South

Greetings! Had a question about some maintenance costs for my 991.2 GT3. Car is due for its 4 year maintenance, and needs a little extra love. Trying to decide which of these items make sense (if any) to do at the dealer and which do not. I am also curious how 3rd party mechanic work is viewed among the Porsche community.

I fully understand that this is not a Toyota Camry, and there will be some heavy expenses...but I also don't want to get taken advantage of. I'm no mechanic; I just drive 'em.

They did a video inspection and showed me some significant wear on the inside of the tires, indicating I'd need an alignment and new tires. They're at 5/32s so they have some life left in them from that respect, but there was some definite uneven wear. Photo here: https://imgur.com/a/UfEngxt



Here's the overall line-item assessment from my local dealer:

1.) Mount and balance 4 tires: $2340.68

2.) Alignment: $279

3.) Bi-annual brake fluid flush: $270.53

4.) Spark plug replacement: $990.98

5.) SANITIZED CLIMATE SYSTEM TO PURIFY THE HVAC WITH AN ANTI-BACTERIAL FOGGING AGENT ALONG WITH POLLEN FILTER REPLACEMENT (all caps theirs, they're excited about this one): $321.45

6.) Replace engine air filter: $755.46

7.) DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT DUE: $907.04

For a total of $5865.14.

Looking for general feedback here. Thanks in advance!

technivoro.us

Probably depends on where you're located.

I recently had a similar set of services

Engine air filter change - $511
Serpentine belt replacement - $677
Install four new Michelin PS4S tires - $1950
Alignment - $249

This was at Porsche Pittsburgh.

technivoro.us

This one's funny. The cabin filters (there are two) are $70 for the set, and require no tools to replace https://www.suncoastparts.com/product/PK991POL.html

Unless there's an unholy funk in your HVAC I wouldn't pay anyone to do this.

South

I'm east of you. Porsche of the Main Line (near Philly). Thanks for the response!

DiscoWagon

Those prices don't seem outrageous for a dealership, definitely cheaper at an indy shop. IMO, as long as you go to someone who specializes in Porsches, I don't think it matters.

pjazz

Only thing I find questionable is if they replace the engine filter why would it be so much more to replace the belt if you already have the bumper off.

LS-1

I agree that an indy shop is a better bet. Being in the mid-Atlantic you should have no shortage of solid indy mechs that im sure folks on here can point you in the right direction. I've also found dealership prices to be negotiable. Ask for a % discount since the work is significant.

And yeah, dont pay anyone for the cabin filter.

krell

If you were in the Chicago area I'd tell you to bring it over and we'll at least do the brake fluid and plugs.

I too vote for an independent shop that is familiar with these cars.

JC Lacayo

Tyre shops can do the work (#1&#2) well and not be anywhere near that cost.
#5...?! wth ?!

#7 was an argued issue because if your gt3 is low mileage (under 10k) when the belts are replaced, they
appeared brand new without wear. The tensile experts argued the material aged regardless of use and should be replaced.

If you are out of warranty, +1 Indy shop (more points if they also work on racing Porsches)

Larry Cable

this is what I was told also...if there is a CHANCE of the belt failing ... well a new belt is cheaper than a new engine

NHmacan

First, if you find a good independent shop that specializes in Porsche there is no shame in that. I think a large portion of the posters on this forum use an Indi. Post in the East US forum and ask who is good in your area. These cars are expensive and need to be maintained, but that doesn't mean you need to bend over for a dealer.

1.) Mount and balance 4 tires: $2340.68 If these are PS4S price sounds good. If they are Cup2s this is a steal.

2.) Alignment: $279 I don't think this is bad, but I just paid $1,200 for a track alignment so I'm probably not the person to answer.

3.) Bi-annual brake fluid flush: $270.53 I don't know about this as I have never paid attention to what my brake flushes cost, but also doesn't sound out of line.

4.) Spark plug replacement: $990.98 See above.

5.) SANITIZED CLIMATE SYSTEM TO PURIFY THE HVAC WITH AN ANTI-BACTERIAL FOGGING AGENT ALONG WITH POLLEN FILTER REPLACEMENT (all caps theirs, they're excited about this one): $321.45. This is so easy to do your self even if you don't like working on cars. watch a Youtube video it's as easy as changing a light bulb. You can buy everything including the garbage they want to spray in your vents for $100.

6.) Replace engine air filter: $755.46 Highway robbery if they are doing the belt replacement this should be less than $200 you can buy the filters from Suncoast for $85 and it takes me less than 30 minutes to remove the rear bumper cover and open my airbox and I'm no professional. If you do the belt make sure you say something to them about the bumper already being off for the belt service.

7.) DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT DUE: $907.04 I have no idea how long this takes I think on my Carrera it was like $1,300 for plugs, belt, and air filter at my Indi.

For a total of $5865.14.

Looking for general feedback here. Thanks in advance!

Larry Cable

might as well use BMC eng. air filters while you are at it...

marcus1982

why need for a new engine?

sasportas

Do all the maintenance.

Plugs, air filter, serpentine, alignment, brake flush.

You can change the cabin filters yourself.

I change my filters and spark plugs every year no matter what. My engine purrs!!!!!!

Larry Cable

if that belt breaks ...