997.1 GT RS Service question - Page 1 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

Hi, I'm looking for suggestions for the best place to have my 997.1 GT3 RS serviced near Dover. Previously I've always had it serviced by an OPC in Scotland, but it's currently out in France and out of warranty so I'm not fussy about using an OPC. I've thought about getting it serviced locally at Porsche Annecy or Geneva but not sure how this would look to potential future buyers (it's a UK car, it wouldn't bother me with a French or Swiss stamp but I know some people can be picky!). It will need an MOT later in the year so thought if I was going to come back to the UK to get it serviced I'd get it MOT'd at the same time. The only garages that I know of in the South East are JZM, RPM and Parr, and from what I've read on here over the years all are really good at what they do. Just wondering if anyone has opinions or advice good, bad or otherwise? Thanks, Martin

Nine Excellence and Parr are around the Gatwick area so nearer the tunnel if that matters. Have to say though, would likely just do it at one of the french or Swiss OPCs if the car is already in France.

I think if you’re abroad an OPC is absolutely fine.

I'd forgotten about nineexcellence as well, thanks for the tip. I am tempted just to use the local OPC out here but I'll need an MOT anyway so will have to come back at some point. Might go with the French / Swiss OPC and drive back for the MOT nearer due time. I knew I should have imported the car before Brexit, now it's up to a customs officer to decide what the car is worth and then pay 30% tax on it, madness!

martinr007 said: I knew I should have imported the car before Brexit, now it's up to a customs officer to decide what the car is worth and then pay 30% tax on it, madness! Don’t worry.. shouldn’t be long before that’s rowed back, with a bit of luck and a Tory party implosion. Ride the storm.

Paragon at Five Ashes are 90 ins from Dover

Re the importing of the car, have you considered selling it and buying a LHD version over there? What are the prices like locally for similar cars?

dibblecorse said: Paragon at Five Ashes are 90 ins from Dover Another one I've heard of but forgotten about, thanks

rrroro said: Re the importing of the car, have you considered selling it and buying a LHD version over there? What are the prices like locally for similar cars? Yes I have, and that's the easiest and best solution. I think it's sentimentality stopping me, I'm the 3rd owner, and have owned it for the past 12 years so I know it's a good one / been looked after. That, and my percieved hassle of selling it. I'm not really keen on SOR, leaving it for who knows how long when I'm in another country, I think I'd get kicked in the balls selling without a trade-in to a garage, and a private sale is out seeing as I'm in another country. Any suggestions LHD RS's are pretty rare in France (I only found 5 x 997's for sale the last time I checked), prices are a wee bit higher in the UK. As expected there's a much bigger choice in Germany and importing would be a doddle, but, the prices there are really strong! Cheers, Martin

I’m potentially in a similar boat in a few years. Not sure what I’ll do either. Like you I’ve owned my GT3 over a decade and can’t see myself trading for a LHD version abroad, even if that’s the most logical thing to do. Having said that I do get tempted whenever I see a LHD GT3 come up for sale here at the usual specialists… 1st world problems… !!!

martinr007 said: Might go with the French / Swiss OPC and drive back for the MOT nearer due time. I knew I should have imported the car before Brexit, now it's up to a customs officer to decide what the car is worth and then pay 30% tax on it, madness! It's good to have an excuse for a mandatory annual road trip. You might have to go to north Wales to find a really good MOT place.

There is a Gold Porsche tech in France. If u Google Oscar Hamer his site will come up. Chris

martinr007 said: I knew I should have imported the car before Brexit, now it's up to a customs officer to decide what the car is worth and then pay 30% tax on it, madness! I'm in a very similar situation. I've owned my 7.1 GT3 for 10 years and it was always meant to be a forever car. But the hassle of keeping it in France "part time" (insurance, taking it back and forth for MOT's etc) or paying £30k odd to the French taxman to officially import it means it will probably be sold sometime soon.

If you're coming back to the UK then OPC South London (Sidcup) is probably easiest. Straight up the M20 then A20 and you're there. If you're just after an MOT then anywhere in Folkestone or Hythe (where I live) will do. The local mot place near me (RP Garage Services) are very good.