Porsche of Oakland is hinting that my clutch replacement will not be covered under warranty. Unless they can prove abuse (none exists) how can they do this? This on an 04 C4S that is in for 15K service.

 

Clutch is wear and tear item, guarantee they will not replace it under warranty.

 

at 15K miles?

 

I thought a clutch was good for 100K?

 

I asked the sales manager if he informed clients pre-sale that clutches in $82,000 cars are not covered when they malfunction at 15K miles. I asked him if we wanted me to do so for him.

 

It all depends how you use your clutch. I've gotten 35k out of my last one and know some guys that go well beyond that. However, if you're driving in stop and go traffic alot, then you very well may be riding the clutch and instigating early retirement. Since you just got your car from the dealer, you might ask them to go in at cost on the parts and perhaps to split the labor with you. Can't hurt to try....

 

It sucks...yeah...how does the dealer know you didnt try and teach a 15 year old kid to drive in your car? Someone asked me to teach someone to drive a stick in my Carrera....lol...Also....I know someone who stayed in an upscale hotel and valeted the car...the clutch went a week later...the car had like 15k miles on it. She got the hotel to kick in because apparently the valet guys were doing drag runs in the car....Now if the clutch were defective, and they can probably tell if it is then it would be covered under warranty, if its just worn, then no it wont be covered. They really have no reason NOT to say its not defective because they get the replacement cost from Porsche North America. Talk to the service manager and ask when the clutch would be replaced under warranty...By the way I am at 60K miles on my clutch...actually the car is at 99K miles....I bought it at 40k and have not changed the clutch. I dont know if thats the original clutch or not...but I have at least 60k miles on the clutch.

 

The only time I heard a clutch was covered was on a CGT. Dealers won't cover it bc PCNA may deny the warranty claim later.

I don't know why Porsche clutch has such short life. I suppose that's due to the high powered engine.

 

Hmm that's really low mileage on a C4s in order to need a new clutch Is it slipping or what sort of symptoms are you getting?

 

I hate to bring this up but I was in Pasadena two weeks ago and I saw a valet pulling out of a parking garage chirping with each shift. I'm thinking we should ask a local TV show to do an under-cover investigation. I'm certain we would all be surprised at what goes on with these teenage valets.

-Eli

 

thats a great idea....

 

I saw a 996 getting tires at NTB. The kid that drive the car into the garage didn't let the clutch out all the way and just gun the gas all the way in. Very nice cooked clutch smell. Do that a few times and a new clutch is needed.

 

Occasionally when I run hard (which is not really that hard for a "supercar") there is a pretty distinct smell, and my frined Ian who knows P-Cars says he can hear a "ticking" noise when the clutch is engaged that he says is bad news. The clutch does not slip or chatter.

 

Well the "smell" part doesn't sound good. The ticking goes "away" when the clutch is disengaged? Might just be a bearing..

 

Thanks for the input all, the dealer has just informed me that the clutch has NO issues. I asked him how this determination was made and he said that it was based on the head tech's test drive.