Thank God for Warranty (Pt 2...)

Having had a 2000 996 for almost four, trouble free years, OPC servicing was the only real yearly financial drain. However, last service, some issues were flagged - RMS & a few other minor points; most bits covered by warranty. I thought we may have escaped the RMS but there you go... People who use OPC's will know how OTT they can be with finding even the smallest issue - but this is good in my books as I like to keep cars as A1 as dammit - particularly when the warranty is in full effect... Anyhow, the car was booked in for a few weeks later to get the probs sorted. Fine. Well, not fine really, as I got the dreaded call; "We have the engine out & found "play" in the intermediate shaft". I knew exactly what this meant & just waited for the next sentence..."So, no problem Sir, we've ordered a new engine from Germany. Should be here & fitted in a few days. Obviously all covered by your warranty". (As it happened, because I'd booked so far in advance, the loan car was a new 997 Targa), so, after the initial shock, I calmly replied "S**t. Weird. That sucks...No rush". (It's difficult to compose yourself when you hear this type of news). A mixture of sadness & elation; sadness at knowing the car has become a "statistic", but elation because it wasn't a dramatic engine failure & the warranty has everything covered! The car had been OPC serviced on the dot since new, in excellent condition & only 44k on the clock. I guess it just fell into the no quibble category. So what could have been a full on disaster, turned out to be quite a cool experience (997, help from OPC etc...). It reaffirmed my faith in the OPC network - they even managed to dramatically reduce the bill for some other bits that were not covered by warranty. Interestingly, we were considering dropping out of the OPC network when the warranty expires in a few months time, but this really does put everything into perspective... I know some people have a bad time when this type of thing happens & that sucks, but I guess it's important to point out that it's not all horror story stuff & this is exactly as it happened - I hope this doesn't sound like a Porsche Warranty Ad!!! So, with the other bits done too (mostly on warranty), it really does feel like new again. I still feel bad this has happened & needless to say, I'd strongly advise slapping a warranty on cars that are still eligible or going for one of the indies if too old...

Nice to here a good thing about OPC's and porsche warrenty for a change :thumb:

What I don't understand is how the stories regarding warranty claims varies so much. Mobs has had a good experience on a car that is nearly 9 years old, yet some with cars that are significantly younger and have less miles seem to be having a hard time of it! Thumbs up to Mobs OPC but they all seem to be a law unto themselves!

+1 my sentiments exactly. Glad you are sorted and had a great experience Mobs.

I think the difference (in part at least) is that if the car is purchased from an OPC and has FPSH you can expect some goodwill on problems. If under the OPC warranty then even better. If you purchase outside the network and have it serviced by indies (I acknowledge their are good and bad indies and good and bad OPC) and have no OPC warranty then if problems develop (no matter how new etc) you are unlikely to get any help whatsoever. Personally I think its quite reasonable that you get what you pay for. Of course there are exceptions to the rule but I think the above generally is correct and that there is some official guidance within OPC's on the very topic. Same with other brands as well.

Thats how it should work if you are unfortunate enough to require cover from the warranty. I have renewed mine and will do so for as long as the car is eligible. Which OPC was it you were dealing with?

ResB Not been following the other engine failures to close, but did BigFish and the others have a warrenty on their cars at the time of failure:?:

I've always dealt with Swindon & they've always been topper - in fact the person I bought the car from had it serviced there too (yep, I actually bought it out of the OPC network!). I put Porsche warranty on as soon as I got it though. I've no idea why it's been a genuinely refreshing experience for me, yet a nightmare come true for others? All I can say is I've always done things totally by the book. As I mentioned in the original post, it's still chuffin' disappointing when, having done "everything right", the car ends up with a dodgy intermediate shaft. I'm not sure which way I'll go next year though when the car is no longer eligible for the Porsche warranty? Some of the reputable indie deals look good? It's so annoying as this is only the second 911 I've had but easily the best. Great car, (even better now too though, I have to say). I don't really fancy changing it yet either. Though I've never owned a turbo....

Doesn't your new engine have a 2 year warranty though? I know there's debate about whether it would be honoured, as the "warranty" is to the receiver, in this case, the warranty company and not you. You might want to confirm that it is still covered, in which case, you've got a while before you need to worry about it again.

Another reason to keep the car in warranty! Engine aside most people with a warranty will probably get some value out of it each year. Mine just went in for first 2 year service (+new 12 month warranty on it) and there was RMS and a couple of other bits - on a new car so as the car gets older I imagine that even if it doesn't suffer an engine failure the warranty will pay for itself anyway. If you can, get a warranty!

I completely agree but also wonder who much 'warranty work' is actually needed and how much is boosting service department profits. Don't forget you still have to pay for random things like almost £300 to find and diagnose a missing relay! My experience with the warranty is that it's good to have but frequently feel that OPC used that as an excuse to work on the car unnecessarily...

If it's covered, let them carry on replacing old bits for nice and shiny new bits - thats the limit of my mechanical advice.

I'm not against that but you have to wonder about things like the RMS. If it's been fine for 4-5 years, doing what it's ment to do, breaking that seal and replacing may not always be best, just so OPC can get more money... If my car was eligable (not due to suspension) I would renew this month, really for piece of mind on engine and gearbox. Maybe I'm just jaded by too many bad OPC experiences...