Are they trying it on?

My 2004 C2 has just gone to the OPC for a minor servive, plugs and a brake fluid change. Also what looked like the RMS leaking. It's only still under warranty until 12th Jan so I thought I'd better get it looked at. Well this afternoon just as I was sitting down at the pictures with my oldest I got the envitible call from the OPC for more money. I'd agreed a price of £500 for the minor servive, plugs and a brake fluid change The young lady then tried saying both an aircon recharge and a wheel alignment needed doing every 2 years at £200 each. I said no thank you. Then it was it looks like you need 2 new tyres. There getting there but don't need doing yet. Then she said as the exhaust had had to come off the nuts and gaskets where badly corroded and that would be £142 please. I complained that if they'd had to come off for warranty work then I shouldn't have to pay for replacements. She just said they'd put the old ones back. I'm going to ring them in the morning. Does anyone know how much is a set of exhaust gaskets is?

Well I only started using an OPC when I bought the Cayenne a couple of years ago, but that miorrors my experience every single time it goes in. They always always find something that needs doing, last time it was my steering wheel was (alledgedly) slightly off centre but needed a full 4-wheel alignment to fix. Can't say I'd ever noticed it. Also had windscreen wipers need replacing (110 quid), rear cigarette lighter shroud needs replacing (£107), undertray damaged (£loads). Be interested to hear of other questionable jobs.

I'm surprised they didn't try the disks and pads one. (I know you just changed them). There are only 2 gaskets (996.111.107.54) and they are £7.27 each + VAT. The clamps are: Clamping Sleeve - 996.111.220.01 - 18.27 each Tailpipe clamp - 996.111.108.00 - £9.94 each If they can re-use them, I doubt if there is much wrong with them. Quite often the tailpipe clamps are so badly rusted you have to cut them off. Oh yes - having looked through the workshop manual, it appears that you don't need to remove the exhausts to get the engine out. edit: and if they were doing the RMS, they would only really need to take out the transmission, but the book says to remove both........

I rang them this morning and spoke to someone who knew what they where talking about. It appears as well as the RMS they also found a head gasket leak which they are also doing under warranty. This is where the exhaust gaskets and fittings came in. It appears the £142 included labor for fitting them? They've backed down on this and agreed it's all under warranty. Also under warranty they've fixed a fluctuating oil pressure sender (they must have seen a fault from the diagnostic report as the gauge has been OK in the car) and the low tone horn? The front tyres are both at 2-3mm so will need doing soon. They quoted £163 inc for each front tyre but a quick call to my local fitter gave £145 inc for 225/40 ZR 18 Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 N3 he seems to think N1 is no longer available. I not sure but think I've got N1 currently both front and rear. Does this mean I should also change the rears to N3? I've had a look at " N-Spec Tyres Explained" but I'm still not sure http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=238650

At those Tyre prices I am sure Porsche would match the £145 then you could get everything done at the same time?

Oil pressure sender and low tone horn both common fail items had both on my previous C2 N1s still available had two fitted back end of the year by North east Tyre and Exhaust in Middlesbrough

That's the first thing I asked but the OPC weren't interested in matching.

Interesting reading. I will have to change the rears on my C2 shortly and was looking to put PS2's on as i understand these will run quieter. I would then replace the fronts when needed with the PS2. I have Pirelli P Zero's all round at the minute. Is this possible????

hiya - I need to change my assimetricos now too and am very interested in this thought that the Pilot Sports run quieter - any thoughts on this folks? best, des.

Yup, discs and pads is the usual one. When I book mine in for it's annual service at OPC Hatfield, I tell them straightaway not to bother phoning me about discs and pads (that'll only be £1200 to you, sir). Really OPC's are a bunch of shysters and I've no idea why an OPC history on a car is so valued

used to have the supplied contis but few thousand ago had the michelin pilot sports fitted-brilliant- quiet, steady and well worth the cost

I have experienced this too from dealer. I had a lot of problems when I bought my car (2004 Turbo cab) at the start of last year and had a free next service (major) promised to me. However when it came to the service they found £400 worth of work that needed doing not included in the service. I swore after this I would take my car else where and so I am looking for a decent place in Cheshire (I'm in Nantwich), so if anyone can recomend somewhere I'd appreciate it. Also decent tyre (some one who can fit without damaging car or wheels) & MOT contacts too. Cheers.

You could try JMH in Holmes Chapel: http://www.j-m-h.co.uk My niece's boyfriend (yes - I know it's a bit remote) uses them, and is happy with what they do. I don't think they are the cheapest around though.

Thanks Richard I will do. Cheers.