996 Self Service or not ?
Discussion
The car is a '99 996 C4 with 72k on the clock with service stamps up to 2 years ago. The previous owner, who was a competent engineer, supplied all the evidence (photographic and invoices) of his own servicing which I'm happy with. I have always done my own servicing on all vehicles in the past which not only fulfils my interest but also ensures that things are all done to my satisfaction (saving a shed full of cash at the same time). However, with future resale value in mind, would the 'stamp' in the book be worth paying for ? Just wondered how other folks see it (especially the folks who are able to service themselves). Thanks for any input in advance
Just to add not a daily driver, garaged and approx 2k miles a year only.
Just to add not a daily driver, garaged and approx 2k miles a year only.Edited by monty999 on Friday 4th November 22:25
As above, I keep meticulous records and photos that give a far more detailed insight into the provenance and condition of the car than any OPC or independent stamp in the book and invoices ever will. It's never been a problem when selling my cars and bikes privately or to dealers over the last 35 years. I can recall several times when it probably helped the sale.
DRH986 said:
As above, I keep meticulous records and photos that give a far more detailed insight into the provenance and condition of the car than any OPC or independent stamp in the book and invoices ever will. It's never been a problem when selling my cars and bikes privately or to dealers over the last 35 years. I can recall several times when it probably helped the sale.
Agree 100%. If the owner can stack up a big pile of receipts and can be frank and honest about the car, I prefer this to a few stamps in a book.I don't think it'll be an issue, get yourself a stamp made - stamp the book and keep all the receipts.
At the point when/if these cars go up in value I'd much rather buy from someone like yourself. There's an argument to say a specialist may spot things in a preventative manner but if your hands on with the car nobody will know it better than yourself.
At the point when/if these cars go up in value I'd much rather buy from someone like yourself. There's an argument to say a specialist may spot things in a preventative manner but if your hands on with the car nobody will know it better than yourself.
CarreraLightweightRacing said:
You will cut out perhaps 40% of your potential buyers in the future but there will still be enough people who are not so picky.
On a 996? I'm not so sure. They're getting too old now; people are looking for provenance in the form of good maintenance and care, not OPC stamps. Or maybe that's just me.I really do not know anyone would service their cars(porsche) at OPC after warranty expires? some might do say up to 10 years old but later, I do not see any advantage. Their labour cost so much, so I do not think they would check older cars like 996, in depth to avoid or see any potential future problems. It's basically ticking the boxes according to the service book. An enthusiast owner or independent specialist would take care of them much better imho as long as there is a good record of what's being done.
Thanks for the replies chaps, it's reassuring to know that the enthusiasts like yourselves will look further than the book stamp.By the time I come to sell on (maybe 5-10 years) the folks looking to buy a 25 year old car will probably be in the enthusiast/classic car fraternity so will know what they're looking at. Pretty much makes my mind up to go it alone with some good quality oil and anything else when required rather than the annual stamp.
Personally, I've always thought of the mot as a good service check. This year the mot guys recommended that I grease all the brake lines now while they were all good as they had a boxter in at the time and it was a bit of a bugger of a job- good cheap advise. Thanks again, Keith
Personally, I've always thought of the mot as a good service check. This year the mot guys recommended that I grease all the brake lines now while they were all good as they had a boxter in at the time and it was a bit of a bugger of a job- good cheap advise. Thanks again, Keith
When it comes to servicing the oil, filters, plugs, etc are only part of the story. I take my car to a local (well known) indie because they'll do a complete report on the state of the car and fix any niggles at the same time. As such, I've built up a huge history of the car during the time I've had it, and I've been able to perform a maintenance regime which basically amounts to a rolling restoration. On a 17 year old car that should be able to drive at 170mph, I think keeping on top of the maintenance is pretty important.
Should I ever sell my car, and I hope I never do, the buyer is going to get paperwork with it that describes the complete condition of the car and everything that's happened to it. My indie even gives me two ECU printouts every time it's serviced - one before the road test and one after: This sort of thing is going to be the level of detail that I think (hope) will be important to buyers in the future.
Should I ever sell my car, and I hope I never do, the buyer is going to get paperwork with it that describes the complete condition of the car and everything that's happened to it. My indie even gives me two ECU printouts every time it's serviced - one before the road test and one after: This sort of thing is going to be the level of detail that I think (hope) will be important to buyers in the future.
