986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners - View Single Post - 5 problems on my 97 Boxster cost $5,125?!?!?

Ronzi · 08-02-2006, 07:22 AM

" I consulted other Porsche mechanics and they suggest me to replace the engine and they quote me $10k to $12K for an used engine from Porshe and installation. I think it is kind of high."

Other posts regarding engine replacement indicate the $10 - $12,000 is about right for an installed replacement engine from Porsche. There is some disagreemnt about how much of a replacement engine is actually composed of new parts and how much is composed of rebuilt or otherwise recycled used components. I would be surprised if you could actually get a "used" engine directly from Porsche.

Porsche dismantlers can supply used engines from wrecked cars. Cost seems to be about half that of a replacement engine from Porsche.

I don't understand your statement regarding replacement engine cost related to blue book value of the car. The two have no relationship to one another. The cost of a replacement engine for an 8 year old car is probably about the same as the cost for a 2 year old car, even though the blue book value of each car is considerably different.

My experience has been that independant repair shops frequently operate on the "squeaky wheel" business principle. In other words, the customer that complains the most gets his work done the fastest. Unfortunately, your situation is somewhat different in that presumably the work he is doing now is essentially "free", in that he is having to re-do it to correct a previous mistake. Therefore there is little economic motivation to get it done quickly.

It would seem to me that suing the mechanic would only guarantee that the whole deal is delayed even further. I would say however that you should be prepared to take that step if progress doesn't improve. Sometimes a conversation with a customer's lawyer can substantially improve the motivation to get the job done.

Moving the car to another shop is of course a possibility. Do you know one that is more reliable that the current one? If not, you may not be much better off, plus you will have to pay the new shop for the complete job, including the part that you have already paid to the old shop, if any.

You have truly run into a nightmare situation, with no really good solution.

08-02-2006, 07:22 AM	#32
Ronzi Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Denver CO Posts: 748	" I consulted other Porsche mechanics and they suggest me to replace the engine and they quote me $10k to $12K for an used engine from Porshe and installation. I think it is kind of high." Other posts regarding engine replacement indicate the $10 - $12,000 is about right for an installed replacement engine from Porsche. There is some disagreemnt about how much of a replacement engine is actually composed of new parts and how much is composed of rebuilt or otherwise recycled used components. I would be surprised if you could actually get a "used" engine directly from Porsche. Porsche dismantlers can supply used engines from wrecked cars. Cost seems to be about half that of a replacement engine from Porsche. I don't understand your statement regarding replacement engine cost related to blue book value of the car. The two have no relationship to one another. The cost of a replacement engine for an 8 year old car is probably about the same as the cost for a 2 year old car, even though the blue book value of each car is considerably different. My experience has been that independant repair shops frequently operate on the "squeaky wheel" business principle. In other words, the customer that complains the most gets his work done the fastest. Unfortunately, your situation is somewhat different in that presumably the work he is doing now is essentially "free", in that he is having to re-do it to correct a previous mistake. Therefore there is little economic motivation to get it done quickly. It would seem to me that suing the mechanic would only guarantee that the whole deal is delayed even further. I would say however that you should be prepared to take that step if progress doesn't improve. Sometimes a conversation with a customer's lawyer can substantially improve the motivation to get the job done. Moving the car to another shop is of course a possibility. Do you know one that is more reliable that the current one? If not, you may not be much better off, plus you will have to pay the new shop for the complete job, including the part that you have already paid to the old shop, if any. You have truly run into a nightmare situation, with no really good solution.