Cabrio Service Shenanigans?
08-26-2016, 07:05 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Cabrio Service Shenanigans?
Does this sound legit to you, or is my local Porsche service center shafting me?
My cabrio's soft top stopped working a couple weeks ago. It has some aftermarket body work, so the automatic spoiler light is always on - was told to "live with it." No problem. Otherwise, there were no warnings. I checked the fuses. None blown.
I turn the car in for service and am pleased to hear they found nothing wrong with the top - "It's working fine, but we fixed your hazard light switch." Admittedly, it had been sticky for years.
I go to pick up my car and, while in their lot, push the roof-down button and everything goes to hell. The cover failed to release on the left side while the soft top raised maybe 50% before things went "POP!" and froze. The service rep runs out and says, "It finally gave up, eh? There was a fault recorded in the computer so I re-calibrated it and ran it a dozen times and couldn't get it to fail."
Now, I'm told there's $2,200 of damage to fix. I'm saying, "you broke it." They're saying, "it was dying already."
My questions:
- I had already looked for faults with my OBD-II reader - nothing. They say there's "another computer" that reads faults from the soft top. Really?
- Does a 996's soft top usually work when the hazard light button is pressed? I was thinking maybe the sticky button was preventing the roof from operating - a safety feature. If that's true, it means there was nothing wrong with my roof in the first place. If not, I'll be much more sympathetic.
Do I shout "shenanigans!" or just shut up and pay the man?
My cabrio's soft top stopped working a couple weeks ago. It has some aftermarket body work, so the automatic spoiler light is always on - was told to "live with it." No problem. Otherwise, there were no warnings. I checked the fuses. None blown.
I turn the car in for service and am pleased to hear they found nothing wrong with the top - "It's working fine, but we fixed your hazard light switch." Admittedly, it had been sticky for years.
I go to pick up my car and, while in their lot, push the roof-down button and everything goes to hell. The cover failed to release on the left side while the soft top raised maybe 50% before things went "POP!" and froze. The service rep runs out and says, "It finally gave up, eh? There was a fault recorded in the computer so I re-calibrated it and ran it a dozen times and couldn't get it to fail."
Now, I'm told there's $2,200 of damage to fix. I'm saying, "you broke it." They're saying, "it was dying already."
My questions:
- I had already looked for faults with my OBD-II reader - nothing. They say there's "another computer" that reads faults from the soft top. Really?
- Does a 996's soft top usually work when the hazard light button is pressed? I was thinking maybe the sticky button was preventing the roof from operating - a safety feature. If that's true, it means there was nothing wrong with my roof in the first place. If not, I'll be much more sympathetic.
Do I shout "shenanigans!" or just shut up and pay the man?
08-26-2016, 07:29 PM
#2
Shameful Thread Killer
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
STOP!
Where is the car - right now?
If at the dealer, do NOT take it with you, pick it up, or sign any release. If you took it away from them after it popped, fuggeddabbouditt.
If it's at the dealer, stop talking to them. Go through PNA to start resolving this. Rent a car, and keep your receipts.
Where is the car - right now?
If at the dealer, do NOT take it with you, pick it up, or sign any release. If you took it away from them after it popped, fuggeddabbouditt.
If it's at the dealer, stop talking to them. Go through PNA to start resolving this. Rent a car, and keep your receipts.
08-26-2016, 09:17 PM
#3
Race Director
As for "another computer" - PIWIS and Durametric can read convertible top codes and several other systems that are not accessible via OBD-II.
