Rant about independent specialists

[youngsyr]

Not really sure why I'm posting this, other than to vent!

I had some new eBay intercoolers put on my 996 Turbo three years ago by a well known Porsche independent in the South East ready for a power upgrade and asked them to pressure test the system afterwards and was told there were no leaks. Was happy with the work they did, which was a healthy 4 figure bill.

Due to lockdown and generally not using the car much, a couple years go past, but only a few thousand miles driven on the car. It now needed a service and the actuators adjusting ready for a remap. I leak tested it at home, wouldn't hold any pressure. First independent was quite a distance from me, so used another well known Porsche independent specialist. Again asked them to pressure test. Car came back with "intercooler hose loose, and an intermittently leaking diverter valve". Those were fixed, told the car held boost. Car miraculously developed an airbag ECU fault whilst in their care. Another healthy 4 figure bill.

Got the car back, put it on my Durametrics to data log it, car still not hodling boost as it should. Took it to a third well known independent specialist, 6 months after the visit to the second, this time they showed me videos of the pressure test: both intercoolers leaking from the veins and from the throttle body seal.

The intercoolers only have a few thousand miles on them, so in all likelihood were leaking from the very beginning, or from the install.

Neither of the first two independents picked up on that, or the throttle body, whose seal between the body and motor housing had perished - certainly not in the 6 months between the second and third independent specialist visits and was probably there for the first.

So what am I to make of this: these aren't back street garages. They are Porsche specialists, clearly being used by hundreds of Porsche owners judging by the number of cars they have in every time I visit and they have clearly not done at least some of the work that I have asked for and they have billed for?

[BillyB]

Sadly not limited to Porsche specialists. I've used four specialists for a Porsche and another sportcar make in the last 2 years and something has been wrong after they've returned the car to me every time (over-filled the oil, wrongly adjusted the gear lever, fitted harnesses twisted, damaged interior trim, missed work in the service, damaged the bodywork of the car with a trolley jack etc). It is just depressing.

In fact, in the last 15 years, the only garages I've ever used and not had a problem with are the local MOT/service outfit round the corner from me and a one-man-band outfit in a drafty shed who I found through a friend. I've had quality issues with every other garage/specialist.

[Youforreal.]

Don’t be silly now, everyone knows that specialists can do no wrong and all OPC are crap……..sorry of your woes, id present the findings off the third Indy to the second one and ask them to explain their bill!

The first is a stretch due to time elapsed

[youngsyr]

Youforreal. said:

Don’t be silly now, everyone knows that specialists can do no wrong and all OPC are crap……..sorry of your woes, id present the findings off the third Indy to the second one and ask them to explain their bill!

The first is a stretch due to time elapsed

First, there's the issue of burning bridges though - there aren't that many specialists around.

Second, it's not just the money, it's about trust. This item is one that I can prove they haven't done. What else have they not done, or half-assed that I'm not aware of?

And on the OPC, my local one has been worse than all of the independents combined.

Just generally, I do wonder how about the entire industry of mechanics. My experience of many of them, knowing a little about cars, is that they exploit the general owner's lack of knowledge all the time.

One local general mechanics that is highly recommended by many tried to charge my wife £1,200 to replace the intercooler on my 2014 A6 Tdi. I phoned the garage up and pointed out that blueprint parts were available for £250 and the intercooler was easily accessible at the front of the engine bay.

They replied that it also needed a pressure switch "because they always break when removed from the intercooler" for £90 (actually available for £30). I ordered a new one, swapped it out in 5 minutes with no issues. Old one was working perfectly, so I put it back in.

Balance of quote was £700 for intercooler (OEM) and labour.

I then ordered the intercooler, considered fitting it myself, but rang another local garage who offered to swap it for £200.

So, all in, supplying the parts myself (with no trade discount), I got the job done for less than half what the "recommended" garage quoted.

Unfortunately the owner of the local garage that I used to use exclusively and trusted implicitly died during Covid and it hasn't opened since.

[Jefferson Steelflex]

I don't think there's any harm in going back to the second Indy and having a chat, it doesn't need to be accusing them of not doing a job but more of a polite chat about your disappointment. Any decent Indy would be ok to discuss issues and agree on some remedial work, there is no need to go windmilling in there.

What I would check (if you haven't already) is whether they did a proper pressure test as some will do a smoke test which is pointless and may be the issue here. If they did do a proper pressurised test, then you could mention that another Indy found it to be a long-term issue which would have been present when they had the car originally,

But it is also possible that you lost boost between those two points so it's not certain from your post that this is all nothing more than just coincidence. I'm sure you know you can chase boost/pressure problems around these cars (as I am doing right now) and there are so many points of failure, maybe when one got fixed it threw up another one?

[Cheib]

I’ve used a “well known Porsche specialist” near the M25 for both water and air cooled cars...

