LiveNupe

Summary: Which dealer has the best service department in SoCal?

Long Version:
I'm in the early stages of moving from Dallas to the LA area and I'm starting to think about choosing a health club, bank, cell phone provider, etc. etc. etc.

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a Porsche Dealer in the LA area. In my opinion, the staff at the ideal dealership would be technically competent, provide great customer service (follow-up phone calls, return messages in a timely manner, non-snobby demeanor, pleasant people, etc.) and offer free loaners.

It would be even better if the same dealership offered great deals on the sales end so I'd be inclined to make my next purchase from them. My experience to date has been that the dealerships that offer the best service don't offer the best deals. However, "great deals" isn't a requirement for meeting my immediate needs. If the dealer with the best service offers great deals, that's icing on the cake.

Which dealer has the best service department in SoCal?

SCMomentum

Are you sure that you don't want to deal with an independent shop? In my experience in SoCal...the best minds and the best work comes from these independent shops in the Southland. You'll probably get an opinion or two but my guess is that most will reply with their own specialist. Also, it would help if you clarified just where in SoCal you plan on living. My two cents....

Dave

911

Regarding "Porsche Dealers," I've heard some pretty good things about McKenna in Downey off the 605 freeway.

Chuck W.

What part of Los Angeles?

AdamF

McKenna almost got his franchise yanked for some shifty activity on the finance side of things.

Circle just went thru a warranty audit, they should be ok.

Newport Beach is in trouble with Porsche right now and is about to get hit with a huge audit for warranty fraud and generally ripping people off.

EThec

i've had good luck at Porsche of Downtown LA. they are currently building a new facility and operating in a temporary location, but the service was good in my opinion. I don't know about loaner cars. as with most dealers their labor rates are pretty high compared to independent repair shops. if you can find a knowledgable independent in your area that you can work with that might be something to consider. my experience is that attitudes with independents vary widely.

i noticed your car is a 996. you might post on that board where the cars are newer and more members have more recent experience with dealers. most all of our cars are out of warranty by now.

LiveNupe

SCMomentum/EThec,
My car's still in warranty so I'd want to stick with a dealer for now.

SCMomentum/Chuck W,
I'll be living in Brentwood and commuting to Chatsworth every day. Beverly Hills Porsche and the Auto Group in Woodland Hills are the most convenient for me from a logistics stand point. However, no one in this forum or the 996 forum has given a strong recommendation for either dealership. This is my first Porsche. I guess I've been lucky and blessed to have had such a great relationship with the dealership in Dallas. I'm getting the sense that it's going to be hard to replace Park Place.

-RC

adsc4s

MeKenna has great service for in warranty vehicles.

jonathank2000

I took my car to McKenna twice and had a HORRIBLE experience with both. I won't mention names but while Brian (very knowledgeable porsche service guy) was on vacation, the service manager and the tech there LIED about things on my car that I didn't need. I went in to find out what the CEL was about and they wanted to charge me $6,200 worth of service. I took it to 2 other independents and it turned out to be a simple oxygen sensor - $49. How's that for F**KING scam artists. This was just one of two experiences.

So, whenever someone mentioned McKenna, expect me to tell my story!

911

Jonathan,

Sorry to hear about your experience. I posted my comments because there was a thread here a while ago when someone mentioned what great service they had. I don't know if it was Viken, DJ, etc., but it was someone like that (i.e. a lot of experience & knowledge w/ 993s).

Viken

Dealer: Rusnak Porsche in Thousand Oaks
Service Advisor: Rick Corbin (805) 496-8400
Technician: Mike Schatz

Viken

For the record, I have never recommended McKenna Porsche for anything. I doubt that DJ has too.

Stevarino

I've used all of the folks Viken mentioned with great results. FBFisher recommended them to me for my cabrio top recall. I can't attest to the quality of work, as the top worked fine before the recall, but I can tell you that I couldn't tell anyone had been in my car - no scratches, dents or tears. I will definitely make the trek up from Santa Monica again. I only wish that I had Schatz do the wiring harness recall. I'll never go back to Pacific.

jonathank2000

Oh by the way, McKenna never reset my CEL but charged me $100 for even looking at it. I can't imagine anyone recommending these BOZOS!! But it's just IMHO.. of course.

911

Viken,

Thanks for the clarification. I must have mixed the two dealers by accident.