Just renewed extended warranty

My car's coming up to the end of the normal warranty so have just taken out an extended warranty with OPC Swindon. Went through what's covered and what's not and it's pretty much as expected except that the whole PCCM/Phone/Bose/CD changer is not included. So if the LCD screen backlight fails, say, you're on your own. No idea why they chose to exclude this. Aside from that, the important things - engine, transmission, RMS, wheel bearings, aircon, steering, brakes (other than wear items) are all covered. Since I can't get peace of mind through Porsche's reputation for quality, I've spent £725 to get it instead.

It sucks but we will be joining in you, when ours comes up in August

I've done the same - worth every penny IMHO as I can continue to enjoy the car and drive it properly - surely the point of having a 911 in the first place - without worrying about things breaking and unforseen massive bills. I agree we shouldn't need to do this, but it beats being afraid to use the car. Ian W

Believe me when I tell you how much I would love to get on that ext warranty scheme. But Porsche won;t do it until I pay for a new engine without an RMS problem. Fcuking Porsche! I hate them.

I don't think anyone should be grumbling about paying the £725.00 , BMW have just put their prices up to above this cost. Porsche quality or not, its a car/group of metal and plastic items grouped in a way to form transport for humans(Porsche cars thinking)?. These things wear and break..Yes at the moment I don't have any faith at all in Porsche with backup and will pay my £725 when the time comes quite happily to enjoy driving the car I chose. garyw

Re read that and it came across a bit abrupt...compared to BMW's £950 the £725 seems like a bargain comparative to the value of the cars and parts in question garyw

I took out the extended warranty on my 2000 C4 and it has surprised me how much more I am enjoying the car. I have had the car a year and like most people on the forum, I read the horror stories regarding engine failure and other expensive repairs so I decided that I would take out the extended cover at the next service. Unfortunately the RMS went before the service so I lost out there but since the car has been returned to me I have felt a whole lot easier getting the car out and driving it as it was designed to be driven. RB

I handed over £725 for an extended warranty on Saturday after having paid for a variocam solenoid replacement and pre warranty check. Largely wanted the peace of mind referred to by earlier contributors. On driving away a very loud and alarming (transmission?) noise appeared on engine overrun, so much so that I about turned after 100 yards. Was met at front door of OPC by service manager and a mechanic who had heard it. Left the car with them. Watch this space for the outcome! Hugh

sounds like luck may have been on your side, wonder how they will get out of that[ ] garyw

Having just read this thread - and (with some horror) the RMS thread I have decided to take my (new to me) 2000 C4 to my local OPC tomorrow for the inspection and hopefully the extended warranty, in spite of having an insured warranty from AutoProtect (no claims limit) from the specialist dealer I purchased my car from. Am I crazy - or just over-reacting?!

Personally I think it should have a three year warranty as standard (like the 997!?)

The thing to remember, with any purchased warranty, is the underwriter expects to make a profit out of you. The premium has been calculated to ensure that the insurers can meet any likely claims, cover all their administration costs and still be left with a surplus. Of course, there will always be some claimants who receive payouts in excess of their premium, but the majority of policyholders will not have a claim. Also, if the owner of a PCGB supplied, OPC maintained car, had a problem in, say, years 3 or 4 then there could be a good case for a symathetic / goodwill warranty claim.

The OPC explained the extended warranty to me as a genuine manufacturers warranty and not an insurance based one. The full paperwork will come from Porsche GB so I will know more then. Panic over on the horrendous noise - a power steering hose fouling on bodywork apparently. Comfort of a warranty didn't half help stress levels. Hugh

Personally, I think it should have a four year warranty as standard (like in the US!)[:'(]

The Porsche extended warranty is definitely an insurance based warranty. They make you fill out this mickey mouse form to ensure you know what you are being sold so that you can't sue for mis-selling. Some Financial Services Authority garbage. Statements like "I would be concerned if my car went wrong and I had to pay for the repairs - Y/N" Sadly the statement "I think Porsche build quality has gone down the toilet in recent years and I want to place an upper limit on how much the dealer will shaft me for - Yes, Yes, Yes" has gone missing. Welcome to Nanny State 2005.

