Opinions on best dealership for repair work? - Holberts?

[Wally]

Hello Brian, Welcome to the Forum.  If you are looking for a repair shop close to where your car is garaged, you may want to look into using Bob Fox in Ambler.  He is one of the clubs supporters and probably forgotten more about Porsche's than all the techs at the dealerships will ever know.  He is located within walking distance to the R5 train line and is about two miles from Montco Community College.  He treats his customers and their cars with respect and is very affable.  He may also be able to give you information on a detailer in the area.  Good luck.

Wally
P.S. Check our web site for his information.  Look under the tech section.

[Wellardmac]

I've also heard good things about Bob Fox.

Holberts are "just okay". They do a good job and look after the car, but I've had some eyebrow raising moments with them on cost (they're usually more expensive than other places), as well as other issues.

I've had incidents with them refusing to warranty Porsche parts - you would not believe the song and dance I got from them installing my aerokit side skirts to my car (porsche parts!) because they hadn't done one before and didn't like the new design... They also hate my Evo V-flow intake... I've had discussions about that with them.

Overall, okay, but I and others who use them wish we had other alternatives in the area.

[michael lang]

I can't really comment on any of the dealerships that you are referring to but I would tell you the best thing to do after you finish polling the group would be to talk with the various dealerships, mainly the svc advisor you will be dealing with. Sometimes talking directly to the manager and talking with him/her will help in matching you up to someone who you will want to work with and helping you get with someone you feel comfortable with. If you don't find it at that dealership then move on to the next one until you find it (that hr ride might not be so bad afterall, say). I have folks drive past 2-3 Benz dealers to come to my shop and visit me with their car. Anyway my point is that no matter how good a dealership is, if you're not comfortable with them then everything that they do to help you will amount to zero. I wish I could help you better.

[catchacab]

The topics we are dealing with in this post are 1. experience (of the shop and their techs), 2. relationships and 3. trust.

One should choose a shop to work on their car based on the experience of the shop.  If you are looking to maintain and repair a late model stock car then a dealer is well prepared for that. If you have a modified car, then find a shop that modifies and maintains cars like yours.  If I was looking to modify my car, I would not take it to a dealer, they mostly work just on stock late model cars.  I certainly wouldn't want to be the guinea pig for anyone, especially if they told me they didn't want to do it.  To note, when many mechanical shops don't do body work.  They send it to their body shop or send the car out to a body shop.

Just as important as a shop develops a relationship with us, it is also important for us to develop a relationship with the shop.   Dealer shops generally will treat customers who purchased their cars there better than ones who just use their shop.  Many offer free loaners, and some may prioritize those who purchased their cars there.   So when one buys a car, sometimes it is just as important to look at where you will have the car serviced, as well as the purchase price.  When we bring our cars in for service, we should be as nice as possible.  We need to work with our service managers, writers and techs.  We really are a team, working together for a common goal (fix the car correctly).

Trust, yes dealers are more expensive.  Does that mean they are ripping us off?  No.  They (dealers and techs) need to make a buck too.  When you bring in your car for warranty service, the dealer is generally reimbursed at a significantly lower rate than a independent shop would receive.  To make up for this they do charge a higher rate, also many dealers have higher costs due to required equipment (that they will rent out to an independent), higher payrolls, etc.  We need to ask ourselves when dealing with anyone, is this guy just trying to make more money or does he have my best interest in hand? You won't always answer this question correctly, but who is perfect.  There are some shops and/or techs that have a reputation for needless up selling.  You will find this in any business.

 

THE NORTHERN SUBURBS NEEDS AN INDEPENDENT PORSCHE REPAIR FACILITY WITH EXPERIENCED TECHS THAT CAN MODIFY AND MAINTAIN OUR CARS!!!!!!

[Wellardmac]

catchacab wrote:

[size=6]THE NORTHERN SUBURBS NEEDS AN INDEPENDENT PORSCHE REPAIR FACILITY WITH EXPERIENCED TECHS THAT CAN MODIFY AND MAINTAIN OUR CARS!!!!!!

Amen to that! This area is screaming out for someone.

[ccm911]

I have had great luck with Tillson's, as well as J&J Motors.  Both are convenient to the Main Line, as well as the R5, so pre work dropoffs are no problem.

Both shops are convenient, Courteous, and do excellent work.  And their prices are not bad either.  A small shop has no time to upsell, they just fix your car for a fair price and know you will be back.

[smankow]

well stated, Chris.

As for upselling, it's really a matter of what they are trying to upsell.  As an example, if you bring in your car for some reason and they recommend performing an upcoming maintenance that's not bad and you only have to bring in the car once.  On the other hand, recommending that they perform a "low mileage" service that doesn't make sense, is a different issue.

I guess it's all relative.

[Wally]

ccm911 wrote:

I have had great luck with Tillson's, as well as J&J Motors. Both are convenient to the Main Line, as well as the R5, so pre work dropoffs are no problem.

Yo Chris, One thing I know is that I'll never use you as a navagator for a rally. Brian would be using the R5 east, not the R5 west. The main line is about 1 to 1 1/2 hrs. from his work destination by train.

Wally

[Wellardmac]

smankow wrote:

well stated, Chris.

As for upselling, it's really a matter of what they are trying to upsell. As an example, if you bring in your car for some reason and they recommend performing an upcoming maintenance that's not bad and you only have to bring in the car once. On the other hand, recommending that they perform a "low mileage" service that doesn't make sense, is a different issue.

I guess it's all relative.

It is all relative. I have no problem with performing preventative maintenance and expect it of my dealer, as I don't always keep a track on what's upcoming, or needs doing. Thankfully, they've not done "low milage" services on me, or pulled service items forwards from a higher milage service to a lower one (Although, I've had that from other local dealers)

My main issues with them were around charging more for parts and labor than other places. To install a MAF they charged 75 minutes (a 15 min job that I only discovered later) and their quote for installation of my aero kit was $1500 higher than the next nearest quote and $2500 more than I eventually paid. I watch them very closely, as my stories are sadly not alone amoung my friends. Apparently they have a liking for wanting to change ball joints prematurely.

[Mike Andrews]

He he... you said ball and premature in the same sentence..........

 

To you guys looking for an independant in this area, what would be a fair hourly rate (based on the actual rate) for you?