So, now I understand the cost of Porsche ownership :-O Options

[Amphicar770]

Although I have had my 914 for several years, I have done all work on my own so have not had to use any dealers or specialists. Following the removal / reinstall of my engine along with new clutch, rebuilt trailing arms, brakes, fuel lines, etc. I brought it to a respected shop to have them do the wheel alignment, set the timing, and give the car a general going over.

The good news is that they just called and it is at last ready for pick up (has been about 3 weeks). I'll admit that I was glad to be sitting down when I asked for the total damages .... wait for it ... $2,200 and change.

In fairness I can not yet say if I got a great deal, a fair deal, or got hosed. The person who called said there is a pretty long list of things they attended to. So, until I see the list and see how everything came out I can neither praise or criticize the shop. I am however going, OK how do I split the payment so that the spouse does not know what I just spent. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)

Will be picking her up tomorrow.

[Gunn1]

1st agree to an initial price for diagnosis. Anything over and above that original amount must be authorized buy owner before continuing.

We had the same issue with one of our more current model year DD's.

Had the vehicle towed into the dealer we purchased from. They were authorized by me to diagnose, anything more had to be authorized before continuing.

Work ended up being major (spun main bearing on a 5.7 liter Lexus)

Dealer proceeded to do remainder of teardown without our authorizing anything more than the getting us a Diagnosis.

They called at the point where they wanted to know if we wanted a new long block at a parts cost of around 10,300.00 or a engine out of a total with around 15,000 miles on it for 8,500.

Keep in mind the vehicle is now in the shop with the engine and tranny already removed.

We told the dealer we would not pay for anything past the authorization, and furthermore required the vehicle be put back to the condition it was when the tow company dropped it off. By this time they could not because they had sent many of the parts in as cores, or as they said, had lost them.

The dealer said No.

We called the regional service manager based in Chicago, told them of our experience, and after 1 week for investigation we received a phone call saying we would have our vehicle back with a new engine and related parts installed by weeks end......No charge.

Hope you do too.

After talking to the dealerships service advisor when we picked up the vehicle, he said "no hard feelings" "this happens from time to time" "we have shop insurance for these type of issues"

So just by following these few simple rules (keep in mind at a dealership shop) and contacting the correct people in the chain we came out with a successful outcome.