2011 3.8 RS Pressure Plate Failure = Denied Warranty Claim
08-05-2014, 10:43 AM
#31
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Working on a formal appeal with evidence collected now. The thread about PP failures should help as evidence of the problem being acknowledged with updated part numbers.
Thanks for the help thus far all!
08-19-2014, 06:35 PM
#32
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Hey all, figured it worth updating the thread.
Found out all I could about the car as well as prepped a formal appeal with the legal firm I regularly work with.
Porsche *just* formally replied with the following:
TL;DR - Based on pictures, they've determined that the pressure plate failure was caused by "the vehicle being driven in a manner outside of the parameters for which it was designed to handle".
Don't drive your Porsche GT3 RS like a performance car. For reference, I have 0 stage 3's and a handful of stage 2 over-revs.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Litt,
I've spoken again to Porsche Cars Canada who have reviewed the entire situation with PAG's warranty group. Their reason for the denial of warranty is actually a little more complicated than the simple fact that the vehicle was modified. The modification of the vehicle's software in and of itself may not have caused the failure of your vehicle's flywheel, however, as I understand it, the modification of the software could easily mask the true extent of those over revs which may have exceeded range 2 substantially. The fact that the most recent over rev was only about 20 operating minutes before the ultimate failure also provides some strong indication that the two events are related.
Ultimately, however, the decision to deny this particular claim did not come from either of these 2 factors alone. A full tear down analysis performed by the dealer and submitted with pictures was reviewed extensively by our warranty group in Germany. They feel very confident in their determination, after reviewing all of the facts, that this particular failure was not caused by a manufacturer's defect but by the vehicle being driven in a manner outside of the parameters for which it was designed to handle. They are currently standing firm on their decision to deny this claim and Porsche Cars Canada is in support of this determination.
We understand of course that you are not going to be very satisfied with this answer. The warranty group in Germany did offer to perform a more extensive analysis of all of the parts and Porsche Cars Canada would be willing to pay for the shipping to perform such an analysis if you so desire. Keeping in mind of course that such an analysis could take several months to perform and the results would more than likely be the same but this is unfortunately the only recourse that I can offer at this time.
I do sincerely regret that I was not able to provide better news in this situation but I assure you that this decision was made after careful consideration of all factors involved. You're more than welcome to call me again if you'd like to discuss the matter further.
------------------------------------------------------------
My confidence in the brand has been shattered. This is the last Porsche I will ever own.
Found out all I could about the car as well as prepped a formal appeal with the legal firm I regularly work with.
Porsche *just* formally replied with the following:
TL;DR - Based on pictures, they've determined that the pressure plate failure was caused by "the vehicle being driven in a manner outside of the parameters for which it was designed to handle".
Don't drive your Porsche GT3 RS like a performance car. For reference, I have 0 stage 3's and a handful of stage 2 over-revs.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Mr. Litt,
I've spoken again to Porsche Cars Canada who have reviewed the entire situation with PAG's warranty group. Their reason for the denial of warranty is actually a little more complicated than the simple fact that the vehicle was modified. The modification of the vehicle's software in and of itself may not have caused the failure of your vehicle's flywheel, however, as I understand it, the modification of the software could easily mask the true extent of those over revs which may have exceeded range 2 substantially. The fact that the most recent over rev was only about 20 operating minutes before the ultimate failure also provides some strong indication that the two events are related.
Ultimately, however, the decision to deny this particular claim did not come from either of these 2 factors alone. A full tear down analysis performed by the dealer and submitted with pictures was reviewed extensively by our warranty group in Germany. They feel very confident in their determination, after reviewing all of the facts, that this particular failure was not caused by a manufacturer's defect but by the vehicle being driven in a manner outside of the parameters for which it was designed to handle. They are currently standing firm on their decision to deny this claim and Porsche Cars Canada is in support of this determination.
We understand of course that you are not going to be very satisfied with this answer. The warranty group in Germany did offer to perform a more extensive analysis of all of the parts and Porsche Cars Canada would be willing to pay for the shipping to perform such an analysis if you so desire. Keeping in mind of course that such an analysis could take several months to perform and the results would more than likely be the same but this is unfortunately the only recourse that I can offer at this time.
I do sincerely regret that I was not able to provide better news in this situation but I assure you that this decision was made after careful consideration of all factors involved. You're more than welcome to call me again if you'd like to discuss the matter further.
------------------------------------------------------------
My confidence in the brand has been shattered. This is the last Porsche I will ever own.
Last edited by michaellitt; 08-19-2014 at 07:01 PM.
08-19-2014, 06:58 PM
#34
Rennlist Member
A full tear down analysis performed by the dealer and submitted with pictures was reviewed extensively by our warranty group in Germany.
