Spark plug change? Air filters change?
Discussion
Simple question: Would you let the garage change the plugs in your 981 if they've only been in for 15,000 miles?
And also: Would you let the garage change the air filters in your 981 if they've only been in for 5,000 miles?
These jobs together seem mighty expensive if they don't really need doing. It's not as if I've been driving through a sandy desert at 7,000 rpm in first gear ever since the last service!
And also: Would you let the garage change the air filters in your 981 if they've only been in for 5,000 miles?
These jobs together seem mighty expensive if they don't really need doing. It's not as if I've been driving through a sandy desert at 7,000 rpm in first gear ever since the last service!
Well, as the cars are serviced on mileage or age then if it's reached the age point (presumably 4 years for spark plug change if the 981 schedule is the same as a 987),even though it's only done low miles, then you have to have it done to maintain the correct service history. Especially if you have a Porsche warranty.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Simple question: Would you let the garage change the plugs in your 981 if they've only been in for 15,000 miles?
And also: Would you let the garage change the air filters in your 981 if they've only been in for 5,000 miles?
These jobs together seem mighty expensive if they don't really need doing. It's not as if I've been driving through a sandy desert at 7,000 rpm in first gear ever since the last service!
And also: Would you let the garage change the air filters in your 981 if they've only been in for 5,000 miles?
These jobs together seem mighty expensive if they don't really need doing. It's not as if I've been driving through a sandy desert at 7,000 rpm in first gear ever since the last service!
It seems this would be a simple 'tick box' precaution scenario really, cant see that the plugs would be seriously degraded much given the mileage, but as per the other post 'officially' at 4 years or 60K miles they should be done. Are you talking about an independent garage? or Porsche centre?
The plugs wont actually be that expensive, unless bought via the Porsche centre parts dept/or booked for change via the service program, i know Audi mark up parts by around 100% (NGK Audi TT plugs are £5.81 direct from NGK, but Audi bill the service invoice at £12+vat!) so assuming Porsche apply similar process other option is you could buy the parts direct (from whomever makes the parts, or call a supplier like Euro car parts) and then ask an Indy to fit? but this ultimately depends on your current warranty situation.
Presume if its 4 years old and unless you extended the warranty or have an approved used car with Porsche 2 year warranty you can do what you like at your own risk of course.
Porsche Centre Fixed service prices are still £485 minor, and £615 Major. Major includes the Air cleaner, but plugs (if needed by time/age) are additional cost, and think brake fluid is £95 every 2 years.
An Indy will be 50% cheaper for servicing than Porsche centre anyway, so that normally would include genuine Porsche parts depending on the Indy, and technically as long as the Indy uses Genuine parts, and follows the manufacturer recommended service schedule it 'shouldn't' affect the warranty, but for me this would be a bit of a risk, and you'd only find out how Porsche feels come warranty claim time.
For me its simply if under warranty, fork out get these done, if its not then go your own way, and personally id go to a independent Porsche specialist once the warranty has expired.
Andy
For information the Spark plug change for my Cayman R was £375 which is the OPC standard price. I got my local OPC to do it because although I bought the car privately, I noticed form the service history that it hadn't been done at the 4 year service six months earlier. That service was done at another OPC as part of the sale when the previous owner bought it from them. I don't blame the service department for not doing the plugs at the time, I think it was more likely the sales department trying to make the most of their margin my not having it done. Seeing as the extended warranty that was passed to me was substantial, I decided it was better to suck it up to make sure the history complied with the warranty terms.
Yes, OPC quoted c.£1,000
Someone mentioned warranty above. No I didn't extend so can do what I like. I tend to flex the manufacturer service recommendations to fit how the car's actually been used.
- £610 for service
- £95 for brake fluid
- £240 for plugs
- £55 MOT
Someone mentioned warranty above. No I didn't extend so can do what I like. I tend to flex the manufacturer service recommendations to fit how the car's actually been used.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Yes, OPC quoted c.£1,000
Someone mentioned warranty above. No I didn't extend so can do what I like. I tend to flex the manufacturer service recommendations to fit how the car's actually been used.
- £610 for service
- £95 for brake fluid
- £240 for plugs
- £55 MOT
Someone mentioned warranty above. No I didn't extend so can do what I like. I tend to flex the manufacturer service recommendations to fit how the car's actually been used.
That does seem expensive, to be honest its all the cost of labour, and not parts isn't it. I was told Porsche centre charge £138+vat per hour, which is why the minor service ends up being £485 which to me coming from Audi and BMW's even seems a bit rich on a Boxster/cayman, what surprised me was service costs for more premium models like the 911/991 are the same as for the boxster and Cayman, unlike bmw who have separate service costs for its M model vs cooking models.
I've already spoken to my local indy about having the services done once warranty has expired, and they quoted me £220 minor and £300 Major, didn't ask about plugs, and Brake fluid was £50.