08-26-2016, 09:35 PM
#4
Instructor
Thread Starter
09-17-2016, 11:56 AM
#5
Rennlist Member
My local dealer pulled the same type of thing (not roof related). I brought the car in for an alignment after replacing the springs, shocks and struts. They call me up and tell me the alignment is done and everything is good except the passenger side window is making a terrible crunching noise. I say that's strange, I used it this morning and it was fine. They say, "oh it's common for the window regulators to go bad and it'll be about $600 to replace it"... I say, "I brought the car in for an alignment...Why did you have to open the windows"? "you broke it, you fix it"! They say "uh, we always roll the windows down when we're working on the cars, and we didn't do anything out of the ordinary - it just broke"... Once again I say " it was working fine when I brought it to you (which it was), you guys broke it, you fix it"... Long story short, they refused to fix it, charged me $400 for the alignment and offered to sell me the part (window regulator) at cost...Scum bags
09-17-2016, 01:15 PM
#7
My local dealer pulled the same type of thing (not roof related). I brought the car in for an alignment after replacing the springs, shocks and struts. They call me up and tell me the alignment is done and everything is good except the passenger side window is making a terrible crunching noise. I say that's strange, I used it this morning and it was fine. They say, "oh it's common for the window regulators to go bad and it'll be about $600 to replace it"... I say, "I brought the car in for an alignment...Why did you have to open the windows"? "you broke it, you fix it"! They say "uh, we always roll the windows down when we're working on the cars, and we didn't do anything out of the ordinary - it just broke"... Once again I say " it was working fine when I brought it to you (which it was), you guys broke it, you fix it"... Long story short, they refused to fix it, charged me $400 for the alignment and offered to sell me the part (window regulator) at cost...Scum bags
It always sucks in a situation like this as you have to wonder if it is just bad timing or a scam.
I can't speak to the OP's situation since I don't know Cabs, but if it was in for a top issue and it is still having a top issue after they say it was fixed, then while I don't smell a scam right off, I do think they owe some consideration for not getting it right. It's not like he got it off the lot yet...
Trending Topics
09-17-2016, 01:36 PM
#8
Rennlist Member
Yup, I'd almost bet that the op won't get them to fix it for "free"...The bottom line is, they have his keys and there's going to be an outstanding balance...Pay the bill, get your car back
09-18-2016, 01:06 AM
#9
All I can say is, treat them like Russia, trust but verify. Lots of snobby people working there.(any dealer)
I got asked if I was delivering something last trip I made(wanted my key reprogrammed). Luckily, the manager interceded. I'm glad I do 90% of the work myself.
I got asked if I was delivering something last trip I made(wanted my key reprogrammed). Luckily, the manager interceded. I'm glad I do 90% of the work myself.
09-19-2016, 12:52 PM
#10
Rennlist Member
Sorry, but having been through 5 regulators I'm on the dealer's side of this story. They do just go and often with no warning. One went after I rolled the window down just fine to chat with someone, then made the god awful grinding noise and refused to raise when I tried to roll it up. BMWs are just as bad.
09-20-2016, 08:32 PM
#11
Instructor
I feel your pain and this is a hard one. I have been on both sides of this several times.
When working as a mechanic, for example, I replaced someones water pump and that was all. Of course a couple days after they pick it up the Alternator goes out. So they blamed us for breaking it. We were not even asked to check the alternator and of course could have no idea what would happen in the future. I am not going to inspect every part of your car when you bring it in for one job. We did replace the alternator and charged our cost just to be nice.
On the other hand I took my 996 in because the top would not open. They replaced one flap motor and it worked fine, until i went to pick it up. The other side flap motor gave out when i tested it in their driveway. Did they break the other motor or was it just time for it to go ??? Several days later the rear window regulator went out. Did they break that also or was it just time for it to go.
Some times you just never know. Do the best you can and get on with life.
When working as a mechanic, for example, I replaced someones water pump and that was all. Of course a couple days after they pick it up the Alternator goes out. So they blamed us for breaking it. We were not even asked to check the alternator and of course could have no idea what would happen in the future. I am not going to inspect every part of your car when you bring it in for one job. We did replace the alternator and charged our cost just to be nice.
On the other hand I took my 996 in because the top would not open. They replaced one flap motor and it worked fine, until i went to pick it up. The other side flap motor gave out when i tested it in their driveway. Did they break the other motor or was it just time for it to go ??? Several days later the rear window regulator went out. Did they break that also or was it just time for it to go.
Some times you just never know. Do the best you can and get on with life.
09-20-2016, 09:02 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
I feel your pain and this is a hard one. I have been on both sides of this several times.