08-19-2014, 10:11 PM
#35
Rennlist Member
Let me help you out...I'll give you a perfectly nice GT3 as an even trade for your busted, defective RS. Seriously, I'm happy to do it for you. Don't worry about me...I'll figure something out to get it back on the road ;-)
Too soon?
Too soon?
08-19-2014, 11:09 PM
#36
Rennlist Member
Much more generous than two of my friends offers for my GT3 after it was backed into. They were all the way up to $40000, after it was repaired. 
08-20-2014, 12:01 AM
#37
That sucks, I'm sorry. I've had better luck, but maybe it's just luck.
Don't give them an excuse.....don't touch software, clean the car up, etc.....might improve the odds.
Don't give them an excuse.....don't touch software, clean the car up, etc.....might improve the odds.
08-20-2014, 06:49 AM
#39
To be able to make an argument as quoted above they have to be specific about the parameters the vehicle is designed to handle, and how this parameters have been violated. They haven't given you any of this.
How can you drive the car in a manner causing a fault to components designed for the 4.0 RS that has both more power and torque than your car? If they cannot argue this in detail they don't really have a case do they?
Edit:
Is it really possible to alter the recorded overrevs, and if so, is it really possible to just alter the the revranges from 3 and up??? I didn't think a reflash affected the recorded overrevs, this means that anyone can wipe clean the higher ranges pre-sale as they see fit?
Last edited by runet; 08-20-2014 at 06:54 AM. Reason: Added question
08-20-2014, 07:59 AM
#40
there are over revs, and there is ECU modification .. why is it suprising that Porsche denied the claim?
On GT3s, ANY over rev means engine speed was HIGHER than maximum permitted revs (i.e. car was used outside of the rev range it was designed for).
Why should Porsche stand behind a car whose ECU has been modified? ECU is the car's brain. I can't think of a better reason to deny a warranty claim, especially when linked to over revs.
On GT3s, ANY over rev means engine speed was HIGHER than maximum permitted revs (i.e. car was used outside of the rev range it was designed for).
Why should Porsche stand behind a car whose ECU has been modified? ECU is the car's brain. I can't think of a better reason to deny a warranty claim, especially when linked to over revs.
08-20-2014, 08:14 AM
#41
Nordschleife Master
The crank case runs at a negative pressure....this pressure is used to actuate the exhaust valves on an oem exhaust
Exhaust that remove the side mufflers disconnect these valves, if not plugged properly the crankcase loses pressure...causing the rms to prematurely fail
I was never denied warranty from my exhaust, but see why they would
My car is on it's third pressure plate, one from wear and one from a friend selecting the wrong gear. I've paid for the pressure plates myself...this is a pay to play part of track usage. Porsche can easily put a more robust pressure plate in...but ur street car gt3 will become less drivable on the road...and bad heel toe / money shifts will be transmitted to the drivetrain quicker
Exhaust that remove the side mufflers disconnect these valves, if not plugged properly the crankcase loses pressure...causing the rms to prematurely fail
I was never denied warranty from my exhaust, but see why they would
My car is on it's third pressure plate, one from wear and one from a friend selecting the wrong gear. I've paid for the pressure plates myself...this is a pay to play part of track usage. Porsche can easily put a more robust pressure plate in...but ur street car gt3 will become less drivable on the road...and bad heel toe / money shifts will be transmitted to the drivetrain quicker
08-20-2014, 06:12 PM
#42
I have read a couple of articles on the 3.8 GT3RS pressure plate failures. When I put the light weight fly wheel in my GT3 I went with a 4.0 GT3RS complete assembly. In my opinion it is constructed better than the 3.8. To make a long story short, I think that Porsche has a manufacturing problem with the 3.8 GT3RS pressure plate. I would be persistent on the warranty.
08-21-2014, 05:44 PM
#43
Intermediate
Thread Starter
IT CONCLUDES:
I had a friend send a poetic e-mail about his decision (force-fed by me) to buy a 987 R instead of an M3 to my contact at Porsche US this morning.
The e-mail was delivered in parallel with my settlement offer in lieu of small claims court action.
I immediately received a call from the director of "after sales" at Porsche Canada who offered to pay for parts as long as I covered labour.
Hell has frozen over. Squeaky wheels do get grease. Thanks for all of the advisory!
I had a friend send a poetic e-mail about his decision (force-fed by me) to buy a 987 R instead of an M3 to my contact at Porsche US this morning.
The e-mail was delivered in parallel with my settlement offer in lieu of small claims court action.
I immediately received a call from the director of "after sales" at Porsche Canada who offered to pay for parts as long as I covered labour.
Hell has frozen over. Squeaky wheels do get grease. Thanks for all of the advisory!
08-21-2014, 07:16 PM
#44
Rennlist Member
Great news!
