New Jersey oil change? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Padawan · 11-02-2007, 03:17 PM

I'm hoping some fellow NJ residents can help me in locating a reputable service shop where my father can take his 996 for a standard oil/filter change. Before anyone suggests doing it ourselves, this time around we have chosen not to for various reasons. Anyway, we've been quoted roughly $180 by a local shop using ELF synthetic. I've read of others paying in the neighbourhood of $100, which seems much more reasonable considering the cost of materials. Any suggestions, preferably in northern NJ?

fatmike · 11-02-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padawan

Any suggestions, preferably in northern NJ?

Check out Powertech in Rockaway, NJ -- just off Route 80. Powertech is a Porsche only shop.

They weren't especially cheap, but they weren't expensive either & I definitely got the sense they knew their way around a p-car. Maybe that's not so important for an oil change -- but then again --

Padawan · 11-02-2007, 03:43 PM

I had considered Powertech, but it's a bit of a drive from us, so if they wouldn't be much less expensive than the local shop (which also has a decent reputation with Porsche service and repair) it wouldn't really be worth the trip. Powertech does come highly recommended though, and they seemed like a nice operation when I visited a few months back.

Perfectlap · 11-02-2007, 04:47 PM

Post this in the 996 forum on Rennlist. You will get more answers than you know what to do with.

racer_d · 11-02-2007, 05:39 PM

What does the dealer charge these days? My assumption is that Oil alone (10 qts of Mobil 1 will run you about $75 (?) alone. Another $15 for an oil filter and crush ring? So, materials alone nowadays seems close to $100. Then add the 30min of labor...

Padawan · 11-02-2007, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer_d

What does the dealer charge these days? My assumption is that Oil alone (10 qts of Mobil 1 will run you about $75 (?) alone. Another $15 for an oil filter and crush ring? So, materials alone nowadays seems close to $100. Then add the 30min of labor...

Believe it or not our local dealer wants $249 for a oil and filter change. Even factoring in $100 of materials (which is being very generous, especially since the dealer is not paying typical consumer retail prices), that's still an additional $149 of labour.

As stated above, a local shop wants $180, which still seems rather high, though is obviously more reasonable than the dealer.

Soetekouw · 11-03-2007, 01:16 PM

I just had my oil changed yesterday at the dealer's. Cost was $227.50.

Dr. Kill · 11-03-2007, 01:43 PM

+1 on Powertech. Thtat's where I go. Of course, it is about 10 min from my house though...

11-03-2007, 01:47 PM

Some dealerships in the Chicago area charge $250 for an oil change. The per hour labor rate exceeds $150.

A lot of the guys here are familiar with Motor Werks. Well, they are now starting to charge $250 for an oil change. Just last year they charged $110. I did an oil change there last month and it was about $125. I just had an oil change done on my wife's Mercedes, at their sister location in Hoffman Estates, and they charged $110...and the Mercedes takes slightly more oil than the Boxster...same oil.

NickCats · 11-05-2007, 07:50 AM

Motor Werks raised it to $250 ! How in the world can they justify doubling the price ???

Nick

11-05-2007, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickCats

Motor Werks raised it to $250 ! How in the world can they justify doubling the price ???

Nick

Nick, the Porsche Exchange in Highland Park charges $250.

Perfectlap · 11-05-2007, 10:05 AM

I didn't do it myself but I didn't have the dealer either.
I printed out instructions from one of the DIY sites, I think it was MikeFocke's
went to Autozone and picked up a case, order the filter from pap-parts,
ordered a $10 cannister wrench from a site someone posted on here and had my mechanic friend who runs a local garage put it on his lift on slow Saturday morning. I pointed out where the drain plug was and what the torque was and
He got rid of the oil . The case of 10 quarts of Mobil 1 was about $50, the filter and wrench were less than $20, labor was $20. I plan to change the filter every six months and the oil every 7500 miles.

NJkayaker · 11-05-2007, 10:10 AM

Try Autosport Performance in Englewood.

201-816-0911
311 W. Forrest Ave
Englewood Nj 07631

I do not know what they charge but they did the PPI on two cars for me. They are doing a couple of minor things for me right now as well. They seem pretty trustworthy. They steered me away from certain cars (talked me out of an '87 911) and helped me figure out what the car I eventually bought was worth.

Ty is the front man and Arthur seems to be the go-to Porsche guy. They are not exlusively Porsche but they work with a lot of highend (mostly German cars). I've never seen a Toyota/Honda?VW etc there. Only Porsche/Audi/Mercedes and a few real exotics.

Good luck.

Padawan · 11-05-2007, 12:14 PM

Autosport was the independent shop that quoted $180 originally. Today we had decent weather, so rather than bother with scheduling an appointment somewhere and paying the "Porsche tax", I just decided to bite the bullet and do it myself after all.

racer_d · 11-05-2007, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padawan

Autosport was the independent shop that quoted $180 originally. Today we had decent weather, so rather than bother with scheduling an appointment somewhere and paying the "Porsche tax", I just decided to bite the bullet and do it myself after all.

Are your labor rates less than $150/hr? be sure to charge accordingly and let us know how much doing it yourself really cost you

Padawan · 11-05-2007, 02:55 PM

It honestly astonishes me how much shops charge for what is actually one of the easiest oil changes I've come across. As long as you have the proper filter and hex wrench, it can easily be accomplished in 15 minutes or less (not including drain time).