I live in Birmingham, AL and bought my 2004 Boxster new at Tom Williams Porsche-Audi in June 2004.
The sales staff have been excellent and I received a great deal on my Boxster. I traded my Infiniti G35 6MT Sedan also receiving a great trade in amount.
I have 7200 miles on it so far and I have autocrossed it once.
I brought my Boxster in today to schedule an early first service because I "drive" the car. I wanted mainly to have the wheels rebalanced and to have the oil changed.
When I approached the Service Advisor and explained what I wanted done and asked a few additional questions about servicing the Boxster.
This is where the attitude started. After I told him I'm bringing it in for my first service, he went into upsell mode. He wanted to look into the service history of the car and suggest some other things I might want to look at.
I explained to him again that the Boxster only has 7200 miles on it. Ignoring me, he insisted on looking up the "service history" on the car.
I said to him again its an 04 and it only has 7200 miles on it. It does not have a service history yet. He starts to bang on the computer keyboard attempting to look up service history on the car.
I snatched the keyboard from him and calmly said, " It is a new car, its an 04 Boxster, it does not have a service history yet."
His next question really pissed me off. He stated, "well we don't know what the previous owner has done to the car or what service has been done."
Now I'm getting loud. I said, "look, I am the original owner of the car. I bought it brand new here in June of this year. I'm bringing it in for my first service early, thats it!"
By this time the Service Manager comes out of her office, where she recognized me and asked what the problem was.
I went on to explain why I was there and had a chance to sound off about their first screw up in addition to this one.
The Monday before July 4th, I picked up a huge screw in my right rear 18" Pirelli tire. I called the dealership as soon as I discovered the problem and had the order a tire for me. Long story short, they never ordered the tire because there were 3 versions of that tire, and the failed to call me back to clarify the issue. When I came in to pick up the tire on Thursday, they did not have it and could not get it that day. That was strike one.
I ended up taking my car 170 miles east to Atlanta to have the tire swapped at Jim Ellis Porsche in Chamblee.
I told her this was my first new Porsche and my third Porsche all together. I went on to say how fed up I was with getting my car in for a near emergency back in July and a simple service today.
She attempted to remedy the situation, and I stopped her short. I explained that this was the second time in less than 6 months where I have had a problem with their service department. I also explained I live about 10 miles from the dealership, but I have taken my car 170 miles to Atlanta to get what I needed done which is rediculous. I told her I will be taking it to Jim Ellis in Atlanta again and will never come back.
I explained to her when I had my Infiniti, treatment in the dealership was consistent anywhere in the country. I also told her I don't have any hassel from Hyundai where I have my wife's new Santa Fe is serviced. I expected a little more from a Porsche Dealership.
I love my new Boxster but getting it serviced locally is a real pain in the ...
I have only had my new Boxster for 3 1/2 months and strongly considering going back to Infiniti and picking up another G35 6 speed sedan or coupe if service with Porsche continues to be a nightmare.
David
2004 Boxster, Guards Red, 18" Carrera Light Alloys