Typical Oil Change Cost

[dbansal]

Going to perform my first oil change...

I've gotten quotes that range from $130 - $175

What have your costs been? Also, I'm thinking of buying the oil/filter myself, and also a magnetic drain plug and giving it to the mechanic to put in.... Recommendations on oil/filter/magnetic drain plug and where to buy??

[mnc-i]

I do my own oil & filter changes.
Total Cost is approximately $63.00

Cost is:
$46.00 (two 5 quart jugs of Mobil 1 from Walmart)
$11.50 (oil filter from Pelican Parts)
~.50 cents (cost of a new oil plug washer from Pelican Parts)
$5.00 (1-hour for use of a bay & lift/Military Auto Craft Center)

[ekam]

$120 and I do it myself with 9 qt of Amsoil 5W40 and factory oil filter.

[Fintro11]

Cut open your oil filer after and look for metal filings

[Perfectlap]

my advice.

Get an oil (what Excellence magazine in a recent issue recommended) with an at least 1,250-1,350 PPM ZDDP level. This recommendation came about from what the engine expert described as an increase in engine issues from those using low ZDDP content oils, inferring that Mobil 1 was only to be used for short intervals, meaning at least 3 annual M1 oil changes if you drive not less than 10K miles. Which would probably mean taking your Boxster to an independent Porsche mechanic near you if you wanted a more protective oil, since I'm pretty sure a Porsche dealer would charge you not a discount but a steep premium for a high ZDDP boutique brand oil - if they would even allow this in the first place. You'll save money buying your own oil online. I give my mechanic my own oil all the time. For a time I was going to a Mobil 1 oil change place with my own Castrol syth oil as well and they too would only charge me $20-$40 labor/waste charge. I supplied them with the oil wrench, filter and a torque wrench. Using Castrol Edge, usually purchased on sale for $50/10qt with what looked like a rebranded German filter (Puralator but probably orginally MAHLE ) tossed in, total cost was slightly over $100. Which I did twice a year.

p.s.
This might be a good time to take an oil sample and send it to Blackstone labs to set a benchmark. Do another test after a few oil changes.

[dbansal]

A local Porsche specialist is charging $140 out the door. Seems like a good deal considering it costs ekam $120 plus the hassle...

[Coffinhunter]

My last oil change cost me $85.00. They cut the filter for me so I could see that there was no metal. They didn't have the filter in stock, so I did have to make an appointment for the next day, but he found Mobil1 on sale and discounted the service based on that.

[recycledsixtie]

Cost at the Indy - $300
Me doing it - about $100

I am not that mechanically inclined - I use ramps. I use Hengst filter, Mobil 1 synthetic
0w40. It is a pretty easy job and I enjoy doing it.

[Ian c]

Check out your local dealers for a price with pca discount .
Maybe they even have a special offer like my local ....

[TeamOxford]

Originally Posted by dbansal

Also, I'm thinking of buying the oil/filter myself, and also a magnetic drain plug and giving it to the mechanic to put in.... Recommendations on oil/filter/magnetic drain plug and where to buy??

You can get your filter and the magnetic drain plug from Pelican Parts. You'll also need to get a crush ring for the plug. They're very inexpensive, so you might want to stock up. If you choose Mobil 1 as your oil, you can get 5 quart jugs at WalMart for $22.47 each. You should be able to find most other oils at your local auto parts store. The exotics will have to be ordered.

My last change cost $65.00.

TO

[TeamOxford]

Maybe this is a no-brainer, but everything you need to know about changing the oil in your Boxster, along with links for obtaining parts, can be found here:

Pelican Technical Article: Boxster Oil Change - 986 / 987

Just please don't ask what kind of oil to use. Use the "search" function on this site to find previous threads.......................then stock up on aspirin!

TO

[Kenny Boxster]

It costs me around $60 to do my oil as well, full synthetic and OEM filter. I had a phobia of others doing my oil when I went to a track and a guy's new Subaru STI developed a very loud sound coming from the engine. Turns out the tech forgot to fill the car up with oil after an oil change.

[Ian c]

How can you even think of driving to a track without checking the basics such as oil level ???

[Steve Tinker]

You guys don't know how lucky you are - Mobil 1 here in Australia retails for $A92-00 ($US100-00) per 5 litre jug, you need two so there's $US200-00 to start with.
No after market filters are available here that I know of, so its from Porsche @ $40-00 on top of the oil, or get a few from the US or UK via the internet....

If you can't do the service yourself, you're in even worse trouble. Porsche Australia sent me a flyer a couple of weeks ago where a basic yearly lube inspection for the 986 can be had for the bargain price of $A695-00 ($US747-00) - but only for July & August, then it reverts back to the normal price of heaven knows what.....
Mind you, they throw in free windscreen wipers with the service - a bargauin at half the price....

[jsceash]

Changed Oil brand with new motor and now my cost is $88 and change. 10 Qt Joe Gibb and filter

[Ian c]

I used to hate it in England ...
About 10ukp a liter and my 964 took around 13

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

You guys don't know how lucky you are - Mobil 1 here in Australia retails for $A92-00 ($US100-00) per 5 litre jug, you need two so there's $US200-00 to start with.
No after market filters are available here that I know of, so its from Porsche @ $40-00 on top of the oil, or get a few from the US or UK via the internet....

If you can't do the service yourself, you're in even worse trouble. Porsche Australia sent me a flyer a couple of weeks ago where a basic yearly lube inspection for the 986 can be had for the bargain price of $A695-00 ($US747-00) - but only for July & August, then it reverts back to the normal price of heaven knows what.....
Mind you, they throw in free windscreen wipers with the service - a bargauin at half the price....

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by jsceash

Changed Oil brand with new motor and now my cost is $88 and change. 10 Qt Joe Gibb and filter

Where did you get 10 Qts. of Joe Gibbs (DT40?) so cheaply?

[jsceash]

$7.95 a qt have to buy it by the case. Local performance shop.

[TeamOxford]

Must have fallen off of Kyle Busch's transporter.

Or maybe former Washington Redskins get a discount!

TO

[kindlethespirit]

I just had mine done at an independant with 10 quarts of Amsoil, new porsche filter and a new drain plug as mine was stripped. They charged 200. All in all not bad. I dont' have access to a lift, so I'll live with this.