718 Life: Are You Being Served?

[lukesward]

718life.blogspot.com

Time to spend some money.

First service interval is at hand. 15,000 kms or one year, whichever comes first. A simple oil change and visual inspection is all, although I use the term 'simple' rather loosely as Porsche charges a full two hours labour to do the job. So it can't be that simple, right? Right?

Let's see: oil and filter costs amount to $135 (Canadian $$) which is pretty on par with the Hyundai, even cheaper actually, given that I change that oil every 5000 kms at a cost of around $80 for oil and filter each time. The killer is the labour cost - double my regular mechanic, and double the amount of time. So, four times the labour cost. Yikes. But...they are super-specialized mechanics, right? Dealing with something super-complex, right? So worth the hefty labour cost, right?

Well, actually, on the 4.0 litre, the oil changes are apparently relatively straightforward, as long as you can get at the underneath of the car. Which, thanks to my GTS Chronicles companion and his garage upgrades, not to mention the puck solution we sorted, is now something easy to do. In fact, the car is designed so that all of the regular maintenance jobs are easy enough if you can get underneath. There are no jobs that require accessing the top of the engine - now that would be a real pain. However, I can't start doing my own maintenance just yet, as I think that voids the warranty, so I'll have to wait until the three years have passed. Then it will definitely make sense to do my own oil changes. Maybe by then I will have a proper place to do it too!

Anyway, for now, it's off to the 'stealership' to have the job done before we head out on another lovely road trip to NB, this time with my aunt and uncle in tow, from the UK, guiding them along my pleasant route through the USA to mum and dad's.

Fresh oil, a welcome destination, and good company. What more could you ask for?

Oh and the Boxster too, right!!

~ Luke

[blueline]

718life.blogspot.com

Time to spend some money.

First service interval is at hand. 15,000 kms or one year, whichever comes first. A simple oil change and visual inspection is all, although I use the term 'simple' rather loosely as Porsche charges a full two hours labour to do the job. So it can't be that simple, right? Right?

Let's see: oil and filter costs amount to $135 (Canadian $$) which is pretty on par with the Hyundai, even cheaper actually, given that I change that oil every 5000 kms at a cost of around $80 for oil and filter each time. The killer is the labour cost - double my regular mechanic, and double the amount of time. So, four times the labour cost. Yikes. But...they are super-specialized mechanics, right? Dealing with something super-complex, right? So worth the hefty labour cost, right?

Well, actually, on the 4.0 litre, the oil changes are apparently relatively straightforward, as long as you can get at the underneath of the car. Which, thanks to my GTS Chronicles companion and his garage upgrades, not to mention the puck solution we sorted, is now something easy to do. In fact, the car is designed so that all of the regular maintenance jobs are easy enough if you can get underneath. There are no jobs that require accessing the top of the engine - now that would be a real pain. However, I can't start doing my own maintenance just yet, as I think that voids the warranty, so I'll have to wait until the three years have passed. Then it will definitely make sense to do my own oil changes. Maybe by then I will have a proper place to do it too!

Anyway, for now, it's off to the 'stealership' to have the job done before we head out on another lovely road trip to NB, this time with my aunt and uncle in tow, from the UK, guiding them along my pleasant route through the USA to mum and dad's.

Fresh oil, a welcome destination, and good company. What more could you ask for?

Oh and the Boxster too, right!!

~ Luke

Isn't your first annual maintenance included with the purchase? All new Porsches sold in US include the first year annual service at no charge.

Also, doing simple service work such as an oil change yourself won't void the warranty per se as long as it's all documented, proper parts used and the work done correctly. Obviously, you can't cross-thread something and expect warranty to pay for correcting the mistake. Also, there are often a few new parts required even on simple oil changes that aren't obvious, so those should be followed to be sure not to run afoul of Porsche. You can even let your dealer know that you did the work and have it documented. That's especially effective if you buy the parts and materials from them.

Much stems from Porsche's requirements rather than something the dealership throws out there randomly. On newer Porsches (and as you are planning on doing), I'd definitely stick to the dealer, at least during the warranty period. A solid record of what's been done is established with Porsche, PCNA and the dealer. Also, most dealers have effective multi-point inspections they follow and a good tech (that's always key!) might spot issues early on that need to be corrected. That's work that might otherwise slip through the cracks for a long time, work that could have been completed within the car's warranty period had it been known. In addition, there are software campaigns, lower echelon TSBs and other matters that Porsche dealers will have access to. I'll also point out the amazing assistance that Porsche offers to its dealer network regarding Porsche customers and their cars.

Older cars - yeah, no problem away from the dealer and, in fact, often much better or even the only way to get a job done correctly or done at all (again depending on the dealership techs). But regarding today's vehicles (of all makes), they often benefit with the expertise and resources not always easily available to individuals.

Meanwhile, back to what's really important: have fun on your trip and enjoy the ride!!

[Stormy_Monday]

My first annual was last year and it was free from Porsche. Second one, not so much.....

[lukesward]

Isn't your first annual maintenance included with the purchase? All new Porsches sold in US include the first year annual service at no charge.

Sadly no, not in Canada.

Also, doing simple service work such as an oil change yourself won't void the warranty per se as long as it's all documented, proper parts used and the work done correctly.

Ah, thanks, didn't realize that. I do take your points about service at the dealer during the warranty period for all the reasons you said though, yep. Until that three year mark, I'll stick with the dealer for sure, despite the higher costs. Peace of mind and all.

Meanwhile, back to what's really important: have fun on your trip and enjoy the ride!!

Absolutely! Thanks!

~ Luke

[blueline]

Luke I didn't realize that about not including the first annual service for new Porsches delivered/sold in Canada. That's a new one for me. I hate to hear that!

And you also mentioned 3-years for the warranty. Porsches here are 4-years or 50k miles - are they not 4 years in Canada?

Also, considering the above, please make sure that what I said about doing your own work while still in warranty is ok too as that might be different in Canada. (However, I'd be very surprised if it was not ok.)


The included first annual service is part of every Porsche's Monroney sticker for US sold vehicles:

Screenshot_2024-07-29_15-41.png (6.76 KiB) Viewed 750 times

[lukesward]

And you also mentioned 3-years for the warranty. Porsches here are 4-years or 50k miles - are they not 4 years in Canada?

Just double-checked and you are right - it's 4 years or 80,000 kms here in Canada for any new Porsche.

https://www.porsche.com/canada/en/acces ... /warranty/

Thanks for keeping me honest!! (and informed)

~ Luke

[Bruinfn4lf]

There is some general maintenance items that need access to the top of the engine, changing the air filter as an example. I have not attempted to access the top of the motor as of yet and have read it is “no big deal” and “a real pain in the arse”.

[lukesward]

There is some general maintenance items that need access to the top of the engine, changing the air filter as an example. I have not attempted to access the top of the motor as of yet and have read it is “no big deal” and “a real pain in the arse”.

Hmmm...wonder if it's a Boxster vs. Cayman thing, given that the Boxster has a "service mode" for the roof that gets it out of the way (somewhat anyway). I can see it being a PITA in the confines of the Cayman hatch...

~ Luke

[Bruinfn4lf]

Ah yes, you have a Boxster, I forgot that you two Chronicles fellas have one of each. I have a Cayman so I have no idea how to get to the top of the motor in your vehicle. That being said what I have read regarding ease of access to the top of the motor have all been regarding Caymans. Comments being, “it’s just removal of a few trim pieces” to “it’s ridiculous how hard it is to access the motor”.