24K major maintenance...?

[ekam]

Who actually take their car to get this "major maintenance" done?

http://www.porsche.com/filestore.aspx/default.pdf?pool=usa&type=download&id=maintenanceintervalsforporschevehicles&lang=none&filetype=default

Stealer wants to charge me $650 for the job and these are the main things that will be done.

-oil change
-change spark plugs
-change air filter
-inspect lights/panels/coolant/brakes/blahblahblah

I just have this feeling that I'm getting raped, and rather take it to my own mechanic to do the spark plugs and air filter change probably for like half the price.

[Cloudsurfer]

You have the correct feeling! All of this is easy to do yourself if you're at all mechanically inclined. Otherwise, your independent will charge you half of what the stealer will for those services.

[ekam]

More importantly, who here changes their spark plugs every 4 years? I find that to be way too early, given I've only done 24K miles of the required 48K miles.

My Toyota Camry got its first spark plug (they were platinum btw) change at 80K... I find it odd that Porsche would require it to be changed so early???

Originally Posted by ekam

More importantly, who here changes their spark plugs every 4 years? I find that to be way too early, given I've only done 24K miles of the required 48K miles.

My Toyota Camry got its first spark plug (they were platinum btw) change at 80K... I find it odd that Porsche would require it to be changed so early???

A Camry isn't pushing an 11:1 compression ratio

[jmatta]

My car is six, going on seven years old with 15k miles on the plugs. I haven't even thought of changing them. My car gets oil changes religiously and that's about it. I will clean and re-oil the Evo air filter next spring, however.

[ekam]

Originally Posted by EE3racing

A Camry isn't pushing an 11:1 compression ratio

It is pushing 10.5:1, is that close enough?

Originally Posted by ekam

It is pushing 10.5:1, is that close enough?

I guess so!! ha ha, maybe the design of the engine?

Either way you can sneak them out easily via the windows in the wheel wells or underneath, they are cheap easy insurance. Life is short treat yourself to a fresh set...

[ekam]

^Well I think I'm going to leave them, and change them at 40K as supposed to the required 48K.

I mean, reading all the posts about IMS, my engine may just blow up before it hits 48K, then it's time for a 3.6L swap!!!

[Jaxonalden]

I'd like to know what Porsche did that changed the oil, oil filter and spark plug interval requirments from 2005-2007?

They went from 12K on oil and filter, 48K on plugs to 20K, 60K respectively. And then went back to those intervals in 2008? WTF? Different oil, synthetic filter media and Iridium plugs?

My Lexus has Iridium plugs and those don’t get swapped out until 100K. The Hog loves ‘um.

[ekam]

^That's exactly what I would like to know as well. Oil change internal also went from 12K to 20K then back to 12K for 2008 & newer boxsters.

[RandallNeighbour]

I think the 12-20-12 thing was a marketing boo-boo. They tried to project a "near-maintenance free" view of Porsche ownership.... like oil changes are a big cost of ownership (ha!)

Anyone with half a brain knows oil in our motors should be changed every year or 7,500 miles.... 12k is a stretch and 20k is simply absurd.

[Paul]

Blackstone told me to change my oil every 12,500 miles after I sent them a sample of my oil after 11,200 miles.

In regards to the plugs, they are steel, our cylinder heads are not, it's a good idea to remove them once in awhile before they corrode, might as well replace them while they are out.

[roadracer311]

I changed mine at 20k miles and 4 years. I'd be worried that they'd bond themselves to the head if left too long.

[jmatta]

Sounds like I have another spring project. I'm sure there are some good DIY threads on the topic. When something works just fine, my nature tells me to leave it alone due to the other problems you can cause. I just find it difficult to believe six year old plugs with 15k miles on them are a cause for concern. Maybe there is something to the bonding theory?