996 Servicing - Miles, Annual, Use or follow the book?

Afternoon all, With August nearly upon us, and the end of my Indy 1 year warranty up, it's going in for a few minor things before warranty expires; sticking starter motor (or equivalent, there is an intermittent whine when starting it at times that sounds awful), new key (one stopped working 1 week into ownership) and a non locking fuel filler flap. When purchasing, I was advised that with it now being a 14 year old car (Nov 2004), to look at a Annual service, (no matter the miles) and not risk waiting the 2 years/12k miles, as with it not being a daily drive, it could be 3-5 years before it gets its next one, with the limited miles I do at weekends. Now, I'm torn on this, so was wondering what others do and their experience of doing annual, 12k or whatever. The fact that the car has only had what looks like 6 services (below) averaging 10/12k per service but some having a few years between them. I know one reason was that the last owner was very unwell for a period and this car was traded in for a GT3 for his son, who practically run the business with the father unwell, I believe, is the reason for the long time gaps: 10662 Minor OPC Jan 07 first 12k service 27845 Major+Sparks (+belt is written in) OPC Nov 08 44533 Minor Indy (Notts) Nov 10 52063 Major Indy (Notts) Nov 11 61869 Major+Sparks/IMS/Clutch/AirCon Jan 2015 Indy (Herts) 64332 Major April 17 Indy (Cambs) So the fact that it's only done 2400 miles since its last service in Apr 17 and only 1700 miles in my ownership am wondering if it's actually needed. Any input gratefully received. Mark

I have had a service every year alternating between minor and major. Always with an OPC and now their 996 charges are reasonable I feel it’s worth it. However at the last service which should have been a minor when I said I had only done 1100 miles the OPC recommended an oil change and a general check up. Stamps in the book etc and a reasonable cost.

Mine has the yearly maintenance and Oil filter/oil change every year regardless of mileage which is always around now 4000 - 5000 Klms. Pollen & air filter and plugs are changed at the recommended Km/Mls in the book. The car now lives in Western Australia and even with the high summer temps my Indy says just carry on the same. I use 5W-40W Mobil1 now, before in UK used Shell Helix 5W-40W. The car loves it here!![8D]

The device interval for a 2004 model is 2 years OR 20000 miles. A service is as little as £250 from a PORSCHE specialist YOU WILL lose far more than that in its residual value by not doing a service ie easily £1000 plus.

That's the thing, neither 2 years or 12k has passed since the last one and it was only as the Indy advised that at 14 years old now, an annual would be good. Having spoken to a number of people at the R10 today and responses here, think I will do the oil and filter and leave at that until a Minor next year, along with the other checks needed. I do not plan on selling it any time soon, but understand the value/stamp element. Cheers, Mark

Its bi-annual or 20k. If your only doing 2/3k per annum bi annual service is plenty, be aware you maybe talking to owners of 1998 to 2002 model cars which are annual /12k service intervals. An oil and filter is a minor service a major is plus pollen filter and spark plugs, annual servicing is good but wont add value to your car so leaving until next spring is fine.

Thank you

Sorry to be a stickler, but for MY2003> the interval is 2 years or 12000 miles (20000km). 20000 mile intervals were introduced for the 9x7. I agree with Gordon. I would give this year a miss, and think about a Minor service next April. Having had 3 Majors in a row, it has been seriously over-serviced. [ ]

Thanks, Richard I suppose that does make sense when put like that

I go for the annual servicing, but then mine is driven 4/5 days per week with a mix of short hops and longer runs. Peace of mind for the relatively small cost that Northway charge for their servicing. Plus they can advise if anything crops up rather than leave it for a longer period. Mine is also an 04 plate. Could be worth going for the oil change service at an OPC and joining the Porsche Classic Register as 996s now qualify as classics...

Thanks, chap I was on the Porsche website, a few weeks ago (996s as classics) and clicked to look into that, but the link never worked

Mine is done yearly what ever the miles and has only been to an OPC from new. Without digging out the service book I think its 2 minors then a major that mine has had. I recently joined the Classic register and the discounts on offer as it is a classic are pretty good. Contact your local OPC and they'll get you signed up. The people at Swindon are always pleased to see it!

Thank you

Mine does 5k to 7k per year and the official servicing is 2 years/ 20 k miles (it's a 2003). I missed one year when I did very few miles and felt "uneasy"... So, now it goes to the Indy every year and has a minimum inspection/ oil change and filter check. It's just peace of mind really and the cost can be just a couple of hundred £.

I go every year, with an average 6k miles a year. My car is driven in a spirited fashion at weekends (using the full rev range) and a couple of times a week for mundane duties. Usually not without getting to full temperature at least once during the day of use. I think with with the age of the car (mine is 1999) I see service costs as insurance but always have in mind that it’s an old Porsche. Plus comfort can be found in it not being air cooled and needing a mortgage if things go pear shaped. Lets be honest they are pretty special cars and worth every penny for the experience.

If you have a pre-2003 car, then you are right to go for an annual service/inspection depending on mileage, and if you were doing 5-6000+ miles a year in a 2003-on car, I would probably recommend the same. However, at around 2000 miles a year on a 2003 car, and annual service is excessive IMO.

