OPC visit today

The C4S went into Silverstone OPC today for warranty investigation...... When I bought it it had anew RMS , this time it was the intermediate shaft seal. Anyway while they had it I rather rashly asked them to look at the discs etc as it was juddering under braking, now I know this sounds like asking for trouble but they needed looking at and they had the car already. So I prepared myself for the worst, got the call this afternoon. The diagnosis being only the rears needed doing but both pads and discs. fronts all OK . Tried to ring a few people to get a quote from an indy but no-one was answering the phone so I took a chance and told them to get on with it. Now i'm quite please having just priced up the main parts on the net and they are all ( on a like for like) more expensive, so it seems some OPC's are in the real world, cost....£661 inc VAT inc new sensor wire, caliper bolts, damping plate screws and fitting kit. So although I was not bargaining on new discs after six months at least I don't appear to have been trousered along the way!! Also had an 08 cayenne for the day and the excellent service. BTW the previous visit cost me £20.00 + VAT for supply and fit front wiper blades- cheaper than those on my XC90! And they are 10mins form my house so it seems I've had a bit of luck. Now for that geo set up and a bit of bedding in which was the second reason for posting anyone got any advise on that? cheers Morgan

Glad to hear you're happy. I'm surprised they didn't give the previous owner the option of having the inter seal done at the time the RMS was done - it would have cost about £30 extra and an inter shaft seal failure is far more risky than an RMS in terms of the potential damage. As for the brakes, if you are prepared to get your hands dirty, you could have done it for about £400 and 2 hours of your own time. I won't let anybody touch the brakes on my cars after I had a pair of front pads drop out on a TVR less than 100 miles after having a main dealer change them. Since then I have always done them myself - it takes longer to clean the brown stain off the seat than it does change discs and pads :wink:

Exeter OPC charged me £434 +VAT for a full geo on my 964 It was part of a lot more work but that is the cost shown for the item on the bill.

Ouch. OPCs only charge 2 hours labour for a 996, so half that figure.

I just picked my 996 up from having it's 24k service at OPC west London. Shock horror, thought the bill would be in high 600s... £470.35 I did supply my own brake fluid but they had to completely flush the system first, £88, plus they didn't replace wipers or panel filter as I have a cone fitted and new blades already. I should have supplied the engine oil though as they stung me for £105! They also gave me (and charged) an oil top up pack containing 1 litre of oil and some paper cone thing, is that normal? They found some extra work like air con regas and flush but told them I'd get an Indy to do that. They also apparently applied the PCGB discount to the service parts but I don't see it in the bill break down. Either way I'm pretty happy with that, plus they were quick and communication was good. Oh, and they've got a new (to me anyway) cute receptionist :hand:

I'm surprised no ones chipped in with this recomendation! I'm off to see Chris soon after all I have heard! http://www.centergravity.co.uk/ http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=48&t=495655

Well if you're there on the 31st you'll see my car having Flatsix's shocks & springs fitted, and being geo'd... This is classic Chiswick! They did it to me as well last year. They also "pressure clean your rads as they are clogged with rubbish", and a new RMS every year is a dead cert. Because the OPC invoices are so ridiculous, you cant see if discount has been applied, and cant really tell what is part of the service and what is extra. That really annoys me and I made my service rep split it all out. He wasn't happy, but if they refuse to present a clear and readable invoice, thats their problem. I didnt know I could supply oil and brake fluid - I think I will do that next time.

No it won't be the 31st - I'm at Silverstone then..taking my other toy out. This OPC difference is what I was on about, my invoice comes out with all parts listed showing the full price and the discount then the labour, not sure if £105 is to bad actually for 9 litres of Mobil 1 never take the 1 litre top up though complete waste of time. I know I could have done it cheaper myself but my point was could I have saved much if anything at a reputable independant? morgan

Have to agree with the previous comments, I also won't let anyone else touch my brakes, the last time I want to a garage they installed the disks the wrong way round - you'll see the cross-drilled holes curve in an arc if you look carefully. Actually though, having said that I would trust JZM but only because I've met their mechanics and seen the quality of their work. As for the oil price - I don't think that's too bad, it's just the case that high quality oil is expensive. Again a doddgy 3rd party put magnatec in my C4S and it started drinking oil. Puttting it right cost me £500 including diagnostics to show that there was nothing wrong with my car at all, just the wrong oil!

You are right about the oil, Rhenders, I priced oil through a friend in the trade and he gave me a price of £48 for 4 litres of Mobil 1, so I dont think the OPC price is bad as its only £7 over what I could have got 8ltrs for the oil change.

£48 for 4l of Mobil 1!!!!!! You can pick up 5l in Halfords for £47 Seriously if you're paying that much for oil consider other places ie. Opieoils etc and make a considerable saving.