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I think everyone will be amazed and entertained by the attached screen shot of the proposed work order for my 2008 997 4S.
I purchased the car about 5 years ago from a Porsche dealer in New Jersey. Did a minor service at a local indy shop. It sat most of the time.
I brought it to my local Porsche dealer and they want $6k to do the following:
Brake fluid flush and bleed $300
New battery $600 (!!!!)
Wiper blades (x3) $100
Serpentine Belt $317
AC Micro Filter $220
Air Filter $270
Spark Plugs $960 (!!!)
Tire Pressure Sensor ***. Replace ($410!!)
4 Tires Mount and Balance $1814 (!)
Fuel Level sensor calibration $190
Oil change ($450!!!)
I know the dealerships will rob you blind but I wanted to make sure the work was done right. However, this seems absolutely exorbitant and I want to take the care somewhere else just on principle!
What do you guys think? Are you as insulted as I am?
It's not spending too much money that pisses me off. It's the feeling of being taken advantage of. Know what I mean?
Some of that stuff (wiper blades, filters) you can do yourself for very cheap. Tires and TPMS you can do at any decent tire place. The rest can be done by an Indy for cheaper. None of that screams dealer service to me, like PDK service or sensitive engine parts.
Look for an Indie with Porsche trained staff. Maybe I'm just lucky with mine, but they figure they are there for me while the dealer figures I'm there for them.
Brake fluid flush and bleed $20 Buy Pentosin Brake fluid from Autozone and get a friend to pump the brakes for you. New battery $600 (!!!!) $175 Buy battery from Walmart, pepboys...etc. Wiper blades (x3) $60 you can find them anywhere. Serpentine Belt $317 $30 from FCP Euro and find instruction on youtube. But if you're not comfortable, then just pay the shop. AC Micro Filter $220 $20 generic or $50 OEM from Pelicans...etc Easy as pie to replace. Air Filter $270 $37 Suncoast or ....Easy as pie to replace Spark Plugs $960 (!!!) This is tougher to do, so pay the shop. Tire Pressure Sensor ***. Replace ($410!!) $150 parts and give them to the tire shop to replace with tires. 4 Tires Mount and Balance $1814 (!) Actually, this is about right. $1425 + tax from tirerack, free ship to the shop, $50 per tire to mount and balance. Fuel Level sensor calibration $190 pay the shop Oil change ($450!!!) $80 2 x 5qt jug from walmart + $20 filter
Last edited by speedracerf4i; 04-08-2022 at 03:03 PM.
The good news is that everything the dealer found that needs fixing seems like the correct things to fix/repair, especially since it sat for most of the time.
I think that Porsche dealers figure some people will just say "OK" to a proposal like that.
As has already been said, everything on that list is either pretty basic work or a straight up DIY.
The spark plugs would be the most challenging to do and they're really not that hard, just time consuming.
The next hardest would be the serpentine belt and that is not a difficult job. Tires.....Well you might not feel comfortable with a discount
tire shop doing the work, but there should be a quality shop in your area. Otherwise a good independent shop, especially one that does any amount
of Porsche work should be more than capable of tackling the list.
The replacement cost for the battery was the one item that really grabbed me.
Yeah, you can DIY a lot of that stuff, I certainly do. I'd be in the poor house if I had the dealer service both of my Porsches :-)
Having said that, those prices, arent THAT bad for dealer service.. The car cost almost 100K when new 14 years ago.. High car prices lead to high service costs.
and yes, most people just pay the bill and move on.. the dealer counts on people like that to keep the doors open and the expresso machine running.
As others said you can do a lot or all of that (if you know what you are doing) and save a lot. As far as dealer prices, some items are a bit high but overall is typical dealer costs in n inflated 2022 world, for a lot of deferred maintenance. So, no surprise.
You cannot do tires/TPMS sensors but a good tire shop/TireRack will be cheaper. Plugs and serpentine belt may be iffy as a DIY. Brake bleeding make sure you know what you are doing, same for oil change.
I think that Porsche dealers figure some people will just say "OK" to a proposal like that.
As has already been said, everything on that list is either pretty basic work or a straight up DIY.
The spark plugs would be the most challenging to do and they're really not that hard, just time consuming.
The next hardest would be the serpentine belt and that is not a difficult job. Tires.....Well you might not feel comfortable with a discount
tire shop doing the work, but there should be a quality shop in your area. Otherwise a good independent shop, especially one that does any amount
of Porsche work should be more than capable of tackling the list.
The replacement cost for the battery was the one item that really grabbed me.
Problem is - people DO say ok to a proposal like that. That's why the dealers do it.
One of the great things about this Forum is the sharing of experience, knowledge, and resources - so that Porsche owners can make informed decisions about all kinds of things related to 911 ownership.
Ah.... I think we have another budding DIY'er here! Congrats. Adam, welcome!
I won't add to the information here other than you can buy all the tools you need to do all this work and still come out way ahead. Harbor Freight is your friend. Even buying a jack, torque wrench, and those funky torx sockets you will need... well.. consider them free! and you still walk away with money in your pocket. The toughest job is the spark plugs... lotsa disassembly to get in there, but really not hard to do at all. Tools and a healthy dose of dealer contempt are the key.
BTW, plugs, belts, filters etc can all be purchased at big discounts from places like FCP Euro and others. Look for "OEM" and you will get good stuff at a big discount.
Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)
Last edited by Bruce In Philly; 04-08-2022 at 08:13 PM.
04-08-2022, 02:33 PM
Please Help! $6k Service! - WTF?!
