Rolo

Thinking of useing my local Porche certified mech to do this for me. What do you guys think?

Kevin Reilly

I'm sure that no one would argue with having the 30K service done by the best person possible, which may or may not include your local dealer. Just make sure they change all of the plugs! One is hard to access and there are many cars that get 11 out of 12 replaced!

Edited to fix the numbers!

Rohan Nath

i asked the same question when i got mine done. the consesus response was that as long as the shop does a thorough job, has knowledgable techs, and lets you watch, its fine to go to an indep.

i ended up going to the dealership b/cause they cut me a great deal. i've had a pleasant experience but next time around i'd go somewhere where they don't mind me hanging out with the techs on the floor while they work my car. dealerships are typically not very accomodating in this respect.

Bruce SEA 993

Or 11 of 12! I did the service myself with help from Robin's site...the upper rh plug is a bear. I did have the fuel filter and the belts changed by an independant.

I am a little wary of the local dealer as there is a rumor about a new 996 turbo motor getting blown up. They let a rookie do the oil service and all of the oil was not drained out and the resulting hydraulic lock trashed the motor. A new (hard to get) motor was EXPENSIVE!

At this point the dealer may not be the best as they are concentrating on the new models although YMMV.

Good luck!

STLPCA

BTW, part of what you buy in using a franchised P dealer for service/repair is a greater likelihood that the dealer will help you w/Porsche or provide "goodwill" assistance in the event of future problems.

Kevin Reilly

[quote]Originally posted by Bruce SEA 993:
<strong>Or 11 of 12! </strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks for that! Duh! <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

David in LA

I agree with Dan.

For some "no-brainer" maintenance and mods where the savings from using an independent would not be that great, I have used the dealer. They've fixed a number of things for me under goodwill - valve cover gasket leak, jammed CD changer, etc.

Sam N

"No brainer" is the key term. Also, if you don't want scratches and grease on your rear bumper, fenders, hood, etc. try avoiding the dealer. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

Mark Wheeler

What does the 30K checkup cost approximately (parts & labor) at 1) the dealer, and 2) and an Independent?

Thanks.

Rolo

[quote]Originally posted by Mark Wheeler:
<strong>What does the 30K checkup cost approximately (parts & labor) at 1) the dealer, and 2) and an Independent?

Thanks.</strong><hr></blockquote>

$800 at the dealer, $350 at the independent.

lruss

$800 for a 30k svc, is a 30k svc different to a 60k svc - if so im about to get screwed.

At same time as getting the wireing harness done ive opted for a major svc - plug's etc, their knocking 300 off the cost - 1200 less 300.

Having brakes and trans flushed at some time for 150 a piece.

Jeff 993TT

Hmm.. A 30K service costs ( in the bay area )about $1000 at the dealer and about $1800 at an independent.

$350 at an independent??? The parts for a 30K service alone cost more than that. Are you sure he not just changing the oil???

Jeff

David in LA

$350 sound like the price of a lube and oil change. I'm due for my 30K maintenance in a few months so this topic is timely

Kevin Reilly

Here was a post of mine from back in April on this subject:

**************************
I had mine done recently (excluding oil change b/c it was done by the PO just 2k miles ago). Parts for me were:

trans oil = $33
fuel filter = $18
drain plug ring = $1
fan belt = $14
washer solvent = $3
2 distrib caps = $137
2 pollen filters = $84
2 ignition rotors = $52
air filter = $19
12 plugs = $52
2 fan belts = $24

Total: $439

Those are retail prices of course, and if you add in oil and filters you're over $500 for parts. Depending on labor charges, for an extensive service (inspecting everything, adjusting minor things like the travel in the parking break etc) you could have hours add up. But of course if certain things on the list above aren't done, then then it will be less.

And if shortcuts are taken, then it could be even less. For example, with my car one of the existing plugs didn't match the other 11...the last time the the car was serviced for the PO not all the plugs were changed. I've heard that happens more often than you'd like to hear.

*******************

So like the others above, I don't imagine that $350 is the right figure for the 30K service.

Brett - 1996 C4

Anyone know if any independents can do the airbag service? I asked the guy I go to and they didn't seem to know anything about it.

Had to go to the dealer after all for that.