Forcing an RMS response

I've read all now 6-pages & growing of the latest RMS thread. I believe the following action is fully legal, ethical & appropriate, & would bring about an appropriate & satisfying public & binding response from PAG within about 30 days. Via this here wonderful list, someone, maybe me personally, will type up a list of VIN's of vehicles suffering an RMS problem. Vehicles suffering more than one RMS problem will be listed seperately for each problem, with the descriptor "first of four problems" or similar following the VIN. VINs will be listed alpha-numerically. A very brief paragraph will describe the mechanical problem at the top of the first page. The document will be titled: "Porsche Undisclosed Repetitive Mechanical Failures" or something similiar (maybe more inflammatory "Do You Trust Porsche?", or "Reasons To Not Buy Porsche" or "Hard Reasons To Not Trust Porsche" could be considered). The document could be published by "Unsatisfied Porsche Owners" or something like that. We print exactly how & why we published this list. We print how to decode the year model from the VIN. We all sign up for duty to print up as many copies of the document as possible. We sign up for duty to stand in front of the most convenient Porsche dealers, at the busiest hours, on public property where it is legal, & dress nicely, to not scare people into thinking we are nuts. We offer to people walking or driving up to the dealer if they'd like to read news about Porsche & if they say yes, we give them a copy. What do members say, especially lawyers commenting on liablity? Someone would possibly have to confirm independently that each VIN sufferred an RMS problem. If we could not idependently confirm each VIN, we could ask Porsche to deny each claim of each VIN within 30 days. If Porsche did not respond, we print that non-response in the document, to minimize or eliminate our liability. In other words, we print that we invited Porsche to publicly deny each claim, but they did not respond to our invitatoin. Pretty slick, no? I'll drop this idea like a hot potato if members are so inclined, in which case an "I'm sorry" is already printed. Jim R.

Or you could just contact Consumer Reports and see if they will drive the investigation. They have a level of credibility that is hard to ignore.

hahahaha

The potential problem with this idea is that it may not take into account harm. Specifically, has Porsche failed to repair RMS leaks during the warranty period? If they have, then there is a problem and the person with that car should throw a stink. If someone has had an RMS leak and Porsche fixed it, where is the harm? If someone has had multiple RMS leaks, then the situation may be different. Two leaks may not be enough. Three leaks may trigger lemon laws in certain states. I am personally aware of accomodations that Porsche has made in the case of multiple RMS leaks, at least in the U.S. (I know nothing about treatment in the UK or other countries). If you have had multiple (3+) leaks and Porsche has failed to address the problem, throw a stink. If not, where is the problem? I have seen nothing to prove that there is a single global problem that Porsche has a practice of failing to repair pursuant to warranty (doesn't mean that it does not exist, only means that I haven't seen anything posted on this board or anywhere else to indicate that Porsche has a practice of refusing to repair RMS issues -- again, U.S. only). All of this picketing and complaining about RMS problems (some of which is justified) may have a greater chance of damaging the resale value of our 996s than convincing Porsche to extend warrranties. Don't shoot the messenger, just playing devil's advocate here.

I had thoughts similar to TD's while I wrote my post. After reading his post, I think I'll just have to buy one & take my chances. Is there some way to confirm the sum total number of RMS failures of any particular car I'm considering? I wonder if the sum total number of similar failures follows the car to a new owner, regarding enforcement of lemon laws in CA? Thanks for your sober thoughts, TD.

I do not know the answer to your question. My first Porsche had an RMS leak -- one day I went to my garage and there was a quarter-sized puddle on the floor. I called the dealer, he promptly made an appointment, explained that I could drive until the appointment (in one week). My car was in the shop for one day, I got it back, and it was really no big deal. I paid 0. Yes, it was an inconvenience to take it to the shop, but Porsche did what they needed to do to fix it. It didn't change my feelings about my car, and I subsequently bought a 996 without a second-thought. Now, I am sure that some people have had different experiences. I would be pissed if I had three or more failures even if Porsche fixed each one, but again, my thoughts would be governed on how Porsche dealt with me. I wish that nobody had an RMS failure, but I do not want anyone to worry unnecessarily (like those who don't even own a 986 or 996 and are worried) or waste their time going after Porsche if their actions have a slim chance of success. I also do not want our resale values damaged by rumors which may be based on an exaggerated perception of the issue, which is the natural consequence of discussions on boards -- (e.g., why discuss RMS if you have had no problems). Good luck to those who have had problems and for whom their dealer has not stepped up to the plate. Porsche should take care of you.

To put a bit of perspective on this, the recent poll conducted on this forum uncovered less than 100 RMS problems yet through 2003 Porsche sold over 250,000 Boxsters and 911s.

I have been working with a great dealer (Barrier Seattle area) with my RMS issues. I have a 2002 C2 with 25,000 miles. I am on my 4th RMS and it is leaking. The guys at the dealer have replaced all of them without trying to place blame and turn the repair around in a single day. I am now waiting for a 2004 engine from Germany they got me a new engine not a rebuilt. No fuss it is just getting done. Be nice to your shop manager they did not design the engine and you need them to get it done. Good luck.

What car do you have Ribbon?