Opinion on paying $200+ dollars for oil-change.
 

Hi all enthusiast!

What are your opinions on the yearly $200+ oil-change at the local dealership? Is it a rip-off or is it well worth getting the Porsche stamp in your books?

Just curious...


"Never let an aardvark near your cocaine."

ljl

In theory they are supposed to do more than just change the oil. I believe the maintenance manual has a whole list of things that are supposedly checked in conjunction with an oil change. That is a part of what you are paying for with a $200 oil change.
I believe that a documented maintenance history is of value when it comes time to sell your car, especially if it is a private party sale. Are you going to realize any additional value if you trade your Boxster in on say a new Honda minivan? Maybe not, but you won't be realizing top dollar in that circumstance anyway.
The 911 I sold to buy the Boxster had a documented maintenance history, but most of the maintenance was done by independant Porsche shops, not by Porsche dealer(s).
So far I have seen virtually no independant shops that service Boxsters, probably because warranties were in place, so there hasn't thusfar been a big demand for non-dealer Boxster service. I expect that to change over the next few years, which will probably mean a somewhat lower price for an oil change at an independant shop.
Ronzi
'99 Boxster
Speed Yellow/Black

What is the difference between the yearly maintenances and the 15k/30k services?

le jolie rogue -

I've found a local Porsche only shop that will perform the oil service for half of what a dealership will charge. 15,000 between is just too long for me so at 7,500 miles I take it to the local Porsche shop. $100 well spent...

:)

Matt

If it literally is only an oil change, a fair charge is $15 or $20 and you can bring your own oil and filter. Filter is about $15 and 9 qts of Mobil 1 can be as low as $4 a qt if you buy it at Wal Mart.

15 K service is another thing altogether. Local dealer charges nearly $300 for that.

Don't forget to buy 0w40 mobil one. 9 out of 10 porsche mechanics recammend it.

Personally, I prefer 15-50 here in SOCAL.. If in colder climes, 0-40 is the deal.

Good luck.

BTW- Just had a 15K done on one of my Boxsters--Charge was $378 including sales tax.

Big tix items included oil and filter, pollen filter, KLEEN (??) etc.

Labor was $215, parts $149.

As for $100.00 @ 7500k that's the same as $200.00 @ 15000k.
Also if you talley a typical oil change every 3000k at about $45.00 x 5 for a total of 15000k thats $225.00 plus all of that wasted time. I for one place a very high price tag for what my time is worth. I'd happily pay $500.00 every 15000k.

For $75 you can do a full synthetic oil change. Every 7500 miles seems right to me if you want to keep your Boxster for many miles.

I'm going to take a stab at changing the oil...There isn't a P dealer around for 200 miles.

1. Are you using Porsche oil filters or one available through Autozone like Bosch, STP etc?
2. Any idea what size Allen wrench you need?

I saw the picture down below...could anyone give me a list of EVERYTHING I will need so I only have to make one trip. I think I know what I need, but I just want to bounce my list off someone else. Thanks!!!

I buy the filter from the dealer and they supply the crush washer. I buy the oil at Wally World when they have it.

Simple I think although I have a local shop do it while I wait. Takes 10 minutes and costs $15 and they dispose of the waste oil too.

Don't even get dirty.

Not bad for $15.

:cheers:

no Wally world around here, where can I get black cap?
I'm down two ticks since my April 15K oil change.

What's "black cap"? Is that the 0W40? I use the 15W50 extended performance Mobil 1. I think it's gold capped now, used to be red.

..........

I forgot they just changed the cap colors!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:p

Yearly is done no matter what the mileage is. Mostly checks and cleaning of parts that wear over time rather than mileage.

I use the OEM Mahle filters. Same ones Porsche uses without the "double the price" Porsche printed on the box. I don't think you can get any other brands, but I would not risk that. The OEM and Porsche are made to last 30K miles while the regular paper ones on the shelf are made to last 5K miles. You can get the Mahle filters in 3 or 5 packs from www.pap-parts.com (and don't forget the aluminum crush ring for the drain plug Bruce mentioned).

I believe it's a 10mm Allen wrench for the oil drain. Just get a set of sockets that run up to at least 10mm and you'll be covered. You will use them all later if you do the plugs, etc.

You also need an oil filter wrench. Don't get the $50 one from the P-car parts sellers. All you need is a 74mm filter wrench with 14 flutes. Available at most auto shops for about $7-$10. They all use a 1/2 inch rachet.

If you want to really do it right, you need a torque wrench. If you don't have one, they're about $23 at AutoZone for a good one that had "dial and click". They have Ft. Lbs. and Nm on them so you can torque the oil filter case and drain plug properly.

Shout if you need help with anything. :cheers:

Giving my current location...El Paso...what would you suggest.. (4000ft and hot)OW-40 or 15W50. I don't track the car and am rarely high revving or going much over triple digits. I called the service department in New Mexico and they suggested OW-40, but they also told me there is no break in period. Just want to see what y'all say.

If it were me, I would use the 15-50, which now has the advantage of being one of M1's "extended mileage oils."

I hear it gets WAY HOT round you way!