When working as a mechanic, for example, I replaced someones water pump and that was all. Of course a couple days after they pick it up the Alternator goes out. So they blamed us for breaking it. We were not even asked to check the alternator and of course could have no idea what would happen in the future. I am not going to inspect every part of your car when you bring it in for one job. We did replace the alternator and charged our cost just to be nice.
On the other hand I took my 996 in because the top would not open. They replaced one flap motor and it worked fine, until i went to pick it up. The other side flap motor gave out when i tested it in their driveway. Did they break the other motor or was it just time for it to go ??? Several days later the rear window regulator went out. Did they break that also or was it just time for it to go.
Some times you just never know. Do the best you can and get on with life.
When working as a mechanic, for example, I replaced someones water pump and that was all. Of course a couple days after they pick it up the Alternator goes out. So they blamed us for breaking it. We were not even asked to check the alternator and of course could have no idea what would happen in the future. I am not going to inspect every part of your car when you bring it in for one job. We did replace the alternator and charged our cost just to be nice.
On the other hand I took my 996 in because the top would not open. They replaced one flap motor and it worked fine, until i went to pick it up. The other side flap motor gave out when i tested it in their driveway. Did they break the other motor or was it just time for it to go ??? Several days later the rear window regulator went out. Did they break that also or was it just time for it to go.
Some times you just never know. Do the best you can and get on with life.
09-21-2016, 12:13 AM
#13
I pretty sure they won't fix it...as you would have to prove they did something to make it break, other than just using it. Cars break, yours did, it's your responsibility
Look at it like this, I borrow your car and roll down the window and it breaks, did I break it, or did it just break? Would expect me to pay for it?
Look at it like this, I borrow your car and roll down the window and it breaks, did I break it, or did it just break? Would expect me to pay for it?
09-21-2016, 02:01 AM
#14
I pretty sure they won't fix it...as you would have to prove they did something to make it break, other than just using it. Cars break, yours did, it's your responsibility
Look at it like this, I borrow your car and roll down the window and it breaks, did I break it, or did it just break? Would expect me to pay for it?
Look at it like this, I borrow your car and roll down the window and it breaks, did I break it, or did it just break? Would expect me to pay for it?
in their shop - it probably is just an unfortunate coinsidence on an old
part ..not clear to me what hey could have done to "break it" ...if they dropped a wrench on your hood and dented it - that would be a different story ....
09-21-2016, 09:49 AM
#15
Rennlist Member
"Look at it like this, I borrow your car and roll down the window and it breaks, did I break it, or did it just break? Would expect me to pay for it?"
Uh, seriously? At the very least I would expect you to offer to fix it or at the very least, contribute to it being fixed...You did "borrow" the car didn't you? What if you dented the car? Would you just say "someone hit me in the parking lot and took off, sorry but it's not may fault"... Good thing I haven't got friends like you
**The other point you guys seem to be missing is that this is a business that should pride itself on customer service, and do whatever it takes to cultivate good will and perhaps sell a $100k + car in the future. To me, it was just a very shortsighted way to save $125 on their part. Unfortunately, this seems to be the way most businesses are going - all window dressing (glitzy showrooms with salesmen in expensive suits) and little substance. I'll take a greasy mechanic in a cluttered shop who knows his stuff and actually cares over these "factory shops" any time!
Uh, seriously? At the very least I would expect you to offer to fix it or at the very least, contribute to it being fixed...You did "borrow" the car didn't you? What if you dented the car? Would you just say "someone hit me in the parking lot and took off, sorry but it's not may fault"... Good thing I haven't got friends like you
**The other point you guys seem to be missing is that this is a business that should pride itself on customer service, and do whatever it takes to cultivate good will and perhaps sell a $100k + car in the future. To me, it was just a very shortsighted way to save $125 on their part. Unfortunately, this seems to be the way most businesses are going - all window dressing (glitzy showrooms with salesmen in expensive suits) and little substance. I'll take a greasy mechanic in a cluttered shop who knows his stuff and actually cares over these "factory shops" any time!