Afternoon folks. Just had an estimate for the 12k Service, Brake Fluid and Spark Plugs. Inc parts, labour, sundries and VAT, was not far off of £700. Now, going back to where I was when starting this thread in the summer, my circumstances slightly changed and I'm not as cash rich as I was and I do not want to cut corners, and not having this done, isn't an option, but here are my questions: A, would/should an Indy let me supply my own parts? (exc Oil) Especially as I'm keen on the Air Filter Stuart Mackay mentioned in the K&N Upgrade thread, to reduce the costs? If I save £30, I won't bother, just wonder if I could source the same, for less. B, I will try a dealer and see what the cost is, especially as there is a Classic Register option. Anyone advise who is better, Reading or Swindon, as I live slap bang between the two of them, so distance not an issue? Anything else I should consider? Ta, Mark

Mark, My OPC stopped price matching on oil when Opie Oils price (with Club discount) got too low, so I would suggest supplying oil yourself.

Get asensible quote from someone else. Your last major should have covered spark plugs so you only need a minor. NORTHWAY Porsche quote only £210 + vat. A major Inc plugs is only £340 + vat. Spending the above will be offset in your car value a non specialist service will effect its value more than the above cost. If you go annual for an oil change for safety! As your car is on a 2 year cycle suggest you supply the oil to a local garage and don't get the service book stamped.

I agree with Gordon. Get a sensible quote. £700 is outrageous IMO. My indy friends at Wrightune in Wallingford charge £200 +VAT for a Minor, £65 for brake fluid, and I also agree that you don't need plugs.

It was £668, and that is what I was thinking, it just seems too much. Thanks for the advice on plugs, so even at 4 years and 10k miles (just checked the Camb Indy invoice from April 2017 and plugs weren't done, so are 4 years/10k miles since last plug change) you think don't do, or should they have been done if this Camb Indy have ticked a Major Service? Calling Reading and Swindon this morning, am going to try Wrightune ad Autofarm too. Ta Mark

A spark plug change is part of the Major Maintenance Service Schedule, so they SHOULD have been changed. If not, the change interval is "911 Carrera (996) as of MY '01 every 80,000 Km, at least every 4 years" according to the Maintenance Schedules.

Mark hi, I would also try Dove House Motors and DW Performance in Wellingbourough both have good reputations in our region see you soon

Thanks guys. I'm torn on the plugs and Brake fluid tbh. 4 years, they (plugs) are due on time, but surely, I'm using it regularly enough, but only 10k miles on plugs, when realistically they are surely a 40/60k replaceable item in the main, and only 5k miles/2 years on brake fluid, I'm tempted to just do a 12k mile service. What I don't want to do, if she's sold in next year or two, (which I doubt, but you never know) is a buyer think things have been missed and it not be properly be maintained, but I really don't want to replace things that I still believe are doing well. A friends just called to discuss a get together with his 964, he said he would wait on plugs until next service and do the brake fluid next year, which sounds sensible. But, that would be 8 years between plugs, at the miles I do. Decisions, decisions. Thanks for the other garage recommendations, Geoff Mark

Mark, Just to say that with the plugs I think it's more important to ensure that they haven't seized rather than that they've reached their 'life' at the mileage you're doing. Also, the recommended interval for a brake fluid change is 2-years owing to the hygroscopic nature of the fluid. That may appear to be over-pessimistic but you may be able either to find someone who can perform a check on the fluid's status or buy a brake fluid moisture tester to do the check yourself to help you make an informed decision. Jeff

NORTHWAYS are about 4 miles from the Reading OPC and have been around d for 25+ years.

Agree again! I always have mine serviced annually, the last one was £220 all in from a reputable garage with Mobil 1 as well! I feel it isn't worth not having it serviced. Brake fluid change is £66 inclusive. Can I post a link to their fixed price service menu??

Of course - please go ahead.

Thank you Peter, Dove House http://www.dovehousecars.com/servicing/#fixedpriceservicing Always great service and well looked after. TBH for the sake of £200 I would (do) have an annual service. Julian

Certainly pays to shop around! Thanks for all the recent comments and help with places for prices, as well as advice on plugs and fluid. It looks like, despite the amount of miles, that I should get it all done, just not at nearly £700! It's due for April, so am so glad I started research now Mark

Thank you for all of the input above, it made some interesting reading, thoughts and investigation. For those that are interested I am taking to Porsche Swindon in April, who came in lower than the Indy estimate and lower (by quite some margin) than Reading (I believe that is down to the fixed price servicing and PCGB membership that helps on the plugs element of the work. Reading is hourly based and doesnt have fixed pricing anymore, from what I understood on the phone) So as to keep it a fair comparison I asked for the same work to be quoted and carried out, but there were variations on the jobs prices themselves. And although it isn't much of a monetary value, I was happy to have it added to the Classics register at the same time. I was impressed with Dove Motors pricing, that takes some beating, but I also looked at location and getting to Swindon is far easier for me and add to the Classic Register and an OPC stamp (not that it maybe matters at the age/mileage) what I thought was best for me at this stage. Also, if anyone else is interested in things happening with prices at OPCs, I was led to believe that Porsche may be changing (and therefore upping) labour costs and prices of work. I have agreed with Swindon as I've booked it in advance, they will honour what has been quoted today, but I needed to have it done early April. So, if you are thinking of any OPC or Swindon work pre-April/May, it may be worth booking it now or bringing it forward. Thanks again and hope the costs info may benefit someone Mark