Porsche key 'wear and tear'
Discussion
I have the Porsche extended warranty on my Cayman, and whilst it was at Porsche today I asked them to look at replacing my key on the warranty as the case has cracked causing it to fall to pieces when using it. I have not mistreated the key, it has just cracked from normal use.
I would consider poor build quality and low quality of plastics used in the key to be the cause of this, but I have just been told that they won't replace it under the warranty as it is considered 'wear and tear'.
I have to admit, I am quite surprised about this as they even said to me the new replacement keys are a stronger plastic (pretty much admitting that the old ones were poor quality), whilst telling me if I want it replaced it will be £200 for a new one! Having heard so much about how good the Porsche warranty is, I honestly expected this to be covered, but this response seems like the standard 3rd party warranty get-out clause to be honest.
Wear and tear for a key? Has anyone else had this problem and managed to get a replacement through the warranty? Failing that, are there any cheaper solutions available, like just replacing the plastic casing (which Porsche won't do without reprogramming a new one)?
I would consider poor build quality and low quality of plastics used in the key to be the cause of this, but I have just been told that they won't replace it under the warranty as it is considered 'wear and tear'.
I have to admit, I am quite surprised about this as they even said to me the new replacement keys are a stronger plastic (pretty much admitting that the old ones were poor quality), whilst telling me if I want it replaced it will be £200 for a new one! Having heard so much about how good the Porsche warranty is, I honestly expected this to be covered, but this response seems like the standard 3rd party warranty get-out clause to be honest.
Wear and tear for a key? Has anyone else had this problem and managed to get a replacement through the warranty? Failing that, are there any cheaper solutions available, like just replacing the plastic casing (which Porsche won't do without reprogramming a new one)?
One of my keys suffered the same fate on a previous Boxster (roughly same vintage as your Cayman). I didn't test a warranty replacement but did find that the plastic casing cannot be replaced.
I decided to open it up and stick it with a Copydex type glue; firm enough to hold together but could be opened if necessary to change the battery. As it happened it survived at least until I sold the car.
I decided to open it up and stick it with a Copydex type glue; firm enough to hold together but could be opened if necessary to change the battery. As it happened it survived at least until I sold the car.
I had a hairline crack on the body of one of the older grey plastic keys. The key appeared to have been that way since purchase (provided with used cayman).
Took me a month or 2 to notice it, since I was using it as the spare key. It was only one day that I happened to use it & wondered why the car wouldnt unlock till I gave it a few presses.
The next time I was near the OPC, I asked if they would replace it under warranty. They changed it for the newer black key straight away, no questions asked & at no cost.
The newer black keys (although similar looking in design) are much better put together. The OPC even told me to use this one as the main key, and keep my existing grey one as a backup as the newer one is much better.
I guess it depends how much the OPC believes that you didnt drop it a few times & how they feel on the day.
The OPC I use have been brilliant at honoring the warranty - although they tend to get their money back anyway when it comes to a normal service/etc. Maybe I just have an honest face.
Took me a month or 2 to notice it, since I was using it as the spare key. It was only one day that I happened to use it & wondered why the car wouldnt unlock till I gave it a few presses.
The next time I was near the OPC, I asked if they would replace it under warranty. They changed it for the newer black key straight away, no questions asked & at no cost.
The newer black keys (although similar looking in design) are much better put together. The OPC even told me to use this one as the main key, and keep my existing grey one as a backup as the newer one is much better.
I guess it depends how much the OPC believes that you didnt drop it a few times & how they feel on the day.
The OPC I use have been brilliant at honoring the warranty - although they tend to get their money back anyway when it comes to a normal service/etc. Maybe I just have an honest face.
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