30,000 maintenance in Portland, OR

[Killertraylor]

Hello. Newbie here, but I've been reading everything here I can find - excellent site!

I've owned a 2001 Boxster for about a week now - it has 28,000 miles on it and I see that the prior owner had the oil changed at 25,000 at a dealership. My local dealer wants over $700 to do the 30,000 mile service, even though the oil doesn't need to be changed. I can change the cabin filter and air filter. I haven't taken the engine cover off yet to see where the sparkplugs are - are they hard to change? I've changed them on several prior cars so if I can get to them, I'm sure I can change them on the Boxster as well.

Finally, anyone know a respectable Porsche mechanic in Portland, OR that would be an alternative to the local dealer? The local dealer wanted to charge me $75 for the radio code and wanted me to bring the car in to do it(the prior owner replaced the battery and didn't have the code). I called the dealer up in Tacoma, Washington and they told me how to get the serial number to read out on the cd player and then I just called them back and they gave me the code over the phone. Needless to say, I'd prefer to stay away from the local dealer if possible after that experience.

Thank you in advance for your help.

[deliriousga]

They are behind the rear tires. Take the tire off and they're in your face. There's a separate coil on top of eac one so you need an allen wrench (easier w/ a socket, either 4mm or 5mm, I can't remember exactly which one) and a spark plug socket. The allen wrench takes the two screws out that hold the coil on top of the plug.

The Boxster uses the 4-prong Bosche platinum plugs so there's no gapping, just put them in. Use some anti-seize on the plug threads and di-electric grease on the plug heads to keep them from sticking next time. I'd hate for you to have to replace a coil because the boot fused to the plug and tore in half later on.

You should also check your serpentine belt and the rollers at 30K miles.

Personally, I prefer a dealer who requires you to take the car in to get the code. I don't think they should charge you for the 10 seconds it takes to get it, but if a theif can just call the dealership with the S/N then the code becomes useless.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions about the 30K.

Good luck!

[Killertraylor]

Thank you, John! I see your point with the radio code thing, but charging $75 and making me go to the dealership (25 mile drive) are wrong for something that takes 2 minutes. I offered to fax a copy of the registration if they would give me the info. over the phone and they wouldn't.

I'm glad the plugs are so easy to change! Thanks again! I'd still like to have a good mechanic look over the car so if anyone knows of one in Portland, I'd love to find out who it is.

[deliriousga]

[QUOTE=Killertraylor]I offered to fax a copy of the registration if they would give me the info. over the phone and they wouldn't.QUOTE]
Now that's just plain stupid on their part. Some dealers are only interested in the guy who wants to throw money at everything with no reguard.

I hope you find someone good in Portland. I'm sure there's one out there somewhere.

[TOM986]

Michael Jordan at Stuttgardt Autoteck is very honest and a very good mechanic. They are in Lake Oswego and the phone # is 503-635-3098.

[Brucelee]

On a 2001 you do not need to change the plugs at 30K. 60 K is the recommendation.