly what you may have done--noted the condition before it was too advanced.
I tend to believe that if you push the issue (ask for the manager, call the regional P-car rep, etc.), you'll stand a good chance of having this repaired under warranty. At least this approach has a good chance of succeeding in the US.
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From: London (England)
I guess I will have to bite the bullet.
I can't believe you are actually saying this. Its the typical response people in England end up saying. Thats why service in this country is so ****! (excuse my language, but its a matter I feel very strongly about).
Mate, you have a car which is worth about £25,000 (thats if I have understood properly it being a LHD import). Thats more than most people will ever spend in a car, and I am sure you payed more than that. Also, you have the thing serviced at ripp-off main dealer all the time. So why on earth do you not stand up for your rights and get them to do what they say they do. If there is rust then it will be fixed. You have a Porsche, not a bloody Vauxhall!!
The worse bit is that your "service manager" even says it has been ther from day one!!!! I mean, hello?? Surely this is Porsche's fault then, no? They bugger up, they fix it.
Go back there and give them ****! Just like they have given you, its only fair. If they don't budge then call Porsche UK, or Porsche AG, whover, but make sure you get the service you deserve (and pay for indirectly in those exorbitant charges).
Hope I haven't been too rude and apologise again for the language, but I get very upset when I see someone being give this kind of treatment.
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From: Wellingborough, England
I couldn't agree with Riccardo more on this one. I have had a problem with a bill for from my main dealer.
I had sent my car in to get the to rear bumber tie bars replaced as they had rusted (I had only bought the car from the 3 months before). Anyway when I came to collect the car I was present with a bill for around £ 180.00. I obviously said there must be some miss-understanding as it should be a warranty repair.
The dealer claimed that the parts where not covered by the warranty, and they didn't need replacing anyway. Well that was a stupid thing to say wasn't it, I mean if they didn't need to be replaced why did they just charge me £ 180.00 to do so ?
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I had to pay up, but, I then took it up with Porsche UK saying that I had inspected the parts myself prior to taking the car in and they certainly needed replacing. I asked why this had not been picked up in the PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection), and also why the dealer could say the did not need replacing and then go ahead and replace them anyway.
Porsche UK refunded my bill in full as a good will gesture (Note: my bill also included some non-warranty work which I was fully expecting to pay for !!).
Keep at it, DO NOT GIVE IN, and if you get no where with the dealer go to Porsche UK, and make sure you tell them that the dealer thinks the rust was there before the galvanisation process.
If more of us complained we might eventually get USA style service levels one day.
Good Luck
Stuart
I had sent my car in to get the to rear bumber tie bars replaced as they had rusted (I had only bought the car from the 3 months before). Anyway when I came to collect the car I was present with a bill for around £ 180.00. I obviously said there must be some miss-understanding as it should be a warranty repair.
The dealer claimed that the parts where not covered by the warranty, and they didn't need replacing anyway. Well that was a stupid thing to say wasn't it, I mean if they didn't need to be replaced why did they just charge me £ 180.00 to do so ?
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I had to pay up, but, I then took it up with Porsche UK saying that I had inspected the parts myself prior to taking the car in and they certainly needed replacing. I asked why this had not been picked up in the PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection), and also why the dealer could say the did not need replacing and then go ahead and replace them anyway.
Porsche UK refunded my bill in full as a good will gesture (Note: my bill also included some non-warranty work which I was fully expecting to pay for !!).
Keep at it, DO NOT GIVE IN, and if you get no where with the dealer go to Porsche UK, and make sure you tell them that the dealer thinks the rust was there before the galvanisation process.
If more of us complained we might eventually get USA style service levels one day.
Good Luck
Stuart
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From: Wellingborough, England
Further to my previous post, just in case anyone should ever need this information:
Porsche Cars Great Britain Limited
Bath Road
Calcot
Reading
Berkshire
RG31 7SE
Tel: 0118 930 3666
Fax: 0118 925 2704
Stuart
Porsche Cars Great Britain Limited
Bath Road
Calcot
Reading
Berkshire
RG31 7SE
Tel: 0118 930 3666
Fax: 0118 925 2704
Stuart
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Drifting
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From: Villanova, PA
Originally posted by Randall Granaas:
<STRONG>I actually utilized the factory 10 year anti-corrosion warranty about two years ago. Had a small rust bubble at the base of the windshield. Took the car to the dealer, and after verifying the rust wasn't caused by collision damage, they had it repaired without further question. Incidentally, my car had been to both dealers and independents over its lifetime, and this had no bearing on the warranty repair.</STRONG>
<STRONG>I actually utilized the factory 10 year anti-corrosion warranty about two years ago. Had a small rust bubble at the base of the windshield. Took the car to the dealer, and after verifying the rust wasn't caused by collision damage, they had it repaired without further question. Incidentally, my car had been to both dealers and independents over its lifetime, and this had no bearing on the warranty repair.</STRONG>
I have exactly the same symptom on one spot a the base of the windshield. I did not even know there was a 10 warranty to fix it. I had been putting it off because I was afraid of the body shop bill. Is there a mileage limit on that 10 year corrosion warranty? What about 2nd or 3rd owner?
