PPI results

I just got the results back from my PPI on a 99 996 with 43k miles. The dealer is asking 33800. Brake Fluid Flush 219 Airbag Mainenance 135 Rear Window Seal 374 Oil Seperator 907 Oil Pan Reseal 275 Coolant Flush 447 Battery 270 Spark Plug Tubes (leak) 915 Coding Ready Status 125 Wiper blades and arms 80 Drivers Muffler 818 TOTAL------------------->4500 (approx) What I am wondering is, what should definately be done by the porsche dealership, and what could be done by the average mechanic for potentially less. Futhermore, do these prices seem reasonable? Also, since this is my first time purchasing a porsche (or any car for that matter), I am definately interested in any general advice you might have. I get the impression that the dealer has some room to work with, since this car wholesales for something like 27500. Am I unrealistic to think that he should cover most, if not all, of the expenses?

This is going to be your first car!?!?! Wow. My first car was a 100,000 mile Pontiac Catalina, back when they were designed and built to last 60,000 miles. Although the price sounds reasonable and most of the work required sounds reasonable, I would not recommend that a Porsche be your first car. Especially if you can't do the maintenance yourself. I don't know what an oil separator is, that's a new one on me. Also not familiar with "spark plug tubes" nor what kind of maintenance needs to be done to airbags... they either work or they don't, there is no preventive maintenance that I'm aware of. Lurk on this board for a while, read the posts, see what others go through when buying and maintaining their cars, that's the best way to learn. HTH, Michael

oil separator is a somewhat common problem on early 996 and boxster. the last Excellce discussed this in the Q&A section. all those items seem to be fairly priced. even if you find a indy(who you can trust, not someone in gas station), the price won't go down much.

spark plug tubes are ~$13.00 each & the car has six.....which totals $78.00. A muffler is ~$510.00....surely you could get it replaced for less than $100.00! $270.00 for a battery........??? I was thinking you "should" be able to have everything done for 50% of what the total is at an independant. just my .02 - Cam

270.00 for a battery - seemed outrageous to me as well Most of the cost for these things is in the labor. For instance they have the muffler cositng 610 but an hour and a half of labor makes it 818. Thats almost $140/hour in labor. Now I expect some premium from a porsche dealer, but this seems a little over the top, am I wrong? Given the opposing opinions its still a little unclear. Anyone else want to break the tie?

"This is going to be your first car!?!?!" Well it will be my first purchased car. My first car was bought from my father (so I don't really count that). "do the maintenance yourself" I can do minor things, like brakes, but as with you I have no idea what an oil separator even is. I think resealing the oil pan may be out of my league as well. As for the forums, I agree there is a wealth of information. I literally have been reading them every free second (I'm excited). I can't wait to post the obligatory "I finally got it" post. Unfortunately the sales person I have been dealing with is out today. So I'll have to be excited a little longer.

Seems like a strange statement when you don't really know anything about the original poster (ie. age, income, resources). I think the price sounds fair and the work as quoted by the dealer seems overpriced. In my area (st. louis) you could find a independent shop (Porsche) that would do it for less. I would however use it to try and negociate a lower price from the seller. I have been watching the used 996 market for a while (1999 - 2001) and that sounds like a good deal and the items on the PPI wouldn't be anything that would prevent me from buying. Mark

If your first car is a Porsche, then good for you!! But get a second opinion on the pricing of those repairs and be patient finding the right car and don't rush to buy the first one...there are lots out there.

My concerns would be. Why does so much need to be done. To me this points to an inatentive owner. I guess Its possible for most of these things to look ok to the layman but be identified by a PPI. (Thats what the're for right!) Id have to wonder what else on the car was negleted oil changes, and regular maint. Do they have any serivce records? If not I'd probably walk. I just had a PPI done on a 99 996 today and the only thing that came back was a slightly weak battery as the car has been in storage for the winter. Its got 23k on it and if everything goes well tomorrow I'll get it for $33k.

A std muffler goes for about $350 from Sunset Porsche. Those prices are really jacked up.

I have done lots of PPIs for various cars I have owned over the years. I always find it funny that they list out all the nit picking stuff as if you are trying to make the car perfect.. it's a used car! Non-Porsche approved tires, give me a break

Outrageous prices - totally hype up prices even if done at dealer. Why so many things need to be replaced? Oil pan leaking? What is airbag maint? Is the muffler rattling or leaking? Sounds like it was a thorough PPI but some items are optional. Those needing done can be done cheaper at about 1/2 price. I'd be surprised if you end up spending $1500 to take care of what it really needs.

Is this a private purchase or through a dealer? Sounds like a really good deal, from what I have been seeing for prices. Good luck!

Its a small local shop started by a couple guys. They have a very good buyer and they set the price slightly over what they get the vehicles for. Five guys at my office have purchased from them and have had great experinces. They usually deal in BMW, Audi, Lexus etc... They only purchasse vehicles in exceptional condition and sell them with waranties. The 996 is a fairly base model, but has traction and LSD.

So it has a warrenty too? Does this place have a website/phone number etc.?