Typical Oil Change Cost - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

dbansal · 07-22-2013, 06:29 AM

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 · 07-22-2013, 06:48 AM

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 · 07-22-2013, 06:51 AM

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

Fintro11 · 07-22-2013, 07:32 AM

Cut open your oil filer after and look for metal filings

Perfectlap · 07-22-2013, 09:31 AM

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 · 07-22-2013, 10:59 AM

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

Coffinhunter · 07-22-2013, 11:18 AM

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 · 07-22-2013, 11:27 AM

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 · 07-22-2013, 11:37 AM

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

ekam · 07-22-2013, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbansal

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

Let me tell you a story.

My local specialist changed oil for me for $120 and I went on the track few weeks after, after a few laps smoke started to come out from the exhaust and I thought I blew my motor.

I had the car towed back to the pit and lucky there was a Porsche mechanic on the spot, after checking the dip stick he claimed whoever did my oil change over-filled it and it spilled over causing huge amount of smoke.

Truth is most shops just get some new kid to do easy stuff like oil change, they use the knowledgeable mechanics for bigger jobs. I never took my Porsche to a shop to get an oil change since.

mountainman · 07-23-2013, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ekam

Let me tell you a story.

My local specialist changed oil for me for $120 and I went on the track few weeks after, after a few laps smoke started to come out from the exhaust and I thought I blew my motor.

I had the car towed back to the pit and lucky there was a Porsche mechanic on the spot, after checking the dip stick he claimed whoever did my oil change over-filled it and it spilled over causing huge amount of smoke.

Truth is most shops just get some new kid to do easy stuff like oil change, they use the knowledgeable mechanics for bigger jobs. I never took my Porsche to a shop to get an oil change since.

That is one very important reason that I do my own. I take my time, drain it completely, fill it close to full and then top up a little at a time until it is the correct level and I do it for less than $60. After all, this isn't brain surgery and should be quite easy to do, but I have seen several instances where it was incorrectly done. Do it yourself and you know it is right. I too do at least 6 oil changes per year and the $600 plus that I save on them buys upgrades, etc.

TeamOxford · 07-22-2013, 12:23 PM

Quote:

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 · 07-22-2013, 02:06 PM

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 · 07-22-2013, 03:03 PM

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 · 07-22-2013, 03:12 PM

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

jsceash · 07-22-2013, 03:18 PM

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

Joe B · 07-22-2013, 03:27 PM

Quote:

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 · 07-22-2013, 03:40 PM

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

TeamOxford · 07-22-2013, 03:53 PM

Must have fallen off of Kyle Busch's transporter.

Or maybe former Washington Redskins get a discount!

TO

Steve Tinker · 07-22-2013, 03:18 PM

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....