Alstoy

So, just how often are you guys changing your oil? I've only changed it once a year, as advised by my dealer. I drive about 10k/year in Dallas. Also, is $900 reasonable for the "annual" service?

Likemystoppie?

I make my own coffee, and cheezburger, does that count?

Carrera GT

I haven't read this whole thread, but did anyone mention that you can always call the dealer service writer and offer to pay what you're willing to pay for whatever routine service? I do this not by picking numbers out of the air, but by using their previous offers by mail (or from competing dealers.) Just letting them know that even though I'm showing up in a GT3, I'm still price conscious translates into them paying attention to offering their lowest price (otherwise, why shouldn't they charge me the full going rate?)

Targa Tim

Thanks. I think I took this thread a little too seriously...

For OCBen, yes, I should read your thread from the joking point of view.

And no, I don't have a lot of money. I am just too lazy to do certain things.

Minok

I'm not buying that. My jeans on my butt cost the same whether I'm driving the 997 or the New Beetle. I'll pay a reasonable price... $70/hr labor (it is an oil change and and not an engine rebuild) but I'm not subsidizing hyper-expensive shop equipment that isn't used in the performance of an oil change.

$100-150 feels reasonable, if you can get to the shop conveniently. If I'd have to spend 3 hrs of my own time just getting to and from the oil change, I'd probably do it myself. Maybe I'll make my own stamp to put in my book.

JW911

I change my own oil for about $70 in materials and less than an hour of my time. I enjoy the work very much. Great personal satisfaction comes from taking care of my baby. And I save about 2 hours of time plus I can do it whenever it is convenient for me. Sundays, evenings, whatever. I save my receipts for oil and filter purchased for proof of maintenance. And I mark my book with my personal Porschephile signature. And I reset the service reminder with my own durametric software.

If you can change a tire, you can change your oil. I respect those that take it in to the dealer. But if you have an inkling to give it a try...GO FOR IT!

lockmk

just booked my '09 S in for a little warranty work (Key 1 stopped working and have an annoying rattle from the dash) and asked my local dlr to quote for an oil change. I have just under 5k from new and having done a good deal of short journeys it was a good idea. Anyway, Porsche of Stevens Creek (San Jose) quoted me $169 as a Winter Special. They fill with Mobil 1 and that seems like a good deal to me...

Da Hapa

I'm a little more conservative than the owners manual or the dealer... I get the oil and filter changed every 5,000 miles. Once this car is properly warmed, I love to exercise it and frankly, it's cheap piece of mind for me.

Deanski

Yep, oil is cheap and sure the car can go long times w/o a change, but why would you? These are performance engines. In the past, I changed the oil in my '69 L-88 Vette as often as possible. These new engines are tight and run like a fine Swiss watch. So why leave oil in a fine precision engine for long times?

Shop around if you do not want to do it youreslf, but change often and recycle the old oil, maybe your "beater" cars can use a little Mobil-1?

Deanski

dog_tired

Da Hapa speaks truth...

Wayward

You can also use a low-profile jack and simply lower the car onto a set of Race Ramps. Easy and safe. (Remember to use chocks).

cgfen

cheap?

cheap?

justifiable?

perhaps to someone more willing to part with cash than do a DIY, but not to me.

be safe

Craig

Nugget

I took my '07 C2S in for new brake pads and an oil change today. While they had the car up on the lift they spotted some seepage and the day also ended up including a warranty RMS replacement.

I'm fairly certain that if it had been me crawling around on the floor of my garage to do the oil change myself that the seepage would have gone undetected. I lack the experience and motivation required to really check out the car when I'm poking around, and to me it's worth the dealer surcharge (as ridiculous as it might be) to have an experienced Porsche mechanic looking over my car from time to time.

Minok

Really? You changed your oil daily. With practice, you could probably get it to hourly. It is possible.

It depends on what is really needed. Sure I can change my oil way more frequently than is needed, but that is just a waste of time and money. Now to some it may not be a big deal to light up and burn a $100 note every couple of months or so, but I don't see the point in the time and cost of doing an unnecessary oil change.

Dariof

They find the leaks the same way you find them. Look for the wet spot(s). Look for the oil drips clinging to the under carriage. Feel that large oil spot that hits you right between the eyes.

My 10 year old could find them, without the premium.