Interesting chat with dealer this morning

Take it FWIW but I was just told by my dealer this morning that they had a bad batch of seals for the RMS leaks during last year. Meaning, that the seal that they put in was not up to snuff Also, as much as I like the dealer (and I do really like him. He is honest and straight up), I am put off by the cavalier attitude regarding RMS. The take was if it happens in warranty, all is fine. If it happens out of warranty, the customer is hung out to dry and the dealer will 'work' with the customer to see what needs fixing and when. God help you should you need to replace anything beyond just the seal when out of warranty. As far as extended warranties go, we got into it on a tangent and the outcome was that he didn't understand how anyone selling extended warranties on p-cars for less than $3000 makes any money. He was pitching the warranty that the dealership has which you can only take advantage of as long as you are still in warranty and under 30000 miles. Even then, it runs anywhere between $3000 - $6000 As far as tires go, he was decidedely negative on Kumhos. Any opinions there? They aren't nearly the bargain they used to be 2-odd years ago but I used to have them on my Bimmer and thought they were a good compromise between performance and price. If anyone is interested and as a point of referance, here is what I"m paying for the following services. This is more than what posters had said earlier that they were paying but since I have no mechanical inclination, such is the cost. Its cheaper by about a $100 compared to another local dealer for the 15K. 15K --- $495 Brake bleed --- $99 Alignment --- $225 Tire mounting/balancing - $120 (for a set of 4) The above prices are without the PCA discount of 10% that this dealer does honor.

If you check Tire rack they rank the Kuhmos quite highly. I personally will spend a little more money on the Bridgestone S03, but the Kuhmo price is attractive.

Chicago996. I recently posted that I paid $630 for a 15K. The response was that I paid way too much!!!! I spoke to the mechanics who worked on the car about the fees. They stated that on their 15K, though the manual says inspect and replace if necessary, they replace the air filter, carbon filter, wiper blades(if needed), and the oil filter. The mechanic said that simply lifting the air filter cover and looking was not adequate. It needed to be removed from the car so that the underside can be seen. He also said the 15K does not call for an oil filter replacement which they do. Basically, he questioned whether the other prices quoted included replacing all of these parts or just inspecting them? I did watch him do most of the work. He did take out the entire air filter assembly, inspect it, cleaned out debris, and replaced the filter. He also bled the brakes which was $102. This is included in the price above. He worked on the car about 3 to 4 hours. For what its worth they always wash the car before giving it back. I agree I can do most of the work. I also agree that the prices are not inexpensive. However, when I took my 2004 Cayenne S in because the inside tread of the front tires were wearing dramatically at 10k miles. The dealer shocked me. They replaced all four tires, did a four wheel alignment, and replaced the Cardan driveshaft at no charge. I can see the driveshaft under warranty, but the tires and alignment? I didn't like the cassette holder in the center console of my C4S. The dealer ordered a cubby holder which was $45 he told me to take it at no charge. My point is this. The dealer you deal with can most certainly be beaten in the price department if you shop. But do they stand behind their work, their cars, and are they working to keep you as a customer? Thus far mine has.

Good god... are you walking funny today from being bent over?! Those prices are insane! You can bleed your own brakes for free and it's REAL easy. The alignment shouldn't even cost $100 (my dealer is $180) and well, the tire mounting and balancing charge is just ludicrous.

FWIW In central Illinois, a 4 wheel alignment runs $125-$150. Dismounting / Mounting / Balancing 18 inch tires runs $25 per wheel. Balance is good for as long as you own the tire/wheel. Brake bleed for a C4S including new ATE fluid will run $100 easily. This prices have been about the same for the last 5 years. Cheers,

NickS: As an FYI on 996 brakes, you need a PST2 (or the new replacement I forget the name of) to cycle the ABS pump so if you're looking to flush the brakes rather than a simple bleed you do need the dealer, or a shop that's coughed up the $7500 for a PST2, to do it.

Yes, bleeding ABS isn't like bleeding your MG 30 years ago. It takes 3 hours and $200 for a dealer to replace the brake fluid on my 99 BMW motorcycle. Doing it at home can yield some undesireable results. Steve 99 996 00 M5 66 GT-350

With an alignment rack and system at $40K, tire changer and wheel balalncer at around $12K for the pair, the increasing cost of running a business, a decrease in the supply of skilled techncians and the increasing complexity of current vehicles (of all makes), prices have only one way to go. That will be upwards. Porsche dealers are also having to buy more and more expensive special tools. All of the above affects the hourly labor rate. As someone who works in the automotive industry, I'm trying to see why a $100 for a brake fluid flush is excessive.... As far as a wheel alignment for $100; with the $40K invested in not-old-but-it-will-soon-be-obsolete alignment equipment I would want a better return on capital.