How Much for an Oil Change?

[larez2]

i don't mean to thread heist, but just wanted to put in a quick note for anyone considering getting a floor jack to change oil etc.

Make sure that it will fit under the Boxster. My floor jack couldn't get low enough to fit under and my car isn't lowered or anything. Just something to consider.

$150 for a dealer oil change here in SD last time i checked - pioneer centres in miramar. it includes a few other visual checks too as i recall.

cheers,
Larez2

[RandallNeighbour]

Now that's good floorjack shopping information. I'll measure my clearance before I head out to buy one.

And now, back to the regularly scheduled programming of the insane price of synthetic oil and those that change it...

[SD987]

on Pioneer Centres service department. I think Eslai had some good things to say about them, but would also like to hear your thoughts. They did some minor adjustment type things for me shortly after purchase, but if something should happen I'd like to have a place in mind to go to and also for the inevitable service points. I guess for us it's either Hoehn or Pioneer. I always see a boatload of 986s in Pioneer's service lot...I guess there's a backup on RMS fixes and engine replacements in SD.

[larez2]

Opinion on Pioneer Centres. Knowledgable, quality work as promised, expensive and usually friendly.

I don't remember names, but everyone I've talked to seemed knowledgable there. I haven't personally had very many services performed there, the previous owner of my vehicle had all their service done there, and the car runs great. They know what they are doing. For the services I have had done - they were straight forward, no crazy wheels falling off while I'm driving or stripped bolts or cars not ready when promised, or anything like that.

I think price wise they probably in line with what every other Porsche dealer is charging - expensive IMO. It irked me a bit when I unplugged my seat and tripped the airbag light on the dash. I explained what I did and they charged $50 to turn it off (5 min procedure w/ PS2 tool). I've heard of other places doing it for free. I think most services and parts can be obtained elsewhere for cheaper. Routine maintenance, alignments, parts, etc.

I did have one negative experience. I was looking for a specific wiring harness and did not have the part number, I described it to the guy on the phone, and he said there is nothing like that. I said there was, but i didn't have a part number. I described to him what the wiring harness did and he said, "you can't do that, you'd be better of selling your car and buying another one that has that feature from the factory" I was put off by this. I ended up getting the part number from Tool Pants, and called Hohn Porsche, and the service dept was more helpful on that one.

Overall I would rate them as average. They defintely don't stand out as a top service shop to me, but they are not crap either. I'd get my car serviced there for stuff that I can't do myself. I am actually in search of a indepenent shop that knows Boxsters well, because my box is out of warranty, and I don't see any compelling reasons to keep going to there to service it. Since your car is still under warranty, anything that breaks will be covered, no charge to you.

HTH,
Larez2