I’d honestly rather go to an OPC.

I’ve subsequently used RPM, Tuthill and Prill Porsche. All have been excellent

Moderator edit: no naming & shaming

[Grantstown]

IMI A on here has had a lot of good 911 turbo experiences using 9E in the South East. Maybe you should cut your losses and ask them to give you a good appraisal of your car.

In the North West I’ve found Ninemeister to be excellent. When you see them doing ground up rebuilds, separate workshops for engines, bodywork, race car setup, it does inspire confidence that they can handle general maintenance.

I do know one of the OPC mechanics and he’s been around since the launch of the 3.2. He’d be the only one left though with any significant air cooled experience and so as cars age, it does become important to have a good independent specialist.

[IMI A]

In no particular order these indies are all good.

9e
Porsche Torque
JZM
911 Virgin
RPM

Non of the above cheap but 75% the price of Porsche Reading/Swindon who I also use from time to time. I've not used Ninemeister for service but had one of their hot rods and its the best air cooled 911 I've ever driven. I'd be very confident 9m servicing and problems solving top notch having driven one of their specials.

With my turbo its nice to be able to have been to over 30 track events and 40,000 miles since 9e tuned Minty - drive there , be one of the quickest turbos and then drive back home with no mechanical issues.

[b8575]

I used an indy in the SE with a good reputation to change the clutch and a few other things on my 997.

Subsequently went to Autofarm (who have always been good and honest for me). They found that the work done by the previous indy left damaged parts in the car (one costing £15). The previous indy had just bolted it all back up and not bothered to tell me. I’m guessing that either they damaged it or it was damaged before. But either way, they should have said something.

I think it’s how people treat you when things go wrong (which they often do) which shows how good a place is with its customers

[ChrisW.]

Without wishing to divert this topic, I have had no reason to rant about either Strasse in Leeds or RPM in Knaresborough ... I have found both to be excellent. Personal service, quality mechanics, family businesses.

I have had serious reasons to rant about Ninemeister ... I know others who think they are the best.

[ABMA]

Any reviews/ experiences from Cavendish Porscha in Nottingham? Planning to use them for service

[G-996]

I would echo the positive feedback on Autofarm. They’re not cheap, but they are fantastic.

[Orangecurry]

youngsyr said:

First, there's the issue of burning bridges though - there aren't that many specialists around.

But you said they did a poor job, so why would you ever use them again? Burn them.

youngsyr said:

Second, it's not just the money, it's about trust. This item is one that I can prove they haven't done. What else have they not done, or half-assed that I'm not aware of?

I agree - find someone you can trust. Whereabouts in the SE are you?

[ChrisW.]

Having seen the detailed report that Autofarm make of a car and the way in which each "issue" is prioritised and resolved in consultation with the owner / customer, I would agree.

Also, speaking directly to their technicians I had an impression of great integrity.

I've not seen this anywhere else and it gave me great confidence when buying a car ... I then used the uncompleted items on their list with my trusted local indie to complete the last few items !

[garypotter]

Originla owner of my 911 used OPC in Surrey. i have used 9e sinc i have owned the car and have had no issues, yes a few big bills but that comes with the car!!

Moderator edit: no naming & shaming

[ditchvisitor]

Would highly recommend Bahnsport, they are bloody excellent.

Moderator edit: no naming & shaming

[youngsyr]

ditchvisitor said:

Would highly recommend Bahnsport, they are bloody excellent.

And here's the problem. I would have recommended two of the independents and the OPC I've used before checking or having their work checked.

In total I've now used 4 of the most well known independents in the South East and one OPC.

3 Indy's and the OPC were less than perfect to varying degrees.

The fourth Indy is the one currently working on the car and so far I'm the most impressed with - have sent me videos of the faults and their fixes, so I'm very hopeful with them.

[In the sticks]

Opinion on Steve bull pricing? Have been using them for a while but I always gasp at the bill. Anyone else use them ?

[IMI A]

With Porsche Torque and 9e I always insist Sid and Adam do the work themselves. Its hard for these firms to attract and retain good staff. I've always heard good things about Autofarm, Autobahn, Hartech, RSJ, Portiacraft and Paragon too. Loads of others I may missed off. You can certainly mention poor service and name the garage. I did previously with Porsche Hatfield with no issues at all from the mods. Someone else has done the same with another OPC. People make mistakes. Life no biggy.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by IMI A on Saturday 3rd February 03:13

[Guybrush]

Cheib said:

I’ve used a “well known Porsche specialist” near the M25 for both water and air cooled cars...

I’d honestly rather go to an OPC.

I’ve subsequently used RPM, Tuthill and Prill Porsche. All have been excellent

Moderator edit: no naming & shaming

Note the moderator edit. It seems a person isn't allowed to name a garage they don't like, even if no detail is given. In any case, all Porsche specialists in the area are now suspected.