My yearly service for my 08 997 S is coming up and my car has 15k miles. I called the dealer and they said that the car needs spark plugs. I know the service interval says 3 years or 36k miles for spark plugs but arent spark plugs supposed to degrade with use and not with time.

Any input on this is appreciated. BTW, they quoted me $1200 for the service.

 

My local 3-rd party Porsche specialist shop told me after 60k. However, one of the Porsche dealers in the area told me even 60k is too early and that it's closer to 90k. So, there are two conflicting stories...

But if spark plugs need changing so soon, I would wonder why. Is there an oil leak involved?

-T

 

Take your own vasiline,they will charge for that also.

 

The owners manual says 4years/60k miles which ever comes first.
If your car was produced in 07 as an 08 model you could be due as per the factory recommendation. This is primarily to prevent the plugs from seizing in the heads rather than wear. If you are not experiencing drivability issues the plugs are probably fine.
The price you were quoted is way high. I had mine done for about $325.

 

Yikes, find a good local indie and get your yearly service done there. It doesn't matter if you're still under warranty, that stealership is trying to rape you.

 

I have heard at some point that if there is a certain oil leak, the plugs can get soaked.

So are they telling you "why" you need to change them?

I would worry about the "why" first before worrying about how much to pay to fix them.

-T

 

15K/three years is premature based on everything I've read. I replaced at 30K miles and 4.5 years and felt the difference right away. Paid approximately $350 at the P-Dealer.

 

Way too premature. I have even read recently that the 4 year time factor has been taken off, and it's driven now exclusively by the 60,000 mile milestone.

 

I had mine done last fall, prior to winter hibernation, at almost the 4-1/2 year mark, per the owner's manual. Mileage was around 37,000. Cost at the indy was about $200. I provided the OEM plugs.

The old plugs look great, but worn, as compared to a new fresh plug.

 

Thanks for all your comments. I had not taken it to the dealer yet, and was quoted over the phone...I called a local indie that specializes in Porsches, Ferraris, and Lambos and they quoted me $399. Looks like i will only go to the stealer for warranty repairs....btw, my car was at the dealer 2k miles ago (4mo ago) and I even purchased the CPO warranty from them and they said everything was perfect....I guess they dont care about keeping their customers...

 

That's BS!!!! Where are you taking your car? Assume Auto Gallery or Rusnak-WLV. 60K miles is the norm. Don't know where you work but I highly recommend Downtown L.A., but preferably with my introduction first; if that can work for you, PM me and I will help set you up. (No affiliation, just an almost 20-year customer.)

 

OP-Thanks for reminding me about this. I need to get this done. Wonder what else is out there that we need to get done? Cheers.

 

Alstoy,

Renntech.org is a more technical oriented Porsche Forum. Make a donation (about $20.00) and you get access to TSB (Porsche Technical Service Bulletins) and other useful information.

They also have Minor Maintenance and Major Maintenance lists which give a detailed listing of all items that should checked (belts, etc.) or changed (fluids, plugs, air filters, etc.).

 

The dealer was not trying to screw the OP by telling him to change the plugs at 36,000 miles, but they were wrong about the time duration of 3 years, it is actually every 4 years.

The Porsche Minor and Major Maintenance publications (PNA 000 162 EA and (PNA 000 162 EB, respectively) for 2005 - 2007 cars state that the plugs should be changed every 60,000 milers or 4 years.

However, the OP has a 2008 997 S. The Porsche Minor and Major Maintenance publications (PNA 000 162 ED and PNA 000 162 EE, respectively) for 2008 cars state that the plugs should be changed every 36,000 milers or 4 years (Turbos at 24,000 miles).

 

My reaction of "screwage" was more about the $1200 quote for a service that should be $300-400. Add that to the fact that it's probably not needed at all and you have a pretty terrible package.

That's very strange that they changed the service interval for 2008.

IMO around 40-50k miles you generally get the coil packs starting to fail, and that's a good time to go ahead and do the plugs.