The £240 to swap 6 plugs is very steep....did they break down the labour costs on that? and parts prices? it stuns me as plugs are no more than £20 even for high end platinum tipped quad electrode stuff...robbery.
Must say it did also surprise me that Porsche dont include the plug costs in the Major services, or at least discount the service if they are not needed, bmw charges £899 for the M3 inspection 2 service, £699 for the inspection 1 and this includes 6 premium plugs, diff oil, and valve clearances to be done, so this makes the Porsche services look very harsh pricing in my opinion.
I will be using my local indy when the time comes:
http://www.specialistcarsltd.co.uk/
Head for the Indy garages mate.
Andy
Do you think I could run a business only changing Porsche spark plugs at half OPC prices?! 
I'd only need to do one car a day, be a nice easy life. I could really clean up by offering air and cabin filters too. Basically all the cream that OPC do at half price. I come to you and do it on site. I live in London so probably highest porsche per square mile in England.
I'd only need to do one car a day, be a nice easy life. I could really clean up by offering air and cabin filters too. Basically all the cream that OPC do at half price. I come to you and do it on site. I live in London so probably highest porsche per square mile in England.CoolHands said:
Do you think I could run a business only changing Porsche spark plugs at half OPC prices?! I'd only need to do one car a day, be a nice easy life. I could really clean up by offering air and cabin filters too. Basically all the cream that OPC do at half price. I come to you and do it on site. I live in London so probably highest porsche per square mile in England.
Why not ... I've just used a mobile specialist for my C55 AMG. I know of some work from home Porsche guys but none that are mobile as such, but I'm sure they must exist. I'd only need to do one car a day, be a nice easy life. I could really clean up by offering air and cabin filters too. Basically all the cream that OPC do at half price. I come to you and do it on site. I live in London so probably highest porsche per square mile in England.Ozzie Osmond said:
Yes, OPC quoted c.£1,000
Someone mentioned warranty above. No I didn't extend so can do what I like. I tend to flex the manufacturer service recommendations to fit how the car's actually been used.
That's what pays for all the s- £610 for service
- £95 for brake fluid
- £240 for plugs
- £55 MOT
Someone mentioned warranty above. No I didn't extend so can do what I like. I tend to flex the manufacturer service recommendations to fit how the car's actually been used.
te and shinny stuff in your local PC.CoolHands said:
Do you think I could run a business only changing Porsche spark plugs at half OPC prices?! I'd only need to do one car a day, be a nice easy life. I could really clean up by offering air and cabin filters too. Basically all the cream that OPC do at half price. I come to you and do it on site. I live in London so probably highest porsche per square mile in England.
If you were an independent Porsche Road Assistance, I see a major potential for your business I'd only need to do one car a day, be a nice easy life. I could really clean up by offering air and cabin filters too. Basically all the cream that OPC do at half price. I come to you and do it on site. I live in London so probably highest porsche per square mile in England.
Most of our cars are covered by break down, but I've never met a road assistance yet equipped or knowledgable to open or basic check mid or rear engine porsches. They are clueless and quite scared to touch anything -obviously- so even for a small repair, they can just tow it to the garage.
ooid said:
If you were an independent Porsche Road Assistance, I see a major potential for your business
Most of our cars are covered by break down, but I've never met a road assistance yet equipped or knowledgable to open or basic check mid or rear engine porsches. They are clueless and quite scared to touch anything -obviously- so even for a small repair, they can just tow it to the garage.
That's quite interesting, I don't know if you saw my other thread?Most of our cars are covered by break down, but I've never met a road assistance yet equipped or knowledgable to open or basic check mid or rear engine porsches. They are clueless and quite scared to touch anything -obviously- so even for a small repair, they can just tow it to the garage.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
So possibly there would be potential for a travelling fault-diagnosis service and minor repairs eg if the fault was o2 sensor / fault clearing / reading over-revs etc
Edited by CoolHands on Thursday 11th August 22:21
Yes saw it, I think many of the comments there are fair. OPC already provides delivery or picking your car up anyway for major services or similar work but I think there might be a niche for cars that do not covered by Porsche warranty anymore. These cars rarely brake down but when they are,it needs loads of manual work, special tools and knowledge even to open the engine, diagnosis and etc.. (Not to mention if you have also been caught by rain)
Mini Example: I would have totally hired your services to replace my AOS (air oil seperator) with a new one!
I could even do the work by myself but do not mind letting an expert to do it at my place, rather than leaving it to a specialist.
Mini Example: I would have totally hired your services to replace my AOS (air oil seperator) with a new one!
I could even do the work by myself but do not mind letting an expert to do it at my place, rather than leaving it to a specialist.Edited by ooid on Thursday 11th August 22:31
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