Update on the fire

For those who may remember my 03 C4 caught fire all on its own in early August, following days of bad rainstorms and being parked up for two days, facing uphill on my driveway - since then there have been a number of meetings/debates etc between engineers and insurers as to who takes the blame. My insurer has just called to tell me that it has been determined by an independent engineer that the cause was "a manufacturing design problem" and hence they will now process my claim and file a counter claim against the manufacturer. I await their financial proposal with interest........Anyone like to pre-judge the offer? (It is/was a July 2003 C4 9k miles with sports exhaust, full leather, sports designs, electric & heated std seats, stereo upgrade, part ally pack, sunroof, litronics and sideskirts - retail in March from an OPC £60k).

I guess they cannot disclose the details prior to some settlement, since they can't prejudice the claim, but it would be interesting to know once the dust settles what the "design problem" might be.

By all accounts it's time to start looking for a comparable car, to provide evidence that will lift the payout. As Dave has posted the spec I suggest we all keep our eyes open. [8|]

Thanks guys - I have a real dilema as to what to do? Although I've been a long term Porsche fan, all my previous cars have been front engined. I bought my first 996 C4 as a replacement for a TT roadster and thought that going for 4 wheel drive was the "safe" option. My intention was to use the car for "special occasions" and not as an everyday hack. However, When my car caught fire Reading arranged a loan C2 which I have used for everything and have probably driven it harder than I had my own C4 and taken it places I wouldn't necessarily have taken my car - I have come to appreciate now that the C2 is a great tool and so I'm not sure now that I need 4 wheel drive. If I'm lucky and can get them to cough up £58k+, which seems to be the current retail level of an 03 C4 from an OPC, do I really want another C4? Or should I take the money and get in line for a 997S? The other bizzare thought is to go for a 996 GT3 but as I haven't tried one yet I'm not sure............. I suppose there's worse things to keep me awake at night!!!!

Agree with you about the niceties of the C2. If I was you, I'd push for your insurers and your dealer for a 997. Although all the hype favours the 'S', you could get a nicely spec'd 3.6 for a little over £60k, which I am sure will be terrific. Of course you could stretch a bit further and get the 'S', but, as they say, you pays your money.......

I'd like to think they'd loan me the C2 for that length of time, but I fear the call will come soon to return it - I've grown to like it and on a blast back from work this evening really gave it some stick - but the colour, Seal Grey, is not really to my taste and I can't get a seating position that really suits me for long journeys - this has the std manual height adjustment seats and mine had the electric ones - I'll definitely go for a set of the fully adjustable ones next time. I've also come to appreciate PCM2, not so much the satnav but the phone - I was stuck on the M25 the other w/end and it was much easier to use than the bluetooth setup in my Audi - trouble is I can see I might be paying another £10k+ for a decent 997S spec. Dave

And the number is........58k - I was suprised that the initial figure was so close to the OPC forecourt prices - Adrian are you Psychic?!!!!!!!

Now you're going to have to figure out what to do? Which car to go for?

Yes, I was suprised at the figure! .....off to sunny Surrey to test a 997 S and if available a GT3....will keep you posted - been quoted June build for July delivery on the S - so may have a few months to save towards the difference! BTW still very unimpressed that Tonbridge haven't been in contact to even test a 997 following my "registering" at the launch.......they obviously don't want my business this time around!