Would Zone 7 members be interested in starting a thread on pros & cons of different Dealership experiences? For instance I just left Fremont Porsche after having gone in for my 2 year service and due to low milage (7,800) they did a 1 year service charging me $519.00 for basically an oil/filter change, brake fluid flush and visual/computer inspection. It was done in less than 1 1/2 hours. Isn't that high for the Bay area? It would be nice to find a Zone 7 Dealer reasonably priced and offered a loaner car during service ect.. The only thing I was offered was water. I asked about PCA discount and they laughed, but the did give me a 10% discount off some items. A total of $25.79 off of a $545.54 bill.

WOW I as about to say some nice things about Fremont -- where I bought my car. They organized a Trackday at Thunderhill a couple months ago for customers and did a first rate job. The only service I had there was to replace front brakes (two long trackdays seem to wear away OEMs...) and the charge was @ $400... steep for my history with Acura's, but the cost of the pads were a major part of that... and not much different in price for Pagid Orange pads that I recently bought for trackdays..
Also, Femont honored my PCA membership discount..

It will be interesting to see what others feel... but my impression is that if this was the first service in two years, they might have been doing other inspections than just pouring in new oil... but that is an impression.

D

This seems a little odd as it has not been my experience with Fremont Porsche. I bought a Boxster there (sorry Crocadillians) about 4 weeks ago. My best friend bought one at the same time. Since then I've had the car in a few times. Once for perma-plating, once for new exhaust tips and they even handled my squealing brakes problem. Every time they gave me a loaner/rental that they covered. Their prices were competitive with other local dealers and they didn't charge me for a couple of things that they could have. Since I purchased the car from them I also get free car washes which I do about once a week. Porsche dealerships are expensive no matter how you look at it, but this one is no more expensive and they've been good to me. I'm having them put a short shifter in for me next week. I've been dealing with the Service Manager named Gunter.
Did you purchase the car from them? Maybe that makes a difference?

I am reviewing my bill now and I do see where they gave me a $25.79 discount. The total labor cost for less than 1 1/2 hours was $375.00. To me that seems a little high. No I didn't buy my car there, but that should not make a difference in the price.

Shouldn't affect price, but it may affect whether you get a free loaner or not. I know that some (not Porsche specifically) dealers only give a loaner to customers who bought from them.

Here's a thread that discusses local SFBA dealers which you may find helpful:
SF Bay Area Dealers

__________________
~Nikki
Hers: '06 Cayman S
His: '06 Exige
Ours: '08 X3

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Thanks Hot Croc for the link, age old problem, I looked but didn't find it initially. I bought my Croc at Michael Stead Porsche, no problems with them, I did not get a deal (paid msrp). I did go back to have a short short shifter installed, no loaner and I thought the labor was high there too. They did offer to give me a ride (since I did not live locally). Maybe I'll try Carlsen next time. I am trying to find a Dealer I can be happy with, with after car care, as I am looking to purchase a Cayenne Hybid for my wife when they come out.

I didn't buy my car nor had service at Fremont Porsche, but I went there to buy a pair of the front side lights cover-plate. at that time I thought the man helped me at the parts dept. was kind of rude when I asked him if they come in smoked instead of just plain, and he was not very helpful.

Ok, I was up at Fremont this morning getting my car washed and cleared up a couple of things. The service manager told me that they give a 10% parts and labor discount for PCA members. I also talked to my Sales guy and he told me that it matters if you buy the car from them on the loaner. They will provide a loaner any time the car is in for service if bought it from them.
As far as prices go, I know someone else on this board who had a short shifter put in last week at Carlsen. He was very happy with it. Price for price Fremont was the same, but with PCA discount it will be less for me.
I've been happy with those guys so far and will continue to use them. I also got a very good deal on the car, or at least I was happy with it.

I recently had my 20k service done at my local Michael Stead Porsche dealership in Walnut Creek. When I called they said $290 for oil change, $150 for brake fluid change and 10% discount for PCA. I dropped the car off, signed the work order with no price on it. When I picked the car up, the amount was $626.40 with the 10% discount. They put the oil and brake fluid on top of the price they quoted and added a $85 cabin air filter, $8 for techron fuel and $8 for window cleaner. Be glad you went to Fremont! You saved $100+. Plus, although they put 2 miles on the mileage in/out, they drove my car around for 9 miles. I did not purchase my car there.

The thread I mentioned above also gets into recommendations for Service (not just Sales)... and it appears Carlsen in Redwood City is the Bay Area favorite (specifically ask for Brian). I took my CS there for a Check Engine light a few months back and got Beto as my svc rep. He was ok - not overly friendly or anything but they checked out the code and gave me the write-up (nothing was actually wrong so code was cleared and there was no charge). He did however try to get me to go for an off-schedule oil change to the tune of ~$290. I declined and we did it at home for ~$100.

My office has since relocated to the South Bay, so I'll be testing the waters at Stevens Creek Porsche the next time my car goes in. I'll post my experience when I do.

__________________
~Nikki
Hers: '06 Cayman S
His: '06 Exige
Ours: '08 X3

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I just had my car serviced at Carlsen. My CD-changer was jammed. They replaced it, but they couldn't give me the CD's back as Porsche wants the unit back whole so they can determine what the issue is in a controlled environment. They will get them back to me at some point in the future. This is ok with me as they were burned CD's anyway.

Along with this issue, I had them install a short-shifter, red tail-lights, and exhaust-tips. Beto was my service rep and I agree that Brian is way more personable. What made the difference in my experience, however is that I coordinated everything through my sales guy, Gary and he made sure I got good prices on the Tequipment stuff and even got me a Boxster loaner instead of Avis.

As far as Fremont is concerned, I find that Gunter is a good guy who shoots straight and will match prices with other Bay Area shops.