30K service today

Just got my 30K svc today, all is good. 847$, including plugs. I thought plugs were only replaced on 99-01 cars, but apparently the dealers have all been told to change them out at 30k now on all 996s, they even showed me the memo on that, wonder what prompted that?

I'm coming up on my 30K. How does the car feel after the major service?

It feels much crisper, like brand new!

MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE PLUGS WERE WEARING PREMATURELY.

What did they include on your service? Do you have a break down? -Eli

I sure hope it was more than plugs, oil, and filters (oil, particle, air). All parts you can get for about $150.

Dell, they do a whole array of tests and checks on the car, kind of important with a warranty, it's all detailed in your owners manuals. As far as the plugs go, as of 5/05 PAG is recommending plug changes at the 30K major service, this is a change, they had rec chage only at the 60k svc point, not sure why, Tool Pants might know. Chris

Thanks Chris. I read over the maintenance checklists and most of those checks are either able to be done by yourself or checks the dealer can do on a routine trip in for warranty work. I think my problem is once my cost delta gets disproportionate (my perception) to labor charged vs. what I could do myself I start thinking about MODS that I could put on the car with that cash Oh, I need help.

I tend to agree with you, but mine's still under warranty and I have a little RMS issue, just want all my i's dotted. BTW, the dealers have a set price for the 30k svc, I recently changed my oil and brakes myself, so that wasn't included (usually 1063$ in ny).

Wow! $1063 seems kinda steep. I haven't even talked to my SA about the 30K service yet (due in about 2K) so I have no idea what they are going to bend me over for. But......I suppose I should have them do it as well since the car is still under warranty (CPO).

$847 is pretty good! Memo says-- Lets add GP! change plugs at 30K

GP?

Gross Profit

I figured. Thank Jeff!

Just did mine last week, they did plugs too. (see my post last week about this) I had them hold on the oil change because I just did it a few months back, my total was $876.00. No air filter becuase I have K&N. What pissed me off is that they go ahead and replace wiper blades for $36.00, and they were replaced by the same dealer in July. Just keep trying to stick it to you!! Car seems to run a bit better, hardly noticable. I had them do a lot of warranty checks on rattles, sunroof, etc. Then I pick up the car and notice a chip in the paint top of LF fender about the size of a pea. They had me bring the car back, gave me a loaner, and they wil lfix N/C. Brad 2002 coupe 30K miles... Orange Plug GHL LOUD H&R K&N

Brad, they did the exact same thing to me, bent me over for some rubber grommet under the car, $47. I also presented them with a laundry list of warranty shist. It's like they have a target figure they have to reach, 800 I guess.

While no one likes to know that their "expert" has just punked them for something they don't need, it is important for everyone that reads this to know that you have been taken, so they do not fall into the same trap. You have been punked by the oldest con in the book that dealer service departments use to fatten their routine service business profits. namely performing routine maintenance at shorter intervals than needed. In your case, you fell for the "Plugs now need to be changed earlier, and here is the "memo" to prove it. I have all of the official PCNA service communications (they are called Technical Service Bulletins- TSBs) on maintenance items, and unfortunately, there are none changing the plug replacement interval for 2001-2004 non-turbo or GT2/3 996s from 60K to 30K. I have also verified this with my service support contacts at PCNA just to be sure. Now, changing plugs early won't hurt anything, and in fact may make your car faster, because your wallet is now prematurely lighter, but it was an unnecessary 30K procedure for your vehicle. And for all of the wimps reading this that feel they must have the dealer do their maintenance to keep their warranty valid, it is not so. You or anyone can do the maintenance on the car and the warranty will remain valid. The key is to do the maintenance when it is due. All is needed is documentation of the work being done if there is an issue. (There is tons of case law on this issue) So to all of you that feel you must take your car to a dealer to do routine maintenance, and they try to sell you more than is required (even if they have the "memo") beware, 99.9% of the time this is just a ploy to shake you down. So in the end you paid $847 for about $125 worth of parts (oil, filters, plugs) and 2 hours worth of labor. That works out to $361/hr for labor. Sounds like someone got a good deal, and it was not you!

