Since I'm waiting for my new vehicle to arrive and have nothing better to do than to read about it, I happened to stumble across the Porsche Warranty Information. Because I also own a BMW 750, which has a wonderful bumper-to-bumper maintenance program (which inlcudes brake pads and fluids), it appears to make Porsche's program look pretty weak in comparison. For an automobile maker of Porsche's stature and reputation, for the cost of it's vehicles and for the profit margins the firm enjoys, I'm kind of surprised by the stance Porsche has taken relative to some of the items which are not covered under the warranty.

While the vehicle theoretically has a 4 year warranty, here is what the website says about warranty periods:

"The warranty periods begin on the day of delivery to the customer. The following periods apply:

• 4 years warranty for all new vehicles;
• 2-year warranty for genuine Porsche parts, exchange parts and accessories, which are used or sold outside of warranty work. The warranty period for Porsche parts which are used in connection with warranty work ends contemporaneously with the warranty period for the purchased item which has become defective;
• 3 years for the paintwork;"

The Warranty and Customer Information booklet also states:

"Porsche Cars N.A. will repair or replace using new or remanufactured parts distributed by Porsche Cars N.A., at its sole option, any part covered under this warranty that is defective in material or workmanship under normal use."

Is everyone okay with receiving "remanufactured" parts in their $140,000 vehicle?

Also, here are a few other things NOT COVERED under the warranty:

"Service adjustments (such as idle speed, air/fuel mixture, brake, clutch, headlight, and drive belts) beyond the first three months of service unless part of a warranty repair."

"Dealer-installed accessories. (Refer to the Replacement Parts and Accessories Limited Warranty in this Booklet.)"

"Normal wear or deterioration of any part." (This could easily be subject to interpretation!)

"Minor wind noise and insignificant seepage at the joints between the top and the body, or door windows in Cabriolet, hardtop or Targa models cannot be completely avoided under all circumstances."

I can understand this for the Cabriolet, but for the hardtop and Targa models too?

"The outside of the underbody (floor pan) or any other part of the car except body panels."

This seems rather broad and vague.

"Note: Your vehicle is a mechanical device. All mechanical devices make some sort of noise and/or vibration. These noises and vibrations can differ from vehicle to vehicle. Porsche Cars N.A. recognizes those noises as normal and characteristic of the product. Normal noises or vibrations as determined by Porsche Cars N.A. can be anything from brake squeal to road vibration. Therefore, normal noise and/or vibration and/or deterioration as determined by Porsche Cars N.A. or its representative, is not covered by our warranty.

This sounds like a huge loophole. Is it in reality?

Finally, do any of you follow the factory's recommended maintenance intervals, and if not, I'd like to hear about your maintenance program since the factory does not cover fluids, spark plugs, filters, wiper blades or brakes anyway.

Porsche recommended maintenance intervals:
<table class="normalTable"><tbody><tr><th>911</th> <th>(997 since Model Year 2005)</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Engine oil</td> <td>20,000 miles / 32,000 km or every 2 years</td> </tr> <tr class="alternate"> <td>Spark plugs</td> <td>60,000 miles / 96,000 km or every 4 years </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Oil-filter element</td> <td>20,000 miles / 32,000 km or every 2 years </td> </tr> <tr class="alternate"> <td>Air-filter element</td> <td>40,000 miles / 64,000 km or every 4 years</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Fuel filters</td> <td>are maintenance-free</td> </tr> <tr class="alternate"> <td>Coolant</td> <td>does not require changing</td></tr></tbody></table>
Thanks in advance for your comments and war stories...

 

No comment on the warranty...but find a good dealer, and they will help you out (honest, my dealer has been great). Hmmm...engine oil I would change once a year, if you drive very low miles, otherwise, I would stick to the 5,000 - 7,500 mile interval. Every 15,000 or 20,000 miles, like most manufacturers currently recommend, IMO, is just too long a period between oil changes, even with today's advanced synthetic oils. Cheers!

 

I also do my changes at 5,000 miles. It's not a huge price to pay for some extra protection and peace of mind.

 

Recognize the need for oil change frequency a bit less than recommended by Porsche if one is to keep the Porsche beyond 50K miles. Often wonder why change oil to keep the engiine in better shape for the next owner?? Back to the change.....believe the engine drain is in the center of engine, but the oil tank drain plug seems to elude me when I look under the car. I am sure it is on the right somewhere...any directions???

Also it is amazing to me all the precious engine parts exposed under the tt. One would think there would be a plastic pan of sorts to protect the hoses etc from thrown debris????? Any comment on that point?

 

20K for an oil change. LOL, way to keep the client in the shop. After some time they will see you all the time.

IMHO I know of only a few good dealers. Most are idiots and don't know a damn thing beyond the book that their nose is in because they are a "Factory Tech" i was building TT motors before the dealers! That is sad.

 

Thanks for the insight but I dont thnk it really matters to anyone. Should we stop driving Porsches? Has anyone actually run into any problems because of this? Im sure all car manufactures have the same crap in their policys. Just my .02 : )

 

[quote=meatman]

"The warranty periods begin on the day of delivery to the customer. The following periods apply:

• 3 years for the paintwork;"quote]

So...does this mean if i have a bad scratch on my hood i can get it fixed for free?

 

Having owned 3 other Porsches in the past (but not in 8 years), and having had good support from the factory, I was just wondering if the factory's policies had changed and if current owners were experiencing a "tightening" of them. It sounds like the dealers are willing to be reasonable and work with owners on warranty issues. Thanks for the input.

 

meatman, I agree, I have had no problems with warranty repairs in the last few years. I also have an excellent relationship with my dealer. I feel
that is very important.

 

[QUOTE=Amiricanmade]I wonder if they will fix this...I was driving around, and I heard a little creeking from the front strut. I can't imagine what the problem is...

 

My complete reading of the warranty leads me to conclude that Porsche would not only rebuild the entire vehicle like new but also pay you a reasonable stipend for the time it was out of service and a small token for pain, suffering and emotional distress.

 

What did they have to say about tracking the car and whether the warranty will be voided?

 

The Warranty States:

"This Warranty Does Not Cover:

...Abuse, accident, acts of God, competition, racing or track use or other events."

Oh well, sorry to be the bearer of bad news...

 

Competition? Racing? Track use? Who US!?!? I have no idea what you are talking about

 

you do know that prior to the 996 generation Porsches only came with a 2 yr/24000 mile warranty right? im surprised they stepped up to a 4 yr/50K mile to be honest.