Hey Rennlisters,

My 997 is coming due for a service and coincendentally the 30-day service notice appeared on my dash yesterday.

The car was purchased in late April and I recently completed an oil and filter change a few weeks back (thanks Dave!). If my car has had the following services done what do you suggest?

Porsche guide recommends a minor every 20k or 2 years and major every 40,000 miles or 4 years...Probably a minor then hey?

Seeing as this is the first Canadian service shall I take it to Porsche? Suggestions?


27,061km = (Sept.07) annual service, ignition coil replacement, recall W737 (Jack Daniels Porsche)

35,907km = (Sept.09) annual service, RMS replaced (Jack Daniels Porsche)

43,169km = (Oct.11) major service, brake fluid flush, air bag maintenance, tire sealant (Jack Daniels Porsche)

48,509km = (Apr.13) pre-purchase inspection (Jack Daniels Porsche)

52,884km = (Aug.13) oil and filter change

 

if it is out of warranty I would use a local Indy. What did Jack Daniels say? you could ask them what they suggest. If money is no object go to the dealer, they may give you a cappacino too.

 

Hey Dan - its out of warranty so what independents are recommended in the GTA?

 

autowerks, gtek, are on's I know and heard good things about...do a search as there are others which are highly recommended on here. where are you located as you may want someone close to home/work.
who worked on your c4s?

 

My C4S was in Dubai and has since been sold...

I'm on the east side of the city so I'll do some searching and see what indy's come up.

 

I have to disagree with the suggestions mentioned...I'd take it to one of the dealers. I've used both, and for modern Porsches, the dealers are more knowledgeable and have the latest PWIS software to update your car if needed (which indies can't get). And yes, you get good coffee, check out some new cars, go through the Tequipment stuff on display, plus they do a pretty decent job detailing my car while it's there.
You now have 3 Porsche Centres to choose from in the GTA. Call and ask what they charge for the services you need; I don't think they're out of line with the indy shops.

 

based on that history i have to surmize one of two things

these cars require a tonne of work compared to the classic cars to keep them running.

or.... service intervals are designed as profit points and the cars dont really need what is sold.

personally i think it is more the later as these are pretty robust cars.

 

You know you are getting shafted when they detail the car just to make you feel a little better.

 

Actually I called Downtown Porsche and obtained a very reasonable price for the minor service considering I did my own Oil & Filter change. I'd like them to change all of my other fluids and give me an overall check on the car which their low price offered...off to Downtown Porsche this week.

 

I heard that the coolant is rated to last the lifetime of the car. are they changing coolant as well?
curious what fluids they are changing ? brake fluid, power steering, trani fluid, what else do they change?
since this thread is discussing the alternatives did you price this at one of the indys?
my guess is that it doesn't make that much difference but dealer charges about $150 and indy is 75-100/hr. If you didn't buy the car at the dealer, based on others experience, it seems you may get better service/care for your car at an indy. hiope all goes well.

 

I don't know, I think this is the way technology has gone and continues to go. There are just so many more components to a modern car than an old one, so yes, they require more work.

I remember a while ago Omar was selling his TV on facebook. His ad said "recently serviced". I said "WTF? You have to service TVs now?". But yes, apparently you do (we still have an old 36" rear projection TV).

But having to replace ignition coils at 27k as part of a scheduled service does sound ridiculous.

 

...Aaaand, you can drive the Pcar into the office that day! BAMMM!

 

What is this low price offer?

 

Ignition coils are not part of scheduled maintenance, but they can be problematic with early 997s. Actually, the required maintenance for 997s is not that involved, but dealers will try to push unnecessary stuff. Coolant isn't even listed as needing replacement, and gearbox fluid change is 12yr/180k km, if I recall correctly. It really comes down to plugs (60k km), which I will not change every 4 years as recommended, filters, oil and brake fluid.

 

I would also add that some components may be working "ok" at longer than recommended service intervals, but if you are thinking of "ulitimate performance" some would argue that keeping the car in peak performance condition is something desireable for someone who buys an ultimate performance machine. We are not talking about minium maintance that you can get away with to keep a a basic toyota on the road.

+1 on the older simpler cars. I love them!