Just did the 30k service.. - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

xclusivecar · 10-15-2005, 03:10 PM

Ronzi-

I semi-disagree. I've seen many a shop, dealership or not, do the "checkover". Literally it's just a look-over. No special equipment is used to do this and the mechanic might tap and pull on a few parts under the car but thats it! I'm not saying all dealerships or mechanics do this but business these days doesn't warrant allowing a tech to spend 5 hours on a car!

As far as selling the car without proper Porsche documentation...the grand he saves today in labor will more than pay for itself. If a savvy purchaser wants to knock a few bucks off the cars selling price due to not having the car serviced at a Porsche dealership, I highly doubt it would be much at all. Most people just want to make sure the basic upkeep was at least done to the car and a handfull of receipts should be just fine.

Just my opinion!

kavlono · 10-15-2005, 03:32 PM

The other risk you face when you do it yourself is that if anything goes wrong with the car and you take it in for warranty work, what do you do if the dealers says that the problem was caused by an improper 30k service and tells you 1) the problem is not under warranty is going to be many thousands, and 2) the warranty had been voided. Granted it is illegal for the dealer to require that you have them service it. But what I do is always have my vehicle serviced by the dealer during the warranty period just to avoid and such issues.
I agree that if you know what you are doing it is better to do it yourself. You know it is done right and save money.

Brucelee · 10-15-2005, 04:23 PM

During the warranty period, I think it prudent to use Porsche for the scheduled maint. After that, I would not do so for cost reasons.

spine911 · 10-15-2005, 04:56 PM

I just did the 60k service maintenance with the Spark Plug Tube/Gasket replacement. Dealer quoted $1,350 just for the 60k service/parts, NOT including the Spark Plug Tube/Gasket replacement and parts. I got the 60k service parts from pap-parts for $295. Total time for the whole service is only 3 hours(that includes hooking up my car to the Porsche diagnostic computer, cleaning the water drains/air ducts, brake fluid replacement/bleeding, Spark Plug Tube replacement, cig. lighter repair). Service was performed by my Master Technician friend of a major Porsche Dealer in SoCal.

Adam · 10-15-2005, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xclusivecar

Ronzi

As far as selling the car without proper Porsche documentation...the grand he saves today in labor will more than pay for itself. If a savvy purchaser wants to knock a few bucks off the cars selling price due to not having the car serviced at a Porsche dealership, I highly doubt it would be much at all. Most people just want to make sure the basic upkeep was at least done to the car and a handfull of receipts should be just fine.

Just my opinion!

Yeah, I agree with you. Say you buy your car new and pay for all the services required at the dealer until 60k miles. You spend 3k in service with them(this is conservative). You decided to sell the car then and get a camry or something. Does having all the documention add 3k to the car's value? Or does not having the car dealer serviced reduce the car's value by 3k? I would think not. At worst you will break even I would imagine.

99-Boxster-MK · 10-15-2005, 08:34 PM

Geez.. I wasn't expecting this reaction.. I was proud of myself until I read all this.. thanks for the support guys.

BTW, before you start bashing me I did everything that was specified in the service checklist, inclusing hooking up to a code reader, and we even bled the breaks.

If you guys want to continue funding the new granite floors and marble bathroom in the dealership owners house then go ahead, but please don't bash me or other for wanting to do the work ourselves.

I much rather get my hands dirty and get a beter understanding about my car, then pay someone else to do it. It's not a money issue as I am more then able to afford dealer upkeep, but why?

If you think about it 2 people at just over 2 hours is 4 hours of labour anyways.. so its damm close. Me and my friend weren't working together, as much as each of us were doing our own thing. I did half the plugs, he did the other half, while he was jaking the car and taking the wheels off, I was replacing the air and cabin filters, etc... so I think we were rather thorough.

Mike

kavlono · 10-15-2005, 08:45 PM

Its not bashing. It is helping you understand the downside. I am sure we are all envious that you can do that and we old want to also. I know I am. Presenting someone with the negative consequences of their actions is good because it allows people to act with their eyes open.

markk · 10-15-2005, 10:51 PM

You did fine. Do my basic maintenance myself too on a new purchased 01S.
OPC is a ripoff.

And the sollution to reduced price when selling is DON'T SELL IT. Enjoy it for live.

Mark.

Tool Pants · 10-16-2005, 02:34 AM

I did my own 30, 40, and in a short while will be doing the 60k service. I have done the 60k service on other Boxsters but I have not yet reached that mileage on my own car. There is nothing magic about it. The warranty was over 6 years ago.

MNBoxster · 10-16-2005, 08:21 AM

HI,

Too many people think there's something mystical about Porsche Mechanics and Porsche Service. Many of them have less education and mechanical experience than many of us.

The Warranty Violation issue is a semi-valid one - your warranty for a non-related part is still intact - By Law - whether you had the Maintenance done by the OPC or not.

The Resale argument is a bunch of Baloney! If you do your own work properly and thoroughly, there'll be no difference between DIY and OPC. If maintained properly, either by you or the OPC, this will reflect in the overall condition of the Car. No prospective buyer is going to worry about what method was used if the car is a fine example, they're just going to want the car. If they try to use OPC Service as a haggling point, just don't let them - stick to your price. If the car is a good example properly maintained, you'll have no trouble finding another buyer.

On the other hand, an OPC maintained car is no guarantee whatever that the car is in any better shape than the PPI indicates. It will certainly be neither a Deal Maker or a Deal Breaker - it's the car which counts!

I say Bravo for the job you did! My car will never see the OPC unless the service is a better use of my time or resources or if it is beyond my capabilities which are quite broad - including Engine/Transmission rebuilding, and just about everything in between. For me, OPC Service is simply a waste of money, for others (who cannot or will not do their own work, OPC is their best option)...

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

99-Boxster-MK · 10-16-2005, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tool Pants

There is nothing magic about it.

Exactly my point...

Some things are even easier on the porsche then on some other cars. I think doing your own maintenance is a great way to learn about your car, and to get an appreciation of how well built and designed it is.

Mike