general service costs and mechanic recommendation in NoVa.

Hello everyone.... looking to make a move to the darkside in the next couple months, currently in the market for a 996 cab if the right one ever comes along. I have been doing quite a bit of reading and research... this board is a great resource and I have learned so much in the short time that I've been here. I was wondering if anyone could give me some input on the general maintenance costs for a 996.... how much are the "big" services? ie. 30k, 60k? Typically I do most of the maintenance in my own garage but for the scheduled maintenance I do like to take it to an authorized shop to get the service done. Which brings me to the next question, are the 996's serviceable by a do-it-yourselfer? How accessible is the engine with only a jack and stands? Finally, can anyone recommend a good shop in the Northern Virginia area? I've heard good things about Curry's automotive, can anyone recommend anywhere else? Thanks again for helping a newbie out.... hopefully in the next couple months I'll be able to come back a bonafide owner of a 996!

Curry's is pretty good. My buddy takes his 993 coupe to Curry's for service. I take my 996 cab to Intersport on Spring Hill Road in Tysons Corner (a couple of blocks from my home). HBL is good for warranty service but I wouldn't take my car there if it is out of warranty -- $$$.

I've been to intersport before, I had them do some tuning on my supraTT back in the day.... good shop, plus it's right around the corner from me.... would you recommend one over the other for a PPI? or would you recommend going to the dealer?

I am sure both Curry's and Intersport can do a PPI but I would go to the dealer since they've probably done more of it and have the official checklist of things to look for if you know what I mean. I would recommend Intersport. They were actually able to fix a vacuum leak in my 996 that HBL was not able to fix. Intersport is a good shop and a couple of their guys are former HBL factory trained techs.

You are lucky. There are several excellent independent shops here in NoVA. I have heard goods things about several of them. I have used Auto Sportsystems in Fairfax (ASG) for the past 10 years for all maintenance and major work . Originally for my air cooled 911 and now my 996 for the past 4 years. They are an excellent shop who I know well and trust. As far as dealers go, I have had good experience with Porsche of Arlington (formerly Heishmans). I purchased my first 911 from them.

Thanks for all the responses and the input from everyone.... can anyone give me an idea of costs for the major scheduled maintenance? And what is considered high mileage on a 996? i rarely see them over 60k...

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the independent shops mentioned, but if you must go to a dealer I also, have had good experiences w/Arlington. Unless you have deep pockets, I would recommend you do the DIY for brakes, Rotors, all filters, oil changes, brake flushes, plugs at 30K, a 996 is "user friendly" for general maintenance work. I would also recommend you take it to an occasional PCA tech inspection (performed by Potomac tech teams at the local independent shops) for a drivers Education event, they will inspect your car for free, and answer many of the questions you may have. You can log on to http://www.pcapotomac.org/ for tech schedules. you don't have to particapate in DE events to go. and last FWIW. The "average" Porsche owner drives 10K or less/yr , thats not to say higher milage cars are not perfectly acceptable, the jury is still out for 996 hi milage dependability IMO.

I've taken my 99 996 to Innersport recently for a 45k minor service and the guys there did my service for about $200 less than what Tischer and HBL had quoted me. Also they fixed a coolant leak and worn out clutch and a few other minor lines that needed to be changed that were found during their inspections. They did thoroughly inspect the car and other than rotors and brakes in a few months or so (depending on how much I drive it); the car is now better than it was when I got it. Peter & Ivan there at Innersport actually spent time talking me through the repairs and findings and explaining even basic 911 function and design to me...that was instrumental and definately NOT what I would have gotten at a few of the dealers I am sure. I've owned enough cars to know that...and they didn't all have to be Porsche's! I do plan on doing my brakes myself probably but Intersport will be doing my exhaust/muffler swap out and any major overhauls for sure if/as needed. I also hear Curry's is very good too...had made an appt with them but IMA was closer and near the Metro. Good luck with your search.

Excuse me I am refering to IMA Motorsport which is on Prosperity Blvd next to the BMW dealership out there. Sorry for the confusion.

IMA's a good shop, Ivan's great.

I have heard from several people that IMA does good work. I stopped by IMA a while ago to inquire about an intake and exhaust upgrade. Ivan seemed like a cool guy and answered a lot of my questions. His shop does a lot of race car prep but is quite small. Intersport is a larger shop and could turn around routine maintenance jobs quicker.