What service do I need for my 996?

What service do I need for my 996?

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Discussion

INWB

Original Poster:

896 posts

106 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
Hey

I am a bit stuck on what service to expect on my car due to mileage. It is 2003 so technically on 2 year service but no way am I doing that. I want to ensure it is kept in prime condition and here is the last couple of years services-


23.6.14 49414 Nine Excellence Service Minor
23.8.14 00000 Nine Excellence Exhaust change no stamp
22.12.14 51522 Porsche Torque MOT, Oil Change, HID repair, Gundo no stamp
3.7.15 53405 Porsche Torque MOT and minor work no stamp
7.7.15 53411 Porsche Torque Clutch Slave Cyl and clutch kit no stamp
9.7.15 00000 911Virgin Inspection Delivery no stamp

It has now done 55,200 after I purchased it on 1st October 2015.

(also still need recommendations for east midlands servicing. Just left a message for Leicester OPC but would welcome alternatives as I prefer indi's )

Many thanks



INWB

Original Poster:

896 posts

106 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
nobody???

Twinfan

10,125 posts

103 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
So it last had a minor service two years ago, with an oil change 6 months later for some reason?

When was the last major service? Was the brake fluid changed? If it was me, and it hadn't had a major for a while, I'd get it to an OPC for a major with brake fluid change to reset the clock, using indies after that if that's what you want to do.

river_rat

683 posts

202 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
Yeah I agree, major service and brake fluid change - but no need to take it to an OPC for that, an indie can do that no problem.

INWB

Original Poster:

896 posts

106 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
Thanks guys.

I've been quoted £295 for a major plus £80 for brake change from OPC Leicester. That seems fair as they will give me a car for the day as well. I was thinking of taking it to PCT in Coventry but he wanted to see it before giving me a price.

Trev450

6,314 posts

171 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
Given the 'sketchy' service record, I would suggest a plug change too.

INWB

Original Poster:

896 posts

106 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
Trev450 said:
Given the 'sketchy' service record, I would suggest a plug change too.
It doesn't have a sketchy service record and the plugs were done less than 20,000 miles ago. Plugs are fine.

oldnbold

1,280 posts

145 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
If you prefer an indy I can recommend GCR in Leicester.

http://gcrcentral.co.uk/

They have done a first rate job on my 993. Give Chris a ring and have a chat about the cars service history and use and see what he recommends. I've found them to be as honest as the day is long, unlike some.

Trev450

6,314 posts

171 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
INWB said:
Trev450 said:
Given the 'sketchy' service record, I would suggest a plug change too.
It doesn't have a sketchy service record and the plugs were done less than 20,000 miles ago. Plugs are fine.
You asked for advice and I offered some on the information you'd given. If you had provided a complete picture I wouldn't have wasted my time.

mikees

2,745 posts

171 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
quotequote all
Zentrum are a great Indie. Ditto on the service if I buy a car with unreliable history I'd have a very big one or ask the indies advice. Ps zentrum not too expensive


mike

lynchygt3

633 posts

182 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
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Nothing wrong with 2 year servicing... I stuck to this for the 7 years I had my 2004 turbo and it never missed a beat between. Unless you are doing mega miles why not stick to the manufacturers recommendations ?

Do an oil change and inspection after a hard track day, get it looked at if you feel or hear anything out of the ordinary other than that jobs a good un.

jimbobs

429 posts

255 months

Thursday 21st April 2016
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Zentrum in Nottingham get another vote from me. Really enthusiastic guys and good value too...

Nobby Diesel

2,051 posts

250 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
quotequote all
Seeing how the car is now 13 years old and has a non OPC service record, I can see no point in going the OPC route.
As for which service, that's a tricky one, as there seem to have been jobs done on and ad hoc basis.
I think I would look to a major service, including belt, brake fluid and gearbox oil change, but forget the plugs, if you want. If you get the whole lot done, you will have a solid and reliable reference point for yourself and it will get the car back to a start point for a properly structured service regime.
As for recommending a good indie, I'm afraid that I can't help. Not my part of the world.

What I would say is, that you might well find a greater depth of knowledge about the 996 at an indie, as opposed to an OPC. It always strikes me that the age of the techs/mechanics, is older in the indie network than the OPC. I have to question how extensive can the knowledge be of older cars, with the younger techs?

INWB

Original Poster:

896 posts

106 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
quotequote all
Nobby Diesel said:
Seeing how the car is now 13 years old and has a non OPC service record, I can see no point in going the OPC route.
As for which service, that's a tricky one, as there seem to have been jobs done on and ad hoc basis.
I think I would look to a major service, including belt, brake fluid and gearbox oil change, but forget the plugs, if you want. If you get the whole lot done, you will have a solid and reliable reference point for yourself and it will get the car back to a start point for a properly structured service regime.
As for recommending a good indie, I'm afraid that I can't help. Not my part of the world.

What I would say is, that you might well find a greater depth of knowledge about the 996 at an indie, as opposed to an OPC. It always strikes me that the age of the techs/mechanics, is older in the indie network than the OPC. I have to question how extensive can the knowledge be of older cars, with the younger techs?
Thanks for the advice (and others above). I will have a major done with brake and gearbox done. Will give GCR a call today

griffter

3,981 posts

254 months

Friday 22nd April 2016
quotequote all
As a reference, rpm technik list fixed prices for servicing and additional jobs (eg plugs) on their website. I emailed a number of indies for quotes, as well as my local opc for an "all the fluids" service on my c4. Check the quotes you have include vat and parts (yes really) because they're a lot lower than the consistent figures I got (£800-£1100 all in).

