Non OPC Servicing

I'm just about to take the plunge and book my car for it's first service outside the OPCs at a Porsche specialist local to me. It's been overserviced in the past, having had the 48k service at 25k, the next being a 12k service. Obviously, the cost is significantly less despite using genuine parts. The car is five years old near enough and well out of warranty so nothing will be affected in that respect. If I sell the car in a couple of years, will the residuals be effected much (cue debate about 996 residuals [ ])? My guess is no on a car of this age, or at worst what I save on the servicing I'll lose on a future sale, so overall I'll break even. Any thoughts?

Where are you taking it to? If it is a known specialist, then the value (such as it is [ ] ) should not be affected. I'm not sure how many Independent specialists have real knowledge of 996's yet? Also, does the same market "type" buy a secondhand 996 as the target market for the new model, ie conquests from BM, Mercedes et al rather than the dyed in the wool Porsche enthusiast (all members of this forum are obviously exempt from that last sweeping statement..) If so would they expect a main dealer service history, and would perhaps not recognise the names of the well known and respected independents as being of equal value? - What is the situation with BMW's and Mercedes, does a non main dealer history affect the resale value? If the independeny guy knows his stuff, there should not be a problem - has anyone ever worked out how much is saved over OPC's in the lifetime of a car by servicing at independents, assuming the warranty period work is performed by an OPC?

The plan is Wrightune http://www.wrightune.co.uk when I get round to booking it.

Looks like he does some interesting things I'm sure someone here will have an opinion on his work [ ]

I've used him before for a couple of non-routine jobs and he's very competent. A couple of other people on here concur. I just want to avoid losing money through going outside the network on a relatively recent car. My Dad is a Merc driver (loyal to his 190E) and has had his car serviced at a Merc specialist since it was five years old (it's now 13). At that age, I can't imagine it'll make any difference. I'm not planning to get rid of the car in the near future but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot should it become necessary (ie. kids appearing [:-], etc.).

I guess yours is a reasonably late, lowish mileage, 996. If you are intending to sell the car privately, in the near future, then a full OPC history is preferable. However, the bigger decision is whether you should take out the extended Porsche Warranty, which has a lot more influence on the price you can expect in the event of a private sale.

The way i view it with my 6 year old 996 is to keep up my full OPC service history but my OPC is 10 minutes from work they give me 10% off parts 25% off labour for it being 5+ years old with those figures plus distance for me to travel to a good indy i may as well take it to the OPC and have the history. You could also do this and then take the car to a good indy for work apart from the service? Phil