$213 for an oil and filter change only?

Long Beach Porsche, went in for a peace of mind break-in oil and filter change only. Got charged $213.13 (includes tax) for a while-you-wait oil and filter change. Break down on my sheet is: $115 for labor $17.52 for oil filter insert 0.23 cents for alum seal ring $72.90 for (10) quarts of Mobil 1 0W40 (which I could get for 4.50 at Kragens). $7.48 sales tax Tot = $213.13, car was at dealer from drop off to driving away 90 min. I called after the fact to Pacific Porsche in Torrance and they quoted $155 for oil and filter change. I did a search but mostly saw east coast prices and prices for full 15k service. What's LA area oil and filter change only going for the rest of you in my neck of the woods? (not DIY)

Go to a local porsche bmw shop. I got quoted $65 for an oil change using Mobil 1. The dealer sucks! They are way overpriced for non warranty work.

In reality, a dealer charging an hour of labour [$115] for an oil change is dishonest [theft], unless the mechanic stands around and does nothing for 40mins while the oil drains - which I doubt. JiffyLube can change the oil on a 996C4S.

Walter's Porsche in Riverside quoted me $150. I still did it myself - it's just too easy (and inexpensive) to pay someone else to do it.

Wow! Figure the filter's gotta be at least $15 or so, even at discount, right? And 10 quarts of Mobil 1, even bought in wholesale bulk has to be $40, right? So $10 for labor? Hmmmm.... I suspect that the official Porsche "Book Rate" for an oil change quotes an hour. That's how they can justify charging $115 for labor. Back in my naive days, I paid $179 for an oil change... 1 hour of labor at $95, $60 for oil, $18 for filter. Now I do it myself. $17 for filter, $47.70 for Mobil 1 from Wal-Mart, and about 20 minutes of my time (including lying on the ground waiting for oil to stop dripping). vty, --Dennis

They must buy oil and filter in bulk. That's the price they quoted me two days ago over the phone. I'm sure they make their money off bigger jobs and upgrades. Here's there website: www.germantech.com

That is highway robbery. I know the price they charge for oil and filter will be that high. Its fair to charge $7 per quart that is trhe full retail price of mobil 1. I know that Pepboys sell it for $4.50 but that don't count. I maean if you had a Chevy the dealer would charge $9 for a oil filter you could buy for $4. The problem is $115 for labor. It takes 1/2 hour to do this job. Even if they charged 1 hour, I have never seen a dealer at $115 per hour.

i see no reason not to follow the factory recommendation to change the oil at 15k mi. my oil was still clear on my c4s--i only added 1/2 quart at 10k mi.

btw: the filter at wholesale is $7.25.

it's about $125 at downtown la porsche. they have been very good with respect to cost, in my experience. an independent mercedes shop on the westside charged me $115. anything above $150 is WAY excessive...

I got 5k on my car, it's nearly been a year and my oil is black. Plus i've added 7 quarts of oil over 11 months.

I find the dealer rates are actually reasonable.....(not because I work for one)....but c'mon. Here are a list of cons: 1. The trouble of getting engine oil at Kragens, Autozone or Napa [which are generally in "bad" areas, here in Oakland at least] and getting door dinged in the process. 2. Having to jack up your car and dangerously creeping under it and getting soaked in oil. 3. Possibly stripping and mis-handling the oil filter. 4. Having to dispose of your engine oil [all 9 quarts] and filter. 5. Killing 1 hour of your weekend....for the "pro" DIY'er, maybe less. 6. Missing possible TSB's and possible warrantable issues taken care of. 7. The loaner car that you get to drive like you stole it. C'mon folks, it's a small price to pay, $200.00 in 10K miles ...pssssh, most Honda owners pay that in 4 oil changes through the same interval. I don't know, but when I i'm driving my Porsche, maintenance cost specially oil changes are the least of my worries. I want to enjoy the car and not dread how much little things would cost.... My point is that if you're going to cry about oil changes because you're use to seeing $39.00 10w/30 penzoil oil changes for Hondas and the common car, then you should have bought a Honda S2000 or a Toyota Celica. I used to work at a BMW dealership where 5 series owners used to get charged $200 more than 3 Series owners with exactly the same engine and transmission. This is because it was a "5 series". IT's only business. You drive a Porsche, Ya want to play ya gotta pay. There's a lot more to complain about getting over charged! Why do you think the IRS charges you a higher Tax bracket compared to the regular common folk [probably driving a Honda or Camry]. In this country the harder you work and the more you make, the more they charge you. The less you work, the more you're rewarded with wellfare and unemployment. IT ALL SUCKS, ALL TOGETHER.

Hey deputydawg, I've used germantech before and they're a great shop to go to. It's actually fun to go visit them, even my wife got a kick out of it. I didn't realize their oil changes were so cheap though...maybe I won't do it myself if it's that inexpensive. wow. The other cool thing is that they're very active in club events and the local Porsche scene. The only problem I can think of is that Joe (the owner) is always showing me the cool new toys they've got in and are installing on someone else's car.

But you don't have to pay too much. I'm guessing that there are Porsche owners on this forum that don't mind saving the extra $100 (I'm one). As soon as I starting making what my SOCAL real estate agent is making, I'll rethink my position.

Don't forget many dealers will give you 10% off parts and labor if your a PCA member!

what about being a rennlister?

wow, big difference in price even among local dealers...been away for a few days and just got to this thread. Thanks for all the answers. I'll stick to dealers for service but seeing the huge difference in price, I'm definitely going to try that downtown LA porsche. $125 vs 213, pretty huge difference. also, a p.s. for those in more fortunate areas, but not all dealers in california (for either my BMW or porsche) give free loaners. mostly it seems only if the work is tied to something that's their or warranty fault, not a regular service visit.

mozhacker - I have great experience with Downtown Porsche - recommend especially Valentin for service advisor and their head mechanic Dennis is a super guy. Are you downtown? Would like to hear your PSE sometime.

I second Valentin and especially Dennis as well. I've been there many times and they are extremely helpful.

oil change on a "unlowered" 996 is very easy. drive rear right tire over two pieces of 4x6, if you are more than 170 pounds, try 3 or 4 pieces of wood (if you don't have jack and jack stands).. one plug and one filter is all you need to remove. it will not take you more than 30 minute. changing oil at recommended 15,000 miles is deadly IMHO. when i dump my oil out at 3000 miles, it's BLACK compared to the dark golden brown of new oil...

I think 15k is a stretch also. BMW does it, but only b/c they pay for the services, methinks. jason

closest I get to downtown LA usually is Hollywood, however I'm definitely going to try this dealer for my next service visit. come on out to the next meet. in just the last month or so there's been two meet and drives already. big one down in crystal cove OC, and just a couple weekends ago a drive from malibu to santa barbara. you would have heard all the exhaust types then, PSE I, PSE II, fabspeed, etc. anytime you're going to be in the manhattan beach area though, just let me know and you can hear my PSE anytime. no electronics, full time open all the way

mozhacker - thanks. Ordered PSE today so I'll be hearing my own shortly.