996TT Service - Spark Plug Change Req'd?

Gents, I hope you can assist. My 996 turbo is due it's birthday service. I rang up my local OPC to book it in well ahead of time. Unfortunately I was somewhat surprised by their response – they reckon I need a major service with spark plug change. I was expecting an annual plus major but not the spark plug change. According to the owners manual the plugs need changing when a major is carried out at 24,000 miles and 48,000 miles etc. I'm currently at 32,500 miles and past service history is as follows: 01/12/03 = 9,069 miles = Yearly + Minor = Porsche Centre West London 29/11/04 = 12,098 miles = Yearly + Major = Porsche Centre West London 23/11/05 = 16,795 miles = Yearly + Minor = Porsche Centre Hatfield 28/11/06 = 22,100 miles = Major + Spark Plug = Porsche Centre West London 30/11/07 = 26,189 miles = Yearly = Porsche Centre West London 01/12/08 = 29,545 miles = Yearly + Minor = Porsche Centre Guildford So what do you think? – am I due a yearly + major as expected and my local OPC is once again proving competency is harder than an owner might expect. I'm happy to pay the £1k+ quoted by the dealership if that is indeed what is required but it just doesn't gel with the owners service handbook. In truth I'm sorely tempted to take it to a local independant (Malton or Strasse) but I would really like to keep the service book Porsche stamped whilst the car is in standard form and on the extended Porsche warranty. However I don't want to travel the country just to get my pride & joy serviced by an OPC. I guess I'm not the first and certainly not the last owner to be frustrated by the dealership network. Thanks in advance. Rich.

As you say, the plug change interval is 24000 miles, so you aren't due until 46100. I would definitely argue with them about it, as there is no time schedule for this operation. As for the service, if it was me I would want a major, as it has been 3 years since the last one. The car has a really good service history so far, and I think it is better to over-service than do the minimum. It always looks better to a prospective purchaser too.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts Richard. I agree regarding doing a major service which was always my intention - as you suggest I want to maintain the 'good' service history. Thanks again. Richard.

Well I've been back to my local OPC and they are still maintaining that I should change the plugs. This is the info they emailed me Minor service every 12,000 miles or 1 year (up to & including Model Year 2003) Every 12,000 miles or 2 years (from Model Year 2004) Major service every 24,000 miles or 2 years (up to & including Model Year 2003) Every 24,000 miles or 4 years (from Model Year 2004) Model 911 Turbo - *Major service includes replacement of spark plugs. However, I still don't believe that's the case so have booked myself in for a major service only in a few weeks time. What was surprising is the cost - they are quoting £800 (inc VAT) and claim they can do it on a Saturday morning whilst I wait (although will mooch around the local shopping centre). This seems somewhat steep for 4 hours work. What do people think - are they having my eyes out? :dont know: What's considered the going rate for a major service? Local indie's are charging £550'ish (inc VAT) which is a big difference - is a Porsche stamp really worth an extra 3rd? I do want to keep the OPC stamps in the service book. Thanks, Rich.

I stand corrected. I looked at the maintenance schedule, and it says that a spark plug change is part of the 24k Major service. IMO it doesn't make sense though, as you are experiencing, as the plugs are being changed after only half their life. They must have at least 2 techs working on the car to do it in 4 hours. Book time for changing the plugs alone is 3.5 hours, as you have to remove the rear PU and intercoolers before you can get to them. If £800 includes the plug change it isn't bad, but the stamp isn't worth it unless you have to maintain the warranty. IMO.

A quick update - after much deliberation I've decided to take the plunge and get the plugs changed. I'm still not 100% convinced that they need doing but it's the safe option. Given the mileage I do it's going to be another 3 or 4 years before I get to 48k miles. I've similarly debated the indie vs OPC route. In the end my local OPC have come down to £900 (inc vat) for a major including plugs - they originally quoted £1200. I was sorely tempted to take it to Malton Specialist cars who would do exactly the same service (and no doubt take more care about it as well) for £575 inc VAT. For the time being I've decided to keep with the opc stamp in the book to make life easier should I need to call on the warranty plus I think it will help should I come to sell it. Thanks for your help Richard_H :thumb: Rich.