996 Oil Changes - Porsche Dealer or Not?

Hey folks. I just got an oil change at my local Porsche dealership which cost $240 for the oil, oil filter and labor inclusive. Is that about right? I'm a new Porsche owner, I own a 2002 911/966 C4 and I'm still learning about the dos and don'ts of maintenance. Do I have to take my 911 into a Porsche dealership for oil changes or would taking it to a regular auto-shop be ok? Anyone have any strong opinions either way or experience with the latter? Thanks!

That doesn't sound unreasonable. The 996 takes full synthetic oil, and a lot of it! You'll save quite a bit doing it yourself though. To answer your second question I would either take it to a dealer, or do it yourself using a high quality oil. If an indy shop is around that specializes in Porsches, that could work too but I'd talk to some local owners and get their input. There are countless threads on here about the right oil to use, and an even greater number of opinions. From my reading everyone seems to agree that the 15k mile service interval is too long and recommend doing it every 5k miles. It is recommended your replace the oil plug washer with each oil change - something I doubt any non dealer or Porsche shop would know and/or stock. By the way, welcome to the site and the Porsche owners club!

Thanks Charlieaf92, this is really helpful. I appreciate your response!! Cheers.

Changing oil is one of the easiest DIYs you can do Depending On what oil you use, you are looking at $60 to $140 for oil and filter

Yes, it is a VERY easy DIY. But I have an indy that does it for $140 (gasp!!!... Mobil 1), so I don't have to mess with the waste oil. Worth the bit extra to me. From what I have read, do it every 3K miles or so.

My local dealer has one tech who factory trained on the 996 when he was first starting. While I could get a better deal on an oil change, having him go over the car once a year or so also has value. I also always use the dealer for state inspections. It costs the same as anywhere else, and a trained Porsche mechanic does an inspection of your car essentially for free. Good way to keep out in front of maintenance issues. It is not always about saving a few bucks.

I service my car once a year and perform the yearly minor service myself and let my indy handle the major services. I have actually just received all the items and will do it when time allows... The owner's manual states the oil change quantity with filter is about 8.5 liters or about 9 qts. So I buy 10ltrs so I can top up when needed.

It's really "worth" whatever it's worth to you. As others have said, depending on what type of oil and filter you use, the actual cost is about 1/3 - 1/2 that price. If you're willing and able to do the change yourself, you can put the difference back in your pocket. Based on the prices that the dealer near me charges ($180/hr. labor) it seems to be in line. **Just remember that if you do take it to a shop to get your oil changed, you should be prepared to pay extra for stuff that just breaks while it's there...This may include but is not limited to: Window regulators, locking systems, stereo, power seats, windshield wipers, etc...etc...etc... Good Luck

I have been changing my own oil in my Porsches for 30 plus years and through many models my 996 is probably one of the easiest DIY oil changes I have ever done. Once a year or 5000 miles on synthetic oil factory filter and drain plug rings. In contrast my 993 oil changes were the nightmare I always dreaded doing My 1999 996 is at 184K miles no IMS replacement and no oil burn or smoke guess I live under a charmed star Rich

I haven't, personally, done maintenance on my own cars for over 30 years. Always had someone else do it for me. Now retired and although getting old I did my own oil change, spin-on conversion and mag plug this spring. Easy! If you have the time and place to do it can be satisfying and you learn about the car as well. Not hard at all...and WELCOME!

You can change your own oil it's not difficult, it just depends if you enjoy doing that type of stuff. I do. So I do it. Sometimes I do my own maintenance, sometimes I don't. $240 oil change from the dealer? Yes that was on the pricey side, but then again 9 quarts of synthetic, filter, my dealer charges $135 hour so... Indy shop might charge $160 total. Get used to the inflated prices, as I have mentioned many times on this forum, any year 911 is expensive to maintain.

James, Most on Rennlist like to change their own oil and save lots of money, but there are two common oil camps: Mobil 1 and non-Mobil 1 hahaha! or... even more detailed ex: JoeGibbs DT40, LN spin on adapter, filter, magnetic drain plug and washer or Mobil 1 0W40, standard filter (i.e. Mahle, K&N, etc.), standard plug and washer Things to remember: 1. Most recommend changing it at least once a year or even twice (early spring/ early fall) - 5000 miles or under 2. It's a good idea to replace the drain plug AND washer as well as the filter rubber O-ring 3. If you have the standard filter, cut it apart and examine it for metal or plastic containments 4. Do NOT over torque the plug 5. If you have excessive containments in the filter, then drop the pan for further analysis. 6. DON'T overfill the car with oil. Normally 9 qts is enough, but still examine the dip stick because residual oil could still be in the system and not completely drained out. 7. Some recommend driving the car to warm the oil before changing it, but always allow plenty of time for the car to completely drain. 8. Use appropriate (safe) jack stands to get the car at the right height and as level as possible when draining. Changing the oil regularly at appropriate times with the right oil, is one of the most important PM things you can do for your 996. I personally can buy 10 qts of Mobil 1 for under $50 and then another $20 for the filter, washer, and plug. And so, now you can see the profit margin. Cheers!

B3: You change the drain plug every time you do an oil change???

Concur with all the comments above. You really should change your own oil at least once, so you can see what's on the underside of your car. That way, you can follow along better on threads you'll be reading here. WildBilly kinda hinted at it, but most of us have gone to a magnetic drain plug. Helps to find/hold any of the dreaded chunks so you can take corrective action. Note that the torque value for the mag plugs is lower than the stock plug - around 19 vs 30 ft lbs. They will strip if you over do it. Another somewhat valid point is that depending on where you live, most folks recommend 6 months regardless of mileage, especially if yours is a hobby car that might only accumulate 2000 miles or so between changes. Acid forms due to condensation and blow-by if you don't drive it hard and regularly enough. Frequent oil changes are the best PM you can do for these motors. Probably more important than the oil you choose.

