981 Four year service

981 Four year service

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StevenRugg

Original Poster:

181 posts

118 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
quotequote all
Hi,

Last year I bought a 981 Cayman, which I believe is soon due its four year old service. I don't quite get what needs doing though. The car's computer says three things:
Screen Name Service Name Date
Service interval 1.. 'Service' 7 / 2017
Service interval 2.. 'Interm. service' 5 / 2017
Service interval 3.. 'Oil change' 5 / 2017


From reading the book, I see the four year one is a 'major', which I presume is the first one in that list, dated July. So how or why are the other two apparently due earlier? Also don't both the major and minor (intermediate) services both include an oil change, which for some reasons gets its own screen?

Finally, when is brake fluid meant to be changed? I couldn't see this mentioned in the handbook at all, but see it mentioned on the price list.

Is something messed up from previous owner/dealer, or is this normal? The stamps in the book suggest it's had one service before now, at two years old. Car was bought from main dealer, so I implicitly trust its history to be good. Any help appreciated!




EnS

97 posts

148 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
quotequote all
I've recently bought a 981S and had the 4 yr 'major' service completed.Apart from the oil change I had the brake fluid changed ( which was also carried out at the 2 yr service interval ) and the spark plugs replaced.

Green1man

549 posts

87 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
quotequote all
Major service,
Brake fluid.
Spark plugs
Check of drive belt.

Those are what is required I believe , OPC will receive you of >£1000 for the pleasure.

n4aat

457 posts

211 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
quotequote all
As above plus they try to sell you new tyre sealant as well.

Got mine in a month. Got it for £977 without the tyre sealant.

mr pg

1,947 posts

204 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
quotequote all
Green1man said:
Major service,
Brake fluid.
Spark plugs
Check of drive belt.

Those are what is required I believe , OPC will receive you of >£1000 for the pleasure.
Just had the above plus MOT done for £950 on my 4 year old 981 CS.

mr pg

1,947 posts

204 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
quotequote all
mr pg said:
Just had the above plus MOT done for £950 on my 4 year old 981 CS.
oh yeh, forgot about the sealant so call it a grand.

StevenRugg

Original Poster:

181 posts

118 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
quotequote all
Blimey, that's not really what I was hoping for. Thanks for the responses though. Very useful.

So what's this tyre sealant about? I've not heard this mentioned before as part of a service. Is it a replacement of the stuff to squirt in the tyre when you get a puncture, because at four years old it's no good anymore? I don't imagine I'll go for that, given the option.

And does anyone know what the brake fluid interval actually is, as I couldn't find it in the book?

I think I'll have to get myself down my local OPC at the weekend and see what they have to say as I don't know if all this is needed by May or July.

bcr5784

7,104 posts

144 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
quotequote all
StevenRugg said:
And does anyone know what the brake fluid interval actually is, as I couldn't find it in the book?

.
I don't think there is a definite interval - though there seems to be a general view that it should be done every couple of years. The issue is that brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs water) and so its boiling point falls over time. However an OPC or decent Indy will have the kit to measure the amount of water absorbed - and so whether a change is required. Or you can stump up around £100 or so every couple of years to be on the safe side.

mr pg

1,947 posts

204 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
quotequote all
The tyre sealant has a use by date on, and brake fluid is recommended every 2 years (in line with most manufacturers).

StevenRugg

Original Poster:

181 posts

118 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
quotequote all
Ok, thanks for the responses everyone. Very helpful. I'll be booking it in soon then for all of these things.

Forewarned is forearmed...

SV_WDC

679 posts

88 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
quotequote all
Believe brake fluid is done every 2 years, regardless of mileage.
Brake fluid changes are usually several pages on from the service ones, but does get it's own stamp/details completed, same you will get with a service

bcr5784

7,104 posts

144 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
quotequote all
Just checked my service book - definitely says every 2 years. (One of the "additional services" on the page before the stamps)

Pterri

11 posts

90 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
quotequote all
The 'normal' oil change is every four years but I THINK the 'puter has a clever algorithm built in that takes into account how the car is used so can recommend an earlier oil change or even service earlier? Could be talking nonsense.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
quotequote all
Oil change is definitely every 2 years (max'). Brake fluid is usually every 2 years as well - I wouldn't leave it to 4.

There are some expensive air filters which get changed ridiculously often if you're not doing a big mileage and don't live in a desert!

Where I'd draw the line is if they're trying to do a £250 spark plug change at 4 years on a low mileage car which doesn't live in a city.

gtsralph

1,186 posts

143 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
quotequote all
Suggest you look up Opie Oils and check the price of their 8 litre "kit" of correct oil.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-681-engine-oil-car-oil... - Select Cayman year and model - 981CS is...

Mobil 1 0W-40 New Life Fully Synthetic Engine Oil
Service Pack: 8 litres is currently £65.50 less 10% discount if a member of PCGB (other clubs available) and free shipping.

Porsche Centre would charge over £100 for the oil and give you another litre for £11 for topping up.

See whether your Porsche Centre will price match Opie else supply oil yourself. Also check their price for 1L brake fluid, see what brand/type they would use and check price from Opie.

My Centre price matched a year ago when Opie was £75 but declined when it went down into the £60s.

huytonman

328 posts

193 months

Tuesday 4th April 2017
quotequote all
My 981S was serviced by Brooklands last August, full service, brake fluid, spark plugs £847. I have used them for the last couple of years and they have always responded well to me saying I can get things done cheaper at an Indie i.e. they apply a discount to their standard labour rate to try to secure the work.

StevenRugg

Original Poster:

181 posts

118 months

Tuesday 4th April 2017
quotequote all
Interesting. I always forget about the one at Brooklands. By default I was just going to head to the big OPC at Guildford. Reckon the non-OPC dealers are more flexible on price?

Green1man

549 posts

87 months

Tuesday 4th April 2017
quotequote all
gtsralph said:
Suggest you look up Opie Oils and check the price of their 8 litre "kit" of correct oil.

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-681-engine-oil-car-oil... - Select Cayman year and model - 981CS is...

Mobil 1 0W-40 New Life Fully Synthetic Engine Oil
Service Pack: 8 litres is currently £65.50 less 10% discount if a member of PCGB (other clubs available) and free shipping.

Porsche Centre would charge over £100 for the oil and give you another litre for £11 for topping up.

See whether your Porsche Centre will price match Opie else supply oil yourself. Also check their price for 1L brake fluid, see what brand/type they would use and check price from Opie.

My Centre price matched a year ago when Opie was £75 but declined when it went down into the £60s.
£50 from Costco. For 2*4 litre Mobil1. Good luck providing it to your OPC though. £142 I just payed to them for 8 litres on a minor service. But these are 'fixed price' services so...?

dipsy

8 posts

118 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
just had my four year service and MOT done at Porscshe Leeds, along with Brake Fluid change, charged completely differently to everyone else here £607.26!!!

She did say that she was charging me for minor although did major service and all book marked up accordingly!

mr pg

1,947 posts

204 months

Monday 17th April 2017
quotequote all
dipsy said:
just had my four year service and MOT done at Porscshe Leeds, along with Brake Fluid change, charged completely differently to everyone else here £607.26!!!

She did say that she was charging me for minor although did major service and all book marked up accordingly!
Did that include the spark plug change?