Service experience - Page 2 - Boxster/Cayman - PistonHeads UK

Hi all No names. Just wanted to canvas opinions. Just bought. a GT4 Took this in for minor service plus a check over. Excellent reception and vehicle handover. Good communication during the process. But, and there’s a sting. On collection, not too impressed to find air on switched off, radio blaring, passenger seat moved, every control on the drivers seat moved, all mirrors changed, steering wheel moved. Somewhat also surprised to find that the car had been on a test run of about 10 miles, during which it averaged 8.7 mpg. Am I being over fussy to think that this really isn’t to be expected? Roger

No, not at all. Too much of this goes on by my reckoning… Heard a story about a local OPC where a clients car was in for an extended period for some warranty work. The service technician took it home on a couple of occasions to ensure that whatever works was required solved the problems. Apparently the clients tracker system was set up to alert the customer if the car exceeded a certain speed, which it did on both days at about the same time. By all accounts the speed was something like 120mph & it appears that the service technician hit that speed & above on both days going back to the OPC. Not sure what happened to him…. If it had been my car I would have been raging!!

Playing devil's advocate, the passenger seat is moved to ensure that it does. The drivers seat is moved for the test drive as are the mirrors. Assuming you zeroed the trip computers, the test drive will have included time idling getting the engine to temp for the oil change. Nothing much to worry about.

If that's an OPC I'd steer well clear in future. It smacks of zero respect for customer cars, and if one technician is behaving that way then it's likely they all are and that's the culture in the workshop. I'm an easy going chap who doesn't expect absolute perfection or to be bowed down to just for owning a Porsche, but in your case I'd be incredibly displeased and would be having words with the service manager.

Hi all Slept on it! Thanks for the replies. Likewise, I don’t expect the red carpet, after all it’s just a car. But, it does smack a wee bit of a cavalier attitude towards others. Yes, knobs have to be twiddled, levers pulled etc..just to make sure they work. But, I think I would have put them back to where they were. And as for the mpg! Enough said

I'd still complain OP

For me this is just checking the functions of the car and taking it for a test drive. The only thing I dislike about this type of thing is I think they should make you aware it will be happening in advance. That way the expectations are correctly set and if you have an objection it's the best time to raise it. Rgds, Dunc.

Boxstercol said: By all accounts the speed was something like 120mph & it appears that the service technician hit that speed & above on both days going back to the OPC. That's the nature of these cars though, there's only so much you find out about them up to 70mph. Again I think customers should be pre-warned though. Dunc.

dunc_sx said: Boxstercol said: By all accounts the speed was something like 120mph & it appears that the service technician hit that speed & above on both days going back to the OPC. That's the nature of these cars though, there's only so much you find out about them up to 70mph. Again I think customers should be pre-warned though. Dunc. Seriously on the road???

Holgate86 said: dunc_sx said: Boxstercol said: By all accounts the speed was something like 120mph & it appears that the service technician hit that speed & above on both days going back to the OPC. That's the nature of these cars though, there's only so much you find out about them up to 70mph. Again I think customers should be pre-warned though. Dunc. Seriously on the road??? They tend not to spec OPC showrooms with a mini Ring 120 is taking the mickey, granted, but if the surrounding area has a good bit of dual carriageway, 80/90 is not going to kill too many kittens. I do agree there should be forewarning. The times I have had odd judders, they tend to show themselves upwards of 60 anyway.

dunc_sx said: That's the nature of these cars though, there's only so much you find out about them up to 70mph. Again I think customers should be pre-warned though. Dunc. So their service manual tells them to take it for a drive at 120mph?

Holgate86 said: Seriously on the road??? That's probably only about 8 seconds of acceleration beyond the national speed limit. Most garages have a stretch of road where they can safely do some acceleration testing min my experience. Admittedly I don't like the thought of some garage taking the car home etc but it's unrealistic to think they won't exceed the speed limit in cars that are built to easily do much more. Would the young apprentice in you seriously not open the taps when presented with a Porsche? Dunc.

gsewell said: Playing devil's advocate, the passenger seat is moved to ensure that it does. The drivers seat is moved for the test drive as are the mirrors. Assuming you zeroed the trip computers, the test drive will have included time idling getting the engine to temp for the oil change. Nothing much to worry about. I'd agree and don't think there's anything to complain about unless this is a personal hobby. On the other hand you could have sat there all day watching them service it if you're that concerned.

Is a 'test drive' a standard procedure for Porsche during a routine service?

personal hobby....not sure I understand the thinking

When I drop a car in for service, after I finish the condition check/walk round with the reception staff I tell them that the car must not be washed or driven off their premises without my consent.

I’m not going to retell the whole s tty experience to maintain decent blood pressure. However part of it was getting a phone call and having someone explain the PDK gearbox oil needed changing after an inspection (approx 90% before any recommended years/mileage)…. Are you 100% sure it needs changing… yes sir… …. But it’s a manual.

Guarantee you would find that if you took your car in and complained about a vibration or noise that only became apparent above 80mph you would get the "Sorry sir but we cant break the speed limits to test it"

Re MPG: It's probably sat stationary for ages engine ticking over to warm it up for oil change. You say it only did 10 miles so it will have used a lot too as a short trip again not enough to warm car up. Air con off? Seriously? What's the issue there do you need someone to turn it back on for you?

An interesting set of responses. The point that I was making was that I think it’s a bit rich to “test” every switch, lever etc and not put it back to at least close to its original position. I am not over demanding on personal service, a serial complainer or bone idle! Fortunately I have a brilliant relationship with my closest independent. A guy who, during the 330,000 miles of GT3 ownership, never misses the mark.

dunc_sx said: Holgate86 said: Seriously on the road??? That's probably only about 8 seconds of acceleration beyond the national speed limit. Most garages have a stretch of road where they can safely do some acceleration testing min my experience. Admittedly I don't like the thought of some garage taking the car home etc but it's unrealistic to think they won't exceed the speed limit in cars that are built to easily do much more. Would the young apprentice in you seriously not open the taps when presented with a Porsche? Dunc. Nah, stop digging mate!

CloudStuff said: Nah, stop digging mate! Each to their own Dunc.

dunc_sx said: CloudStuff said: Nah, stop digging mate! Each to their own Dunc.

Actually I think its good they test EVERY switch and function of the car during a service. I wouldn't want to drive off and then find something doesn't work having missed the opportunity of having it sorted whilst it was in.

My dashcam filmed an OPC delivery driver replenishing my fuel during a service visit, but at a TESCO!!!! I was outraged. I use Shell VPower. He duly delivered it back to me with bird s t running down one wing and fresh stone grazes to the bonnet. All that after I'd made a 2hr round trip to collect it and the OPC was closed when I arrived at the agreed hour, 10.30am. Dead. Nobody around, lights off.