Boxster Maintenance

[PeterJoyce]

I have a Boxster with about 1900 miles. At he first service (15,000) how much will it cost? I am just curious because my Lexus is only $150, but my Acura is like $400.

[mrmickeymouse]

Your first service is a visual and an oil change-right.

I believe for you to maintain your warranty, you will need to bite the bullet and let them do it, while they do a visual inspection.

It should be covered in your warranty paperwork.

If you can DIY maybe $50.00 for an oil change.

[PeterJoyce]

I know the car will only be driven approxomatly 8,000 miles a year, so should I get the service done after a year you whatever the recomended time is or 15,000 miles?

[mrmickeymouse]

I hate to be redundant, but your warranty tells you what you need to do.

If it states mileage then wait [I doubt], if it states time period [well that is obvious].

The most important part is to maintain your warranty, I read about an RMS on 2003 motor, hard to believe, when will it go away ???

[PeterJoyce]

I am just asking becuse I never take my Lexus in for serivce until the mileage is met. It is 4 years old and 25,000 miles. I will read up on the warranty tonight, thanks.

[Lux]

Manual states oil change every year or 12-15K miles (can't remember exact mileage).

I didn't feel comfortable waiting that long with 'break-in oil' so I had the oil changed at 3K miles. Local Porsche dealer had a special that was only $118. I think it usually runs about $150 to $200. Call around and check for specials.

I would've done it myself but I wanted a couple of other things fixed anyway (sticky cupholder and grease streaked window).

[mrmickeymouse]

DIY oil change $50.00

[Ad Sach]

Oil change: at $7/quart times 13 quarts for an S plus a filter, it is a lot more than $50 to do it yourself. IMO: $150-$200 is a reasonable price for an oil change with high quality synthetic oil.

[PeterJoyce]

How many quarts is a 2.7? I have seen Mobile One for aroun $4 a quart, at Costco.

[mrmickeymouse]

I get my oil [synthetic] for $3.99 a quart Mobil1 or Valvoline. [rounded] $4.00 X 9 = $36.00, 8.50 for oil filter O ring and compression ring.

Grand total $44.50 [including tax about $50.00.]

I am a DIY, if your not and it seems so, spending $150.00 maybe reasonable for you. not me...

S or non S Boxster= 8.7 quarts

Even the 3.4 996 motor has the same. If you doubt me check the link.

Scott

Oil change

[JonnyBGood]

I kinda figured that you're looking at $5.00 per quart of Mobile 1 at walmart. $20 for the filter. $15 for the wrench for the 1st time.

$5.00 x 10 = $50.00
$20.00 x 1 = $20.00
$15.00 x 1 = $15.00
--------------------------
$85.00

But its well worth doing. Of course, I say this not having done it yet. But the way I see it, if I do the oil change once every 10,000 miles (manual recommends every 15,000 miles) its certainly well worth the money.

Since I pay 30.00 per oil change every 3000 miles at Jiffy Lube and $30 x 3 = $90.00 for the same amount of miles on the boxster, its actually cheaper to change the oil on the boxster.

Just my logic I guess. That and I really don't want to spend $200 for an oil change at my dealer. Besides, I only put 3000 miles on the boxster this past year. I guess this means if I go by the book, I'd do an oil change every 5 years? Lets see if that flies.

JBG

[mrmickeymouse]

You might try a strap wrench, unless the force of god put yours on.

I do mine with a rubber strap wrench, hand tight is all it needs, if you use to much force putting it on you may crush and tear the O ring.

tighten to 19 Foot pounds, pretty little torque.


Scott

[Lux]

This is the one area where I miss my M3. The filter was located on top (in the engine compartment...right in the engine bay, directly behind the radiator).

I have an oil/fluid evacuator and changing the oil was a snap. No jacking, chocking, crawling...nothing! Literally an oil change you can do while wearing your Sunday best.

Another benefit was that I could actually get the oil up to operating temp before sucking it out thru the dipstick tube. It worked great (I checked the first time I used the evacuator and not a drop was left when I removed the drain plug).

Wish I could at least use the evacuator for the Boxster but the dipstick tube is too friggin' long I think.

[bamaboxster]

I'm told Porsche drains the initial oil and other fluids at the factory after a QC treadmill test of some sort.

Therefore your new Boxster does not have "break in" fluid in with the oil like some other manufacturers.

Mobil 1 does a great job of protecting an engine. I've seen how well it performs during race engine teardowns. 10 quarts of Mobil 1 and the advanced oiling technology in the Boxster, it should be OK up to 15K.

Personally I will change mine at 7500 mile intervals, because I drive it hard on occasion.

Dave

[Lux]

Originally posted by bamaboxster
I'm told Porsche drains the initial oil and other fluids at the factory after a QC treadmill test of some sort.

I've never heard of this. Is this verified fact or rumor? I have a tough time believing that they would fill up all fluids and change it after, what...half a mile?

Therefore your new Boxster does not have "break in" fluid in with the oil like some other manufacturers.

I disagree. The engine will continue to break in for a few more miles than any treadmill run can muster. I've seen oil analyses that show high amounts of metals for a few thousand miles until it tapers off (breaks in).

Bottom line: after spending $60K for a car I'm not going to sweat $150.

I'm sure the factory oil can go for quite a few miles but I'm just not comfortable with that long an interval.

Mobil 1 does a great job of protecting an engine. I've seen how well it performs during race engine teardowns. 10 quarts of Mobil 1 and the advanced oiling technology in the Boxster, it should be OK up to 15K.

If you really want to extend oil drain intervals, I suggest you do periodic oil analyses. This is the only way to tell and is a lot better than guessing. A lot of people use http://www.blackstone-labs.com/.

[mrmickeymouse]

There maybe some truth to the intial fluids being drained, it would keep all of the lost shavings to minimum.

It would be a prudent move to mitigate any future problems; Like there has not been been a plethora of problems already.

Scott

[Adam]

Last edited by mrmickeymouse on 09-23-2004 at 02:57

[S or non S Boxster= 8.7 quarts

Even the 3.4 996 motor has the same. If you doubt me check the link.]




My car swallowed more than 8.7 quarts when I put in new mobile 1. It took exactly 9.25 quarts to get to the top mark. I have from others as well that 8.7 quarts does not fill it fully. Wonder why there is a discrepancy?

[Ad Sach]

My owners manual says 8.7 without a filter and 9.2 with a filter change.