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Absolutely! It comes with the filter package anyway and so why not?

B3: What "package" is that??

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Hey Carl, I thought motor oils become carboxylic acids because of combustion gases mixing with the oil. Maybe you're referring to the oxidation of oil that results in thick dark oil and/or sludge?

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mahle-Engine...dU5xxT&vxp=mtr

Ok. Got it. Thanks.

I don't(and wouldn't) use the dealer for anything except the most esoteric model-specific repair. If you go to a dealer, you get the youngest, least experienced tech at the place. Not usually good. If you go to an indy, you can specify and even watch the job. I would not take it to one of the oil change Jiffy-Lube places, but any competent foreign car repair place can do it for quite a bit less. Ask the tech to inspect the filter pleats, or let you inspect it. Save your money for other stuff.

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My dad had my sister and me changing oil in the cars from the time we got learner's permits. I'm not leery of doing the work myself. The issue becomes what to do with the old oil. It means bottling it up and hauling it to a toxic waste recycling center. Or I can pay an extra $80 or so for an hour of shop labor and they deal with the waste.

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Llis, I just pour it down the drain, what's the harm in that?

^^^ Just pour it into a nearby storm drain.

Simultaneous answers. See? Obviously, it's what most do.

Yeah, I may drive a low-mpg sports car, but I'm not an orc.

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An orca?????? WTF???

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I am lucky to have a service pit in my garage floor. Looking forward to doing my first DIY oil change with the JG oil, spin on adapter and magnetic plug.

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Woody, you've finally drank the Kool Aid man! I knew you weren't gullible at first, but with a ll' charismatic preaching, we got ya to take the sip. ha! Please don't miss the DT40 baptismal service held down at the river on Sunday, ok?

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I know, I know... Next thing you know I'll be washing the car with purified water taken from a mountain spring high in the Bavarian Alps.

It's super easy to change the oil on these cars. Everything is right there, and easily accessible. The only issue I've had is worrying that the drain pan contraption thing I have won't take in all the oil as it comes out fast and there is a lot of it. Compared to the 2006 Jetta we have, that you almost burn your hands to get the filter on if the car is warm, or my 1998 Jeep cherokee that has a angled drain plug which makes a mess and my feet are about half in the air leaning into the darn thing to get the filter on. I change it twice a year at 5000 miles, and change my filter once a year.

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Put it back in the bottles from the new oil and take it to an autoparts store or quick lube place. Most of them recycle oil for free

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Why would they do that? Don't they know that customer service is un-American?

But actually, that's pretty cool. I'll check out the locals.

even walmart accepts old oil and filters, too. Some places won't take the filters.

In BC if you sell oil you have to either take it back or have arrangements with another facility to take it for your customers. The city recycling depots also take it . I'm cheap , Canadian Tire has castrol edge 5w40 (a40 approved) on sale for 40 percent off a couple times a year and I buy filters by the case , so I change my oil twice a year in the spring and in October .its easy to do .

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Thanks JayG!!

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Thanks Cuda!

Wow!! Nice. You're a pro! Thanks for the reply.

Thanks! I'd love to save $100 or whatever by doing the work myself plus I get a buzz from doing jobs like this myself. But when it comes to my 911 I think the peace of mind I will get from having an expert do the work is "worth" the money to me. Thanks!!

Thanks for the reply! Nice photo too by the way. What color is your 996? Is that a green color?

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Thanks for the reply!! Appreciate it.

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Hi James, welcome to the group. $240 really isn't that bad if you don't want to do it yourself. It costs me $90 - $110 to do it myself, depending on what sales are available on the quality synthetic oil I use. If you like to work on cars at all, this is a very easy DIY. Don't assume that an "expert" will be handling the job or that the person doing the actual work will care nearly as much as you do about doing it correctly. I agree with others about the spin-on oil adapter and magnetic drain plug. As far as which brand and type of oil to use - do some reading and make up your own mind. It is one of those topics that starts range wars. I know that in New York state, any business that sells motor oil must take in old oil for free. I thought this was a federal regulation but maybe it's just by state. There is a wealth of information on this site and many people who are happy to help. I find that working on the car, even oil changes, helped me feel more familiar with the car and stopped me from thinking that it was a priceless work of art that only experts should approach. Enjoy your 996, it's a great car!

Just did mine. $54 for the oil, $17 for the filter and drain plug gasket. 30 minutes of my time. The dealership wanted $285.

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What filter buy for $17? They should be around $9-$12 for the cartridge and the gasket no more than a buck

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Yes, decided I wanted to do it this weekend, so I bought locally. Had to go to the dealership for the $1.61 gasket.

Pelican sells the filters for 10.50 , this includes the seal , so you don't have to buy it separately . I'm thinking I'll go with the spin on kit once I use up my case of filters . I've already fitted the magnetic plug.

I recently started doing the oil changes on mine - not really about the money, it makes me feel more connected to the car - I have not been interested in doing oil changes on any of my other cars in my life. I should add I do not have any mechanical aptitude at all and can still easily perform an oil change on a 996. for me it is more convenient than dropping it off at my Indy

The 996 is the single easiest oil change of any car I've ever owned. The Miata filter is mounted to the side of the engine under the intake so every change is a a mini oil spill. Our Acadia drains onto a crossbeam. Let me say that again, the Acadia drains directly onto a crossbeam. Etc etc. Definitely tackle this if you have any inclination to do so.