Thanx,
E. J.
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From: Dana Point, CA
Hi E.J.,
Absolutely no mileage limit, and it doesn't matter if you're the second or third owner. Details are in your service manual--or whatever it's called. You know, the book that has your car's maintenance schedule, has the service stamp blocks and describes your warranty.
Is your bubble on the driver's side, like mine was? Do you know if your windshield has ever been replaced? It's also quite possible that the rust bubble doesn't have anything to do with the windshield being replaced, as the base of the front windshield (and rear glass, for that matter) has always been a common place to find rust on 911s. At least that has been my experience. You just don't see if often on the later cars.
Absolutely no mileage limit, and it doesn't matter if you're the second or third owner. Details are in your service manual--or whatever it's called. You know, the book that has your car's maintenance schedule, has the service stamp blocks and describes your warranty.
Is your bubble on the driver's side, like mine was? Do you know if your windshield has ever been replaced? It's also quite possible that the rust bubble doesn't have anything to do with the windshield being replaced, as the base of the front windshield (and rear glass, for that matter) has always been a common place to find rust on 911s. At least that has been my experience. You just don't see if often on the later cars.
Drifting
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From: Villanova, PA
Thanx for the help guys. My spot is right at the base fo the drivers side windsheild and I do know that my windshield has been replaced at least twice (3 total windows) - once by me and once by previous owner.
I guess now I have an excuse to see the dealer...
Thanx again, Rennlist is indispensable!
E. J.
I guess now I have an excuse to see the dealer...
Thanx again, Rennlist is indispensable!
E. J.
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From: London, UK
Thanks for the advice guys.
Riccardo , yep I have a LHD import and paid approximately £35K for it two years ago. I will push the issue with the OPC and Porsche UK, but at the end of the day if they don't pay up I can't force them. Don't get me wrong I wont give in with out a fight.
But the worse case scenario how much is it worth paying to repair a car that you really do care for? £2000 , £ 5000, £10,000?
I do have to say that if Porsche don't honour their 10 year anticorrosion warranty I will have a hard time buying another one even though I love the cars. I may be buying a second hand LHD car today but some day in the not too distant future a new 996 or even a Cyenenne is a reality - unless the labour government really do ban private medicine!
I have had 10 year old VW's with out rust , I find the appearance of rust in this car unacceptable. The service manager also mentioned the windsheild area as a common rust area on 993s also the curved bit infron of the headlights.
All I can say is be vigilant and keep a look out for rust - these cars may be galvansied but they are not full proof.
Regards
Tito
Riccardo , yep I have a LHD import and paid approximately £35K for it two years ago. I will push the issue with the OPC and Porsche UK, but at the end of the day if they don't pay up I can't force them. Don't get me wrong I wont give in with out a fight.
But the worse case scenario how much is it worth paying to repair a car that you really do care for? £2000 , £ 5000, £10,000?
I do have to say that if Porsche don't honour their 10 year anticorrosion warranty I will have a hard time buying another one even though I love the cars. I may be buying a second hand LHD car today but some day in the not too distant future a new 996 or even a Cyenenne is a reality - unless the labour government really do ban private medicine!
I have had 10 year old VW's with out rust , I find the appearance of rust in this car unacceptable. The service manager also mentioned the windsheild area as a common rust area on 993s also the curved bit infron of the headlights.
All I can say is be vigilant and keep a look out for rust - these cars may be galvansied but they are not full proof.
Regards
Tito
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I heard there was a bulletin issued for the rubber strip below the windshield. On some 993's, the strip was not sealed properly causing water to seep inside that potential could caused rusting. This is similiar to what EJ and others are referencing. I would press Porsche UK, plus determine if there is such a bulletin.
Good Luck.
Good Luck.
