Who Fixes Your Boxster/Porsche

[Perfectlap]

Please vote if:

A) You mostly do all your own repairs. I am not including oil changes, air filters, brake line flushing -- simple DIY stuff. Rather, the stuff that requires some time and specific knowledge of this car.

B) You mostly have a Porsche dealer do the repairs

C) You mostly have an independent Porsche specialist do the repairs.


Also, if you don't mostly perform your own repairs, please include:
who works on your car, how long they typically take and how often you take your car in for said repairs (once a year, twice a year, etc.).

[kk2002s]

I dread the day I have to figure out someone else to do the work for me.
There is a dealer close by but...

[jdraupp]

While I haven't done a whole lot of repairs yet, I have done the majority myself. I do farm out some stuff that would require diagnosis and a durametric to Kurt's German Autowerks in Homer Glen but he's an indy that really cares about keeping your car on the road. He'll put three hours into diagnosis and charge you for one. And his rates are half of what the dealer charges. He did my AOS and did some diagnosis on my car that led to an o2 sensor being replaced. He even consulted with me when my car wouldn't fire after I replaced the starter.

So I guess I'm kind of in the middle...D) I mostly tackle my own repairs, but I'm not a guy to throw parts at stuff and I know my limitations.

[Perfectlap]

Originally Posted by jdraupp

Kurt's German Autowerks in Homer Glen but he's an indy that really cares about keeping your car on the road. He'll put three hours into diagnosis and charge you for one.

An honest (and charitable in your case) mechanic is worth more than an honest broker, banker, contractor and ex-wife combined.

[Giller]

I wish I had more knowledge of my own, as well as the tools to tackle some of the jobs I've had to get done for me. That's a big challenge for someone starting out - do you spend a whole lot of money on tools only to find out you have no mechanical acumen?
The shop I use is a German car specialist only - cheaper than a dealer, but is a bit more expensive than a small indy shop. But excellent reviews and great service. I will pay more for great service.

[BIGJake111]

Mostly my own, if it seems overwhelming, or we dont have the tools necessary, the dealer only, not many independents around here, protech is good but they seem more air-cooled centric.

[Nine8Six]

Hard to say:

3 years ago I had a flood on the driver side footwell - just under the fuse box. Notting major but enough to give that elegant smell if not dried properly each time/rains. A 2 years long story short, my "indy" removed practically everything, door panel, fuse box and half of what's inside the dash on the driver side to find NO indications of water coming anywhere. Even had to flip up the carpet to have a look at from under there. Completely clueless. He had the car for about two weeks. 7 hours labor cost later, that I had to pay, he never sorted the problem.

After a heavy rain, it got worst so I went to the dealership and asked for help (desperate). The service manager came out from the building, looked at the car in the parking and slightly flip open the seal on the lower part of the windshield, driver side, and removed an old tree/leaf stalk + dirt that was stuck in there creating a nice opening for the water. It must have been pushed there by myself while washing the car.

When asked how much I owe you, he goes "nah we're cool no worries, we've seen it many times. nice car btw". And I was off, never had the water flooding problem ever since.

So you see, hard to say where is the best place to get your Porsche serviced sometime lol

[thstone]

Working on cars is sort of a Zen thing for me - relaxing, enjoyable, and I get it done exactly how I want it done.

The downside is that my free time is somewhat limited with work and racing. When I'm pushed for time or need racing expertise, then I'll use the indy. Only been to the dealer once - for the PPI.

[Perfectlap]

My guess would have been gummed up drain plugs.

Originally Posted by Nine8Six

Hard to say:

3 years ago I had a flood on the driver side footwell - just under the fuse box. Notting major but enough to give that elegant smell if not dried properly each time/rains. A 2 years long story short, my "indy" removed practically everything, door panel, fuse box and half of what's inside the dash on the driver side to find NO indications of water coming anywhere. Even had to flip up the carpet to have a look at from under there. Completely clueless. He had the car for about two weeks. 7 hours labor cost later, that I had to pay, he never sorted the problem.

After a heavy rain, it got worst so I went to the dealership and asked for help (desperate). The service manager came out from the building, looked at the car in the parking and slightly flip open the seal on the lower part of the windshield, driver side, and removed an old tree/leaf stalk + dirt that was stuck in there creating a nice opening for the water. It must have been pushed there by myself while washing the car.

When asked how much I owe you, he goes "nah we're cool no worries, we've seen it many times. nice car btw". And I was off, never had the water flooding problem ever since.

So you see, hard to say where is the best place to get your Porsche serviced sometime lol

[Pdwight]

Originally Posted by thstone

Working on cars is sort of a Zen thing for me - relaxing, enjoyable, and I get it done exactly how I want it done.

.

My thoughts exactly

[jsceash]

I'd say I do all my work. Today, Replacing the power steering pump, many 4 letter expletives, it's had a rattle since the last DE. Semi solid motor and transmission mount because I'm tired of breaking the stock Porsche ones. They weren't designed for the HP and torque of the 3.6 motor. Main hoses from motor to the front radiators had to take them off anyway. Purged the antifreeze. Checked everything for my next DE in a week. What I don't do is tires and the signed track inspection.

[Timco]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

An honest (and charitable in your case) mechanic is worth more than an honest broker, banker, contractor and ex-wife combined.

I'll disagree on the ex-wife part........

So far doing my own repairs.

[recycledsixtie]

I have done the easy stuff like oil changes, filter changes etc.

As for most of everything else, I have gone to a couple of indy shops. First one wants to remove the engine and install new ims etc while in there. The second one wants to fix the cam deviation without removing the engine of the car.

OP this is a good question.

G.

[embryoguy@mac.com]

depends on problem. oil change i buy oil/filter and bring it to a local shop.

anything major, not yet(knock on wood), i have two german mechanics that only service volks/porsches. i.e. water tank. labor $100

my dealer couldn't even align my new hood. it was a few millimeters above the side panel on one side and lower on the other side and attempts to tell me this is normal.

[Ebell914]

I have not had any repairs yet....just replaced a micro switch and added Freon to A/C system.

Had the dealer do my oil change - excellent experience!

[Taipanic]

Try to do smaller stuff myself but not having a garage has been very limiting. Having three 10-15 year old P-cars means there is always something that needs to be fixed, updated, maintained, etc...

[Bruce Wayne]

With a number of cars i do the vast majority of work myself, UNLESS it involves getting copious amounts of grease uner the finger nails.

With the 986's, four 928's a 944 turbo convertible and a couple of Range Rovers and Mercedes, i'm not pushed for getting a car back on the road quickly, so can take time to see the job done to my own standards, which are high.

That and every garage i've tried since moving into the area without fail every garage has done half cocked job and charged full rate, or overcharged.

[jmatta]

Good to see "Batman" on the board...

I've done all maintenance myself thus far, as nothing major has occurred. This includes such things as short shift, Evo High Flo Air Box, LN 160* t-Stat/coolant flush, brake/clutch bleeding, LN spin on filter, new voltage regulator and regular oil changes. I did have my independent install H&R sport springs and align.

[CraigM]

I was going to vote the other day...but my vote would have been the "what repairs?" option, which seemed like bad luck to click, so I hit the back button quick as I could.

That afternoon it was flatbedded to Zim's in Bedford.

Oh well. My answer is well-respected Indy unless there is a good internet write-up with pics I am confident I can do.

[Bruce Wayne]

Good to see "Batman" on the board...

It's been a While.. good to see you jmatta !