My point exactly. Which is why I will question it and go over everything they claim will be done for that kinda cash and then have them explain to me why so much for plugs, oil, and filters. At that point I will decide whether or not to proceed. $500 or less I can swing since I feel that is worth my time but $1K......not a chance!

Stevens Creek Porsche in San Jose Ca. [phone removed]) charges $399 for the 01-04 996 non-turbo or GT2/3 30K service. However it does cost extra if you want your plugs changed prematurely! Their Chief Porsche Service Tech is also the PCA national technical expert for 987 and Cayenne as well. He will verify the 60K plug replacement interval for 01-04 996s has not changed.

Aarrrggghhh!!!

I just called by dealer and they said its still 60k for the plugs. Any guess on what a 60k service on a 2001 C4 should run at a dealer?

I'm doing my own plugs pretty soon..... How many of you have changed yours? What sort of time did it take.... I was under there a while back and should have done it then but oh well I'll do it pretty soon... Also did you go with BERU, BOSCH OR NGK? -Eli

Eli.....Have read several posts over at Renntech.org about this and all but one are easy to do. One is a bit of a booger to get to but still manageable considering the cost of the dealer.

Considering that I installed my roll-bar in last week "single-handed I might add" in about 4 hours I think this will be a walk in the park...... I asked a buddy of mine who is a service writter at Porsche and he said they would bill out close to 8 hours for this job considering that the techs would team up on the install. One of the Service techs was out with us that night so I asked him how long it takes him, his reply was 2 1/2 hours alone.... I'd soon rather swap out a set of mufflers than to do that again...... -Eli

Concur.....I plan on doing mine (probably). Not for 6 months or so though.

Swing by and I'll knock them both out at the same time..... -Eli

Not sure when I would be in SOCAL next but if it is in that time frame I'd look you up

Cool. I cant wait.

oriental express I'm glad you're such an expert, don't know what I'd do without you. Now, if you'd just get yourself a real car and get rid of that girly cab! kidding Seriously, I have a 90k car under a factory new car warranty. Sure, I could look at everything and certify it as ok, or have Joe Blo at the shell station do it for 100$, but if I blow my motor at the track one day and tell Porsche 'Well, I did my own scheduled major svc in my driveway...." I'm sure that ain't gonna fly, a few hundred dollars to the dealer to do the scheduled maint. on nearly a hundred thousand dollar car is worth it to me, to each his own. Some people buy filet mignon at costco too. FWIW, I could give a crap less about the plugs, 60k is way too long an interval in my book, esp if you track it at all. Dell, dude, do whatever you want, but if your car is under warranty and worth anything I'd have a P dealer do it and have one less headache in the future. Chris

Chris, depending on what my SA tells me will determine if I let them do it. I thoroughly enjoy doing DIY projects on the car but I leave the big items to the dealer for the very reason you stated--"a few hundred dollars to the dealer to do the scheduled maint. on nearly a hundred thousand dollar car is worth it to me" It's one thing to do a DIY b/c you are cheap....it is a whole 'nother ballgame if it's b/c you wised up to getting bent over.

Couldn't agree more, Dell.

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There are somethings that I won't attempt on any car, and others things that are no different on a 100K car then on a Toyota Corolla, and routine maintenance is one of those things that there is no difference. Many folks would rather have their dealer give them a Cashectomy then DIY, which is fine. ( the dealer has a "memo" that helps dull the pain ) They can rationalize it anyway they want if that will make them feel good about their decision. If one damages their engine tracking their car, it won't matter who does the routine maintenance, the person with the broken car will need to do some smart tap dancing to get it covered under any warranty arrangement. So in the end, each to his own. Cheers

OE....you get funnier by the post

If one damages their engine tracking their car, it won't matter who does the routine maintenance, the person with the broken car will need to do some smart tap dancing to get it covered under any warranty arrangement Yes, but your dancing will be less painful if your dealer has been doing the maint and track tech inspections.

I just got my 30k done (with 28k mi on odometer) because my warranty is coming up in June. I want the dealer to look through the car and do warranty repair.