30K Service

Dropped it off at the dealer today for 30K service. I was quoted $1064.00. I asked how much for oil & filter that was included, response was $224.00, so I said hold on that since I did a Mobile 1 myself 7K ago, so net will cost me around $800 bucks. I had a long list of minor aches and pains that should be covered under warranty (expires Nov. this year) So...is that a fair price for 30K service? Dealer is in So. Calif. Brad 02 coupe H&R Orange Plug GHL LOUD B&M

WTF??!! $1,064 is OUTRAGEOUS for a 30K service!!! Which dealer?

I got quoted $ 1500.00 CDN or circa $1219.00 USD for a 48k service. I guess it comes with the ownership but I would certainly shop it around. Cheers

1050$ in NY dealers.

I paid just under $600 for the 30K service at an independent Porsche shop in the SF Bay Area.

[QUOTE=Bford100]Dropped it off at the dealer today for 30K service. I was quoted $1064.00. I asked how much for oil & filter that was included, response was $224.00, so I said hold on that since I did a Mobile 1 myself 7K ago, so net will cost me around $800 bucks. I had a long list of minor aches and pains that should be covered under warranty (expires Nov. this year) So...is that a fair price for 30K service? Dealer is in So. Calif. $650 to 675 here in Portland at an independent shop and we have no sales tax to boot!

You're talking about a couple of filters (probably under $100). I think the "book" number of labor hours for a 30K service is 4 (including the oil change), which is probably very much on the high side of the actual time required. Other than changing oil and filter, the 30K service basically involves checking the car over (fluids, computer readout, test drive, etc.). I paid $583 (including oil change) at my dealer a year ago on my Boxster S (exactly the same service as a 996). Here's the official checklist for a 30K service:

I'd like to watch the visual inspection for oil and fluid leaks during the road test

I found the range in the SF Bay Area to be $800 to $1,200 at dealers. I decided to do the service myself, cost under $300 for all parts and that was purchasing the parts from a dealer. I now know that I could have saved close to half that amount if I would have ordered the parts online. Took about 3 hours and I learned a lot about the car. Now have a lot of extra cash for more mods. Kris

Yeah, $700 is about avg cost of 30k. You should always call different dealer for price. It's not very hard to do yourself if you are handy. I think your price of $1000+ is a rip off unless they do brake fluid flush and coolant changes as well.

My wife and I own four cars: two Audis, a Porsche, and an '03 Hyundai Elantra. The Hyundai Elantra Dealer wanted $375 for their 30K service which is basically an oil change and a number of checks. So I took it to a local mechanic and he charged me $90 for the same service. So it seems like all Dealers rip- off their customers. I think $375 for a 30K service for a Hyundai is even more of a rip-off than $1K for a 30K service for a 996.

I wonder if there is a correlation between having those services done at the dealer and having the dealer go to bat for you in cases where the warranty can be interpreted either way. Anyone have any thoughts/experience?

Thanks for all the responses. The post above about having the dealer go to bat for you on a marginal warranty call is probably why I will allow the dealer to charge this. However, I put my foot down on the oil change, that's ridiculous for $200+ bucks.... So I can't wait for the phone to ring today from the Service Mgr. telling me what "else" may be neccessary for repair that is not covered under warranty (i.e. wearable items and the price that goes with them). Don't wan't to disclose dealer name and location yet because they are probably reading this post!!!!

of all dealers. The margin on these items is obscene, and are a major profit item for a dealer. They are hoping that the owner does not know how simple changing the oil and filters is, and that they will just go along with paying whatever they quote. After all it is a Porsche, so it must be expensive...... Now that they have got your car, and you bent over the fender with your pants down, they will now "find" other things to to take your money for. Be sure to ask for courtesy lubricant while you are paying to get the shaft. For me, I would rather save my money and use it wisely. The choice is simple, learn how to maintain your car, and how to spend your money wisely. Or stay ignorant, and pay out the rear. When ever I see these posting for folks asking if $1000 is reasonable for a 30K service, and then go ahead and pay it, I just shake my head. But then again, if there were not for these people willing to give away their money, who would the smart (or maybe opportunistic is a better adjective) people find to take that money from? it is true, a sucker is born every minute!

I would have to agree with Lee. If you have a warranty issue and can show dealer service (for those that have the warranty) vs. DIY or similar, less ground for the dealer to stand on i would think?

Bingo, there absolutely is a correlation. I use an independent shop for a lot of stuff, but I leave the sched maint. to the dealer, got to throw them a bone if you want their help in the future.

I think it's that, and also a matter of goodwill with the dealer, helping a "good customer". I'm not advocating one way or the other (yet). I'm changing my own oil, and the plan is every 3k, because it is an excuse to tinker with the car. My commute is short, so the decision is a long way off. My experience with other cars, albeit less expensive ones, was that having the dealer do the service helped a lot. In one case, we had a 95 Volvo, and after the 3rd CEL my (ex) wife chewed them out and they invited her down to pick out a 96 and just pay the difference in the sticker between the two cars. (unbelievable but true).

I would sure hope you would get some goodwill for writing a $600 to $800 check for 3 hours of labor. After dealing with three local parts departments in the SF Bay Area, I would be pissed paying them COST for parts let alone any labor! They all have had quite an attitude and were quite proud of the huge mark up they had. The price we pay for these cars should be plenty of incentive for them to go to bat for you on warranty issues! Although, if you do not have tools and are not comfortable working on your car I could see just paying the price and moving on (although I would find a good independent if I couldn't do it myself). It would seem that people not comfortable working on their car would not include most people here. I found it was much easier than I thought it would be and also took less time. Kris

Too bad there are areas where graft and bribery are still the accepted way of doing business. With all of the choices and alternatives out there today, it is disappointing that people still have to cower AND be overcharged on things like this.

Orient, that's just the way it is. Don't get me wrong, I do plenty of my own wrenching (tires, brakes, mufflers, shifters, spoilers....). I have a known RMS problem on my car and I need the dealerin my corner, plus I don't mind them going thru my car and my laundry list of complaints.

I think Dealers would like you to believe that having your car serviced by them will improve your chances of having questionable warranty items covered, but I doubt it. Remember it's Porsche and not the Dealer that is the final arbiter. I have to believe that Dealers would be highly motivated to have the questionable item covered by warranty since they know that the chances are slim that they will get the repair work if it isn't covered by warranty.

Any dealer would like to work on warranty repairs. They get money! I don't think DIY risks warranty. You can show receipts of filter and oil purchase as proof also. Do it yourself but don't skimp on the inspections bc that only leads to failure of expensive parts.

Then it must be PCNA's job to find a way to not do them? Say if you did a track day or had a type 2 over-rev?