Rockster

1,508 posts

159 months

Saturday 23rd April 2016
quotequote all
INWB said:
Hey

I am a bit stuck on what service to expect on my car due to mileage. It is 2003 so technically on 2 year service but no way am I doing that. I want to ensure it is kept in prime condition and here is the last couple of years services-


23.6.14 49414 Nine Excellence Service Minor
23.8.14 00000 Nine Excellence Exhaust change no stamp
22.12.14 51522 Porsche Torque MOT, Oil Change, HID repair, Gundo no stamp
3.7.15 53405 Porsche Torque MOT and minor work no stamp
7.7.15 53411 Porsche Torque Clutch Slave Cyl and clutch kit no stamp
9.7.15 00000 911Virgin Inspection Delivery no stamp

It has now done 55,200 after I purchased it on 1st October 2015.

(also still need recommendations for east midlands servicing. Just left a message for Leicester OPC but would welcome alternatives as I prefer indi's )

Many thanks
What I have followed with my Porsches is a 5K mile oil/filter service schedule. If you don't drive 5K miles per year I'd recommend you change the oil every year. I think Porsche recommends this too.

If you track the car my advice is to show up at the track with fresh oil.

Brake and if a manual transmission car clutch fluid flush/bleed is due every 2 years regardless of mileage. This is important so do not skip this.

I change the engine/cabin filters every other year. Where I live/drive neither gets particularly dirty so it is more out of habit than need. If the A/C starts to stink replace the cabin filter as this can develop an off odor.

Serpentine belt is due every 60K miles IIRC.

Every 4 to 5 years I have the coolant drained and the engine refilled with fresh coolant.

Transmission/diff fluids are due to be replaced every 90K miles (but consult your owners manual) and I either get them replaced at 90K miles or at fewer miles.

Plugs get changed on miles but there is a time component as well that one is wise to adhere to.

If the car has a serviceable fuel filter that needs to be changed on schedule.

Be sure the body water drains are free of trash and every so often blow the trash out of the radiator ducts or have the front bumper cover removed and this trash cleaned out.

INWB

Original Poster:

896 posts

106 months

Monday 25th April 2016
quotequote all
Rockster said:
What I have followed with my Porsches is a 5K mile oil/filter service schedule. If you don't drive 5K miles per year I'd recommend you change the oil every year. I think Porsche recommends this too.

If you track the car my advice is to show up at the track with fresh oil.

Brake and if a manual transmission car clutch fluid flush/bleed is due every 2 years regardless of mileage. This is important so do not skip this.

I change the engine/cabin filters every other year. Where I live/drive neither gets particularly dirty so it is more out of habit than need. If the A/C starts to stink replace the cabin filter as this can develop an off odor.

Serpentine belt is due every 60K miles IIRC.

Every 4 to 5 years I have the coolant drained and the engine refilled with fresh coolant.

Transmission/diff fluids are due to be replaced every 90K miles (but consult your owners manual) and I either get them replaced at 90K miles or at fewer miles.

Plugs get changed on miles but there is a time component as well that one is wise to adhere to.

If the car has a serviceable fuel filter that needs to be changed on schedule.

Be sure the body water drains are free of trash and every so often blow the trash out of the radiator ducts or have the front bumper cover removed and this trash cleaned out.
Thanks for that. The rads are protected by aftermarket mesh put on by a previous owner (after he had it all replaced according to invoices. I've asked for the belt to be checked and changed if needed. Glad I'm having the clutch fluid changed as I can't see that being done recently.

All booked in now so just waiting for Royal Steering Wheels to return to work next week and hopefully I can get the wheel done at the same time (nothing wrong with it but I just want something less shiny!)

grumpynuts

955 posts

159 months

Friday 29th April 2016
quotequote all
I was in a similar position with mine when I bought it, so I just had a major service done, with plugs, belt, brake fluid, gearbox and front diff oil change. I went belt and braces so I knew everything had been done. There's no way I'd have it serviced every 2 years, it's interesting, that there seems to be more bore score issues with cars that have had 2 year servicing, than those older cars on an annual service routine.

Rockster

1,508 posts

159 months

Sunday 1st May 2016
quotequote all
INWB said:
Thanks for that. The rads are protected by aftermarket mesh put on by a previous owner (after he had it all replaced according to invoices. I've asked for the belt to be checked and changed if needed. Glad I'm having the clutch fluid changed as I can't see that being done recently.

All booked in now so just waiting for Royal Steering Wheels to return to work next week and hopefully I can get the wheel done at the same time (nothing wrong with it but I just want something less shiny!)
Some owners fit the mesh. Porsche has a caution against doing this.

The mesh doesn't keep all the stuff out. Just the larger fluffier stuff, like leaves, papers. Finer stuff still makes it through the mesh. Without the fluffier stuff this finer stuff will collect and compact and build up over time.

So even with the mesh fitted you need to remove the bumper cover and clean out the ducts. At this time you can note the build up and how many miles you have covered and come up with a radiator cleaning schedule that works for you.