Pretty much what I was thinking when I filled in the form! Asked if anyone had actually answered NO to any of the questions!

Another way to look at it is gambling. If the worst case scenario is covered, engine failure, and the cost to replace is £10,000 compared with an annual premium of £725, then you are looking at odds of about 14:1. If Porsche make a profit from these warranties, then it is probably closer to 20:1. Do ya feel lucky?

The real issue will be next year. If I've had no claims, will I see it as money down the drain, decide not to renew and then have my engine self-destruct. Seems to me the insurance costs of my car have just doubled. £700-odd to Norwich Union, £725 to Porsche and £35-odd to Road Angel LOL

Hugh - I extended my warranty back in January (with OPC Reading) and no paperwork has come through from Porsche GB - am I missing something..? Justin

Justin, You should get a Warranty Booklet. The first time I extended my warranty (curiously with Reading) I never received anything - even after chasing ("It comes form the central office Sir"... OK..."It comes from the dealership Sir")[8|] However this time I got the booklet straight away.

OK thanks Mark - best get on the phone tomorrow! Cheers, Justin

I've given up with OPC Reading. A serious attitude problem. Emma at Swindon on the other hand is like a breath of fresh air.

Just to clarify, the booklet was given to me (filled in) by the Service chap when I paid for the warranty. He had to populate the online database with my/the cars details first.

Justin There seems to be varying scenarios here on how we get our paperwork. I will keep you posted on what happens through OPC Edinburgh. Hugh

Hugh, I got my warranty through OPC edinburgh and was given the warranty booklet there and then. People should be VERY aware that this is NOT an extension of the factory warranty - the terms are very different and a lot of things are not covered. Therefore you might not want to simply hand you keys to the OPC and say "fix it" as they may come back with a bill for the work, as they did in my case. I found out the hard way that seals and gaskets are not covered (in my case in the cooling system) and also that any intermittent faults are not covered - things will only be replaced when they completely fail. Once you get the warranty booklet you will see the list of what is specifically included - if your problem is not mentioned there then you will not have a claim.

So are you saying that the RMS is not covered?

The RMS isn't specifically mentioned - unless it is covered by "Engine - all internal components" or similar. Anecdotal evidence would suggest that it is covered. I have attached the relevant page from the booklet which tells you what is covered.

The RMS is now covered (wasn't under the old extended warranty, I don't think) but only if it fails completely (whatever that means.) There is a "get out clause" somewhere in the warranty. 'Can't remember exact statement and I don't have access to my booklet right now, but it's pretty much along the lines of what GregM was saying. It's something like " component failure must compromise the operability of the vehicle blah blah." For example, a leaking rocker cover gasket would/would not be replaced depending on the severity of the leak. I know this because I specifically asked about it when I took ouy my warranty. In other words, repair/replacement of items is discretionary and the whole thing could turn out to be a battle of wits.

Hi folks It is a great shame that the statement" can I go out and enjoy my car today" seems to be a problem at the moment without an extended guarentee/warrentee. I think the good Dr would be most upset if he was around today. Visit "closer ties with Porsche" elsewhere on the forum. Have fun Paul

To be fair to Reading (mentioned earlier) they have been making great strides forward recently. If there is a problem I know they would rather be told (so they can fix it) than read it here on the forum. They would rather be given the chance to fix it before being damned in public (wouldn't we all?) They also do a LOT to support the club, regional events, and the Motorsport and Le Mans weekends have all been fantastic, and a great example for other OPC's to follow. So if there is a problem try talking to them first. If you get no joy (within reason) then maybe have a go here. (This would go for all dealerships/independants/suppliers).

Agreed, but I emailed them to tell them how I had been treated during one visit, but no reply [ ] and certainly no apologetic offer of a long term test of a Turbo S [ ][ ][ ].

[&o] (Julian, I tried....)