01 C4 Coupe with 68.7k

I will admit that we've somewhat neglected it's service over the years other than regular oil changes (though this last one was way past over due).

So I finally took it in to my new Indy that specializes in Porsches and was expecting to have about 5-7k in recommended/needed work. I figured it was time for the clutch (and thus IMSB) and that the suspension was probably about due after 13 years and expected them to find all kinds of other little things that would add up.

Walked out at $400 for an oil change and a few other minor things (fuel filling problems and a dead* brake light

According to the guy that worked on it (actually the shop owner), it's apparently one of the best 996 examples he's driven. Everything still feels great, looks good, and none of the signs of the usual suspects. The clutch is starting to get close, but still has enough life that he doesn't recommend doing it now, the suspension is still nice and firm, and no leaks any where.

It's easy to get used to your car and not notice it slowly degrade around you and given that it sits more than drives anymore we were afraid it was just rotting away on us. Feels good to have someone not yet familiar with the car give it such a glowing review.



* apparently my body shop failed to reinstall all the bulbs last time it was getting work done

 

$400 for an oil change and a few minor things? Lucky for you it didn't need what you thought. it may have been north or your estimate.

 

Nah. All was in reason with other shops in my area and they actually know the cars.

The oil change was only about $200 of that and oil changes have run from $150-200 the entire 13 years of its life. More than id like to pay, but I don't have a place to change it myself. Far better than what the dealers want anyway as they seem to think they can rip 996 owners off for what they charge 991 owners

 

"given that it sits more than drives anymore ..." Seems like a crime based on the apparent quality of the car you have! Congrats for the good news!

 

You're stupid for paying that much for an oil change. You think you need a porsche oil change specialist?

 

I pay around $300(converted to US$) here in Japan, $50 labor the rest is retail price for the oil. I end up having to buy 10L every time as they only sell my Motul of choice in 2L bottles.
If your paying more than Tokyo prices in the US I would look elsewhere.

 

As I said, I'm not in a position to do the change myself and that is the going rate from reputable Indys in my area. I've cut corners and gone for cheap oil changes in other cars and paid the price dearly (stripped plugs, under fills, over fills, oil poured all over the engine). I'll stick to reputable shops on my nice cars thank you.

Don't like it? Then I suggest you GFYS an don't move to my area.

 

When I put my 03 996 on the market (70k miles), I took it to my Indy for a PSI (pre selling inspection). Picked it up 4 hours later for less than $300. I always expect the worst, but if you maintain these cars they can give you very few problems.

 

Not sure what point you are trying to make here? Do you mean we should all change the oil ourselves or take our cars to Jiffy Lube?

 

I think we may have a new version of KK around here.

OP, I realize not everyone is capable or want to work on their cars. Don't let some of these guys get to you. I've been wrenching for 25 years but I still respect the guy that knows when things are above their level or do not want to take a chance on something. In fact I wish there were more people like that as I find a lot of Mickey Mouse fixes done on a lot of used cars.

The important thing is to have found a good Indy you can trust.

 

Oh, damn! What did the five fingers say to the face?!

 

At least KK was entertaining. So far this guy is no KK...

It's more of a place to do it. I live in a townhouse with no garage or driveway. I take the Cayenne up to my MIL's house in the boonies to do it's oil, but even though the 996 has seen it's fair share of gravel/dirt roads those aren't roads I'm willing to drive it on.

No kidding. My last old BMW had rust "repaired" with masking tape (hidden under the carpet in the foot well) and I cried when I pulled the radio out to see why it kept cutting out. The poorly welded metal plate to replace the spring platform on strut base rather than replacing the piece was lovely too in the way that it cut into the tire when turning

 

Bet if we took a Mustang in for an full syn oil to the Indy it would be $60. Because it's a Porsche we get charged $200 plus. 1 drain plug, 1 filter, should it cost $140 plus more to pour in 3 more quarts of oil?
We pay more only because we expect to pay more, and this is known.

 

To a degree yes, but we all have our thresholds too. My ex-dealer wanted $375 to do the OCI in my Cayenne and another wanted $675 (and they both would have sucked it out from the top rather than draining it!). I change that oil myself for about $100 (or have a VW dealer do it for $125+filter).

I don't like $200 oil changes, but it's within my personal pain threshold rather than having to find a friend with a garage I can borrow and getting the tools back and forth (floor jack being the main issue as one I trust won't fit in the 996).

 

Im not sure about you, but my 03 996 takes 10 quarts of oil... thats twice as much as a mustang. 10 qts of mobil 1 + filter +drain plug is about 100 bones if i do it in my drive way.