I disagree that you need to take the car to an indy and get everything checked every year, this is expensive as most years the bill will be at least £1,000. I think 996 are simple enough that you can check everything yourself and take advice. Engine service, coolant, brakes, and suspension what else is there ...
Although I would get an annual oil service done, as it's usually cheap especially if you supply the oil (millers) and the book gets stamped, and some buyers flap about this, 10 years ownership that's only £1000
Although I would get an annual oil service done, as it's usually cheap especially if you supply the oil (millers) and the book gets stamped, and some buyers flap about this, 10 years ownership that's only £1000
griffter said:
Somebody who knows what they're doing, fine. But how does a buyer verify that? I don't mind cars with some diy maintenance but a stamp to prove an annual once over by a professional is no bad thing IMHO.
I never buy cars with self stamped service histories. Who's to know what has, or most probably hasn't, been done to them? And in sure I'm not alone. Any in buying a car with as many electronics as a 996 in 25 years' time will want to be sure that it has been maintained in accordance with the manufacturr's guidelines and that any known faults with it gave been remedied.I would not hesitate on a car that old to service it myself. You must go through the service schedule properly though and not kid yourself you have done it by just changing oil and filter.
I have owned 5 Porsches over the years and as soon as dealers/ buyers see the spreadsheet and all receipts in a dedicated binder they accept its been properly looked after.
If any repairs are beyond my skills I always go to my local OPC who have always been fair on charges.
I have owned 5 Porsches over the years and as soon as dealers/ buyers see the spreadsheet and all receipts in a dedicated binder they accept its been properly looked after.
If any repairs are beyond my skills I always go to my local OPC who have always been fair on charges.
I would not hesitate on a car that old to service it myself. You must go through the service schedule properly though and not kid yourself you have done it by just changing oil and filter.
I have owned 5 Porsches over the years and as soon as dealers/ buyers see the spreadsheet and all receipts in a dedicated binder they accept its been properly looked after.
If any repairs are beyond my skills I always go to my local OPC who have always been fair on charges.
I have owned 5 Porsches over the years and as soon as dealers/ buyers see the spreadsheet and all receipts in a dedicated binder they accept its been properly looked after.
If any repairs are beyond my skills I always go to my local OPC who have always been fair on charges.
Edited by johnmaddox on Saturday 5th November 20:57
rubystone said:
I never buy cars with self stamped service histories. Who's to know what has, or most probably hasn't, been done to them? And in sure I'm not alone. Any in buying a car with as many electronics as a 996 in 25 years' time will want to be sure that it has been maintained in accordance with the manufacturr's guidelines and that any known faults with it gave been remedied.
Agree to some point but manufacturer's guidelines were not sufficient enough, especially on the case of 996,997s imho.Most of the issues with new cars(say anything should be covered under warranty) might appear in the first 5 years of ownership and these things usually can be replaced by OPC under warranty during service or before. After that, it's up to the owner. I do not think the OPC would care anything in depth, as the new cars and their maintenance would be more priority for them, since they are business.
ooid said:
Agree to some point but manufacturer's guidelines were not sufficient enough, especially on the case of 996,997s imho.
Most of the issues with new cars(say anything should be covered under warranty) might appear in the first 5 years of ownership and these things usually can be replaced by OPC under warranty during service or before. After that, it's up to the owner. I do not think the OPC would care anything in depth, as the new cars and their maintenance would be more priority for them, since they are business.
3 reasons why I disagree, or at least am confused by what you're saying:Most of the issues with new cars(say anything should be covered under warranty) might appear in the first 5 years of ownership and these things usually can be replaced by OPC under warranty during service or before. After that, it's up to the owner. I do not think the OPC would care anything in depth, as the new cars and their maintenance would be more priority for them, since they are business.
I'm sure if you paid a OPC they'd do whatever you asked to your car, whatever age it was. Check the OPC websites, they list a 996 as a classic and have all the pricing for work.
The service schedules for a 996 aren't 2 years as you said above. It's x miles or 1 year. 997s moved to 2 year schedules (?)
Other businesses exist to service these cars. The OP was asking about service stamps in the book, not specifically OPC servicing - any indie (Porsche specialist or not) will be able to service these cars as per the manufacturer's schedule.
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