Biggest Surprise Repair Cost - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

DenverSteve · 08-10-2011, 05:56 PM

I know these are Porsches and they can be costly little buggers to maintain but....... I took mine in today for a minor and a couple of days ago I developed a small leak in the coolant reservoir which I had them look at. They found a hairline crack in the tank and to replace the small tank - including labor of course - it is going to be $850. WHAT!!!!

Yep a 200+ dollar part plus labor.

What was the biggest single repair cost that totally surprised you? Of course it's proportionally not as bad as the $350 replaced/reprogrammed key fob I had to get a while back.

clickman · 08-10-2011, 06:13 PM

As you see in many threads on the forums, it really pays to be a DIYer.

(Unfortunately, for the fob one, it wouldn't have helped. Unless you had individual buttons that quit working, as it's cheap and easy to replace them.)

stateofidleness · 08-10-2011, 06:34 PM

Coolant tank when I bough it (covered by dealer) had a receipt of $1200 and a failed DIY alternator swap cost me $800. Those have been the only repairs so far (not counting a new MAF).

Frodo · 08-11-2011, 03:41 AM

Back, shortly after getting my Box, the alternator went belly up on me. Having decided the day I bought the car (July, 2005, IIRC) that I was going to do as much work on my own as possible, I then decided "Well...here we go!" Pulled out the Bentley and went to work. The alternator DIY went well (spent like $95 locally to get the old one refurbished), but then I discovered my one mistake: I had taken out the passenger seat WITHOUT disconnecting the battery. Soooo, I had a CEL for the airbag.

The local Porsche stealership was only too happy to help out. To "Check airbag and reset the check engine light" (I only wanted the latter done), they charged me $100! (More than the alternator work had cost me!!!)

Still worthwhile, no doubt, having read what those guys charge to do the alternator start to finish...

Paul · 08-11-2011, 06:50 PM

Every DIYer should seriously consider a Durametric, they pay for themselves pretty fast.

Pat · 08-11-2011, 07:03 PM

Wait, what? I'm in Littleton, and I'd be shocked if the shop here charged that. Where did you bring it?

bartocollector · 08-11-2011, 07:13 PM

Had a tiny oil spot on the garage floor. Drip was coming from right side near axle. Dealer dignosed leaky valve cover gasket. Estimate to fix........$900.00.
Luckily I still had a month left on the Used Certified Warranty.

04 Boxter S

DenverSteve · 08-12-2011, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pat

Wait, what? I'm in Littleton, and I'd be shocked if the shop here charged that. Where did you bring it?

Stevinson Imports. They did a great job but they're pricey. Although, I'm sure it's per the repair schedule.

Pat · 08-12-2011, 07:06 AM

Any reason you don't go to an independent Porsche specialist?

Perfectlap · 08-12-2011, 07:12 AM

Those coolant tanks are notorious. I recently had that problem too. One forum member posted that they often fail within a year of doing a a coolant flush. Which is exactly what happened to me. Apparently air gets into the system and causes the hairline crack. The flush has to be done with no room for error.

I don't think unforseen repairs is the problem. Its not budgeting or doing major maintenance a little at a time. If you bought a Boxster or 996 Carrera at 50-70K miles from a previous owner who never replaced shocks, clutch, RMS, flywheel, serviced the rear axle boots, cats, o2's, MAF, etc. then you're fooling yourself if you think you arent' in for some major wallet lightening. You want to get rid of your Porsche before then. That's when you'll get the most for the car without being expected to have invested in the big repair items that will come on shortly. But if you decide your baby is a keeper its going to cost you if you aren't a DIY'er.