In What World Does This Make Sense?

[Torv]

My 2021 Taycan 4S has been at my local Porsche service center now for nearly 3 weeks. The initial issues were to address some recalls and a balky non-functional Apple CarPlay. The CarPlay diagnosis was to replace the PCM at a charge of about $6000, which was fortunately covered by my extended warranty. Yesterday, my service advisor, a truly nice guy, called to tell me the CarPlay now works, but an additional error code surfaced indicating a fault to the Night Vision I optioned when I ordered the car. My service advisor told me that the lens on the night vision camera was cracked, most likely due to a pebble hitting it at some point, and that it will cost over $8000 to repair. I asked about my extended warranty covering it and he said its unlikely because it was damaged due to external forces.

Now, there's a couple of things here that don’t add up. First, how is it possible that a $2800 option costs $8000 to fix? Second, why did Porsche design a front-facing camera lens without a simple lens protector given the high probability of some impact from a rock or pebble?

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[Murph7355]

Pretty sure there's an old thread about these lenses.

Daft design....but iirc there was a cheaper way to fix them.

 

[AutoX]

My 2021 Taycan 4S has been at my local Porsche service center now for nearly 3 weeks. The initial issues were to address some recalls and a balky non-functional Apple CarPlay. The CarPlay diagnosis was to replace the PCM at a charge of about $6000, which was fortunately covered by my extended warranty. Yesterday, my service advisor, a truly nice guy, called to tell me the CarPlay now works, but an additional error code surfaced indicating a fault to the Night Vision I optioned when I ordered the car. My service advisor told me that the lens on the night vision camera was cracked, most likely due to a pebble hitting it at some point, and that it will cost over $8000 to repair. I asked about my extended warranty covering it and he said its unlikely because it was damaged due to external forces.

Now, there's a couple of things here that don’t add up. First, how is it possible that a $2800 option costs $8000 to fix? Second, why did Porsche design a front-facing camera lens without a simple lens protector given the high probability of some impact from a rock or pebble?

I would check with your auto insurance policy to see if they would cover that damage.

 

[Torv]

I would check with your auto insurance policy to see if they would cover that damage.

My service advisor suggested that too. I'm frankly reluctant to make a claim on something that one, should not cost that much to repair and two, was the result of a design flaw.

 

[SergeyIndy]

This will always be considered a road hazard and external influence event so no warranty would cover this. I agree that filing that against insurance is the correct route, which is what the insurance is for. The insurance will negotiate a much lower price.

Similar precedent we had on the forum at my dealer and someone I now met, where the road hazard made a 3mm dent in the bottom center resulting in full battery replacement that cost around $45k with a long back and forth with insurance.

This is the channel I watch. The repair is $2,800 for the cracked lens.

 

[Tooney]

Q: "In What World Does This Make Sense?"
A: The Porsche owner's world.

But maybe you'll get a swell loaner...

 

[Torv]

This will always be considered a road hazard and external influence event so no warranty would cover this. I agree that filing that against insurance is the correct route, which is what the insurance is for. The insurance will negotiate a much lower price.

Similar precedent we had on the forum at my dealer and someone I now met, where the road hazard made a 3mm dent in the bottom center resulting in full battery replacement that cost around $45k with a long back and forth with insurance.

This is the channel I watch. The repair is $2,800 for the cracked lens.

Thanks a million for this reply. It's super helpful!

 

[FlyingPoint]

While you are at it, I suggest screens for your front cooling condensers. A pebble or other road hazard here can do a lot of damage. I use Zunnsport on my Taycan and my previous 911's. Another stellar engineering design from PAG - no road hazard protection.

 

[Porsche-Guru]

While you are at it, I suggest screens for your front cooling condensers. A pebble or other road hazard here can do a lot of damage. I use Zunnsport on my Taycan and my previous 911's. Another stellar engineering design from PAG - no road hazard protection.

The best part, Porsche do provide the front bumper grills for their 911 GT3 cars !
But not for any other model… so pebbles and road debris is only supposed to damage GT3 in Porsche’s view

 

[FlyingPoint]

The best part, Porsche do provide the front bumper grills for their 911 GT3 cars !
But not for any other model… so pebbles and road debris is only supposed to damage GT3 in Porsche’s view

I hit a bird at 145mph in my GT3 a couple years back. My front center grille was demolished but it did the job - bird disintegrated through it. I replaced the grill myself for $90. Every Taycan and 911 should leave the factory with grills. In 2014 (before I knew better) an object pierced the radiator/condenser and it was not a cheap fix. I have made it my mission never to succumb to this design failure again.

 

[AutoX]

While you are at it, I suggest screens for your front cooling condensers. A pebble or other road hazard here can do a lot of damage. I use Zunnsport on my Taycan and my previous 911's. Another stellar engineering design from PAG - no road hazard protection.

Design was intentional, lower weight, more income for dealers for eventual repair. It's a win/win for Porsche.

 

[FlyingPoint]

Design was intentional, lower weight, more income for dealers for eventual repair. It's a win/win for Porsche.

Design was intentional, lower weight, more income for dealers for eventual repair. It's a win/win for Porsche.

 

[Torv]

Design was intentional, lower weight, more income for dealers for eventual repair. It's a win/win for Porsche.

Yeah, and every gram counts. I'll bet there's an aerodynamic component to consider too — adding a lens protector might impact the drag coefficient reducing my range by a few inches.

 

[gnr3312]

While you are at it, I suggest screens for your front cooling condensers. A pebble or other road hazard here can do a lot of damage. I use Zunnsport on my Taycan and my previous 911's. Another stellar engineering design from PAG - no road hazard protection.

Can you share a picture of what this looks like? I’m interested in doing it

 

[Fish Fingers]

Design was intentional, lower weight, more income for dealers for eventual repair. It's a win/win for Porsche.

Good point
........unless buyers walk away from the brand to one that doesn't treat you like you have the word MUG written on your forehead every time you walk through the dealers front door.

Unfortunately, with the decision for the company to pivot to become more exclusive / profit focused due to their deteriorating financial position, the Porsche Tax will likely just get worse.

Personally, the UK dealer experience pushed me too far. Sold the car and won't buy another.

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